Startups will often use a business startup credit card to float working capital expenses, earn rewards, and manage employee expenses. However, many startups have trouble qualifying for a card. This means that the best credit cards for startup businesses are those with low APRs, high rewards, and relatively easy qualification requirements.

The Chase Ink Business Cash card is our recommended business credit card for startups. There’s $500 introductory cash back if $3k is spent in the first 3 months. There are ongoing cash back rewards between 1% – 5% and rates start at 14.74%. Prequalify online in minutes.

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Best Credit Cards for Startup Businesses

The best credit cards for new businesses include a mix of cash back cards, airline and travel cards, charge cards, and more. Here are the 5 best credit cards for startup businesses:

Best Credit Cards for Startup Businesses

Credit Card	Best For	Apply
Chase Ink Business Cash	Startups with recurring office expenses and/or local travel expenses like gas or restaurants. Rates start at 14.74% and you can earn up to 5% cash back.	Visit Chase
Amex SimplyCash Plus	Startups that want to choose their own cash back spending categories. Rates start at 13.24% and you can earn up to 5% cash back.	Visit American Express
Amex Business Gold	Startups that want a charge card with flexible rewards points. You must pay the card in full each month, with penalty APRs starting at 19.24%	Visit American Express
Capital One Spark Miles	Startups that travel and need redeemable points in the form of airline miles. Rates start at 17.99% and you can earn 2x miles per dollar spent.	Visit Capital One
Capital One Spark Classic	Startups with a business owner that has a low personal credit score. Rates start at 23.99% but those with poor or fair credit may qualify.	Visit Capital One

Not all business credit cards are right for all types of businesses. For example, startup companies and other early-stage businesses need business startup credit cards while larger and more mature companies use more robust options like corporate credit cards. Let’s take a closer look at the 5 best credit cards for startups.

Chase Ink Business Cash Costs, Terms, & Qualifications

The Chase Ink Business Cash card for startup businesses offers one of the lowest APRs with rates between 14.74% – 20.74%. Business owners with personal credit scores above 725 should expect rates on the lower end. The card also has an introductory rate of 0% for the first 12 months. There are no annual card fees or new card fees.

This card offers cash back rewards between 1% – 5%. Specifically, you can expect the following in terms of the card’s cash back rewards:

• 5% cash back – On the first $25k spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular or landline phones, internet, and cable tv service.
• 2% cash back – On the first $25k spent in combined gas station and restaurant purchases.
• 1% cash back – all other purchases made on the card, with no limits.

However, the Chase Ink Business Cash card has a $25k annual cap on its 5% and 2% spending categories. For example, once you spend $25k on office expenses, the cash back rewards drops to 1% until the new year begins. Cash back is received in the form of a statement credit between 30 – 60 days after a bill is paid.

This startup business credit card also offers an introductory cash back offer of $500 if you spend $3k within your first 3 months. Like the ongoing cash back rewards above, the introductory offer is received in the form of a statement credit, typically 30 – 60 days after the 3 months is up.

When it comes to the qualifications, the Chase Ink Business Cash startup credit card typically only takes into account the personal credit score of the business owner or owners. When you apply, Chase will conduct a hard credit check on your personal credit report.

A rule of thumb is that anyone with a personal credit score of 690+ will qualify. You can check your credit score for free here to make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Liability is held jointly between the business and business owner.

Where to Get the Chase Ink Business Cash Card

You can apply for the Chase Ink Business Cash online. The application process is quick and you’ll typically be approved within 24 hours. The card itself typically arrives in 7 – 10 business days after approval. For more information on the application process and your potential rates, visit Chase today.

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2. American Express SimplyCash Plus

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card is a flexible card that offers a flexible cash back rewards program. Like the Chase card, the Amex SimplyCash Plus card offers cash back rewards between 1% – 5%. However, unlike Chase, you can choose your own 3% cash back spending category. This makes the card perfect for startups that want cash back flexibility.

American Express SimplyCash Plus Costs, Terms, & Qualifications

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card has a similar fee and rate structure to the Chase Ink Business Cash card for new businesses. The SimplyCash Plus card has rates between low as 13.24% – 20.24% as well as a 9-month introductory rate of 0%. There are no annual or new-issue card fees.

Also like the Chase card above, the American Express SimplyCash Plus card offers cash back rewards between 1% – 5%. Specifically, the cash back rewards you should expect on the Amex card include the following:

• 5% cash back – Wireless telephone services.
• 3% cash back – Spending category of your choice.
• 1% cash back – All other purchases.

The American Express SimplyCash Plus card has annual caps of $50k on both its 5% cash back and 3% cash back spending categories. After the cap is hit in a specific category, all future purchases receive 1% cash back until the new year begins. Cash back is received in the form of a statement credit between 30 – 60 days after a bill is paid.

You can also earn up to $400 in introductory cash back with the American Express card. You can get $200 in statement credits after you spend $5k in the first 3 months. You can then get an additional $200 if you spend $10k in the first 6 months of opening the card. You’ll receive the statement credits between 30 – 60 days after the spending thresholds are hit.

Qualifications are based on the personal credit of the business owner. Like the Chase Ink Business Cash startup credit card, a rule of thumb is that you’ll need a personal credit score of 690+ in order to qualify. You can check your credit score for free here to make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Liability is held jointly between the business and business owner.

Where to Get the American Express SimplyCash Plus Card

You can apply for the American Express SimplyCash Plus card directly on the American Express website. The time to qualification and approval typically takes 24 hours and cards are received within 7 – 10 business days. Visit their website to see if you qualify; rates start as low as 13.24%.

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American Express Business Gold Costs, Terms, & Qualifications

Since the American Express Business Gold card is a charge card, the penalty APR rates are very high. Currently, the rate charged on outstanding balances is between 19.24% – 29.99%. This means you won’t want to float any expenses. Further, while there is no new card fee, each card has an $175 annual fee, waived the first year.

While this card might sound costly, it also has one of the best rewards point structures when compared to other startup business cards. American Express has 5 eligible spending categories and lets you choose one that’ll receive 3x points. The other 4 categories receive 2x points and all other purchases earn 1x points. The possible categories are as follows:

• Airline and related travel expenses
• Advertising expenses (digital, television, and radio)
• Gas-related expenses
• Domestic shipping expenses (courier, postal, and freight)
• Computer expenses (hardware, software, cloud computing)

Each of these 5 spending categories is capped at $100k per year. After the $100k threshold is met, the spending category rolls over into the 1x general purchase category until the new year begins. Cardholders can also earn 50k introductory points if they spend $5k in the first 3 months.

Like the other cards, qualifications are largely based on the personal credit score of the business owner. However, since it’s a charge card, those with credit scores below 690 can still qualify. American Express might also take into account a business’s credit report and business credit score. Regardless, liability is shared jointly between the business and its owner.

Where to Get the American Express Business Gold Card

Like the SimplyCash Plus card, you can apply for the American Express Business Gold card directly on their website. Also like the SimplyCash Plus card, the time to approval typically takes 24 hours and you can receive your card within 7 – 10 business days. Head over to American Express to see if you qualify.

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Capital One Spark Miles Costs, Terms, & Qualifications

The Capital One Spark Miles for startup businesses has variable APR rates that currently start at 17.99% for prime applicants. This is a little higher than what you’ll see with the Chase card. However, the Capital One Spark Miles card doesn’t have an annual card fee or fees for new employee cards.

This card is the only one on our list of best credit cards for new business with rewards points that are specific to airline travel. For every dollar spent on the card, you’ll receive 2x airline miles that are redeemable on the Capital One website for airline-related purchases. However, you can also redeem these miles at hotels, restaurants, and more.

You can also receive an introductory offer of 50k additional miles if you spend $4.5k in the first 3 months. In addition to these perks, you’ll have access to other travel-related benefits, such as emergency roadside assistance, travel insurance, and more.

Like the Chase Ink startup credit card and the American Express SimplyCash Plus startup credit card, the qualifications are largely based on the personal credit score of the business owner. A good rule of thumb is that those with personal credit scores above 690 will be able to qualify. To ensure your score is above 690, you can check your personal credit score for free here.

Where to Get the Capital One Spark Miles Card

The Capital One Spark Miles card for startup businesses can be found on the Capital One website. Like the other cards on this list, the approval process typically takes 24 hours and cards are received within 7 – 10 days after approval. Rates start as low as 17.99%. Visit Capital One today to see if you qualify.

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Capital One Spark Classic Costs, Terms, & Qualifications

Since the Capital One Spark Classic is for business owners with low personal credit scores, there are no annual fees or fees for new employee cards. However, due to the low credit qualification requirements, the current APR is high, starting at 23.99% and based on your personal credit score. There is also a penalty APR around 30%.

The Capital One Spark Classic card offers a simple cash back rewards program. There are no spending categories. Instead, for each dollar spent on the card, you’ll receive 1% cash back. The cash back is issued as a statement credit between 30 – 60 days after the bill is paid. This gives you the chance to earn small rewards while you build your personal and business credit.

Stated previously, the qualifications for the Capital One Spark Classic card is low. Business owners will need a minimum personal credit score of 625 to qualify. If you’re unsure about your personal credit score, you can check your credit score for free here. Liability is held jointly between the business and the business owner.

Where to Get the Capital One Spark Classic Card

Like the other Capital One card on this list, you can get the Capital One Spark Classic card for startup businesses on the Capital One website. The application takes minutes and you can get approved in as little as 24 hours. Once approved, the card typically takes 7 – 10 business days to arrive.

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Alternatives to Business Startup Credit Cards

When it comes to the best credit cards for startups, you don’t have to confine yourself to the small business credit cards only. For example, secured credit cards might be easier to qualify for and use. Further, some personal credit cards might have better offerings when it comes to rewards points and cash back.

However, if you decide to use an alternative to business startup credit cards, you’ll have to be more careful. For example, when using personal accounts for your startup’s working capital, you should always separate your business and personal expenses. If you don’t your personal credit might be affected by your business expenses, and vice versa.

3 Best Alternative Credit Cards for New Businesses

Specifically, there are 3 alternatives to the best credit cards for new businesses. These cards include personal credit cards, secured credit cards, and prepaid credit cards. If you can’t qualify for a normal small business credit card, you should look into these alternatives since they’re typically easier to qualify for.

1. Personal Credit Card for Business

A personal credit card is a consumer financing product that gives individual consumers access to a line of credit. Rates typically range from 14% – 24% and credit limits can reach as high as $50k or more. Personal credit cards typically offer cash back and rewards points for purchases made on the card.

A personal credit card is similar to a small business credit card except that the liability is held solely by the individual cardholder. If you use a personal credit card for business expenses, you’ll need to separate your business and personal expenses. For more information on the best personal credit cards, you can read our ultimate guide on personal credit cards.

2. Secured Business Credit Card

A secured credit card is a card that requires cash collateral in the form of a deposit. Once collateral is offered, the secured credit card acts as a line of credit up to the collateral amount. You can add additional collateral to increase your limit. Also, some providers will automatically extend your credit line to reward good payment history.

A secured business credit card is a good option for people or businesses who are trying to build their credit. However, secured credit cards can have high penalty APRs for late payments as well as costly insurance as much as $55 a month. For more information on secured credit cards, read our article on the best secured business credit cards.

3. Prepaid Business Credit Card

A prepaid credit card is similar to a secured credit card in that you load money onto your prepaid business credit card account. However, unlike a secured credit card, a prepaid credit card is considered cash and not a line of credit, meaning that it typically won’t help you build credit. Still, it’s a good way to manage employee expenses.

Prepaid credit cards are accepted anywhere that credit cards are accepted. For more information on prepaid credit cards, read our ultimate guide on the best prepaid credit cards. For information on general credit card best practices, you can read our guide on the top 25 credit card tips from the pros.

Complete List of the Best Credit Cards for Startup Businesses

Small Business Credit Card	Key Information
Chase Ink Business Cash	1%-5% ongoing cash back, $300 introductory statement credit, no annual fee
American Express Business Platinum	5x points on airline expenses, 75k introductory bonus points, $400 annual fee
Capital One Spark Miles	2x airline miles per dollar spent, 50k introductory miles, no annual fee
Capital One Spark Classic	1% cash back on all purchases, no introductory offer, no annual fee
Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard	Key Information: 3%-1% cash back, $200 introductory statement credit, no annual fee
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®	Key Information: 3x rewards points per dollar spent on travel, 25K introductory bonus points, no annual fee
Capital One Spark Cash	2% ongoing cash back, $500 introductory cash bonus, $59 annual fee
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards	1%-3% ongoing cash back, $200 introductory statement credit, no annual fee
Capital One Spark Miles Select	1.5x miles per dollar spent, 20k mile introductory bonus, no annual fee
Capital One Spark Cash Select	1.5% ongoing cash back, $200 introductory cash bonus, no annual fee
GM BuyPower Business Card	1%-5% cash back, earnings on GM purchases, no annual fee
Chase Ink Business Preferred	1x-3x ongoing rewards points, 80k introductory bonus points, $95 annual fee
American Express Blue Business Plus	2x ongoing rewards points, no introductory offers, no annual fee
American Express SimplyCash Plus	1%-5% ongoing cash back, $200 introductory statement credit, no annual fee
American Express Platinum Delta Skymiles	35k introductory bonus miles, $100 introductory statement credit, $195 annual fee
American Express Starwood Preferred Guest	1x-2x ongoing Starpoints per dollar spent, 25k introductory points, $95 annual fee
American Express Plum Card	1.5% ongoing cash back, 60-day no interest balance, $250 annual fee
American Express Gold Rewards	1x-3x ongoing rewards points, 50k introductory bonus points, $175 annual fee
American Express Green Rewards	2x ongoing rewards points on travel, 5k introductory bonus points, $95 annual fee

Bottom Line: Best Credit Cards for Startups

Overall, most business either can or do use a small business credit card. However, when it comes to startup companies and other early-stage businesses, there are specific types of cards that are best. These best credit cards for startup businesses have lower APR rates, advantageous rewards offers, and easier qualification requirements.

The Chase Ink Business Cash card is our preferred business startup credit card. This card offers $300 introductory cash back with $3k spent in the first 3 months as well as ongoing cash back rewards between 1% – 5%, depending on the spending category. Rates start as low as 13.49% and you can get approved in less than 24 hours.

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