Owning a business is not always easy on your credit score. When you have average credit, however, you have many options for a business credit card -- even though the best cards still come with requirements and limitations.
Regardless of which card issuer you choose, business credit cards require a credit check. While it's not difficult to pass a check and get a new credit card with average credit, it's still important to compare your options to find the best rate and terms for your new card.
These are our top picks for your growing business:
American Express? Business Gold Card
Best for flexible rewards
See Rates and Fees
Terms Apply card highlights intro bonusWelcome Offer: Earn70,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend$10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
APR19.49% - 27.49% Variable
recommended creditExcellent/Good
reward rates - Get 4X Membership Rewards? points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month.
- 1X is earned for other purchases. **
annual fee$295
intro purchase APRN/A
rewards & redemption details - Get 4X Membership Rewards? points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month.
- 1X is earned for other purchases. **
At a glance
The American Express Business Gold card is one of the best Amex business cards because of the generous introductory offer and rewards.
Business owners have the ability to earn points based on specific rewards spending categories like airlines, advertising, computer equipment, gas stations, and dining. It's even a great credit card for shipping with extra benefits.
The Amex Business Gold card also gives you access to many Amex small business perks, like 2x the Membership Rewards points when you book through AmexTravel.com and a 25% airline bonus when you use Membership Rewards Pay with Points.
Another convenient feature from American Express is the Pay Over Time option. This means you can carry a balance with interest on minimum purchases of$100.
Pros | Cons |
No cap on how many points you can earn 4x points on most popular categories Additional travel benefits | |
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
American Express? Business Gold Card
View now The Blue Business? Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best for business rewards
See Rates and Fees
Terms Apply card highlights intro bonusN/A
APR18.49% - 26.49% Variable
recommended creditExcellent, Good
reward rates - Earn 2X Membership Rewards? points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners
- 2X applies to the first$50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter
annual feeNo annual fee
intro purchase APR0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
rewards & redemption details - Earn 2X Membership Rewards? points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners
- 2X applies to the first$50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter
At a glance
With its fantastic introductory offer, the Blue Business Plus credit card from American Express is one of our picks for the best business credit cards with 0% APR (in this case, it's for one year). There is also no annual fee, saving you extra money when the introductory period is over.
Membership Rewards Points are easy to accumulate, too. When you book your travel through AmexTravel.com, you also receive 2x points.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Blue Business? Plus Credit Card from American Express
View now The Business Platinum Card? from American Express
Best for travel rewards
See Rates and Fees
Terms Apply card highlights intro bonusWelcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend$15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
APR19.49% - 27.49% Variable
recommended creditGood, Excellent
reward rates - 5X Membership Rewards? points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of$5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to$2 million of these purchases per calendar year
- 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
annual fee$695
intro purchase APRN/A
additional details balance transfer feeN/A
late payment fee$39 or 2.99% of any past due Pay in Full amount, whichever is greater.
foreign transaction feesNone
penalty APR29.99% Variable
rewards & redemption details - 5X Membership Rewards? points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of$5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to$2 million of these purchases per calendar year
- 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
At a glance
The American Express Business Platinum card is one of our picks for the best travel rewards credit cards; this is a card designed for the road warrior. The rewards structure is travel-oriented with additional rewards for everyday spending.
You also receive additional perks, like an up to$400 statement credit for Dell Technologies purchases ($200 per 6 months) and an up to$189 statement credit for CLEAR? security when you use your Amex card.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Business Platinum Card? from American Express
View now Chase Ink Business Cash? Credit Card
Best intro offer
card highlights intro bonusEarn $750 bonus cash back after you spend$6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
APR18.24% - 24.24% Variable
recommended creditGood, Excellent
reward rates - Earn 5% cash back on the first$25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first$25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
annual fee$0
intro purchase APR0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
additional details balance transfer feeEither$5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
balance transfer APR18.24% - 24.24% Variable
foreign transaction fees3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
penalty APRUp to 29.99%
rewards & redemption details - Earn 5% cash back on the first$25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first$25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
At a glance
The Chase Ink Business Cash credit card is one the best Chase business credit cards with dual introductory offers to get you started.
Rewards are targeted toward everyday office expenses for a credit card that rewards you on your regular spending. With Chase Unlimited Rewards, you can choose how you redeem your rewards with options like cash back, gift cards, and travel bonuses. You also get access to extra benefits, like fraud protection, purchase protection, and custom account notifications. Once you have a Chase Ink credit card, you can also earn up to 100,000 points annually for customer referrals.
Pros | Cons |
No annual fee 0% intro APR Competitive purchase APR | |
Chase Ink Business Cash? Credit Card
View now Chase Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card
Best for shipping
card highlights intro bonusEarn 100k bonus points after you spend$15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's$1,000 cash back or$1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards?
APR20.99% - 25.99% Variable
recommended creditGood, Excellent
reward rates - Earn 3 points per$1 on the first$150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- Earn 1 point per$1 on all other purchases