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From freelancers to small business owners, obtaining a business credit card can tremendously benefit your small business. However, with so many options, it can be difficult to settle on the right one. 

What are the spending limits? Does the card incentivize business travel, and are there any foreign transaction fees? Do you need excellent credit history? Are there sign-up bonus points? Is it good for a new business?

All of these questions need to be answered before you decide. Read on to find out our choices of best business credit cards for 2023.

Best Small Business Credit Cards

Our choices of the best small business credit cards of 2023:

  1. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
  2. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
  3. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  4. American Express® Business Gold Card
  5. Capital One Spark Cash Plus
  6. Capital On Tap Business Credit Card
  7. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  8. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
1

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Annual fee:$0 annual fee, see rates and fees.

APR:0% intro APR on purchases made within the first 12 months, 18.49% to 26.49% variable thereafter

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best for Daily Business Expenses

Annual fee: $0 annual fee, see rates and fees.

APR: 0% intro APR on purchases made within the first 12 months, 18.49% to 26.49% variable thereafter 

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

The American Express Blue Business Plus credit card is our top choice for daily business expenses. This card is excellent for business owners or freelancers who need a card to spend on daily expenses, especially since this card grants 2x membership rewards points on everyday purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 

2x rewards points are applied to the first $50,000 purchases per year and 1x rewards points after that. Therefore, this card is the best option for everyday usage to maximize the reward benefits. 

2

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Annual Fee$0/year, see Rates and Fees

APR0% intro APR on purchases made within the first 12 months, 18.49-26.49% variable after that

Recommended credit scoreGood to excellent, 670-850

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American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Best for Startups 

Annual fee: $0 annual fee, see rates and fees.

APR: 0% intro APR on purchases made within the first 12 months, 18.49-26.49% variable after that 

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

The American Express Blue Business Cash credit card is a well-rounded small business credit card ideal for small business startups. It offers flexible finance options as well as a beneficial rewards system.

With this small business credit card, you can earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 of qualified purchases per calendar year, then 1%. This is a great option if you need cash upfront to make big purchases such as storefront furniture or equipment.

3

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee:$695, see rates and fees.

APR:19.49 – 27.49% variable thereafter

Recommended credit score:Good to excellent, 670-850

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for Luxury Travel

Intro Offer: 120,000 membership rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months upon account opening. 

Annual fee: $695, see rates and fees.

Annual Percentage Rate/APR: 19.49 – 27.49% variable thereafter

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

This particular American Express Business Platinum credit card is ideal for business owners who like to travel with luxury. This small business credit card is known for its travel perks. Cardholders receive 5x membership rewards on flights and prepaid hotel purchases made through amextravel.com and 1x rewards points for all other eligible purchases.

There are also 1.5x rewards points available for eligible purchases in specific business categories such as construction supplies, electronic retailers, software providers, and more. 

As well, some of the travel perks are up to $200 airline credit with participating airlines and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection with more than 1,400 airport lounges in 140 countries. This card is for frequent business owners who like to indulge while traveling.

4

American Express® Business Gold Card

Annual Fee$295/year, see rates and fees

APR19.49 to 27.49% variable

Recommended credit scoreGood to excellent, 670-850

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American Express® Business Gold Card

Best for Flexible Rewards

Intro Offer: 70,000 membership rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months upon account opening.

Annual fee: $295, see rates and fees.

Annual Percentage Rate/APR: 19.49 to 27.49% variable

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

The American Express Business Gold credit card is our top choice for the best flexible rewards. Despite the hefty annual fee, there are many upsides to this small business credit card. 

This card boasts 4x membership rewards points on the first $150,000 combined purchases in two business categories per calendar year and 1x membership rewards points on all other eligible purchases.

This American Express card is best for flexible rewards that can be quickly accumulated if you need to make more significant purchases in less time.

5

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Annual Fee$150/year

APRNo annual APR 

Recommended credit scoreGood to excellent, 670-850

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Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Best for Cash Back Rewards

Intro Offer: Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first three months after account opening.

Annual fee: $150

Annual Percentage Rate/APR: No annual APR 

Recommended credit score: Excellent, 740-850

This Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card is ideal for their account opening and annual cash back rewards; however, there are upsides and downsides to this small business credit card, as any other card. This card grants you a 2% cash back on every purchase and business expense. In other words, there are no business purchase category limitations.

You can get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000 and earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You can also add unlimited employee credit cards at no extra charge, granting 2% cash back on their eligible business purchases.

On the downside, this card has an annual fee of $150 and does not have an APR because your balance is due and expected every single month on time.

This card is a good option for business owners who know they can pay back each credit card statement monthly and want to earn easy cash back on their business purchases.

6

Capital On Tap Business Credit Card

Annual Fee$0/year

APR9.99% to 34.99% variable

Recommended credit scoreGood to excellent, 670-850

Learn MoreOn Capital On Tap’s Website
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Capital On Tap Business Credit Card

Best for No Annual Fee

Intro Offer: $200 cash back once you spend $15,000 within the first three months upon account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Annual Percentage Rate/ APR: 9.99% to 34.99% variable

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

This Capital On Tap Business credit card is best for small business owners who want to enjoy no annual fees and generous cash back rewards. This business credit card rewards 1.5% unlimited cash back for yourself and your employees at no extra cost.

Since this card and rewards program was created post-pandemic, it is compatible with Apple and Google Pay systems making spending seamless. It offers credit limits up to only $50,000 and has no intro APR offers.

If you’re offering free employee cards, Capital On Tap might be the best move. With a lower credit limit, this card makes expense management easier for you while still providing your employees with a solid cash back rewards rate.

7

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Annual Fee$0/year

APR0% intro APR on purchases within the first 12 months, 18.24% to 24.24% variable thereafter

Recommended credit scoreGood to excellent, 670-850

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Best for Unlimited Cash Back Rewards

Intro Offer: Earn $750 cash back once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: No annual fee

Annual Percentage Rate/APR: 0% intro APR on purchases within the first 12 months, 18.24% to 24.24% variable thereafter

Recommended credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited credit card is our top choice for unlimited cash back rewards. You can earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make for your business with no category limitations. You can provide employee credit cards at no extra charge and reap the benefit of their business spending with 1.5% cash back rewards points as well.

You can redeem points through cash back, gift cards, and travel rewards. Another perk is their intro APR of 0% within the first year of purchases and 18.24% to 24.24% variable after that. This small business credit card offers fraud protection and zero liability for unauthorized purchases that can be made with this card.

8

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Annual Fee$0/year

APR0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, 18.24% to 24.24% variable thereafter

Recommended credit scoreGood to excellent, 670-850

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Best for Office Supplies

Intro Offer: Earn $750 cash back when you spend $6000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. 

Annual fee: No annual fee

Annual Percentage Rate/APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, 18.24% to 24.24% variable thereafter

Required credit score: Good to excellent, 670-850

The Chase Ink Business Cash credit card is the best small business credit card option for office supplies. You can earn 5% cash back on eligible office supply purchases, 2% on other purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on every other purchase. This card boasts no annual fee and an intro APR of 0% for the first 12 months, then 18.24% – 24.24% variable.

If you are making many runs to the office supply store, this may be your card. 

Small Business Loans as an Alternative to Credit

The bottom line

There are many different options for small business credit cards out there. We have made the decisions more manageable by providing you with some of our top choices of the best small business credit cards. 

One option that didn’t make a list but may still be worth considering is the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard. The Mastercard is the superior card option for balance transfers. 

Bank of America’s Mastercard is similarly outstanding in this respect. If balance transfers are part of your business needs, more than bonus rewards or other upgrades, you’ll want to consider the Mastercard.

Regardless of the one you choose, if you want to start or expand your business, a business credit card may be your best option.

For more business content and advice, everything from videos to webinars and books, check our Entrepreneur. Visit our website for more information.

Information provided on Entrepreneur Guide is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, we do not recommend or advise individuals to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results

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