If you own and operate a business, then it is time to consider a business travel rewards credit card.

Businesses which incur monthly expenses, might as well get something in return. Fortunately for businesses, there are a number of business travel rewards credit cards, which offer benefits and earning bonuses specifically designed for their unique needs. These benefits come in the form of statement credits, purchase protections, no foreign transaction fees, and travel benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access). However, those additional benefits often come at a cost: a significant increase in the annual fee and a higher spend requirement for the welcome offer.

Who Is Eligible For A Business Credit Card

In general, if you are trying to make a profit by selling goods or services, regardless of the size, you have a business. If you have a business, then you qualify for a business credit card. This includes new businesses, without an extensive business credit history, as credit card issuers look at your personal credit and credit score.

Here are some examples of business, which may qualify for a business credit card:

• Self Employed (i.e. online seller, Airbnb host, bloggers, consultants, dog walkers, etc)
• Freelancers (i.e. journalists, property managers, web developers, etc)
• Short-Term Workers / One-Time Projects (i.e. landscapers, personal trainers, web designers, etc)

Note: An Employee Identification Number (EIN) is not required for business credit card applications. Businesses without an EIN may use an employee or owner Social Security Number (SSN).

The Best Travel Credit Cards For Small Businesses

Compared to personal credit cards, business credit cards often offer higher credit limits and a variety of perks and earning bonuses tailored for business. Here is a quick overview of the best travel credit cards for businesses, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

Even though the Capital One Venture X Business is one of the newest business travel rewards cards, it quickly became one of the most popular. The popularity stems from the easy earning structure of 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, an easy to use $300 annual credit (when booking through Capital One Travel), generous intro offer, and numerous other benefits (including access to the extremely popular Capital One Lounges). In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $395
• APR: N/A
• Recommended Credit: 740-850 (Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 10x Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x Miles on Flights and Vacation Rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• $300 back in credit annually (only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal)
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Add employee cards for free

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent all-around business credit card. The value of the card comes from the ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a high intro offer, a low annual fee, and four business-relevant bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising, and telecommunications). In addition, cardholders can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.25 cents when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. 

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 20.74% – 25.74% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 3x on Travel and Select Business Categories ($150,000 limit per year)
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is perfect for those starting their business as well as more seasoned business veterans looking to supplement their credit card portfolio. With no annual fee, and a simple earning structure, earning a minimum of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an extremely useful travel rewards card. However, the true value of this card is unlocked when paired with a card that earns premium Chase Ultimate Rewards points such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. This card also pairs with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. When paired, you can convert your cash back rewards into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 17.99% – 23.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 1.5% Cash back on all purchases

Other Benefits

• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Travel℠
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Add employee cards for free

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a great card for businesses with hefty spend at office supply stores. With no annual fee and high earning potential (up to 5% cash back), the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a valuable business travel rewards card. However, the true value of this card is unlocked when paired with a card that earns premium Chase Ultimate Rewards points such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. This card also pairs with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. When paired, you can convert your cash back rewards into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn up to $750 cash back: $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months after account opening
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 17.99% – 23.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5.0% Cash back on purchases at Office Supply Stores and on Internet, Cable and Phone Services (up to $25,000 each account anniversary year)
• 2.0% Cash back on purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants each account anniversary year (up to $25,000 each account anniversary year)
• 1.0% Cash back on all purchases

Other Benefits

• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Travel℠
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases, then a 17.99% – 23.99% variable APR
• Earn up to a 10% Business Relationship Bonus if you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular and valuable business travel rewards cards. Despite the high annual fee of $695, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers incredible overall value through various benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access), extensive credits up to $1,000 (i.e. hotel, airline, technology, and others), and a high earning opportunity on flight and large purchases. In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of card membership
• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: 18.99% – 27.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 5x on Flights booked through American Express Travel
• 5x on Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1.5x on each eligible purchase at US Construction Material, Hardware Suppliers, Electronic Goods Retailers, Software & Cloud System Providers, and Shipping Providers
• 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year)
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $200 Hotel credit (prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel) – requires a minimum two night stay
• Up to $400 Dell credit ($200 semi-annually) – enrollment required
• Up to $360 Indeed credit ($90 per quarter) – enrollment required
• Up To $150 Adobe credit – enrollment required
• Up To $120 Wireless credit ($10 per month) – enrollment required
• Up to $200 Airline Fee credit (select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees)
• Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus credit
• Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great card for business owners who want to earn valuable Membership Rewards points on everyday business spending, but are weary of annual fees. While the card was built for sole proprietorships and start-ups with limited revenue and resources, it holds value to every business, due to the simple 2x earning on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year). In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Final Thoughts

A business travel rewards credit card has the ability to massively upgrade both your, and potentially your employees, travel experiences. However, those improved travel experiences sometimes come at a significant cost. For many businesses, the more premium travel rewards credit cards may not make sense, as the costs outweigh the benefits. Thankfully, there is a wide range of business travel rewards credit cards, including some with no annual fee, with enough differences to provide a solution to any type of business.

 

 

*Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. 

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.