If you're looking for a rewards card specifically for your business spending, you have a variety of great options. From The Business Platinum Card® from American Express with its points rebate for airfare to the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with its 3-point-per-dollar categories, there's no shortage of cards that help you maximize purchases for your business.
Earning rewards on your expenses is a must for any growing company, making business cards essential. But what if you're a startup or up-and-comer looking for a rewarding no-annual-fee business credit card? This limits your choices a bit, though happily, there are still some solid picks.
Related: The best business credit cards
The Blue Business® Plus Credit card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership.
Why it's worth it: This card offers a flat 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases for the first $50,000 you spend each calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter). Since TPG values Amex points at 2 cents apiece, you're looking at a 4% return on spending up to that $50,000-a-year cap. There's no additional fee to add cards for employees (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Blue Business Plus card for more details.
Apply here: Blue Business Plus
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
Why it's worth it: This Chase business card is unique in that it allows you to redeem rewards as cash back (with each point earned equal to 1 cent), but if you have an Ultimate Rewards-earning card — such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card — you can choose to convert your cash-back points to Ultimate Rewards points that are fully transferable to Chase's airline and hotel partners.
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That flexibility, coupled with the Ink Business Cash's bonus categories, can lead to a healthy return on spending. You'll get 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services, plus 2% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year. Then, you'll earn an uncapped 1% cash back on everything else.
Read our review of the Ink Business Cash card for more details.
Apply here: Ink Business Cash
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
Why it's worth it: This is essentially the business version of the Chase Freedom Unlimited (minus the bonus categories on the Freedom Unlimited). It earns you 1.5% back on purchases, uncapped. The 1.5% cash back you earn on all spending can be boosted with a card that earns Ultimate Rewards since you can transfer your cash back to redeem it as points, getting you an over 3% return on spending based on TPG's valuations.
The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers higher purchase protection limits than the Freedom Unlimited, along with primary car rental insurance when renting for business purposes.
Read our review of the Ink Business Unlimited card for more details.
Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first three months.
Why it's worth it: If you want a simple business card to earn cash back, this Blue Business Cash is a terrific option. You'll earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases for your first $50,000 spent each year, then 1%. You can also access expanded buying power when your business has to spend beyond your credit limit. Additional employee cards for $0 (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Blue Business Cash card for more details.
Apply here: Blue Business Cash
Capital One Spark Cash Select For Excellent Credit
Sign-up bonus: Earn a $750 bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first three months of account opening
Why it's worth it: Unlike many other cards on this list, the Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit doesn't charge foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), making it a wise choice if you travel abroad. You'll earn an unlimited 1.5% back on everything along the way.
Read our review of the Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit card for more details.
Apply here: Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 points with this card when you use it to make $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening — worth $300 toward travel.
Why it's worth it: This card earns you 3 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn as much as 75% more per purchase with this no-annual-fee card. When it comes time to redeem, you can use points toward statement credits for travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point or for cash back or gift cards.
Read our review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card for more details.
Related: The best Bank of America credit cards
Apply here: Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn a $300 online statement credit after making at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Why it's worth it: This card can be a great option if you want to customize your earnings. Each month, you can designate one of the following categories and receive 3% cash back on those purchases:
- Gas and EV charging stations
- Office supply stores
- Travel
- TV and telecommunications
- Computer services
- Business consulting services
Also, you'll earn 2% back on dining and 1% back on all other purchases, though your heightened cash back rates are capped at $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%). Couple your custom category with the earning power of Bank of America's Preferred Rewards to maximize your rewards.
Read our review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card for more details.
Apply here: Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card
Bottom line
Plenty of options for no-annual-fee business credit cards also rack up lucrative rewards. You might not get the highest earning rates on these cards and most are light on supplementary perks. However, if your goal is to recoup some cash or to earn redeemable points toward free travel without an upfront cost, you've got valuable options.
Related: How to choose the right credit card for your business expenses
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Cash Card, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
