A real estate agent credit card helps you earn rewards on everyday expenses, such as gas purchases, advertising, or office supplies. The best credit card for real estate agents offers introductory rewards up to $1,000, ongoing rewards of up to 5%, cheap introductory financing, and annual percentage rates (APRs) as low as 13.74%.
The best credit cards for real estate agents of 2020:
- Chase Ink Business CashSM: (Best Overall) Best for earning top cash back rewards
- Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for spending big on advertising
- American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for 2x points per dollar and 0% APR for 12 months
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for earning big rewards in your top two spending categories
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®: Best for earning rewards on your gas purchases
- Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for fair credit (580 to 669)
For more details on how we evaluate business credit cards for this list, see our methodology.
Chase Ink Business CashSM: Overall Best Credit Card for Real Estate Agents
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Best For: Office-based businesses that want top cash back rewards
| Intro APR ?0% APR for 12 months on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases | 14.74% - 20.74% Variable | $0 | Good - Excellent |
Chase Ink Business CashSM is the overall best small business credit card for real estate agents because it offers top cash back rewards on spending categories favorable to agents. This cash back business credit card is best used to maximize your cash back rewards, especially if you run an office-oriented real estate business. This card can also be used to help keep money in your company as you won’t pay annual fees, and you’ll have access to interest-free financing on purchases for the first 12 months, which can benefit startup businesses.
Chase Ink Business CashSM Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 14.74% to 20.74% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: 5% or $5, whichever is greater
Compare these costs to the American Express Blue Business® Plus card.
Chase Ink Business CashSM Rewards
- 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% afterward
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, then 1% afterward
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome offer: $500 cash back when you spend $3,000 within the first three months after account opening.
Compare these rewards to the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®.
Chase Ink Business CashSM Additional Features
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Offers primary coverage when renting for business purposes, which means it replaces your personal insurance and any insurance the rental company offers, which you should decline. Chase will reimburse you up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage.
- Purchase protection: Offers coverage against damage or theft for the first 120 days after purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Offers an additional year of coverage on United States manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less.
Learn more: Chase Ink Business CashSM review
Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for Earning Rewards on Advertising Purchases
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best For: Maximizing travel rewards at a lower annual fee
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 17.49% - 22.49% Variable | $95 |
Chase Ink Business Preferred® is best for agents who have sizable online advertising expenses. It pays 3x points per $1 spent in four spending categories, which includes advertising on search engines and social media sites. This card is a solid choice if you want to offset travel expenses—points are worth 1.25 cents when redeemed for travel. Additionally, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve personal credit card, you can transfer your points and increase the redemption value to 1.5 cents per point.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Costs
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 17.49% to 22.49% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater
If you need to transfer a balance, compare these costs to American Express Blue Business® Plus.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Rewards
- 3x points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year spent in four categories. The categories include travel, shipping, advertising on search engines and social media sites, and internet, cable, and phone services
- 1x points on all other spending
Welcome offer: 100,000 bonus points when you spend $15,000 within the first three months after account opening.
If you don’t want to track category bonuses, compare these rewards to a fixed-rate rewards card like American Express Blue Business® Plus.
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Additional Features
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Offers primary coverage when renting for business purposes, which means it replaces your personal insurance and any coverage the rental company offers. Chase may reimburse you up to the actual cash value of the car for theft and collision damage.
- Purchase protection: Covers purchased items against damage or theft within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Provides an additional year of coverage on US manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less
- Cellphone protection: All eligible phone lines on your phone bill are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. This protection limits you to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
- Trip cancellation and delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for at least 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.
Learn more: Chase Ink Business Preferred® review
American Express Blue Business® Plus: Best for Fixed-rate Rewards and 0% APR Financing
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best For: Pocketing 2x points per $1 and 0% introductory APR for 12 months
| Intro APR ?0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% on purchases | 13.24% - 19.24% Variable | No annual fee | Good, Excellent |
American Express Blue Business® Plus is best for agents who don’t want to track category spending and want an introductory 0% APR period. It pays 2x points per dollar on purchases up to $50,000 annually, then 1x points after that. Plus, this credit card charges no annual fee and offers a better no-interest financing period when compared to Chase Ink Business CashSM.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, which makes it one of the best 0% APR business credit cards
- Ongoing APR: 13.24% and 19.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the transfer, whichever is greater
Compare these costs to Chase Ink Business CashSM.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Rewards
- 2x points on all purchases up to $50,000 each year
- 1x points on all purchases after that
Welcome offer: None.
If you want to earn an introductory reward, consider Chase Ink Business CashSM.
American Express Blue Business® Plus Additional Features
- Extended warranty protection: Provides up to an additional two years of warranty on the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Purchase protection: The issuer will repair, replace, or reimburse you for a purchased item that was damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Car rental insurance: Provides car rental loss and damage insurance for the first 30 days of a vehicle rental and when rented from a car rental company. Coverage is limited to $50,000 per rental agreement.
Learn more: American Express business card review
American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for Earning Rewards in Top Two Spending Categories
American Express® Business Gold Card
Best For: Maximizing rewards in the two categories where you spend the most
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 14.24% - 22.24% Variable | $295 | Good, Excellent |
The American Express® Business Gold Card is best for agents who want to earn rewards in multiple spending categories. It pays 4x points in the two categories where you spend the most each month, including gas stations and advertising. You can also earn a sign-up bonus. This is a charge card, which means you must repay the balance in full monthly. However, you can finance purchases of at least $100.
American Express® Business Gold Card Costs
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 14.24% and 22.24% variable when financing balances of at least $100, which adjusts with the prime rate, otherwise no APR because it’s a charge card and due in full monthly
- Annual fee: $295
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfers are not allowed
American Express® Business Gold Card Rewards
- 4x points on the two categories where you spend the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 in combined eligible purchases each calendar year
- Airfare purchased directly from airlines
- US purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, and radio)
- US purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
- US purchases at gas stations
- US purchases at restaurants
- US purchases for shipping
- 1x points on all other eligible spending
Welcome offer: 35,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 within the first three months of your account.
Compare these rewards for advertising purchases to Chase Ink Business Preferred®.
American Express® Business Gold Card Additional Features
- Premium roadside assistance: Free of charge up to four times a year. You can receive towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire change, lockout service when the key is in the vehicle, and delivery of up to two gallons of gas
- Return protection: American Express will refund you for eligible purchases when the store doesn’t accept returns of undamaged items. Coverage is limited to 90 days from purchase, up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
- Baggage insurance: If your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’re eligible for coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on luggage and $500 for checked bags
- Extended warranty: Receive one additional year of coverage on purchases with eligible warranties of five years or less
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per incident.
Learn more: American Express business card review
Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®: Best for Fuel Purchases
Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Best For: Up to 3% cash back in a spending category of your choice
| Intro APR ?0% APR for nine billing cycles on purchases | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% 9 billing cycles | 13.74% - 23.74% Variable APR on purchases | $0.00 | Excellent |
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® is best for agents who have an existing relationship with Bank of America and drive often for business. While it offers 3% cash back on fuel purchases, you can enroll in the Preferred Rewards for Business program and earn an additional 25% to 75% rewards bonus on every purchase. That’s up to 5.25% cash back on gas purchases. This card has the lowest ongoing variable APR on our list.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Costs
- Introductory APR: 0% for nine billing cycles on purchases
- Ongoing APR: 13.74% to 23.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: $10 or 4% of the transfer, whichever is greater
If your main concern in a real estate agent credit card is a balance transfer offer, compare this card to American Express Blue Business® Plus.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Rewards
- 3% cash back on your choice of one of the following six categories: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV and telecommunications services, wireless, computer services or business consulting services for the first $50,000 in combined choice category or dining purchases each calendar year, then 1% after that
- 2% cash back at restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome offer: $300 statement credit when you spend at least $3,000 within the first 90 days.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® Additional Features
Unlike most issuers, Bank of America doesn’t disclose any details of the card’s additional features until you receive your guide to benefits with your business credit card. However, Bank of America reviews show we do know you’ll receive up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance. That protection covers you in case of a loss of life or dismemberment.
Learn more: Bank of America card review
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for Fair Credit
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Best For: Fair credit business owners (580 to 669)
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 24.49% (Variable) | $0 | Average, Fair, Limited |
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is best for agents who have fair credit (580 to 669) and want to earn rewards. It charges no annual fee, and you’ll earn 1% cash back on every purchase. It’s the best credit card for real estate agents who want to build their business and personal credit. Its ongoing variable APR is about seven percentage points above average.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Costs
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 24.49% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: None
- Balance transfer fee: None
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Rewards
You’ll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all spending. However, this card offers no introductory reward. This reward structure is common for fair credit business credit cards. If you want to earn rewards and your personal credit score is below 580, choose a secured business credit card. Secured cards have credit limits that are often equal to a cash deposit held in a collateral account.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business Additional Features
According to Capital One’s website, this card offers Visa® Business Benefits:
- Extended warranty protection: Offers up to an additional year of coverage on eligible warranties of three years or less
- Purchase protection: Protects purchased items for 90 days against damage or theft, and coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year
Learn more: Capital One business card review
How We Evaluated Real Estate Agent Credit Cards
A real estate agent credit card comes with a variety of sign-up bonuses, introductory and ongoing rewards, APRs, and protections like extended warranty protection. The best business credit card for you is one that pays rewards in your typical monthly spending categories. For example, if you drive far and often, consider a card that offers rewards on gas purchases. See the methodology in detail.
In our evaluation of the best real estate agent credit cards, we considered the following criteria:
- Introductory rewards: Any sign-up bonuses you can earn by meeting a minimum spending requirement.
- Ongoing rewards: The points or cash back rewards you can earn for your everyday purchases.
- Introductory APR: Whether a card offers an introductory 0% APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
- Ongoing APR: How much it costs to finance purchases or balance transfers.
- Additional features: Any free perks or benefits that increase the card’s value.
- Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card each year.
Most business credit cards require a personal credit score of at least 670. We also included one real estate agent credit card for fair credit, which is designed for owners with personal credit scores between 580 and 669.
Bottom Line
Real estate agent credit cards are a handy way to earn rewards and save money on your everyday business expenses. The best credit card for real estate agents is one that provides a rewards structure that pays rewards in your primary spending categories, such as office supplies, online advertising, and fuel.
For rates and fees on the American Express Blue Business® Plus, please click here.
For rates and fees on the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.
