10 Best Business Credit Cards for Startups 2019

On Chase's Secure Website

Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 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

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% Intro APR on Purchases	14.74% - 20.74% Variable	$0	Good - Excellent

On Chase's Secure Website

The Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card is our pick for the best business credit card for startups because it offers the top combination of introductory and ongoing rewards along with a lengthy introductory period on purchases. Business owners receive 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months. The ongoing variable APR is as low as 14.74%.

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Costs

This Chase Ink business credit card charges no annual fee and no interest for 12 months on purchases. Once the introductory APR period ends, the ongoing variable APR is between 14.74% and 20.74%.

Financing costs and fees on the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM include:

Introductory APR: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

If your primary concern in a card is cheap financing on balance transfer, we don’t recommend this card for you. It doesn’t offer 0% APR on balance transfers, and the balance transfer fee is just too high in our view compared with other small business credit cards.

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Rewards

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM offers the highest rewards on office supply spending. It also offers excellent introductory rewards for a card that charges no annual fee.

Introductory Rewards

You’ll earn $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 within your first three months. This is the highest introductory bonus on our list from a card that charges no annual fee (tied with Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM and the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®).

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following cash-back rewards when using your card:

5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, cellular phone, and landline services each account anniversary year (then 1%).
2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%).
1% cash back on all other purchases.

No other card offers higher cash back on office supply spending. You will, however, find other small business credit cards that offer better returns on gas station spending, including the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®, which pays 3% cash back.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, and travel through Chase’s online travel portal. The redemption value for all three options is 1 cent per point. When redeeming for cash, you can receive a statement credit or a deposit into an eligible checking or savings account.

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Additional Features

This card comes with additional features that are similar to other cards we reviewed. If you rent cars frequently for business, the protection this card offers may prove beneficial, along with other purchase insurance.

This card offers the following additional features:

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.

This is a similar package of benefits several other cards on our startup list offer, although the purchase protection lasts longer than the 90 days the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® offers.

What Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Is Missing

Businesses that have travel expenses won’t benefit from Chase Ink Business Cash^SM. The best startup credit cards rarely offer bonus categories that cover travel, although Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business pays 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One, which you can redeem against your firm’s startup travel costs.

Chase Ink Business Cash^SM Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Chase Ink Business Cash^SM reviews are typically positive. The card gets high marks for its introductory and ongoing rewards. Some reviews suggest the card could add more bonus categories, especially covering travel purchases.

User Reviews

Users say they value the business-oriented rewards structure and the lack of an annual fee. Some say the ongoing APR is too high. On the low end of the range, this card’s APR is actually a bit better than average. The high end of the range is also about three percentage points lower than some cards charge.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. Chase Ink Business Cash^SM is one of the top small business credit cards. It’s set apart from its peers by three features that are among the best available: introductory rewards, ongoing rewards, and a lengthy 0% introductory APR offer on purchases. This card could improve by adding travel rewards.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®: Best for 0% APR on Purchases & Balance Transfers

On US Bank's Secure Website

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®

Earn a new cardmember bonus of $500 after you spend $4,500 in eligible net purchases on your card within the first 150 days of account opening
3% cash back on cellular, gas stations, and office supply store net purchases
1% cash back on other eligible net purchases

No limit on total rewards and they never expire!
Plus, a 25% Annual Cash Rewards bonus, up to $250
No annual fee*
Net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns
0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that variable APR currently 13.99% - 24.99%*

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0%	13.99% - 24.99% Variable	$0	Excellent

On US Bank's Secure Website

See Rates and Fees

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® is best for businesses that want no-interest financing for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. It offers 3% cash back on cellphone purchases and service, gas purchases, and office supply expenses. You’ll also earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 within the first 150 days and an annual bonus up to $250. Ongoing variable APR starts at 13.99%.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® Costs

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® charges no annual fee. Plus, you’ll have no interest for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, which makes it a solid choice if you need to carry a balance.

Financing costs and fees on the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® include:

Introductory APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles
Ongoing APR: 13.99% to 24.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

This U.S. Bank card has the potentially lowest ongoing APR on our list. However, the high end of the ongoing APR range on Chase Ink Business Cash^SM is about four percentage points lower than the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®. However, this card offers the longest introductory 0% APR period at 15 billing cycles.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® Rewards

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® offers a $500 introductory bonus after you spend $4,500 within the first 150 days. It’s tied with Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business. This U.S. Bank business card also pays up to 3% cash back on select spending categories.

Introductory Rewards

You will earn $500 cash back after spending $4,500 within the first 150 days. Chase Ink Business Cash^SM and Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM both offer $500 after you spend $3,000 within the first three months.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards when using your card:

3% cash back on cellphone purchases and service.
3% cash back on gas purchases up to $200 per single purchase.
3% cash back at office supply stores.
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

U.S. Bank also offers a unique annual bonus that’s equal to 25% of your prior year’s cash rewards, up to $250. We have reviewed dozens of small business credit cards, and we have not come across a similar feature.

The cellphone category bonus is also unique compared to other small business credit cards on our list. However, the everyday spending reward of 1% cash back is common. If you’re looking to earn non-category bonus rewards, a good card option would be Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM. That card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, as a statement credit, or in the form of a debit card. If you redeem as a debit card, you’ll receive a U.S. Bank Rewards Mastercard Card. If you choose cash back, your rewards will be deposited into your U.S. Bank business checking, savings, or money market account.

Redemption rates are 3 cents per dollar spent on cellphone purchases and service, gas purchases, and office supply store purchases. All other redemptions are worth 1 cent per dollar spent.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® Additional Features

Similar to other cards on our list, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® offers extended warranty protection and purchase protection.

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® includes:

Extended warranty protection: U.S. Bank will double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year on warranties of five years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim.
Purchase protection: The issuer may repair or reimburse purchased items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per claim and $25,000 per account, per year.

The additional features provided on the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® are common across the best small business credit cards. However, this card offers better extended warranty protection compared to American Express Blue Business® Plus. That card covers warranties of five years or less, but the coverage is limited to $1,000 per claim.

What U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® Is Missing

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® offers lower ongoing rewards compared to other cards on our list. Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, for example, offers ongoing rewards up to 5% on specific spending categories.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® reviews are generally positive. Most users enjoy the ongoing rewards, but some users complain about the card’s additional features.

User Reviews

Online user reviews are mostly positive. Cardholders especially like the card’s ongoing rewards and how easy it is to redeem their rewards. However, some say that other business credit cards offer more top-tier additional benefits.

Editorial Reviews

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® is a solid card that offers a unique annual cash bonus up to $250. However, it’s primarily designed for business owners who are looking for the best introductory 0% APR financing period.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM: Best for Fixed-rate Rewards & Big Intro Bonus

On Chase's Secure Website

Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card

Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 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

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% Intro APR on Purchases	14.74% - 20.74% Variable	$0	Good - Excellent

On Chase's Secure Website

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM is a solid pick for startups that want to earn fixed-rate rewards and a solid sign-up bonus. It pays 1.5% cash back on all spending and $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. That’s $300 more than you’d earn with Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, which also pays 1.5% back. Ongoing variable APR is as low as 14.74%.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM Costs

This business credit card for startups charges no annual fee and no interest on purchases for the first 12 months. Once the introductory APR period ends, its ongoing APR is between 14.74% and 20.74%.

Financing costs and fees on the Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM include:

Introductory APR: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

The length of the introductory APR is longer than the nine months offered by Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, which only offers 0% APR on purchases. If you want a cash-back credit card that also offers 0% APR on balance transfers, choose the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card. It charges no interest for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM Rewards

Along with fixed-rate ongoing rewards, this card also comes with a great introductory bonus—the highest among the cards on our list and equal to what Chase Ink Business Cash^SM offers.

Introductory Rewards

You’ll earn $500 cash back when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. This monthly minimum spending requirement is lower than other cards on our list. For example, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® offers $500 after you spend $4,500 within 150 days.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which also makes it a solid credit card for new businesses. That’s the best fixed-rate cash-back return from a credit card that charges no annual fee and sets no annual spending cap on our list, tied with Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, and travel through Chase’s rewards portal. Redemption value for all three options is 1 cent per point. When you redeem for cash, you can receive a statement credit or a deposit into an eligible checking or savings account from a U.S.-based bank or credit union.

You also can increase your redemption value when you transfer rewards to another Chase credit card you own that’s part of the Ultimate Rewards program. For instance, if you transfer Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM rewards to the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM card, each point is worth 1.25 cents per point when redeemed for travel.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM Additional Features

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM offers the same protections that come with Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, which include car rental insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.

With this card, you’ll receive the following additional features:

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.

Note that the purchase protection benefit lasts longer than the 90 days the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard® offers. The rental insurance and extended warranty protection are similar to what other Chase business cards on our list offer, including Chase Ink Business Cash^SM.

What Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM Is Missing

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM offers great fixed-rate cash-back rewards on all spending. But the reward rate is lower—especially in certain spending categories—than some other cards, like the Chase Ink Business Cash^SM card. That card pays 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on telecommunications services.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM reviews are very good, although not as positive as reviews for the other Chase cards on this list. Because it offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, this isn’t seen as a first choice credit card for business owners serious about maximizing rewards.

User Reviews

Customers like the 12-month introductory APR as well as the strong introductory rewards, but say the ongoing rewards aren’t competitive with other cards that offer fixed-rate rewards. Indeed, the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card earns 2% cash back per dollar on all spending up to $50,000 annually.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM fills in the rewards gaps Chase Ink Business Cash^SM and Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM have, making it a perfect second or third card. When your purchases don’t fall into one of the bonus categories offered by those other cards, use Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM.

American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card: Best for Fixed-rate 2% Cash-back

on American Express® Blue Business Cash Card's secure website.

American Express® Blue Business Cash Card

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 and balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable rate, 14.74%, 17.74%, or 20.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% on purchases	14.74% - 20.74% Variable	No annual fee	Good, Excellent

on American Express® Blue Business Cash Card's secure website.

See Rates and Fees

The American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card is best for startup business owners who want to earn fixed-rate cash back. It pays 2% cash back on purchases up to $50,000 annually, then 1% thereafter. It charges no annual fee, and you’ll pay no interest for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Ongoing variable APR starts at 14.74%.

American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card Costs

The American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card charges no annual fee and no interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. Be sure to pay off your balance before the introductory period ends.

Financing costs and fees on the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card include:

Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

This credit card offers an above-average interest-free financing period. However, other cards on our list offer longer introductory 0% APR periods. For example, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM MasterCard® charges no interest for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.

American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card Rewards

The American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card pays a fixed rate of 2% cash back on purchases up to $50,000, then 1% thereafter. Most cards that pay fixed-rate rewards up to 2% also charge annual fees close to $100. This card does not offer any introductory rewards.

Introductory Rewards

The American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card does not offer a sign-up bonus. Several other credit cards that charge no annual fees offer introductory rewards. For example, Chase Ink Business Cash^SM offers $500 after you spend $3,000 within three months.

Ongoing Rewards

The American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card offers the following ongoing rewards:

2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 each year.
1% cash back on all additional purchases.

If you want to earn ongoing rewards without an annual spending cap, choose Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM. That card pays unlimited 1.5% cash back on all spending. Plus, that card offers a sign-up bonus worth $500.

How to Redeem Rewards

Cardholders will receive a rebate as a statement credit for any eligible purchases on their American Express card, which isn’t common. The rebate they receive is based on the percentage of eligible purchases made during a billing period, and it will appear on the second billing statement after the billing statement where those purchases appear. For example, if you earn rewards in October, you will see a statement credit on your December bill.

American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card Additional Features

This American Express business credit card offers excellent protection against loss and damage, which include extended warranty protection and purchase protection. Other American Express cards on our list offer better coverage.

The American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card offers the following additional features:

Extended warranty protection: American Express offers up to one additional year of coverage on eligible warranties of up to five years. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
Purchase protection: American Express will repair, replace, or reimburse you for purchased items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per account, per year.

The purchase protection isn’t quite as good as what other American Express cards offer, like American Express Blue Business® Plus. That card provides coverage for the first 120 days after purchase.

What American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card Is Missing

This startup business credit card does not offer any introductory rewards, which is its biggest drawback. This can be a turnoff to some startup business owners, especially when other cards on our list offer sign-up bonuses worth up to $500 cash back. Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, for example, offers $500 when you spend $3,000 within three months from account opening.

American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Although there are no user reviews online, editorial American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card reviews agree it pays solid rewards for a business credit card that charges no annual fee.

User Reviews

This card was released near the end of July, and we found no online user reviews.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. Editorial reviewers agree this is a great startup business credit card if you don’t want to track category bonuses. However, most editorial reviews suggest this card would need to add a sign-up bonus to improve its overall value.

American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for Fixed-rate Points

on The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express's secure website.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Get rewarded for business as usual. 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 and balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable rate, 14.74%, 17.74% or 20.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
Terms Apply

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% on purchases	14.74% - 20.74% Variable	No annual fee	Good, Excellent

on The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express's secure website.

See Rates and Fees

American Express Blue Business® Plus offers fixed-rate points rewards and a 12-month 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers. It’s the ideal choice for startups that spend in a variety of categories and are seeking long-term free financing. The ongoing variable APR of 14.74% to 20.74% is lower than some cards on our list, which means it’s also a great card for the long term as your startup matures.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Costs

American Express Blue Business® Plus is a no annual fee credit card that charges no interest for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Its ongoing variable APR is as low as 14.74%.

Financing costs and fees on American Express Blue Business® Plus include:

Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

American Express Blue Business® Plus offers a long 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (12 months). However, it’s not as long as the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®. That card offers no-interest financing for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Rewards

Cardholders will earn 2x points on all spending, which means there are no bonus categories to track. There are also no opportunities to earn higher returns on category spending, like the 5% Chase Ink Business Cash^SM pays on spending at office supply stores.

Introductory Rewards

American Express Blue Business® Plus offers no sign-up bonus or other introductory rewards. It’s one of four cards on our list that has no introductory rewards, including the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card, and this drawback is one reason why this card doesn’t top our list.

Ongoing Rewards

American Express Blue Business® Plus offers the following ongoing rewards:

2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 each year.
1x points on all additional purchases.

The return rate is the best among the fixed-rate rewards cards on our list, like Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, which pays 1.5% cash back on all spending. If you want to receive cash back instead of points, choose the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card. That card pays the same fixed-rate rewards, but as cash back.

How to Redeem Rewards

There are seven ways to redeem your rewards:

For your charges: Redeem points for eligible charges on your current statement. You must have at least 1,000 available points in your account.
Travel: Redeem points for travel through American Express Travel. The minimum redemption is 5,000 points.
Gift cards: Purchase American Express gift cards.
Amazon.com: To use points at Amazon, you must first load your card into your Amazon account and use your card at least once.
Ticketmaster: Redeem points on Ticketmaster to purchase event tickets. Minimum redemption is 2,000 points.
AXS: Redeem points on AXS to purchase event tickets. Minimum redemption is 2,000 points.
Taxi fares: You can redeem points for fares (including tips) in some taxis in New York City.

American Express Blue Business® Plus offers more reward redemption options compared to other cards on our list. For example, Chase Ink Business Cash^SM does not let you redeem your rewards for Amazon.com purchases or event tickets.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Additional Features

The American Express Blue Business® Plus card comes with protections against loss and damage. These features are similar to most other business credit cards.

With this card, you’ll receive the following features:

Extended warranty: American Express will match the length of the original manufacturer’s warranty if it’s less than two years. American Express provides an additional two years if the 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.

These benefits are fairly standard, although the length of coverage on purchase protection is more than the 90 days the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card offers.

What American Express Blue Business® Plus Is Missing

American Express Blue Business® Plus doesn’t offer introductory rewards, while other cards on our list offer fairly large sign-up bonuses, including cards that charge no annual fee. Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, for instance, offers a $500 cash bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of account opening.

You’ll also earn fixed-rate ongoing rewards, which may be bad for businesses that spend heavily in certain categories—like airfare or gas—where other cards offer enhanced rewards. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®, for example, offers cardholders the opportunity to earn 3% cash back on gas.

American Express Blue Business® Plus Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. American Express Blue Business® Plus reviews show that business owners applaud this card for helping to grow their firms. Both the card’s points-based rewards system and its lengthy 0% introductory offer draw praise.

User Reviews

Users say they value the two points per dollar you’ll earn in ongoing rewards and the issuer’s excellent customer service. Some users say they were disappointed this card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. American Express Blue Business® Plus is one of the best business credit cards for owners who want or need a break on financing. It offers 0% introductory APR for 12 months. This card isn’t as valuable as some others that offer bonus category rewards of up to 5%.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business: Best for Frequent Business Travel

on Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business's secure website.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business

Earn unlimited 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
Earn a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles – equal to $200 in travel – once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel℠ using a Spark Miles Select card

Save on interest with 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months; 14.74% - 22.74% variable APR after that
No annual fee
Transfer your miles to 10+ leading travel loyalty programs like JetBlue™, Air Canada, and Emirates™
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 1.5X miles from their purchases

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% on purchases	14.74% - 22.74% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

on Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business's secure website.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is the only card on our list that offers miles-based rewards. It pays 1.5x miles on all spending and 5x points on some travel-related purchases. It’s best for startups that have no more than $19,000 in annual expenses. That’s the threshold at which you’ll benefit more with Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business. Ongoing variable APR starts at 14.74%.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Costs

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business has the same costs as Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business. It charges no annual fee and no interest for nine months on purchases.

Financing costs and fees on Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business include:

Introductory APR: 0% for nine months on purchases
Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 22.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: None

This card is nearly identical to Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, except with regard to how rewards are handed out—miles versus cash back. Like Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, the introductory 0% APR period is shorter on this card than on others on our list, like Chase Ink Business Cash^SM (12 months).

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Rewards

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers a small introductory bonus compared with other cards and ongoing fixed-rate rewards. It also offers fixed-rate rewards of 1.5x miles on all spending.

Introductory Rewards

You’ll earn a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles—equal to $200 in travel—once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This is lower than the $500 you’ll earn with Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM, which requires the same $3,000 in spending over the same time period.

Ongoing Rewards

With this card, you’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel^SM.
1.5x miles on all spending with no limits.

This is just one of two startup credit cards on our list (American Express Blue Business® Plus) that allows startups to redeem rewards directly for flights. Business owners can use rewards to book new airfare or cancel out the cost of flights booked within 90 days using the card through its Purchase Eraser feature.

How to Redeem Rewards

There are six primary ways to redeem your rewards:

Redeem for travel: Book flights, car rentals, or hotels. You’ll need to redeem 100 points for every dollar of travel.
Redeem for past travel purchases: Redeem miles for past travel purchases made using your Capital One business card. You must redeem your miles within 90 days from the date the travel purchase shows on your account.
Transfer to a select loyalty program: Transfer your miles to 15 select programs, including Air Canada, JetBlue, Aeromexico, Emirates Skywards, Qantas, and Qatar Airways. Your miles may be worth more in free travel when you transfer to one of these partners.
Statement credit or check: Redeem rewards as cash back in the form of a statement credit or a check by mail. Redemption value is 1 cent per point.
Redeem for gift cards: Redeem your miles for gift cards at restaurants, retailers, or hotels. Your gift card will arrive within two to three weeks.
Automatic redemption: You can receive your miles at a specific time every year or when you reach a set threshold ($25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,500).

This card offers more redemption options compared to Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business. For example, that card does not let you redeem your rewards for travel or past travel purchases.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Additional Features

According to Capital One’s website, this card offers features similar to other business credit cards, which include purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers the following protections:

Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 90 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 up to one year on eligible warranties of three years or less.

Notice that the length of purchase protection coverage is shorter at 90 days with Capital One than it is with other cards, like Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, which offers purchase protection for up to 120 days. The extended warranty benefit is also less than the two additional years of protection the American Express Blue Business® Plus card offers.

What Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Is Missing

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business offers a shorter 0% APR introductory period on purchases than most other cards on this list, including Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM (12 months). It also offers no interest-free financing period on balance transfers, like the 15 billing cycles you’d receive with the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®.

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business reviews show users generally like the 1.5x miles they earn on all purchases, but some bigger spenders may be better off finding a card that offers a higher return.

User Reviews

Users appreciate the simple rewards program structure and the ability to use miles to pay for airfare. Cardholders unhappy with the card are disappointed that Capital One reports the primary cardholder’s account activity to consumer credit bureaus, which not all business card issuers do.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. For businesses that put less than $19,000 in charges per year on their card, this card offers a good return on value. But you’ll be losing out on rewards if your company has a higher credit card spending budget.

You’ll be better off with the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business, which pays unlimited 2x miles on per $1 all spending and comes with a $95 annual fee, waived the first year.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best for Low Credit Card Expenses

on Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business's secure website.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Save on interest with 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months; 14.74% - 22.74% variable APR after that

No annual fee
Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
$0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
No foreign transaction fees

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% on purchases	14.74% - 22.74% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

on Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business's secure website.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business is another on our list of startup credit cards to offer 1.5% cash back on all spending. It’s a fine pick, but not quite as good as Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM, which offers a higher sign-up bonus ($500 versus $200) and a better 0% introductory offer (12 months versus nine months). Ongoing variable APR is as low as 14.74%.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Costs

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business charges no annual fee. You’ll pay no interest for the first nine months after purchase, after which its ongoing variable APR starts at 14.74%.

Financing costs and fees on Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business include:

Introductory APR: 0% for nine months on purchases
Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 22.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: None

The introductory 0% APR period is shorter on this card than on others on our list, like the American Express Blue Business® Plus (12 months). It also doesn’t offer an introductory APR period on balance transfers, although you’ll pay no transfer fee, something other cards don’t offer. For example, American Express Blue Business® Plus charges a balance transfer fee of 3%.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Rewards

The real appeal of Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business is for business owners who want a fixed-rate return and don’t want to pay an annual fee. But that fee aversion is only worth it if you spend $19,000 or less a year.

Here’s a look at the math:

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: $19,000 in annual spend x 1.5% cash back = $285 in rewards.
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business: $19,000 in annual spend x 2% cash back – $95 annual fee = $285 in rewards.

Introductory Rewards

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. That’s a smaller return than the $500 Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM pays on the same amount of spending.

Ongoing Rewards

Earn 1.5% cash back on all spending with no limits. That’s the same return you’ll see on Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards as a statement credit or check, for a recent transaction, or for gift cards, or you can set up automatic redemption. If you redeem automatically, you can set a time each calendar year or when you meet a specific threshold ($25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,500).

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Additional Features

According to Capital One’s website, this card offers features similar to other business credit cards, which include purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business offers the following protections:

Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 90 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 up to one year on eligible warranties of three years or less.

Notice that the length of purchase protection coverage is shorter at 90 days with Capital One than it is with other cards, like Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, which offers purchase protection for up to 120 days. The extended warranty benefit is also less than the two years of additional protection American Express Blue Business® Plus offers.

What Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Is Missing

The biggest drawback to Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business is that there are no interest-free balance transfers. If you have a balance on another card that’s accruing interest, you’ll be better off choosing a card like the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®, which offers 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers and purchases.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business reviews show that users generally like the 1.5% cash-back rewards on all purchases, but some bigger spenders may be better off finding a card that offers a higher return.

User Reviews

Users love the introductory interest-free period as well as the simple rewards program structure. Cardholders unhappy with the card are disappointed that Capital One reports account activity to consumer credit bureaus, which not all business card issuers do. However, if this is a deciding factor, there are business credit cards that don’t report to personal credit bureaus.

Editorial Reviews

For businesses that put less than $19,000 in charges per year on their card, Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business is a fine choice. But you’ll be losing out on rewards if your company has a higher credit card spending budget. You’ll be better off with Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business, which pays 2% cash back on all spending and comes with a $95 annual fee, waived the first year.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®: Best for Fuel Purchases

on Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card's secure website.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Get a $300 statement credit when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening - with no annual fee and cash rewards don't expire.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
You'll get 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.

0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles.
Redeem your cash rewards as a statement credit, check, or have cash deposited into a Bank of America® checking or savings account.
Get 75% more cash back on every purchase when you're a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 5.25% on your selected choice category, 3.5% on dining and unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
0% 9 billing cycles	13.74% - 23.74% Variable APR on purchases	$0.00	Excellent

on Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card's secure website.

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® is best for startups that have a big budget for fuel. It pays 3% cash back on gas station purchases and 2% cash back on restaurant purchases on up to $50,000 in combined spending each year. The ongoing APR is as low as 13.74%, which also makes it one of the best credit cards for self-employed workers.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Costs

This card charges no annual fee and no interest on purchases for nine billing cycles. Once the introductory APR ends, its ongoing APR is between 13.74% – 23.74% variable.

Financing costs and fees on the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® include:

Introductory APR: 0% for nine billing cycles on purchases
Ongoing APR: 13.74% – 23.74% Variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: $10 or 4% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

Bank of America offers no introductory 0% APR offer on balance transfers, and the length of the introductory APR on purchases is quite short compared with other cards on this list, like the 12 months of 0% APR American Express Blue Business® Plus offers on purchases and balance transfers.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Rewards

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® offers a $300 introductory bonus. You’ll also earn ongoing rewards on gas station and restaurant spending. Bank of America customers who also have cash on deposit with the bank can increase the value of their ongoing rewards.

Introductory Rewards

You’ll earn a $300 statement credit when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, with no annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire. That’s $100 more than what the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business card offers.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following rewards when using your card:

3% cash back on the category of your choice, such as gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV, telecom, and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category and dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter).
2% cash back on purchases at restaurants.
1% cash back on all other purchases.

If you’re enrolled in the Preferred Rewards for Business program, you could earn up to 5.25% at gas stations or in one of five other categories, 3.5% at restaurants, and 1.75% on all other purchases. To earn the maximum rewards bonus, you have to have more than $100,000 on deposit with the bank or Merrill Lynch. No other card on our list offers a relationship bonus.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards as a deposit into your Bank of America checking or savings account, a statement credit, or a check. There is no annual cap on rewards redemption, and you can redeem them at any time. Other credit cards for startups on our list, such as Chase Ink Business Unlimited^SM, offer more redemption options, including gift cards and travel.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Additional Features

This card doesn’t come with the same level of benefits you’ll find on other cards on our list. You will receive up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance, which covers you in case of loss of life or dismemberment. This protection is also offered through American Express business credit cards, which are typically stronger cards.

What Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Is Missing

You’ll find a better rewards rate on office supply spending with other business cards, like Chase Ink Business Cash^SM (5%). The introductory bonus is also the lowest among the cards on our list that offer a welcome bonus.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® reviews are positive, but not fawning. It’s a solid, if unspectacular, pick because of its cash rewards and the rewards boost that existing Bank of America customers can earn.

User Reviews

We searched the internet for user reviews for the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®. Many customers like the introductory 0% APR, the lack of an annual fee, and the ability to earn up to 3% ongoing cash rewards. However, some complain that the introductory rewards aren’t as high as other cards offer.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. Our review of this card is generally favorable, both for its rewards structure and its lack of an annual fee. This isn’t a card that’s going to shower you with ongoing rewards, but it’s a perfect first small business card. The introductory rewards are a bit meager compared with other small business credit cards.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for Fair Credit

on Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business's secure website.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Earn unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
No annual fee
Build and strengthen credit for your business by using this credit card responsibly

$0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen
Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases
Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
No foreign transaction fees

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
N/A	24.74% (Variable)	$0	Average, Fair, Limited

on Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business's secure website.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is best for startup owners with a credit score between 580 and 669 who still want an unsecured cash-back credit card. You’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions (the lowest ongoing rewards rate on our list), and pay a variable ongoing APR of 24.74% on balances (the highest rate among the cards on our list).

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Costs

This Capital One business credit card charges no annual fee and a high variable ongoing APR of 24.74%. This card does not offer a no-interest financing period, like others on our list. However, those cards require a personal credit score of at least 670.

Financing costs and fees on Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business include:

Introductory APR: None
Ongoing APR: 24.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
Annual fee: None
Balance transfer fee: None

While this card charges no balance transfer fee, you’ll pay a 24.74% variable APR on the transferred balance. That’s the highest APR on balance transfers among the cards on our list. If you need to transfer a balance and your credit is better than 669, consider applying for the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite^TM Mastercard®.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Rewards

This is one of four cards on our list that offers no introductory rewards, including the American Express Blue Business Cash^TM Card, American Express Blue Business® Plus, and Citi® Double Cash. It also offers the lowest ongoing rewards at 1%.

Introductory Rewards

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business does not offer introductory rewards. You may not be able to find a credit card designed for business owners with fair personal credit that offers introductory rewards.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, everywhere—no limits or category restrictions. That’s the lowest ongoing rewards return of any card on our list. The return, however, is average or better for a business credit card designed for owners with fair personal credit.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards as a statement credit or check, for a recent transaction, or for gift cards, or you can set up automatic redemption. If you choose automatic redemption, you can set a time each calendar year to receive your rewards or when you meet a threshold ($25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,500).

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Additional Features

According to Capital One’s website, Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business offers a number of protections against lost or damaged items you purchase with the card. Many, but not all, of the cards on this list offer similar protections.

You’ll enjoy the following additional benefits:

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 one 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.

As with other Capital One business cards, the purchase protection is shorter than the 120 days other cards offer, like Chase Ink Business Cash^SM. The extended warranty protection is also shorter than the two years the American Express Blue Business® Plus card offers. Several other cards, including Chase Ink Business Cash^SM, offer car rental insurance.

What Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Is Missing

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is designed for cardholders with fair credit, so the 24.74% variable APR is understandably high compared with cards designed for owners with better credit. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®, for example, charges a variable ongoing APR up to 10 percentage points lower.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Reviews

We considered both user reviews and our own editorial review when rating this card. Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business reviews are largely favorable, but both user and editorial reviews recognize this card’s main purpose is to give business owners with fair credit access to financing. That means it lacks some of the features that other credit cards have.

User Reviews

Most users in online reviews indicated that they are largely satisfied with their Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business card, with cardholders noting the best feature is the cash-back rewards. Some users complain about the lack of perks and low credit limits.

Editorial Reviews

We rate small business credit cards based on their costs, rewards, and benefits. Our review recognizes that Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business isn’t a card most small business owners should want to rely on forever. Used responsibly, this card should become obsolete as owners’ credit scores improve. However, we rank it as one of the best business credit cards for fair credit.

Citi® Double Cash: Best Personal Card as an Alternative to Business Credit Cards for Startups

On Citi's Secure Website

Citi® Double Cash Card

Get 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus there are no categories to track, no caps on cash back and no annual fee.

INTRO APR	REGULAR APR	ANNUAL FEE	CREDIT NEEDED
N/A	15.74% to 25.74% Variable	None	Good - Excellent