For smaller, recurring expenses — office supplies, software subscriptions, travel, marketing spend — a business credit card is often the simplest and most accessible form of revolving credit available to small business owners. This guide compares the top options and explains how to choose the right one for your business.
Why Use a Business Credit Card?
- Builds business credit history, separate from your personal credit profile, which matters for future financing.
- Simplifies expense tracking, keeping business purchases separate from personal spending.
- Earns rewards or cash back on categories many small businesses spend heavily in (software, advertising, travel).
- Provides a revolving credit line for smaller purchases without the paperwork of a formal line of credit.
- Often includes employee cards with individual spending limits, useful for managing team expenses.
Top Business Credit Cards Compared
Chase Ink Business Preferred
- Best for: businesses wanting strong travel and general spending rewards
- Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, and advertising (up to $150,000 combined spend/year)
- Annual fee: $95
- Credit score needed: 700+ typically recommended
American Express Business Gold Card
- Best for: businesses with concentrated spending in specific categories
- Rewards: 4x points on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle
- Annual fee: $295
- Credit score needed: 690+ typically recommended
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Best for: businesses wanting simple, flat-rate cash back with no preset spending limit
- Rewards: 2% cash back on every purchase, unlimited
- Annual fee: $150 (waived with sufficient annual spend in some cases)
- Credit score needed: 700+ typically recommended
Brex Card
- Best for: startups and businesses wanting no personal guarantee
- Rewards: points on software, travel, and dining, varying by spend tier
- Annual fee: $0
- Credit score needed: no personal credit check — approval based on business bank balance and spending patterns instead
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards
- Best for: businesses wanting straightforward cash back without a high annual fee
- Rewards: 3% cash back on select everyday business categories
- Annual fee: $0
- Credit score needed: 670+ typically recommended
Comparison Table
| Card | Best For | Rewards Type | Annual Fee | Personal Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | Travel & general spend | Points | $95 | Yes |
| Amex Business Gold | Concentrated category spend | Points | $295 | Yes |
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus | Flat-rate cash back | Cash back | $150 | Yes |
| Brex Card | Startups, no personal guarantee | Points | $0 | No |
| U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards | Low-fee cash back | Cash back | $0 | Yes |
Business Credit Card vs. Business Line of Credit
A business credit card is generally better suited for smaller, recurring, predictable expenses, while a line of credit is typically better for larger draws or covering cash flow gaps, often at a lower effective interest rate if carried over time. See our full comparison in [what is a business line of credit and how does it work].
How to Choose the Right Business Credit Card
- Match rewards to your actual spending: a card with strong travel rewards isn’t useful if your business barely travels — prioritize categories where you spend the most.
- Check the personal guarantee requirement: most business cards still require one, but options like Brex don’t, which matters for founders wanting to separate personal and business liability.
- Weigh the annual fee against realistic rewards earned: a $295 annual fee only makes sense if the rewards earned clearly exceed it.
- Consider employee card features if you need to manage team spending with individual limits.
- Check the credit score requirement against your own profile before applying, to avoid an unnecessary hard inquiry.
Do Business Credit Cards Help Build Business Credit?
Yes — most major business credit cards report to at least one business credit bureau (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax Business), helping establish a business credit profile independent of the owner’s personal credit. This can improve your terms when applying for larger financing down the line, such as a term loan or SBA loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do business credit cards affect my personal credit score? Most business cards still require a personal guarantee and may report to personal credit bureaus, especially if the account becomes delinquent — so yes, in most cases, personal credit can be affected.
Can a brand-new business get a business credit card? Yes, particularly cards like Brex that evaluate business bank balances instead of personal credit, or basic starter cards from major banks with more lenient requirements.
Is it better to have a business credit card or a business line of credit? They serve different purposes — many businesses benefit from having both: a credit card for smaller recurring expenses and rewards, and a line of credit for larger, more flexible cash flow needs.
Conclusion
The right business credit card depends on your spending patterns, whether you want to avoid a personal guarantee, and how much value you’ll realistically get from rewards versus a card’s annual fee. For most established small businesses, a rewards card tied to your top spending categories offers the best long-term value; startups prioritizing liability separation should look closely at no-personal-guarantee options like Brex. For a broader look at revolving credit options, revisit our guide on [what is a business line of credit and how does it work].