10 Best Business Credit Cards for Consultants in 2022
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
When you’re looking for the best business credit cards for consultants, you should first determine the expense categories you usually spend on, such as travel, dining, fuel, or supplies. If your expenses vary from month to month, you may benefit more from business credit cards that offer fixed-rate rewards. The best consultant credit card offers rewards for the expenses where you spend the most on for your consulting business.
Here are the best business credit cards for consultants:
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best overall credit card for consultants
- Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best for rewards on office essentials, fuel, and dining expenses
- Capital One® Spark® Cash Select Good Credit: Best for consultants with good credit and easy cash back rewards
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for earning rewards points where you spend the most
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi: Best for earning rewards on fuel expenses
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for earning rewards on online advertising
- U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for longest 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR)
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for flexible buying power
- Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for rewards that never expire and consultants with fair credit
- Wells Fargo Business Secured Card: Best for consultants with bad credit
To see how these cards stack up against others we have reviewed on our site, click Add to Compare on a card below and select up to two additional cards for comparison.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best Overall Credit Card for Consultants
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
BEST FOR:
Earning top rewards on travel purchases booked through Bank of America
9 billing cycles
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time―no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
- Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases like car, hotel, and airline booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- No annual fee and no international transaction fees.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles.
- Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cash back or gift cards.
- Get 75% more points on the base earn of every purchase you make when you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 2.62 points for every $1 you spend and 4.12 points per every $1 you spend at the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Pros
- No annual fee: By not having to pay an annual fee, you can reduce your overall credit card cost while earning unlimited rewards on your expenses.
- No blackout dates on travel: You can redeem your points for travel or travel credits through the Bank of America® Travel Center anytime, with no blackout dates.
- 3x points on travel: You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, or airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Welcome bonus points: If you can spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on nontravel: While you can earn high rewards points on travel, you can only earn 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Short 0% APR introductory period: The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® offers 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles from opening an account—this is a disadvantage if you need a longer 0% APR period.
- No 0% APR on balance transfers: The introductory 0% APR only applies to purchases—if you need to transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll need to pay an APR ranging from 12.24% to 22.24%.
- Bank of America doesn’t disclose details of its additional card features. To find out more about these additional features, review your guide to benefits when you receive your card in the mail.
9 billing cycles
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time―no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
- Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases like car, hotel, and airline booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- No annual fee and no international transaction fees.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles.
- Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cash back or gift cards.
- Get 75% more points on the base earn of every purchase you make when you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 2.62 points for every $1 you spend and 4.12 points per every $1 you spend at the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Pros
- No annual fee: By not having to pay an annual fee, you can reduce your overall credit card cost while earning unlimited rewards on your expenses.
- No blackout dates on travel: You can redeem your points for travel or travel credits through the Bank of America® Travel Center anytime, with no blackout dates.
- 3x points on travel: You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, or airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Welcome bonus points: If you can spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on nontravel: While you can earn high rewards points on travel, you can only earn 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Short 0% APR introductory period: The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® offers 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles from opening an account—this is a disadvantage if you need a longer 0% APR period.
- No 0% APR on balance transfers: The introductory 0% APR only applies to purchases—if you need to transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll need to pay an APR ranging from 12.24% to 22.24%.
- Bank of America doesn’t disclose details of its additional card features. To find out more about these additional features, review your guide to benefits when you receive your card in the mail.
Why we like it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® is our choice for the overall best consultant credit card because, among all the business cards on this list, this one comes with the lowest starting APR. Moreover, it has no annual and foreign transaction fees, and you can take advantage of interest-free financing on purchases for the first nine billing cycles. It offers an introductory bonus of 30,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 in the first 90 days of card ownership, which is equivalent to a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining expenses.
This card is best paired with a Bank of America business checking account so you can benefit from the optional overdraft protection service through Balance Connect™. While this card can help you build business credit by reporting your activities to the business credit bureaus, it cannot affect your personal credit as it doesn’t report to consumer credit bureaus. It’s one of our best business cards that don’t report to personal credit.
Rewards:
- Earn 3x points per dollar spent when you book your travel, including car rentals, hotel stays, and flights, through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x points for every $1 you spend on all purchases.
- Earn up to 75% more points on every purchase if you have a Bank of America business checking account and qualify for the highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier.
Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best for Rewards on Office Essentials, Fuel, and Dining Expenses
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Office-based businesses that want top cash back rewards
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 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 purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- Top rewards for office supply spending
- Introductory APR on purchases
- Cash sign-up bonus
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- High balance transfer fee of 5%
- Designed mainly for office-oriented companies
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the United States and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 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 purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- Top rewards for office supply spending
- Introductory APR on purchases
- Cash sign-up bonus
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- High balance transfer fee of 5%
- Designed mainly for office-oriented companies
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the United States and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
Why we like it: The Chase Ink Business Cash® card is ideal if a significant part of your consulting business spending goes toward office expenses or when you’re on the road working with clients. This card offers premium rewards on expenses such as office supplies, internet, cable, phone, fuel, and dining. Additionally, you can earn $750 bonus cash back when you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Your cash back rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit at the end of each billing cycle or directly deposited into most checking and savings accounts. You can also redeem your rewards toward travel, gift cards, or Apple® products at the Apple® Ultimate Rewards Store. Further, you can also benefit from the 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months. If you have registered your consultancy business as limited liability company (LLC), this card is a great option as it’s our top choice for the best LLC credit card.
Rewards:
- For the first $25,000 each account anniversary year, get 5% cash back on office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services.
- Separately, for the first $25,000 each account anniversary year, you get 2% cash back on purchases at gas stations and restaurants.
- Earn 1% back on all other purchases with no limit to the number of rewards you can earn.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select Good Credit: Best for Consultants With Good Credit & Easy Cash Back Rewards
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select Good Credit
BEST FOR:
Businesses with good credit that want a 0% introductory APR
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Enjoy a $0 annual fee in addition to the big rewards and cash bonus you can earn.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Ability to finance purchases with 0% APR for 12 months
- Free employee cards
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- No sign-up bonus
- Cash back rewards aren’t competitive
- $0 foreign transaction fee: No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States
- $0 fraud liability: Advance emergency replacement for lost and stolen card plus a cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Services like jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Enjoy a $0 annual fee in addition to the big rewards and cash bonus you can earn.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Ability to finance purchases with 0% APR for 12 months
- Free employee cards
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- No sign-up bonus
- Cash back rewards aren’t competitive
- $0 foreign transaction fee: No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States
- $0 fraud liability: Advance emergency replacement for lost and stolen card plus a cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Services like jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
Why we like it: For consultants with a good credit rating, the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select Good Credit is an easy-to-use, straightforward card. It offers fixed-rate rewards on all purchases, which you can redeem easily by setting up an automatic redemption preference at a set time each calendar year or when a specific dollar amount threshold has been reached. Cash back can be received as a statement credit or as a check that’s mailed to you.
Besides that, it offers interest-free financing on purchases for the first 12 months. You can also reduce your overall credit cost because this card doesn’t charge annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees.
It’s important to note that unlike most other business cards on this list, this card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus. But because of its simplicity, this card is also a great option if you’re a self-employed consultant—it’s one of our top-recommended credit cards for self-employed individuals.
Rewards:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for Earning Points Where You Spend the Most
American Express® Business Gold Card
BEST FOR:
Maximizing rewards in the two categories where you spend the most
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases. **
- **4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
- AIRLINE BONUS: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.*
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
- *Terms Apply
Pros
- Earn 4x points in two categories every month
- Pay eligible charges over time with interest, or pay your balance in full monthly
Cons
- You’ll pay a high annual fee of $295
- No interest-free financing opportunities
- Premium roadside assistance: Free of charge up to four times a year. You can receive towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire change, lockout service when the key is in the vehicle, and delivery of up to two gallons of gas
- Return protection: American Express will refund you for eligible purchases when the store doesn’t accept returns of undamaged items. Coverage is limited to 90 days from purchase, up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
- Baggage insurance: If your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’re eligible for coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on luggage and $500 for checked bags
- Extended warranty: Receive one additional year of coverage on purchases with eligible warranties of five years or less
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per incident.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases. **
- **4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
- AIRLINE BONUS: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.*
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
- *Terms Apply
Pros
- Earn 4x points in two categories every month
- Pay eligible charges over time with interest, or pay your balance in full monthly
Cons
- You’ll pay a high annual fee of $295
- No interest-free financing opportunities
- Premium roadside assistance: Free of charge up to four times a year. You can receive towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire change, lockout service when the key is in the vehicle, and delivery of up to two gallons of gas
- Return protection: American Express will refund you for eligible purchases when the store doesn’t accept returns of undamaged items. Coverage is limited to 90 days from purchase, up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
- Baggage insurance: If your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’re eligible for coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on luggage and $500 for checked bags
- Extended warranty: Receive one additional year of coverage on purchases with eligible warranties of five years or less
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per incident.
Why we like it: With the American Express® Business Gold Card, your spending habits determine where you earn the most points, making it an excellent option if you have varied expenses each month. Plus, you can earn 70,000 bonus points in the first three months of card ownership if you spend at least $10,000 on eligible purchases. This card gives you the option to either pay your balance in full each month or to use their Pay Over Time feature, which allows you to carry a balance with interest. However, unlike most other cards on this list, it doesn’t offer an introductory 0% APR.
While there’s a $295 annual fee, you can enjoy flexible redemption for your rewards. You can redeem your points for travel, gift cards, fashion, home and outdoor, technology, entertainment, and more. You can also use points at Amazon or PayPal checkout, along with many other retailers. If you fly often, you can book your flights with Amex Travel using your rewards points and get 25% of those points back, up to 250,000 points per year. If you have a real estate consultancy business, this card may be the best fit as it’s named the best overall credit card for real estate agents.
Rewards:
- Earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases on the top two categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle, including:
- Flights purchased directly from airlines
- Advertising in select media, such as online, TV, radio
- Purchases made directly from select United States technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
- Gas stations, restaurants, and shipping
- Earn 1x on other purchases.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi: Best for Earning Rewards on Fuel Expenses
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
BEST FOR:
Existing or new Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide, including gas at Costco, for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous cashback categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Inflexible cashback redemption system
- Benefits are only applicable to Costco members
- No sign-up bonus
- Car rental insurance: Offers primary coverage, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is limited to $50,000.
- Purchase protection: The issuer may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your business Costco card ― or your reward certificate ― that are damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase or 90 days for New York residents.
- 4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide, including gas at Costco, for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous cashback categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Inflexible cashback redemption system
- Benefits are only applicable to Costco members
- No sign-up bonus
- Car rental insurance: Offers primary coverage, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is limited to $50,000.
- Purchase protection: The issuer may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your business Costco card ― or your reward certificate ― that are damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase or 90 days for New York residents.
Why we like it: If you’re always on the road, a significant portion of your expenses may go to gas purchases. In that case, you can benefit from the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi by earning premium rewards on purchases at eligible gas stations. This card is one of our top choices for the best fuel cards for small businesses. Moreover, this card is also ideal for those who frequently shop at Costco and Costco.com.
Keep in mind that this card is only available for Costco members. There’s no annual fee outside of your Costco membership, as well as no foreign transaction fee on international purchases. Cash back will be provided as an annual credit card reward certificate and can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at US Costco Warehouses.
Rewards:
- Earn 4% cash back on fuel purchases at eligible gas stations, including Costco, for the first $7,000 per year; and then 1% thereafter.
- Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases worldwide.
- Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for Earning Rewards on Online Advertising
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Maximizing travel rewards at a lower annual fee
- Earn 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®
- 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
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Pros
- Opportunity to boost the value of reward points
- Offers cellphone protection and trip cancellation insurance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer an interest-free financing period
- Charges an annual fee
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Cellphone protection: You and the employees named on the phone bill you pay for with your card are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. You are limited to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
- Trip cancellation and delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you can be compensated up to $15,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for 12 hours or more, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.
- Earn 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®
- 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
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Pros
- Opportunity to boost the value of reward points
- Offers cellphone protection and trip cancellation insurance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer an interest-free financing period
- Charges an annual fee
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Cellphone protection: You and the employees named on the phone bill you pay for with your card are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. You are limited to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
- Trip cancellation and delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you can be compensated up to $15,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for 12 hours or more, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.
Why we like it: If you use online searches or social media to advertise your consulting business, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® card is a great option for you. This card offers premium rewards on online advertising expenses, which you can redeem for cash back, gift cards, or travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
This card comes with a low annual fee of $95; however, there’s no 0% introductory rate. But, as an introductory bonus, you’ll receive 100,000 bonus points if you spend $15,000 in the first three months, which is equivalent to $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Because of its big introductory bonus spending requirement, you can expect a high credit limit from this business credit card. This card is our top choice for the best high-limit business credit card.
Rewards:
- Earn 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories per year:
- Shipping purchases
- Internet, cable, and phone services
- Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines
- Travel
- Earn 1x point per dollar on all other purchases
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for Longest 0% Introductory APR
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
BEST FOR:
0% APR for 15 billing cycles
- Limited Time Offer: Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the account owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cellphone service providers, and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned
- Rewards never expire
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses, such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- 0% Intro APR on purchase and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 15.49% to 24.49%.
- No annual fee
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100-plus into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™Plan.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- Unlimited cash back rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional 1 year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the account owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cellphone service providers, and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned
- Rewards never expire
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses, such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- 0% Intro APR on purchase and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 15.49% to 24.49%.
- No annual fee
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100-plus into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™Plan.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- 0% APR applies to both purchases and balance transfers
- Unlimited cash back rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee is charged even during the introductory period
- Intro APR doesn’t apply to cash advances
- MasterRental car rental collision damage waiver: When you rent a car using your U.S. Bank credit card, you’re covered in case of accident or theft on all rentals made worldwide. Coverage is primary, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is capped at $50,000.
- Purchase assurance: U.S. Bank may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your U.S. Bank business credit card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per loss, up to $25,000 per year per account. Lost items and items left out of reach that others can see are not covered.
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional 1 year from the expiration of warranties of five years or less. An item with a six-month warranty would be backed for an additional six months, for example. The issuer will replace the item or reimburse you up to the amount charged on your U.S. Bank card up to $10,000.
Why we like it: If you need to transfer high balances off of other business credit cards, or if there are any large or costly business purchases you need to make, the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is your best bet. You can benefit from the 0% APR for the first 15 months of card ownership, so you can make purchases interest-free during that time or use the 15 months to pay down a consolidated credit card debt. This card has the longest zero-interest period among all other cards on this list. It’s also named one of the best 0% APR business credit cards.
As an introductory bonus, you’ll earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 in the first 150 days after opening your account. Cash rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit or as a U.S. Bank Rewards Card, or they can be deposited into most checking, savings, or money market accounts. Plus, there’s no annual fee and no limit on total cash back earned—and rewards never expire.
Rewards:
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
American Express Blue Business CashTM: Best for Flexible Buying Power
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.74% - 22.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.74% - 22.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Why we like it: The American Express Blue Business CashTM card is ideal for consultants who need a credit card that offers a flexible credit limit. With this card’s expanded buying power, you can spend beyond your credit limit whenever you need to. The amount you can spend above your credit limit adjusts based on your card usage, payment history, credit record, and financial resources.
Plus, you can benefit from a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months, and it has no annual fee. You can also earn a $250 statement credit after spending at least $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. This card is also a great choice if your consultancy business is relatively new, as it’s one of our top picks for the best credit cards for startup businesses.
Rewards:
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Earn 1% cash back on purchases in excess of $50,000 within the same calendar year.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for Rewards that Never Expire and Consultants with Fair Credit
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
BEST FOR:
Fair credit business owners (580 to 669)
- 1% cash back every time you swipe
- Build your business credit through responsible usage
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- Opportunity to build business credit
- Only requires fair credit
- No annual fee
Cons
- No 0% introductory APR
- No sign-up bonus
- High APR
- Purchase protection: Capital One will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items in the event of theft or damage within the first 90 days of purchase.
- Extended warranty protection: You’ll get additional warranty protection on eligible items that are purchased with your business card, up to 1 year past the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You’re covered for damage due to collision or theft when you rent an eligible car with your Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business card.
- 1% cash back every time you swipe
- Build your business credit through responsible usage
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- Opportunity to build business credit
- Only requires fair credit
- No annual fee
Cons
- No 0% introductory APR
- No sign-up bonus
- High APR
- Purchase protection: Capital One will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items in the event of theft or damage within the first 90 days of purchase.
- Extended warranty protection: You’ll get additional warranty protection on eligible items that are purchased with your business card, up to 1 year past the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You’re covered for damage due to collision or theft when you rent an eligible car with your Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business card.
Why we like it: If you’re a consultant with fair credit (580 to 669), the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is a great choice to use as an unlimited rewards card. This card is also our top choice for the best fair credit business card thanks to its simple rewards program. While this card has no annual fee, there’s no sign-up bonus and 0% introductory APR.
Keep in mind, however, that the APR for this card is high at 26.99%, so it’s best to pay the bill in full each billing cycle rather than carry a balance. Also, make sure to pay your balances on time and use this card responsibly to help improve your credit score. Your payment history will be regularly reported to the major credit bureaus, which can greatly help in growing your score.
Rewards:
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Wells Fargo Business Secured Card: Best for Consultants with Bad Credit
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Business owners with poor credit
- Cash Back option:
Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent - Reward Points option:
Earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 1,000 bonus points when your company spend is $1,000 or more in any monthly billing period - $0 annual rewards program fee
- $500 to $25,000 credit line
- Zero liability protection
Pros
- Businesses with low or bad credit scores can qualify
- Your choice of fixed-rate cash back or points rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Requires a security deposit of at least $500
- Credit limit will be based on the security deposit
- Purchase assurance: Wells Fargo will repair, replace, or reimburse you for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
- Design studio: Include a personal image or business design on your credit card.
- Cash Back option:
Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent - Reward Points option:
Earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 1,000 bonus points when your company spend is $1,000 or more in any monthly billing period - $0 annual rewards program fee
- $500 to $25,000 credit line
- Zero liability protection
Pros
- Businesses with low or bad credit scores can qualify
- Your choice of fixed-rate cash back or points rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Requires a security deposit of at least $500
- Credit limit will be based on the security deposit
- Purchase assurance: Wells Fargo will repair, replace, or reimburse you for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
- Design studio: Include a personal image or business design on your credit card.
Why we like it: If you have bad or limited credit, consider the Wells Fargo Business Secured Card. You can enjoy flexible rewards options, where you get to choose from earning either cash back or reward points. In addition, it has no annual fee and comes with a low ongoing APR. Since this is a secured credit card, a cash security deposit between $500 to $25,000 is required to get qualified. The amount of your deposit will determine your credit line.
Furthermore, you need to open a Wells Fargo business checking or savings account prior to applying for the Wells Fargo Business Secured Card. With consistent responsible use, this card can help you build your business credit because Wells Fargo reports your payment and usage behavior to the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE).
Rewards:
- Cash back option: Earn 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases, or
- Reward points option: Earn 1x point on every dollar spent and receive 1,000 bonus points every billing cycle when you spend at least $1,000 on qualifying purchases.
How We Evaluated the Best Credit Cards for Consultants
Since consultants work in a wide range of industries, we selected cards with strong rewards programs and compared annual fees, interest rates, introductory rates and bonuses, credit requirements, and the rules for redeeming rewards.
Bottom Line
As an independent consultant, the best credit card for your business offers the most rewards for your spend categories. If your purchases are inconsistent month over month, a fixed-rate rewards card is a better choice. If you’d like to see a wider variety of business credit cards, check out the best small business credit cards for more suggestions.