6 Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards for 2018

Cash back business credit cards offer cash back rewards on different types of purchases. The best cash back business credit cards offer rewards up to 5 percent plus benefits like 0 percent interest periods. After reviewing dozens of business credit cards, we’ve listed those with the best rewards, lowest fees and most additional benefits for small business owners.

Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards

How We Evaluated the Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards

Most cash back reward credit cards provide 1 percent to 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases but can offer more depending on what you’re buying. The best business credit cards for cash back offer up to 5 percent cash back rewards on some purchases as well as additional benefits like an introductory 0 percent interest rate.

To pick the best cash back business credit cards, we evaluated cards on factors including:

• Introductory offers: Sign-up bonuses or other short-term benefits from getting a new card
• Ongoing rewards: Cash back you continue to earn by using your card for purchases
• Costs: Fees for using your card for balance transfers, foreign transactions or cash advances
• Terms: Interest rates and other card restrictions
• Card availability: How easy it is to apply and how quickly you can get approved

The cards we’ve included are not simply the best cards with cash back rates. Some of them offer other benefits like long introductory 0 percent annual percentage rate periods in addition to straightforward cash back rewards. Some alternative cards are great for cash back actually offer points instead of cash back. These are points that can be redeemed for gift cards, cash or statement credits.

While many of these cards consider your business credit, most require a personal credit check and a credit score of 660 or better. Some offer instant approval for qualified applicants, but you can get a qualification decision from any of them within three to five business days and new cards within seven to 10 business days.

After researching many small business credit cards, we’ve chosen the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card as the best overall cash back business credit card. In addition to offering 1 percent to 5 percent cash back on purchases, this card has great introductory rewards and a 0 percent interest rate for the first 12 months.

Best Overall Cash Back Business Credit Card: Chase Ink Business Cash^SM

The Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card is our best overall business credit card for cash back because it offers easy-to-earn introductory rewards and 1 percent to 5 percent cash back on expenses like phones, Internet and gas stations that most businesses pay anyway. The card also has no annual fee and offers 0 percent interest for the first 12 months, making it a great everyday business credit card.

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Rewards

This card is the best business credit card for cash back currently available. For new cardholders, Chase card offers a $500 introductory cash back bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. You can also earn ongoing cash back of 1 percent as well as rewards of 2 percent to 5 percent on spending in certain categories.

Introductory Rewards

New cardholders receive a $500 introductory statement credit when they spend $3,000 in the first three months.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll receive the following rewards for purchases on the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card:

• 5% cash back on office expenses including cell phones, landlines, cable and Internet
• 2% cash back on restaurant and gas station purchases
• 1% cash back on all other purchases made on the card

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Costs

The Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card has costs including:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months for purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: 14.99% – 20.99% Variable
• Annual fee: None
• Ongoing balance transfer fee: 5%
• Foreign transaction fees: 3%

What the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card is Missing

The Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card offers tremendous cash back rewards for business owners, but you don’t get to choose the spending categories that offer you the highest rewards. There also aren’t extra rewards for travel expenses that are required for some businesses, and the higher cash back rewards are capped at $25,000 in annual spending.

How to Apply for the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card

You can apply for the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM directly through Chase’s website. The application process only takes a few minutes, and you can receive a qualification answer instantly. The card itself typically arrives in seven to 10 business days after you’re approved.

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Best Card for Flat Cash Back Rewards: Capital One Spark Cash Select Business

The Capital One Spark Cash Select card offers 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases in the form of statement credits. It’s also one of the best business credit cards on this list for introductory offers. The card not only comes with $200 in cash back when you spend $3,000 in the first three months – it also has a nine-month 0 percent introductory APR and is one of our best 0 percent credit cards.

Capital One Spark Cash Select Rewards

The Capital One Spark Cash Select offers introductory cash back as well as 1.5 percent ongoing cash back for every dollar spent. There are no spending categories for cash back. You earn 1.5 percent cash back on everything in the form of statement credits. In addition, this card’s long introductory 0 percent APR makes it one of our best 0 percent business credit cards.

Introductory Rewards

You will receive a $200 cash bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn rewards when you use your Capital One Spark Cash Select card including 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases in the form of statement credits.

Capital One Spark Cash Select Costs

The costs of the Capital One Spark Cash Select card include:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 9 months for purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: 14.49% to 22.49%
• Annual fee: None
• Foreign transaction fees: None

What the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card is Missing

The Capital One Spark Cash Select card has great introductory rewards and a nine-month 0 percent introductory APR, but you can’t transfer the balance of another card. Unlike some other cards that let you move over balances from cards that might be charging interest, you don’t have that ability with this card. In addition, cash back rewards are redeemable only in the form of statement credits.

How to Apply for the Capital One Spark Cash Select Card

You can apply for the Capital One Spark Cash Select card directly through the Capital One website. This cash back card is one of the easier to apply and qualify for. Visit Capital One for more information on how to apply.

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Best Cash Back Business Card for Local Travel Expenses: Bank of America Business Advantage Cash

The Bank of America Business Advantage Cash card is great for spending on local travel, rewarding you with 3 percent cash back on gas station purchases. It’s also another cash back business credit card that offers a nine-month 0 percent introductory APR on all purchases. New cardholders can also get $200 in introductory statement credits with minimal upfront spending.

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Business Advantage Cash card offers new cardholders $200 in introductory statement credits if you spend $500 in the first two months. You also earn 1 percent in ongoing cash back rewards on additional purchases and 2 percent to 3 percent cash back on purchases in select categories.

Introductory Rewards

You will receive a $200 introductory statement credit if you spend $500 in the first two months.

Ongoing Rewards

The Bank of America Business Advantage Cash card offers ongoing cash back rewards including:

• 3% cash back on gas station and office supply stores
• 2% cash back on restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

To learn more about other good reward cards, check out our article on the best business rewards credit cards.

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Costs

The costs of the Bank of America Business Advantage Cash card include:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 9 months for purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: 12.99% – 22.99% Variable APR on purchases
• Annual fee: None
• Foreign transaction fees: 3%

What the Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Card is Missing

While the Bank of America Business Advantage Cash card has good introductory rewards, but it caps its 3 percent cash back rewards at $250,000 in purchases. Once the $250,000 threshold is met, the rewards rate on all purchases drops to 1 percent.

How to Apply for the Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Card

You can apply for the Bank of America Business Advantage Cash card directly through the Bank of America website. The application takes five to 10 minutes and approval decisions are typically made within 24 hours. Once you’re approved, you should get your new card within seven to 10 business days.

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Best Cash Back Card for Growing Businesses: American Express SimplyCash Plus

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card offers you the opportunity to select from a list of eight spending categories that you can earn 3 percent cash back on all purchases from. In addition, the card also offers a nine-month 0 percent APR introductory period on all purchases. With a long 0 percent interest period, multiple introductory rewards and flexible cash back rewards that can change as your business changes, this card is ideal for startups and growing businesses.

American Express SimplyCash Plus Rewards

In addition to the nine-month 0 percent introductory APR, the American Express SimplyCash Plus card offers easy-to-earn introductory rewards plus additional introductory rewards for higher spending in the first 12 months. In addition, the card also offers 1 percent to 5 percent cash back on ongoing purchases, making it one of the best business credit cards for startups.

Introductory Rewards

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card offers introductory rewards including:

• $250 in cash back if you spend $5,000 in the first six months
• Another $250 cash back if you spend $10,000 in the first year

Ongoing Rewards

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card offers ongoing rewards equal to the following:

• 5% cash back on wireless telephone services
• 3% cash back on one of eight spending categories of your choice, such as airfare, hotel rooms, car rentals, gas stations, restaurants, advertising, shipping or computer expenses
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

American Express SimplyCash Plus Costs

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card has the following costs:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 9 months for purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: 13.74% to 20.74%
• Annual fee: None
• Foreign transaction fees: 2.7%

If you’re looking for more cards with a 0 percent introductory offer, check out our article on the best 0 percent business credit cards.

What the American Express SimplyCash Plus Card is Missing

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card offers great ongoing cash back rewards, but it caps rewards in higher spending categories at $50,000 in purchases per year. Once the $50,000 threshold is met the rewards, the rate drops to 1 percent for all purchases.

How to Apply for the American Express SimplyCash Plus Card

You can apply for the American Express SimplyCash Plus card directly through the American Express website. It’s one of the harder cards to get with an introductory 0 percent APR but also ranks as one of our best business credit cards for startups.

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Best 2x Rewards Business Credit Card: American Express Blue Business Plus

The American Express Blue Business Plus card is a business credit card that uses a points-based rewards system that can be redeemed for cash back statement credits. The card provides one to two times the points per dollar spent up to $50,000 and also has a 15-month 0 percent introductory APR, which is one of the longest currently available.

American Express Blue Business Plus Rewards

While the American Express Blue Business Plus card doesn’t offer an introductory reward, it does provide two times the rewards points for each dollar spent each year up to $50,000. After the $50,000 threshold is met the rewards rate drops to one times the points per dollar spent. Each point is worth about $0.006 in cash back statement credits.

Introductory Rewards

This card does not offer an introductory reward.

Ongoing Rewards

Using your American Express Blue Business Plus card you’ll earn the following rewards:

• 2x rewards for every $1 spent up to $50,000
• 1x rewards for every $1 spent after $50,000

American Express Blue Business Plus Costs

The American Express Blue Business Plus card has the following costs:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months for purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: 12.74% to 20.74%
• Annual fee: None
• Ongoing balance transfer fee: $5 or 3%
• Foreign transaction fees: 2.7%

What the American Express Blue Business Plus Card is Missing

While the American Express Blue Business Plus is one of the best 0 percent interest cards and offers the chance to earn ongoing cash back in the form of statement credits, the card doesn’t have an introductory reward. Its ongoing rewards are also lower than some other cash back business credit cards on this list.

How to Apply for the American Express Blue Business Plus Card

You can apply for the American Express Blue Business Plus credit card through the American Express website. You can get an approval decision in as little as 30 seconds and, once you’re approved, you should receive your new card within seven to 10 business days. To get more information or apply, visit American Express.

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Best Point Rewards Business Credit Card for Cash Back: Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM

The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM is a card that offers great points on travel and other expenses that can be redeemed for cash back rewards. It makes our list despite having an annual fee because the rewards it offers are so strong. With this card, you earn great introductory rewards and three times the points on purchases in select categories up to $150,000 per year.

Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM Rewards

The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM uses points vs. cash back for its rewards, but those points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel, gift cards or cash back. Each point is worth $0.01 in cash back rewards or $0.0125 toward travel. The card does not have an introductory APR but does have some of the highest ongoing cash back and travel rewards available.

Introductory Reward

You will receive 80,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in first three months. That’s worth $800 in cash back or up to $1,000 toward travel expenses.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following rewards as you continue to use your Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM card:

• 3x points on first $150,000 purchases per year on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
• 1x points for all other purchases

Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM Costs

The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM has costs including:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 17.74% – 22.74% Variable
• Annual fee: $95
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%
• Foreign transaction fee: None

What the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card is Missing

The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM card offers great ongoing rewards for many purchases, but it’s also the only card on our list with an annual fee. The card also doesn’t offer an introductory 0 percent APR unlike the other cards on this list.

How to Apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM Card

You can apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM card directly through Chase’s website. Approval usually takes less than 24 hours (if it isn’t instant) and you should receive your card within seven to 10 business days.

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List of Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards

Card	Rewards
Chase Ink Business CashSM	$500 introductory statement credit 1% - 5% ongoing cash back
Capital One Spark Cash Select	$200 introductory statement credit 1.5% cash back on all purchases
American Express SimplyCash Plus	$500 introductory statement credit 1% - 5% ongoing cash back
American Express Blue Business Plus	No introductory reward 1x - 2x points worth 0.6% 1.2% cash back on all purchases
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash	$200 introductory statement credit 1% - 3% ongoing cash back rewards
Chase Ink Business PreferredSM	80,000 introductory bonus points worth $800 1% - 3% ongoing cash back
American Express Plum Card	$600 introductory statement credit 1.5% ongoing cash back $250 annual fee waived for the first year
Capital One Spark Cash for Business	$500 introductory cash back Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
American Express Business Platinum Card	75,000 introductory points worth $450 1x - 5x rewards on all ongoing purchases
American Express Business Gold Rewards	50,000 introductory points worth $300 1x - 3x rewards on all ongoing purchases
Capital One Spark Class for Business	Unlimited 1% on all purchases in any spending category No annual fee Apply with average credit
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards	Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

The Bottom Line

There are many cash back credit cards out there, but the best business credit cards for cash back offer higher cash back rewards and other benefits for small business owners. Many of these cards have low or no annual fees, long 0 percent introductory APRs and other rewards that generate significant value as financing tools for businesses.

After reviewing dozens of cards, we recommend the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM credit card as the best cash back business credit card. There’s no annual fee, significant introductory rewards and ongoing cash back on expenses incurred by most businesses. If you’re looking for a cash back business credit, be sure to check out this card from Chase.

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