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Best Small Business Credit Cards of 2021

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The best small business credit cards offer small business owners multiple benefits. You can receive rewards and purchase protections, build business credit and get short-term financing at no cost if you pay your bill in full each month. Small business owners may also enjoy cardholder benefits such as statement credits and airport lounge access. Here are four of the best options.

Our Picks for the Best Small Business Cards

The Blue for Business® Credit Card from American Express

No annual fee
2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar

Ink Business Preferred® credit card

$95 annual fee
3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year
1 point per dollar on all other purchases

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express

$595 annual fee
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com

Capital One Spark Classic for Business

No annual fee
1% cash back on every purchase

Best for Financing New Purchases: The Blue for Business® Credit Card from American Express

This offer is not available through Experian. Check issuer's website for current offer details.

The Blue for Business® Credit Card from American Express could be a good option if you want to finance upcoming purchases. The card doesn't have an annual fee, and you can earn:

  • 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 you spend each year
  • 1 point per dollar after that

With the card's Expand Buying Power benefit, American Express may let you spend more than your card's limit based on your card use, creditworthiness and other factors. Additionally, new cardholders could qualify for an introductory 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases for the first 12 months after opening their account. Once the promotional period ends, the standard variable APR will apply to the remaining balance. Terms apply.

Best for Travel Rewards: Ink Business Preferred®

This offer is not available through Experian. Check issuer's website for current offer details.

The Ink Business Preferred® credit card from Chase gives you bonus points on popular business purchases. You can earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on up to $150,000 in combined purchases each card anniversary year in the following categories:

  • Shipping
  • Social media and search engine advertising
  • Internet, cable and phone services
  • Travel

Other purchases offer an unlimited 1 point per dollar.

You can redeem your points in a variety of ways, including cash back and gift cards. But cardholders get an extra 25% value when they redeem points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Additionally, you can transfer your points to partner travel rewards programs, which may offer a better redemption value.

The card has a $95 annual fee, but there's no foreign transaction fee and new cardholders may qualify for an intro bonus.

Best for Luxury Benefits: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express

This offer is not available through Experian. Check issuer's website for current offer details.

If you frequently travel for work, The Business Platinum® Card from American Express could upgrade your experience. It's not a typical credit card, but you can carry a balance for certain charges.

Cardholders receive a variety of benefits, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, a statement credit for Clear and Global Entry or TSA Precheck memberships, and elite status in the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs.

The biggest drawbacks are the card's $595 annual fee and limited bonus point options. Using the card, you can earn:

  • 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
  • 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 1 million points per calendar year)
  • 1 point per dollar on other purchases

You'll get 35% of your American Express Membership Rewards points back (up to 500,000 per calendar year) if you redeem your points for an eligible flight. Terms apply.

Best for Fair Credit: Capital One Spark Classic for Business

This offer is not available through Experian. Check issuer's website for current offer details.

Your options may be limited if you don't have good or excellent credit, but the Capital OneSpark Classic for Business only requires fair credit.

The card doesn't have an annual fee. And, you'll earn unlimited 1% cash back on your purchases with no minimum redemption requirement. Paying your monthly bill on time could help your credit.

Who Qualifies for a Small Business Card?

You can qualify for a small business credit card if you run a small business, even if it's brand new.

The business doesn't need to have a storefront or employees. You may qualify if you're a freelancer or have a part-time side gig and run a sole proprietorship. Limited liability companies and corporations can also open small business cards in the company's name.

Most small business cards require the owner to sign a personal guarantee—meaning they're personally responsible for the debt. Larger businesses may be eligible for corporate credit cards.

Benefits of Small Business Cards

The rewards, fees and specific benefits depend on the card. But many small business credit cards can help you:

  • Separate business and personal expenses. Keeping your personal and business purchases separate can help you manage your business's finances and make preparing tax returns easier.
  • Manage employee expenses. Small business credit cards often let you request employee cards. You may be able to set spending limits, controls and alerts for the cards, and avoid having to deal with reimbursement requests. Employee cards are often, but not always, free.
  • Protect your purchases. Similar to some consumer cards, small business cards may offer a variety of purchase and travel benefits. These can include extended warranties, purchase protection and return protection. When booking travel, you may receive trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance and auto rental collision damage waivers.

Check Your Credit Before Applying

While you open small business credit cards in the business's name, your personal credit can be important. You can check your Experian credit report and get a FICO® Score 8 based on the report for free. Experian also has a separate small business credit service, which you can use to check your business's credit report and scores.

All information regarding Capital One Spark Cash for Business, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Capital One Spark Classic for Business has been gathered independently by Experian and has not been provided or reviewed by the issuer.