Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
As an independent consultant, your business costs might fit into two or three spend categories, or they may vary from month to month. If your spending tends to lean toward travel, we’ve listed several of the best business credit cards for consultants that give back strong rewards any time you pay for flights, hotels, rental cars, gas stations, and restaurants. If your purchase history is more diverse, we’ve also included a few fixed-rate rewards cards, so you can earn cash back rewards easily with every purchase.
Here are the nine best credit cards for consultants:
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Best overall credit card for consultants
- Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best for rewards on office essentials, gas stations, and restaurants
- Capital One® Spark® Cash Select: Best for easy cash back rewards
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for earning rewards points where you spend the most
- American Express Business Platinum Card®: Best for earning 5x rewards points on flights and hotels
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for earning 3 rewards points per $1 spent on online advertising
- U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World EliteTM Mastercard®: Best for longest 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR)
- Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best for 3 rewards points per $1 spent on travel and lowest starting APR
- Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for rewards that never expire and consultants with fair credit
Want to compare the features of one card to another? We’ve made it easy for you to do just that! Simply check off up to three cards on this page to add them to your cart. This will allow you to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Best Overall Credit Card for Consultants
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Pocketing 1.5% cash back on every single purchase
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- 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.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer 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 US 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 three years or less
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- 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.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer 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 US 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 three years or less
Why We Like It: The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card is a great choice if you’re a busy consultant with limited time to track spend categories or spend limits. We’ve chosen it as the best overall card for consultants because it gives you the freedom to earn 1.5% cash back on any purchase with no annual fee. You can make purchases interest-free for the first 12 months with 0% APR. Plus, you get a $750 introductory bonus if you spend $7,500 in the first three months of card ownership.
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. It’s also one of our best business credit cards for startup businesses.
Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best for Rewards on Office Essentials, Gas Stations & Restaurants
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 signup 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 signup 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. For the first $25,000 each account anniversary year, get 5% cash back on office supplies, internet, cable, and phone. Separately, for the first $25,000 each account anniversary year, you get 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. Plus, earn 1% back on all other purchases with no limit to the number of rewards you can earn.
Just like the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card, 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.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select: Best for Easy Cash Back Rewards
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business
BEST FOR:
Businesses that spend less than $19,000 annually
- Introductory reward worth $200 after you spend $3,000 within the first three months
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No annual fee
- Ability to finance purchases with 0% APR for nine months
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- Can’t redeem rewards for travel or transfer to a travel partner
- 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 US and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for up to 90 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim.
- Introductory reward worth $200 after you spend $3,000 within the first three months
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No annual fee
- Ability to finance purchases with 0% APR for nine months
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- Can’t redeem rewards for travel or transfer to a travel partner
- 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 US and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for up to 90 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim.
Why We Like It: For consultants with a good credit rating, the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select is an easy-to-use, straightforward card. You get 1.5% cash back on any purchase with no annual fee. You can also make interest-free purchases for the first 12 months with 0% APR.
As a consultant, you probably receive payments from clients at any time of the month. Capital One® Spark® Cash Select gives you the convenience of selecting your own monthly payment date, so you can pay your credit card bill on the day of the month you choose. Also, you can redeem cash back rewards at any time for any amount. You can also redeem them 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, such as $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,500. Cash back can be received as a statement credit or as a check that’s mailed to you.
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. Placing ads for your consulting business or taking clients to dinner can rack up points fast. Each year, earn 4x points for the first $150,000 in two categories out of these six where you spend the most: airfare, advertising (online, television, or radio), gas stations, restaurants, computer hardware, software and cloud systems, or shipping. There’s no limit to the number of points you earn.
You can earn 70,000 points in the first three months of card ownership if you spend $10,000. Those purchases totaling $10,000 are financed interest-free since you have a 0% APR for the first 12 months. While there’s a $295 annual fee, you can redeem your Membership Rewards® points for travel, gift cards, fashion, home and outdoor, technology, entertainment, and more—or you can 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 Membership Rewards® points and get 25% of those points back, up to 250,000 points per year.
American Express Business Platinum Card®: Best for 5x Points on Flights & Hotels
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
BEST FOR:
Gaining access to unrivaled travel rewards and luxury travel perks like airport lounge access
- Welcome 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.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 14.24% to 22.24% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- 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.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Premium travel rewards
- Free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- High annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than a dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4 1/2 years.
- Travel credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $400 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
- Welcome 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.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 14.24% to 22.24% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- 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.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Premium travel rewards
- Free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- High annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than a dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4 1/2 years.
- Travel credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $400 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
Why We Like It: The American Express Business Platinum Card® has the highest annual fee on this list at $695, but if your clients are located around the world and you frequently travel internationally, you get it back quickly through rewards and discounts. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel, and if you pay for all or part of eligible flights using points, you can get 35% of those points back. You’ll have complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges in 140 countries around the world, along with hotel and car rental upgrades and access to exclusive dining experiences.
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 in the first three months and enjoy a 0% APR for the first 12 months. Redeem your Membership Rewards® points for travel, gift cards, fashion, home and outdoor, technology, entertainment, and more. Book your flights with Amex Travel using Membership Rewards® points and get 25% of those points back―up to 250,000 points per year. You also get a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA precheck and pay no foreign transaction fees.
Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for Earning 3 Points per $1 Spent 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 search or social media to advertise your consulting business, you can earn 3 points per $1 for the first $150,000 each account anniversary year with the Chase Ink Business Preferred® card. You can also earn 3 points per $1 on internet, cable, phone, travel, and shipping.
Points are earned at the end of each billing cycle, and they can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. There’s an annual fee of $95 and no 0% introductory rate but, as an introductory bonus, if you spend $15,000 in the first three months, you receive 100,000 bonus points, equaling $1,000 or $1,250 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards World EliteTM 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
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- 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.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cellphone service providers. and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses like FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- 0% Intro APR on purchase and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR that is currently 13.99% to 22.99%.
- No annual fee.
- Great offer from U.S. Bank, a 2021 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2021.
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 5 years or less. An item with a 6-month warranty would be backed for an additional 6 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.
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- 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.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cellphone service providers. and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses like FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- 0% Intro APR on purchase and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR that is currently 13.99% to 22.99%.
- No annual fee.
- Great offer from U.S. Bank, a 2021 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2021.
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 5 years or less. An item with a 6-month warranty would be backed for an additional 6 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 EliteTM Mastercard® can help you. You get a 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 debt.
This card is also a good choice for recurring expenses as a consultant, whether you’re based out of your home or you have a long commute. You can receive up to 3% cash back at eligible gas stations, office supply stores, and mobile phone/service providers and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. As an introductory bonus, 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 to 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.
Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best for 3 Points per $1 Spent on Travel and Lowest Starting APR
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 American 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 American 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: Many credit cards offer an enticing 0% introductory APR term to give you the opportunity to make purchases interest-free. Once the 0% term ends, the standard APR can be pretty high at 22% or more. But the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® has one of the lowest starting APRs at just 12.24%. Having a card with a low interest rate means your business saves money year over year, especially if you keep a balance on your card each month. Plus, you have the flexibility to earn 1.5 points per $1 on any purchase with no restrictions. Earn 3 points per $1 when you book travel through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend at least $3,000 within 90 days of card ownership. Redeem points for a statement credit or gift cards—or arrange travel with no blackout dates through the Bank of America® Travel Center. To top it off, there’s no annual fee and no international transaction fees.
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
- Earn fixed-rate rewards even with fair credit scores
- Rewards never expire
Cons
- High APR
- No signup bonus
- Reports to personal credit bureaus
- 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
- Earn fixed-rate rewards even with fair credit scores
- Rewards never expire
Cons
- High APR
- No signup bonus
- Reports to personal credit bureaus
- 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. You get 1% cash back on all business purchases with no limit to the number of rewards you can earn. Use this card freely without having to keep track of spending categories or spend limits. The APR for this card is high at 26.99%, but if you consistently make on-time payments, this card can help you grow your credit score.
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, and rules for redeeming rewards.
Bottom Line
As an independent consultant, the best credit card for your business will give you 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, look at our article on the best small business credit cards for more suggestions.
