Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
Avoiding annual fees on a business credit card can help eliminate the cost of owning a credit card. You should consider using a fee-free card if you own a startup or new business, want to issue free employee credit cards, or don’t need top-tier perks like airport lounge access.
The best business credit cards with no annual fees are:
- Chase Ink Business Cash®: Best overall for earning robust cash back rewards as an office-based startup
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited®: Best for pocketing 1.5% cash back on every swipe and earning a welcome offer
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best for tapping into strong travel rewards
- American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for fixed-rate cash back and expanded buying power
- American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for fixed-rate points and more buying power
- U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card: Best for a 15-billing cycle 0% annual percentage rate (APR) introductory offer
Chase Ink Business Cash®: Overall Best Business Credit Card With No Annual Fee
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 card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- No Annual Fee
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 U.S. 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 U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Why we like it: Chase Ink Business Cash® checks more boxes than other business credit cards on the market. I slot it at the number one spot on our list because of its sign-up bonus, ongoing rewards, and introductory financing. You’ll be able to tap into top-of-the-market features while keeping your credit card costs to a minimum through no annual fees.
I especially like this startup business credit card for businesses that spend big on office supplies because of the 5% cash back you’ll earn in that category. There are no other cards on this list, or on the market, that pay comparable rewards for office supply spending. What’s more, you’ll have an opportunity to cash in big with a sign-up bonus worth several hundreds of dollars. If you’re a new or growing business, this can be a huge incentive to apply.
Rewards aside, this business credit card can still put you well ahead of the game. If you need to finance a purchase and are worried about interest, this card has you covered. There’s a 12-month introductory 0% APR period waiting for you on the other side of your application.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Best for Earning 1.5% Cash Back With Every Swipe
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
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- No Annual Fee
Pros
- 0% 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: We love this card for startup owners who appreciate consistent rewards and sign-up bonuses. Every time you swipe your card, you’re guaranteed 1.5% back on your purchase. What I find potentially even better, you’ll see a $750 cash bonus sitting in your reward dashboard when you spend $7,500 within the first three months. That’s a serious offer for a card that’s never going to make you pay an annual fee.
Much like our top pick in this article, this card also supports you with a 12-month introductory 0% APR offer. This offer gives you the luxury of financing purchases without interest. I recommend you pay off your balance before the introductory period ends to avoid any interest charges when the regular APR kicks in.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best for Travel Rewards
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 towards 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 (car, hotel, 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 9 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
- 3x points on travel
- 0% APR on purchases
- No blackout dates on travel
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on non-travel
- Low introductory bonus
- No 0% APR on balance transfers
Bank of American does not 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: Apply for this Bank of America business card if your primary concern after no annual fees is the ability to earn travel rewards. While you can earn 3x points on travel purchases from the get-go, you can maximize your rewards through Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards for Business program. You can potentially earn up to 5.25 points per $1 spent on all travel purchases, depending on your deposits or investments with the bank.
This card also charges no foreign transaction fees, so you’re in luck if you or your employees travel outside of the United States for business. Other business credit cards on this list charge foreign transaction fees up to 3% on each transaction, so this can save you tons of money in the long run.
American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Best for Fixed-rate Cash Rewards and Expanded Buying Power
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
BEST FOR
Earning 2% cash back every time you swipe and 0% introductory APR for 12 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 us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.24% - 19.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- No interest for 12 months
- Earn consistent 2% cash back rewards on every purchase
Cons
- Offers no cash sign-up bonus
- 2% cash back category is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Extended warranty protection: American Express provides up to an additional year of coverage on warranties of up to five years. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
- Purchase protection: The issuer will repair, replace, or reimburse you for an item purchased with the card that was damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
- Baggage insurance: If your luggage is damaged or lost when you travel on a common carrier like a plane, trip, ship, or bus, American Express will reimburse you for losses not covered by your own personal insurance.
Why we like it: Out of the dozens of business credit cards I’ve reviewed, the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card is one of the few that offers both strong ongoing rewards and a unique expanded buying power feature. If you need the extra capital, American Express lets you spend over your credit limit. However, the amount you can spend is not unlimited. Instead, it’s calculated based on your payment history, credit history, and other factors determined by the issuer.
You’ll also receive a solid introductory 0% APR period. While it doesn’t offer the best introductory financing period on this list, this card is worth considering if you want to avoid interest while raking in rewards. With every purchase, you’ll be able to earn 2% cash back, which you’ll receive as an automatic credit to your monthly bill. This reward rate also applies to the amount you spend over your credit limit.
American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for Fixed-rate Points & More Buying Power
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
BEST FOR
Pocketing 2x points per $1 and 0% introductory APR for 12 months
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
- Enjoy the flexibility to put more purchases on the Card and earn rewards when you buy above your credit limit*.
- You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
- More buying power for your business means more opportunities to earn points. That’s everyday business with the Blue Business Plus Card.
- *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 us, and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.24% - 19.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfer
- Earn 2x points on all spending
Cons
- No lucrative welcome offer
- 2x points rewards are capped at $50,000 in spending
- Extended warranty protection: American Express will match the length of the original manufacturer’s warranty if it’s less than two years. It provides an additional two years if the original manufacturer’s warranty is between two and five years. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
- Purchase protection: The issuer will repair, replace, or reimburse you for an item purchased with the card that was damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
Why we like it: Cash back isn’t for everyone, and we understand that. American Express Blue Business® Plus lets you earn fixed-rate points on every purchase and gives you access to American Express’ expanded buying power feature, just like the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card. This lets you spend over your limit if you’re craving a little more financing. However, like other cards on our list, your extra limit is capped by the issuer.
The features don’t stop there as you’ll also be able to access a 12-month introductory 0% APR to help finance purchases with no interest. An introductory 0% APR like this one can help new or growing businesses that need extra time to pay off larger business-related expenses.
Tip: If you’re stuck between the two American Express cards, choose American Express Blue Business® Plus if you want points-based rewards instead of cash back and more reward redemption options.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card: Best for 0% Introductory APR
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
BEST FOR
Extended 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers
- 0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for the first 20 billing cycles. After that variable APR currently 9.99% - 17.99%*
- No annual fee*
- Free employee cards
- Zero fraud liability* protects you against unauthorized transactions
Pros
- One of the longest 0% APR period offered
- No annual fee
Cons
- Comes without rewards
- Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double an original manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year for warranties of three years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per item.
- Purchase protection: U.S. Bank offers purchase protection for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. The coverage is limited to $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per cardholder, per year.
Why we like it: Even though you’ll never pay an annual fee, this card gives you access to the best introductory 0% APR period on the market—15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. So if you need to finance purchases or pay down one of your high-interest credit cards, we highly recommend getting this card in your wallet.
However, only choose this card if you need to get out of debt quickly. Beyond the introductory 0% APR offer and the lowest ongoing APR on our list, this card doesn’t hold much value. For example, it offers no rewards structure. Although, that shouldn’t be your concern if your goal is to become debt-free as soon as possible.
How We Evaluated Business Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
Plenty of business credit cards charge no annual fees, but we wanted to focus on the ones that had additional perks. Some of the added benefits we looked for were sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards, cheap introductory financing, and low ongoing APRs.
Bottom Line
When you use a business credit card from this list, you’re able to keep a little extra cash in your pocket and your business’s bank account. If you want to save even more money, which I hope you do, it’s also crucial to choose a card that meets your interest-free financing needs or offers rewards that match your company’s spending habits.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card, please click here.
For rates and fees on American Express Blue Business® Plus, please click here.
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