10 Best Personal Credit Cards for Business Use 2019

Personal credit cards for business use are great for new business owners who might not qualify for startup business credit cards. Some personal cards offer rewards or features that align with your business, like free balance transfers. The best cards offer introductory rewards worth up to $750 and ongoing rewards worth up to 10% back.

Top 10 Personal Business Credit Cards July 2019

What’s Changed With the Best Personal Business Credit Cards

This article was originally published in October 2017. We update the list of the best personal business credit cards regularly because issuers frequently change introductory rewards and other card features. The most recent changes to the best personal credit cards for business use include changes to the ongoing rewards categories from two cards.

Recent changes with the largest impact on our update to the best personal business credit cards rankings are:

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How We Evaluated Personal Credit Cards for Business Use

We looked for credit cards that offer a range of features benefiting business owners, like low fees and big introductory and ongoing rewards. The best personal small business credit cards offer introductory 0% APR financing for up to 18 months and introductory rewards worth up to $750.

Although these are personal credit cards for business use, you should still keep your personal expenses separate from your business expenses. Keep in mind, though, your card activity will be reported to consumer credit bureaus and not to business credit bureaus, meaning you have no opportunity to either establish or improve your business credit score.

In our evaluation of the best personal credit cards for business use, we considered:

• Annual fees: How much it costs to own a card. We found ranges of $0 to $550, but cards on this list offer rewards and perks worth at least as much as their annual fee.
• APRs: How much financing personal credit cards for business use costs. APRs range from 0% on charge cards that must be paid off monthly to a variable rate of nearly 30%.
• Balance transfer fees: How much you’ll be charged to transfer a credit card balance from one card to another. Fees on this list range from 0% to 5% of the transfer amount.
• Introductory rewards: What you’ll earn for reaching minimum spending requirements within several months of card ownership. Cards on this list offer rewards worth up to $750 on required spending of as much as $5,000 within the first three months.
• Ongoing rewards: The points or cash back you’ll earn by using your card. Cards on our list offer either a fixed rate on all spending up to 2% or tiered rewards worth at least 5% on certain bonus categories.
• Additional benefits: Free perks that may increase the value of the card, like airport lounge access, rental car insurance, and travel credits.
• Credit scores: The credit score you’ll need to qualify. Most cards on this list require a credit score of at least 680 to qualify, although some of the more premium cards may require a score of at least 720.

After examining the qualities firms should look for, we named the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card the best overall personal credit card for business use. American Express offers top rewards on several spending categories, including grocery shopping, streaming services, gas, and transit. The card is ideal for cafe and bar owners and for companies that frequently travel in town for meetings and use public transportation or taxis.

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American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card: Overall Best Personal Credit Card for Business Use

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card is our top pick for the best personal card for business use because it offers top rewards in a number of categories other cards don’t offer. This card pays 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending annually (then 1%). You’ll also earn 3% cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations. No other card on our list offers better returns on these rewards categories. Ongoing APR is as low as 15.24%.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card Costs

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card charges no interest for the first 12 months on both purchases and balance transfers. However, it does charge an annual fee of $95.

Financing costs and fees on the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card include:

• Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
• Ongoing APR: 15.24% to 26.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $95
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is higher

Among the credit cards on our list, only the Discover it® Cash Back has a lower possible ongoing APR of 14.24%. The 12 months of interest-free financing is several months shorter than what Discover it® Cash Back, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi® Double Cash, and Chase Slate® offer.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card Rewards

This card’s rewards are focused on four spending categories: grocery shopping, streaming services, gas purchases, and transit. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. If you spend more on dining out than you do on supermarket spending, a card like Chase Sapphire Preferred® may be a better fit.

Introductory Rewards

You can earn $250 cash back after you spend $1,000 within the first three months.

The introductory rewards are the lowest among cards on our list that charge an annual fee. Chase Sapphire Preferred®, for example, offers 60,000 bonus points, worth up to $750.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending annually (then 1%).
• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services.
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% cash back on transit, including taxis and ride-share services, parking, tolls, trains, and buses.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.

No other card on our list offers this level of rewards on groceries or streaming services. If any of these categories are big budget items for your business, this is a fantastic card to own. The U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® offers 5% cash back on ground transportation spending, but only up to $2,000 in spending per quarter. On general spending, the 1% cash back here is low. Citi® Double Cash pays 2% cash back on all spending.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

You can redeem your cash back rewards as a statement credit in any denomination, for gift cards (starting at $25), or use your rewards to shop at one of hundreds of retailers through the American Express portal. Redemption values may vary depending on how you decide to use your cash back.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card Additional Features

American Express offers some fairly standard additional features, like extended warranty and purchase protection.

Enjoy the following additional benefits with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card:

• 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 original manufacturer’s warranty is between two and five years. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
• Purchase protection: The issuer will repair, replace, or reimburse you for an item purchased with the card that was damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account each year.
• Travel accident insurance: American Express will cover you for up to $100,000 if death or dismemberment occurs while on a trip you paid for with your card.

The extended warranty protection is identical to what the Citi® Double Cash card offers. Purchase protection on the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a bit more robust than you’ll find on Chase Slate®, which puts a $500 cap on claims.

What American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card Is Missing

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers a fairly low sign-up bonus for a card that charges an annual fee. What’s more, the annual fee isn’t waived during the first year, something other similar cards offer. It also caps the reward bonus on U.S. supermarket spending, which means if you spend more than $6,000 annually on groceries, you’ll earn just 1% on spending above that threshold.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card Reviews

Online user reviews are mostly positive, with satisfied cardholders saying they use no other card for gas or grocery spending. They also value the simple redemption options. Cardholders can either receive a statement credit or use the cash back to buy gift cards. Some cardholders expressed disappointment that not all stores that sell groceries—including Walmart and Target—qualify for the 6% reward.

How to Apply for American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card

Apply for the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card directly on the issuer’s website. You may be approved instantly. Your new card will be delivered within seven to 10 business days. You may also want to consider an American Express business credit card.

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Discover it® Cash Back: Best for First-year Rewards

Discover it® Cash Back is best for owners looking to earn 2% or more on all of their spending in the first year. This card normally pays 1% on all purchases and 5% on spending within categories that rotate each quarter. At the end of your first year of card ownership, however, Discover will double all of your cash back earned. This card also offers ongoing APR as low as 14.24%.

Discover it® Cash Back Costs

Discover it® Cash Back charges no annual fee and no interest for the first 14 months on purchases and balance transfers. Once the promotional period ends, the ongoing APR is between 14.24% and 25.24%.

Financing costs and fees on Discover it® Cash Back include:

• Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months
• Ongoing APR: 14.24% to 25.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: None
• Balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount transferred until October 10, 2019

The introductory APR is just one month less than what Chase Slate® offers. Citi® Double Cash offers an 18-month introductory offer for balance transfers, but no interest-free period on purchases. Discover it® Cash Back has the lowest possible ongoing APR among credit cards on our list.

Discover it® Cash Back Rewards

Discover guarantees that it will match all your first-year cash back, which means you’ll earn at least 2% cash back on all spending. That’s identical to what the Citi® Double Cash offers.

Introductory Rewards

Discover will match all of the cash back you earned at the end of your first year, automatically.

Ongoing Rewards

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

• 5% cash back (doubled the first year) on rotating quarterly categories, like restaurants and PayPal through September.
• Unlimited 1% cash back (doubled the first year) on all other purchases.

Since the 5% bonus is capped at $1,500 in quarterly spending, the most you can earn is $75 a quarter on rotating categories ($150 during the first year with the cash-back match). The other cards with bonus categories on our list all offer higher spending caps. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card, for example, pays 6% on spending at U.S. grocery stores, capped at $6,000 per year.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

You can redeem your cash-back rewards as a credit to your balance, a deposit into a bank account, as a charitable donation, or to pay for items at select merchants—starting at a penny. Other cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, will allow you to redeem rewards for travel, and at a higher redemption rate than this Discover card offers.

Discover it® Cash Back Additional Features

Discover does not offer many of the features, such as purchase protection and extended warranty protection, that are standard on cards like the U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^®.

The following features are included with Discover it® Cash Back:

• Account lock: Freeze your account in seconds to prevent new purchases with an on/off switch available on both the mobile app and website.
• Late fee waiver: You won’t pay a late fee the first time your payment is late. Late fees are up to $37 thereafter.

Its unique features include the ability to instantly freeze your account and a late fee waiver, which is a nice perk if you forget to pay.

What Discover it® Cash Back Is Missing

Discover it® Cash Back requires you to register your card each quarter to earn bonus rewards, something other cards don’t require. You’ll also only earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending, a cap no other card on our list has.

Discover it® Cash Back Reviews

Online reviews for Discover it® Cash Back are very positive. Users say they enjoy the cash back rewards, the low APRs, and the hassle-free customer service. Some complain that Discover isn’t as widely accepted as Visa (Discover has more worldwide acceptance). Others say they’re unhappy that some stores, like Walmart, are restricted from the bonus category offers.

How to Apply for Discover it® Cash Back

Apply online directly with Discover for the Discover it® Cash Back Card. You’ll need to supply personal information like your Social Security number and address when you submit your application. You may get an instant response, and your card should arrive in the mail within seven to 10 business days.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Earning 3% Rewards the First Year

Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is best for owners who want to earn 3% cash back on all purchases during their first year of card ownership, up to $20,000 in spending. You could earn up to an extra $300 in rewards your first year. You’ll also enjoy 0% financing on purchases and balances transfers for 15 months. The ongoing APR is as low as 17.24%, based on your credit history.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Costs

Chase Freedom Unlimited® charges no interest on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. Plus, you’ll pay no annual fee.

Financing costs and fees on Chase Freedom Unlimited® include:

• Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
• Ongoing APR: 17.24% to 25.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: None
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the balance transferred, whichever is greater

The ongoing APR on Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be higher than average. Choose a card like the Discover it® Cash Back if you plan to carry a balance.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited® pays 1.5% cash back on all spending, doubled the first year on up to $20,000 in spending. It offers no bonus categories with higher rewards, like the U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^®.

Introductory Rewards

Chase will double your rewards to 3% cash back from 1.5% cash back on all spending during the first year on up to $20,000 in purchases. That’s a better return than what the Discover it® Cash Back card offers (1% doubled on all spending, 5% doubled on category spending), but Discover guarantees you’ll earn at least 2% the first year on all your spending.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards after the first year:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases (and 1.5% on all purchases above $20,000 during the first year).

This is lower than the 2% cash back return the Citi® Double Cash card offers. It also charges no annual fee, but offers no introductory bonus, either.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, and travel through the Chase online travel portal. When redeeming 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 card you own that’s part of the Ultimate Rewards program. If, for example, you transfer Chase Freedom Unlimited® to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, each point is worth 1.25 cents per point when redeemed for travel.

Here’s how the math on the points transfer works:

1.5% earned on every dollar spent x $0.0125 = 1.875% return

You may be able to boost the redemption value further by combining your rewards with another Chase card and then transferring those points to one of the issuer’s airline partners. When transferred, point values vary, but your redemption value could exceed two cents per point or more when booking flights, increasing your return on purchases to at least 3%. When you authorize a transfer, you’re maximizing your credit card rewards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Additional Features

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers similar additional card features to other cards on our list, such as purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers the following protections:

• Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Extended warranty: Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.

These benefits are fairly standard, although the length of coverage on purchase protection is more than the 90 days the Capital One® Venture® offers.

What Chase Freedom Unlimited® Is Missing

Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers 1.5% cash back on all spending, less than other fixed-rate cards on our list, including the Citi® Double Cash card and Capital One® Venture®. There’s also no opportunity to earn bonus rewards like with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card, which pays 6% cash back on spending at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 in spending annually.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Reviews

Online reviews for Chase Freedom Unlimited® are mostly positive. Users love that the card comes with no annual fee and offers a streamlined, simple rewards program. Some users do, however, compare the cards unfavorably to other rewards credit cards that offer a 2% return on all spending. Many of those cards charge an annual fee.

How to Apply for Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Apply for Chase Freedom Unlimited® online with the issuer. You may receive notice immediately whether you qualify. Expect your card to arrive in the mail within seven to 10 business days. If you’re ready for a business card, consider the several business cards Chase offers.

Note: The information related to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card has been collected by Fit Small Business and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^®: Best for Choosing Bonus Categories

U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® is best for small business owners who want more flexibility in choosing their bonus categories. You can choose the two categories (from a list of 12) that will earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in spending each quarter. No other card on our list offers such flexibility. U.S. Bank charges an ongoing APR of as little as 16.24%.

U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® Costs

With U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^®, you’ll pay no interest for the first 12 months on balance transfers made within the first 60 days. However, this introductory APR does not apply to purchases.

Financing costs and fees on U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® include:

• Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles on any balances transferred within 60 days from account opening; there is no introductory APR on purchases
• Ongoing APR: 16.24% to 25.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: None
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the balance transfer, whichever is higher

The introductory APR is a bit shorter than the 14 months Discover it® Cash Back offers. Ongoing APR is considerably higher than the Discover card, which offers interest rates as low as 14.24%.

U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® Card Rewards

U.S. Bank offers the most flexible rewards of any card on our list, as it allows users to choose two categories each quarter that will earn 5% (from a list of 12) and one category that will earn 2%. Among the cards that offer introductory rewards, U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® offers the smallest bonus, but also has the lowest spending requirement.

Introductory Rewards

You’ll $150 cash bonus after making $500 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. In comparison, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers $250 after you spend $1,000 within the first three months. That card charges an annual fee of $95.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

• 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter on two categories you choose from a group of 12.
• 2% cash back on one category that you choose from gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The 12 spending categories that could earn 5% cash back are TV, internet, and streaming services; fast food; cellphone providers; department stores; home utilities; select clothing stores, electronics stores; sporting goods stores; movie theaters; gyms and fitness centers; furniture stores; and ground transportation.

There are no cards on our list that have this diverse a selection of potential bonus categories, but you’ll have to watch out for that spending threshold. If you spend more than $2,000 a month on streaming services and ground transportation, you may be better off with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card, which offers slightly lower rewards, but has no cap.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, a direct deposit into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account, or for a rewards card. Rewards expire 36 months after the billing cycle in which they are earned. This is the only credit card on our list that places an expiration date on awards in which the account is in good standing.

U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® Additional Features

U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® provides similar additional card perks to most other major credit cards, which include features like extended warranty protection, purchase protection, and car rental insurance.

U.S. Bank offers several fairly standard benefits you’ll find on many other credit cards, including:

• Extended warranty: U.S. Bank will double the original manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year on warranties of three years or less. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim.
• Purchase protection: The issuer will repair, replace, or reimburse you for an item purchased with the card that was damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account each year.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—in case your rental is lost or stolen while you’re traveling.

Free car rental insurance is only available on two other cards on our list, Capital One® Venture® and Chase Sapphire Preferred®. The extended warranty and purchase protections are fairly common benefits, but U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® offers fewer years of warranty coverage and less per claim coverage on purchase protection than does the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card.

What U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® Is Missing

U.S. Bank says the bonus categories could change from quarter to quarter. That means the category that propelled you to sign up for the card may not always be available. You’ll also have to register your 5% and 2% categories each quarter or you’ll earn just 1% on all spending.

U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® Reviews

Online user reviews are mostly positive. Cardholders say they enjoy being able to pick the 5% rewards categories and have found customer service to be responsive. Some users complain about having to choose bonus categories each quarter, especially if they want the same categories from one quarter to the next.

How to Apply for U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^®

Apply for the U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^® directly on the issuer’s website. You may be approved instantly. Your new card will be delivered within seven to 10 business days.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Best for Introductory Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® is best for businesses that want to earn $750 worth of travel in introductory rewards. No other card on our list has an introductory offer this high without having to spend more money to earn it. This card charges an annual fee of $95 and ongoing APRs as low as 18.24%.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Costs

Chase Sapphire Preferred® charges an annual fee of $95 and an ongoing APR starting at 16.24%. This card is not a good choice if you need to carry a balance because it does not offer an introductory APR.

Financing costs and fees on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 18.24% to 27.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $95
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the transferred balance, whichever is higher

The annual fee on this card is identical to what you’d pay on the Capital One® Venture®, which pays 2x miles on all spending. It’s significantly lower than the $450 annual fee charged by Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Note: We’ve seen different ongoing APRs offered to different potential applicants (as low as 16.24% to 25.24%).

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Rewards

You’ll earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Ongoing rewards focus on dining and travel, where you’ll receive 2x points per dollar.

Introductory Rewards

You can earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. That’s 10,000 points more than what the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers, although that card charges a much higher $450 annual fee.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

• 2x points on travel and restaurant dining worldwide.
• 1x points on all other purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® has a lower return on travel and restaurant spending when compared with Chase Sapphire Reserve® (3x). However, since its points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed for travel through Chase, the card may prove more valuable than the Capital One® Venture®, which pays 2x points on all spending (redeemed at one cent each).

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards for travel, cash back, or gift cards. When redeeming for cash back or gift cards, your redemption value is one cent per point. When redeeming for travel through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal, travel is worth 1.25 cents per point. You also can increase your redemption value when you transfer rewards to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. Each point is worth 1.5 cents when redeemed for travel.

You may be able to boost the redemption value further by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to one of the issuer’s airline partners. When transferred, point values vary, but your redemption value could exceed two cents per point or more when booking flights.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Additional Features

Similar to other cards on our list, Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers an auto rental collision damage waiver. However, it offers two unique features, which include trip delay insurance and trip cancellation insurance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers several benefits found on other cards on this list, including:

• 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.
• Trip delay insurance: If your travel is delayed more than 12 hours or you require an overnight stay as a result of a delay, you’re covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500.
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance: Covers up to $10,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is cut short or interrupted by sickness or bad weather.

You won’t receive the travel credit or TSA PreCheck reimbursement that the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers, but you’ll also pay significantly less when it comes to an annual fee—$95 versus $450. Only Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers trip delay and trip cancellation insurance.

What Chase Sapphire Preferred® Is Missing

Chase Sapphire Preferred® doesn’t offer great returns in categories outside dining and travel. If your business budgets for big spending in other areas, you may want to consider a general rewards card like Citi® Double Cash, which pays 2% on all spending.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Reviews

Online user reviews are generally positive. Cardholders say they like the low annual fee in comparison to the rewards offered. Unfavorable reviewers say the APR of 18.24% to 27.24% is too high. The Discover it® Cash Back card charges an APR as low as 14.24%, so consider whether you can pay off your card every month before applying for Chase Sapphire Preferred®.

How to Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® directly on the issuer’s website. You may be approved instantly. Your new card will be delivered within seven to 10 business days.

Note: The information related to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card has been collected by Fit Small Business and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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Capital One® Venture®: Best for Hotel Spending

Capital One® Venture® is best for businesses that use hotels frequently, as it pays 10x miles on all spending at Hotels.com through January 2020. No other credit card on our list offers nearly the return on hotel stays. Capital One® Venture® comes with a variable APR of as little as 17.99%, which is the highest on our list of best personal credit cards for small business owners.

Capital One® Venture® Costs

Capital One® Venture® does not offer an introductory APR and charges the highest ongoing APR on our list. Plus, it charges an annual fee of $95, which is waived the first year.

Financing costs and fees on Capital One® Venture® include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 17.99% to 25.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
• Balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that the issuer may offer you; none for balances transferred at the transfer APR, which is the same as the ongoing purchase APR

Since this card offers no introductory APR, this is not a great card to own if you need to carry a balance. If you need to carry a balance or make a balance transfer, choose Chase Slate®, which comes with 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and charges no fee on balance transfers.

Capital One® Venture® Rewards

Like Citi® Double Cash, Capital One® Venture® offers a 2% return on all purchases with its 2x miles per dollar spent. This card takes one extra giant rewards leap by offering 10x miles when booking on Hotels.com through January 2020. Compare that with the American Express Platinum Card®, which offers 5x points on hotels booked through the issuer.

Introductory Rewards

You can earn 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. The introductory rewards on this card are worth $500 in travel, which isn’t as good as the 60,000 bonus points the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

• 2x miles on every purchase.
• 10x miles on hotel stays booked through hotels.com/venture through January 2020.

The Capital One® Venture® card offers the best fixed-rate travel rewards on our list, giving you 2x miles on every purchase. That’s not quite as good as the 3x points you’d earn by paying for your airfare with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, but that card comes with a much higher $450 annual fee and pays just 1x points on all non-bonus category spending.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

You can redeem your rewards in one of six ways:

• Travel: Book flights, car rentals, or hotels; you’ll need to redeem 100 points for every dollar of travel.
• Past travel purchases: You can redeem your rewards for past travel purchases made using your Capital One 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: You can transfer your Capital One miles to 15 select loyalty 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: You can also redeem your points as cash back in the form of a statement credit or a check by mail. Redemption value is one cent per point.
• Redeem for gift cards: You can redeem your rewards 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).

Capital One® Venture® Additional Features

Like the U.S. Bank Cash+^™ Visa Signature^®, Capital One® Venture® offers several perks through Visa Signature benefits, including car rental insurance and purchase protection.

With this card, you’ll have 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 up to 90 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim.
• Lost luggage reimbursement: Checked or carry-on luggage is covered up to $3,000 if lost or stolen when you charge your ticket to the card.

These benefits are fairly standard, although the length of coverage on purchase protection is less than the 120 days some other cards, like Chase Slate®, offer.

What Capital One® Venture® Is Missing

Capital One® Venture® charges a higher ongoing APR than any other card on our list. If you plan to carry a balance, consider a card with a lower interest rate, like Discover it® Cash Back or one that comes with a 0% introductory offer on either purchases, balance transfers, or both. Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers no-interest financing on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.

Capital One® Venture® Reviews

Online user reviews are mostly positive. Cardholders with positive experiences say they love the rewards return and appreciate how quickly they received their introductory rewards after meeting the spending requirement. Unfavorable reviewers say they’ve had customer service problems, including lengthy delays receiving the card and unresolved disputes over amounts owed.

How to Apply for Capital One® Venture®

Apply for the Capital One® Venture® directly on the issuer’s website. You may be approved instantly. Your new card will be delivered within seven to 10 business days.

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Citi® Double Cash: Best for Earning 2% Cash Back on All Purchases

The Citi® Double Cash card is best for owners who want to earn 2% cash back on all spending. That return is tied with the Capital One® Venture® card, although that card’s rewards come in the form of miles. The ongoing APR is as low as 15.74%, which is about average for the cards on this list.

Citi® Double Cash Costs

The Citi® Double Cash card charges no annual fee and no interest for 18 months on balance transfers made within the first four months. Its ongoing APR is between 15.74% and 25.74%.

Financing costs and fees on the Citi® Double Cash card include:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers completed within four months of account opening
• Ongoing APR: 15.74% to 25.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: None
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is higher

The introductory APR on balance transfers is three months longer than what the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers, but there is no similar no-interest break on purchases. The balance transfer fee is lower than the 5% charged by the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.

Citi® Double Cash Rewards

Citi® Double Cash is one of two credit cards on our list (Chase Slate®) that offers no introductory rewards. It pays 2% cash back on all spending, which is the highest fixed-rate reward on our list.

Introductory Rewards

Citi® Double Cash does not offer introductory rewards.

Others that charge no annual fee offer introductory rewards, such as Chase Freedom Unlimited®, will double from 1.5% to 3% the cash back you earn during your first year on up to $20,000 in spending.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

• 1% cash back on all purchases and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

This card isn’t a straight 2% card. You’ll receive credit for the second 1% of your rewards only after you pay your bill. Pay your bill in full and on time to receive the full 2% without paying any interest charges.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

You can redeem your rewards as a check or statement credit for at least $25 or as a credit to your linked Citi savings or checking account. You may also request a credit to a non-Citi checking account from which you have paid a Citi credit card bill at least two times.

Citi® Double Cash Additional Features

Citi® Double Cash offers some unique benefits other cards on our list don’t offer, like price protection and a break on your first late fee. It also offers extended warranty protection, which is more common.

With this card, you can enjoy these additional features:

• Price protection: Citi’s price protection benefit will refund the difference (up to $200 per item up to $1,000 per year) if something you purchased goes on sale within 60 days of purchase. You’ll have to alert Citi to start tracking the price for you after purchase.
• Waived late fee: Your first late payment is free; up to $39 after that.
• Extended warranty protection: Receive two additional years on the manufacturer’s warranty, not to exceed seven years from the purchase date. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per occurrence.

The extended warranty protection is even slightly better than the excellent coverage the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers. That card will match the length of the original manufacturer’s warranty if it’s less than two years and will provide an additional two years only if the original manufacturer’s warranty is between two and five years.

What Citi® Double Cash Is Missing

The lack of an introductory reward is this card’s biggest flaw—and one of the primary reasons why we didn’t name it the best personal credit card for business use. Long term, though, this card may have more value than others because of its 2% return on all spending.

Citi® Double Cash Reviews

Citi® Double Cash earns mostly positive online reviews from cardholders who appreciate the 2% cash back on all spending—a high rate for a card that charges no annual fee—and that the first late fee is forgiven. Negative reviews tend to focus on card users having trouble with customer service.

How to Apply for Citi® Double Cash

Apply for the Citi® Double Cash online. You may be approved instantly. Your card should arrive in the mail within seven to 10 business days after approval.

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Chase Slate®: Best for Free Balance Transfers

Chase Slate® is best for small business owners who want to transfer a high-interest credit card balance without paying a balance transfer fee. It’s the only card on our list that offers free balance transfers within 60 days of account opening. Ongoing APR is as low as 17.24%, based on your credit history.

Chase Slate® Costs

This balance transfer credit card charges no interest for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Additionally, this card charges no annual fee.

Financing costs and fees on Chase Slate® include:

• Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: 17.24% to 25.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: None
• Balance transfer fee: None on transfers made within 60 days of account opening; after that, $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Foreign transaction fee: 3%

This may be the cheapest card for balance transfers when you factor in transfer fees. You’ll pay no fee when you transfer a balance within 60 days of account opening. Compare that with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card, which charges 3% of the transfer amount.

Pay your balance in full by the end of the introductory period, though, because the ongoing APR is higher than what other cards charge. In comparison, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers an ongoing APR as low as 15.24%.

Chase Slate® Rewards

Chase Slate® is the only card on our list that offers no introductory or ongoing rewards. We ranked other cards higher on our list because they offer introductory rewards as high as $750 and ongoing rewards of 5% or more.

Chase Slate® Additional Features

Similar to other cards on our list, Chase Slate® includes purchase protection. It also includes a no penalty APR rate and a free FICO score.

This card includes the following additional features:

• A free FICO score: The issuer will update this monthly and monitor the reasons why your score may be up or down.
• Purchase protection: Covers your purchases for 120 days against theft and damage up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
• No penalty APR: If you miss a payment, the issuer won’t hike your APR.

The purchase protection coverage is similar to what Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers, and it is better than the 90-day protection offered by Capital One® Venture®. No other card on our list waives the penalty APR.

What Chase Slate® Is Missing

This card offers no introductory or ongoing rewards. Every other card on our list offers at least ongoing rewards. This is a card with a singular purpose—to get you out of debt as cheaply as possible. It charges no interest on balance transfers for 15 months and no balance transfer fee on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. If you’re ready for a business card, consider a 0% APR business credit card.

Chase Slate® Reviews

Chase Slate® earns average online reviews among users. Some users complain about getting rejected for the card despite having an above-average credit score. Others say the APR is too high, particularly for someone with a prime credit rating. If you have a credit score of 700 or better, you should be able to find a card that charges an ongoing rate lower than what Chase Slate® offers.

How to Apply for Chase Slate®

Apply for Chase Slate® online at the issuer’s website. You may receive approval instantly and your card in the mail within seven to 10 business days.

Note: The information related to the Chase Slate® Credit Card has been collected by Fit Small Business and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve® is best for businesses with frequent travel—and we’re not just talking flights. This Chase card pays 3x points on all travel spending worldwide, including airfare, hotels, car rentals, trains, and tolls. The American Express Platinum Card® pays 5x points, but only on flights and hotels. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® charges an ongoing APR as low as 19.24%.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Costs

Chase Sapphire Reserve® ‘s annual fee of $450 is the second highest annual fee on our list. Plus, each additional authorized user costs $75.

Financing costs and fees on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 19.24% to 26.24% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $450, $75 for each authorized user
• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the transferred balance, whichever is higher

The only other card on our list that charges a higher annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the American Express Platinum Card® ($550). That card offers better benefits, including exclusive access to Centurion lounges, but this Chase card could be a better deal for business owners who dine frequently, as it offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points on all restaurants.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Rewards

You’ll earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. That’s 10,000 fewer points than the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers. Ongoing rewards are focused on travel and restaurant dining, where you’ll earn 3x points.

Introductory Rewards

You can earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. When redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, this introductory bonus is worth $750 (points are worth 1.5 cents each), or $250 more than Capital One® Venture® pays. No other card tops this introductory offer.

Ongoing Rewards

You’ll earn the following ongoing rewards:

• 3x points on travel and restaurant dining worldwide.
• 1x points on all other purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a lower return on travel spending when compared with the American Express Platinum Card® (5x on flights and hotels), but the redemption value is boosted 1.5 times when used on the Chase travel portal. That means all travel spending is worth 4.5 cents per dollar. Plus, Chase’s definition of travel is quite broad, which means you’ll earn 3x points for airfare and for things like timeshares, taxis, and toll roads.

How to Redeem Rewards

You can redeem your rewards for travel, cash back, or gift cards. When redeeming for cash back or gift cards, your redemption value is one cent per point. When redeeming for travel through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards website, travel is worth 1.5 cents per point. You may be able to increase your redemption value by transferring your points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Additional Features

Like the American Express Platinum Card®, Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers several premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access and annual travel credits.

This card offers several premium travel features, including:

• Airport lounge access: Enjoy access to more than 1,000 priority pass lounges worldwide for free prior to airline travel.
• Annual travel credit: You’ll receive a $300 annual travel credit that can be applied liberally toward your travel purchases.
• 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.
• Trip delay insurance: If your travel is delayed more than 12 hours or you require an overnight stay as a result of a delay, you’re covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit: Receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance: Covers up to $10,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is cut short or interrupted by sickness or bad weather.

The travel credit is much easier to redeem on this card than on the American Express Platinum Card® because Chase has a much more liberal definition of travel, which includes more than just baggage and incidental fees on airline travel. The American Express Platinum Card® is the only other card on our list that offers airport lounge access.

What Chase Sapphire Reserve® Is Missing

Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the second highest annual fee of any card on our list at $450 (American Express Platinum Card® charges $550). This isn’t a good card if you can’t take advantage of the travel perks. Like Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Sapphire Reserve® doesn’t offer great returns in categories outside dining and travel.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Reviews

Chase Sapphire Reserve® reviews are mostly positive. Cardholders with positive experiences say they can easily redeem awards and benefits that make the annual fee worthwhile. Unfavorable reviewers say the rewards and benefits don’t make up for the annual fee. This is true only if you don’t travel enough to take advantage of the travel credit lounge access.

How to Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve® directly on the issuer’s website. You may be approved instantly. Your new card will be delivered within seven to 10 business days.

Note: The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card has been collected by Fit Small Business and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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American Express Platinum Card®: Best for Travel Perks

The American Express Platinum Card® is best for owners who fly regularly and stay overnight in hotels on business. It offers top travel perks that other cards just can’t compete against, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, gold status membership at several car rental companies and hotel brands, and a $200 annual Uber credit. This card charges no APR because it’s a charge card that must be paid in full each month.

American Express Platinum Card® Costs

The American Express Platinum Card® is a charge card, so you must pay it off every month. While there is no APR, you’ll only offset the annual fee cost if you use the card quite a bit to travel, and you’ll still have to pay a late penalty if you miss a payment (up to $38).

Financing costs and fees on the American Express Platinum Card® include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Regular APR: None (you must pay off your balance every month)
• Annual fee: $550
• Balance transfer fee: Transfers are not allowed

The $550 annual fee you’ll pay is the highest among the cards on this list. But perks like free airport lounge access and reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck airport screening programs mean this card also carries more potential value than any other card on our list.

American Express Platinum Card® Rewards

The American Express Platinum Card® offers strong rewards for airplane travelers and business owners who frequently stay in hotels. You’ll earn five points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and five points on hotels booked through American Express Travel. That’s two points more than Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers. The introductory rewards are worth $600 or more when redeemed for travel.

Introductory Rewards

You can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after making $5,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership. Those points are worth $600 or more when redeemed for travel. That offer falls a bit short of what Chase Sapphire Reserve® pays.

Ongoing Rewards

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

• 5x points on eligible flights and hotels.
• 1x points on all other purchases.

No other card on our list offers a better return on airfare or hotel purchases, but Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers more opportunities to earn travel rewards, as it pays 3x points on a wide variety of travel spending, including ride-sharing services like Uber, campgrounds, and trains.

How to Redeem Your Rewards

You can redeem your points from American Express in the following ways:

• Statement credit: If you have at least 1,000 points in your account, you can apply them to pay for charges on your credit card statement.
• Travel: Redeem points to book travel on American Express Travel. You can also transfer points to a frequent flyer program.
• Amazon.com: After you add your card to your Amazon account and use it at least once, you can use your points on Amazon purchases.
• Ticketmaster: Redeem a minimum of 2,000 points on Ticketmaster to purchase event tickets.

When you transfer points to a travel partner, you may be able to increase your redemption value, similar to how Chase Ultimate Rewards points work.

American Express Platinum Card® Additional Features

The ongoing rewards alone probably aren’t enough to justify the $550 annual fee. The exceptional suite of benefits, including airport lounge access and other travel perks, though, more than justify the annual fee if you own a business that can take advantage of them.

The American Express Platinum Card® includes:

• American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than one dozen U.S. airports.
• Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
• Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Access or $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck once every four years.
• Travel credit: A $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
• Fine Hotels and Resorts program access: Book a stay at one of these hotels through American Express Travel and receive early check-in, a room upgrade if available, daily free breakfast, and a $100 credit for your stay.
• Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
• Hotel status: Elite status at a number of hotel chains.
• Uber credit: Earn up to $200 in annual Uber credit.
• Saks Fifth Avenue credit: Earn a $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers free lounge access, an airport screening credit, and travel credits. But the full sweep of travel perks on the American Express Platinum Card®—including the Uber credit, elite status at select hotels and car rental firms, and access to American Express lounges—is significantly better.

What American Express Platinum Card® Is Missing

There are no rewards for businesses that don’t spend a lot of time or money traveling. Other cards offer a better return on everyday spending, including Citi® Double Cash. Also, you’re required to pay your bill in full each month.

American Express Platinum Card® Reviews

Online reviews of the American Express Platinum Card® are excellent. Cardholders consider this card to be the best in its class, with tremendous rewards for flights, hotels, and other expenses. People who left a negative review of the American Express Platinum Card® are not happy with the high annual fee.

How to Apply for American Express Platinum Card®

You can sign up for an American Express Platinum Card® by filling out an online application that only takes a few minutes. You could get a decision in as quickly as 30 seconds and be using your card within two to three days.

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Bottom Line

Personal credit cards for business use are ideal for startups that can’t yet qualify for a business credit card and owners who like the rewards options on personal credit cards. The best personal credit cards for small business owners offer a combination of excellent introductory and ongoing rewards, low introductory and ongoing APRs, and a host of additional benefits, like extended warranty protection.

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card is the best personal credit card for business use. You’ll earn excellent ongoing rewards for spending at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. You’ll also earn top rewards on streaming service subscriptions and on transit, including taxis and parking garage fees.

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