As a small business owner, maximizing rewards on your business spending is a way to get the most value from your credit card. Business rewards credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, points or miles on everyday purchases, and valuable perks like lounge access, rental car insurance, and more.
When you choose the right card for your business can earn you thousands of dollars’ worth of rewards each year. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to identify the top contenders that align with your spending habits and business needs.
That’s why I have put together this detailed post comparing the most rewarding business credit cards available today.
How to Choose the Best Business Rewards Credit Cards
There are several key factors to consider when researching business rewards credit cards. The include:
- Welcome Bonus
Many cards offer lucrative sign-up bonuses of 50,000 points or more when you meet minimum spending requirements within the first 3 months. The initial bonus can offset the annual fee for several years.
- Reward Rates
Look for cards that earn accelerated points on your biggest business spending categories like gas, office supplies, internet and phone bills. The most rewarding cards earn 2-3 points or miles per $1 spent.
- Redemption Value
airline miles or flexible point systems that let you redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more tend to give you the highest value per point.
- Annual Fee
Cards with $100+ annual fees are common but should be weighed against the sign-up bonus and ongoing reward earnings. Monthly or annual reward credits can offset the fee.
- Employee Cards
The ability to add employee cards with spending limits can help maximize your rewards earnings.
With these factors in mind, let’s look at some of the top contenders for business rewards cards in 2024.
Best Flat-Rate Business Rewards Cards
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- $750 bonus after spending $7,500 in 3 months
- No annual fee
- Employee cards at no extra cost
With its unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, the Ink Business Unlimited from Chase is one of the most straightforward and rewarding no-annual-fee cards. New cardholders can earn $750 after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months.
There’s no limit on the amount of cash back you can earn, making this an excellent option for businesses with significant monthly spending. Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more. Adding employee cards is free and helps maximize your rewards potential.
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card
- 1.5% cash rewards on all purchases
- $500 bonus after $5,000 spend in 3 months
- $0 annual fee
- Cell phone protection
Wells Fargo also offers an uncomplicated cash back rewards card with no annual fee. Cardholders earn 1.5% on all purchases with no rewards caps. New applicants can earn $500 cash rewards after spending $5,000 within 3 months of opening an account.
One unique perk of this card is up to $600 of cell phone protection for damage or theft when you use the card to pay your monthly cell bill. Employee cards are available to expand your earning power.
For a basic cash back card with a generous welcome bonus and no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Business Platinum is a great choice.
Best Business Cards for Dining Rewards
Dining is often one of the largest expense categories for small business owners.
If your business frequently pays for meals, entertainment, and catering, look for a card that rewards dining purchases. Here are two top options:
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- 2% cash back on dining worldwide
- $500 bonus after spending $5,000 in 3 months
- $150 annual fee
With a strong 2% cash back earning rate on dining purchases worldwide, the Spark Cash Plus from Capital One is a great fit for restaurant owners and other food-related businesses. All other purchases earn 1% unlimited cash rewards.
New cardholders can earn $500 cash bonuses after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. While there is a $150 annual fee, the dining rewards bonuses can quickly offset the cost.
American Express Gold Card
- 4X Membership Rewards points on dining worldwide
- 60,000 point bonus after spending $4,000 in 6 months
- $250 annual fee
- Up to $120 in dining credits
For maximum rewards on dining, the American Express Gold Card is hard to beat. You’ll earn 4X Membership Rewards points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more.
New cardholders can take advantage of the hefty 60,000 point sign-up bonus after hitting spending minimums within 6 months of account opening.
While there is a $250 annual fee, up to $120 in annual dining credits at GrubHub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and some Shake Shack locations help offset the cost.
With its stellar 4X dining rewards and generous welcome offer, the Amex Gold is ideal for heavy restaurant spend.
Best Gas Rewards Business Credit Cards
For delivery businesses, transportation companies, and any organization with significant gas and fuel expenses, a card that rewards gas station purchases can help maximize savings at the pump.
Let’s look at two of the top options for gas rewards:
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature
- 5X points on gas purchases
- 3X points on groceries, cell plans, and office supply stores
- $100 statement credit with $1,500 spend in 3 months
- No annual fee
- Points can offset PenFed loan balances
PenFed offers a standout 5X rewards rate on gas station purchases worldwide with no cap on earnings. You’ll also earn 3X points on groceries, cell plans, and office supply purchases.
New cardholders can earn a $100 statement credit after spending $1,500 within 3 months of account opening.
There’s no annual fee for this card. And unique to PenFed, you can redeem your points as payments towards any outstanding loan balances you have through their credit union.
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
- 3% cash back on gas station purchases
- $300 statement credit after $3,000 spend in 90 days
- $0 annual fee
- Customize 1% & 2% categories
While it doesn’t offer as high of a rewards rate as PenFed, the Bank of America Business Advantage card provides 3% cash back on gas, with no cap on earnings.
You’ll also get a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. This card has no annual fee.
Beyond gas, cardholders can pick from over 20 categories to earn 1% or 2% cash back on, including dining, travel, shipping, wholesale, and more. The flexibility makes it easy to align rewards with your largest business spending needs.
Best Business Credit Cards for Groceries
Groceries are likely another major expense for most small businesses, from restaurants stocking ingredients to offices keeping the kitchen supplied.
Maximize your rewards on supermarket purchases with these top grocery credit cards:
American Express Blue Business Cash Card
- 2% cash back at US supermarkets
- $250 statement credit with $15,000 spend in 12 months
- No annual fee
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express offers an unlimited 2% cash back rate on supermarket purchases at US grocery stores. All other purchases earn 1% back.
New cardholders can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $15,000 within the first 12 months of account opening. There is no annual fee for this card.
With a strong grocery earn rate and healthy welcome bonus, this Amex card is perfect for food-based businesses from restaurants to catering companies.
Capital One Spark Cash Select
- 1.5% cash back on grocery store purchases
- $500 cash bonus after spending $5,000 in 3 months
- $0 annual fee
- Combine rewards with other Spark business cards
For a no-annual-fee grocery rewards card, you can’t go wrong with the Spark Cash Select from Capital One. Cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on grocery store purchases with no cap on rewards.
Spend $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening to earn a $500 cash bonus. You can pool rewards from this card with your other Capital One Spark business cards for easy redemption.
Between its solid earning rate and hefty welcome bonus, the Spark Cash Select is one of the best no-fee grocery rewards cards.
Best Business Credit Cards for Amazon Purchases
Almost every business makes regular purchases on Amazon for office supplies, inventory, services, and more.
Racking up rewards on your Amazon spending is easy with these two cards:
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
- 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with Prime
- 2% back on restaurants, gas, and cell phone services
- $125 Amazon gift card upon approval
- No annual fee
Designed for heavy Amazon users, the Amazon Business Prime Amex offers an unrivaled 5% back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases for Prime members. You’ll also earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and on cell phone services in the US.
New cardholders receive a $125 Amazon gift card upon account approval. There is no annual fee for this card.
For any business that regularly shops on Amazon, this card’s 5% earning rate is tough to beat.
Amazon Business Line of Credit
- 5% back on Amazon purchases or 60-day terms
- No annual fee
- Lines up to $1 million based on credit
- 10% off Business Prime membership
Amazon’s Business Line of Credit also lets you earn 5% back on purchases or take advantage of flexible 60-day payment terms. You can apply for credit lines between $1,000 to $1 million based on your business credit profile.
The card has no annual fee. You’ll also save 10% off annual Business Prime memberships for managing employee accounts.
Between its rewards potential and flexible financing, the Amazon Business Line of Credit card is ideal for big Prime purchasers.
Best Sign-Up Bonuses
Beyond strong ongoing reward rates, many business credit cards offer extremely generous sign-up bonuses to acquire new users.
Earning 50,000+ points or miles is common with initial spending bonuses. Here are two top options:
Chase Ink Business Preferred
- 100,000 point bonus with $15,000 spend in 3 months
- 3X points on travel, shipping, advertising, and more
- Points worth 25% more when redeemed for travel
- $95 annual fee
The Ink Business Preferred from Chase offers one of the highest sign-up bonuses available – 100,000 points after spending $15,000 within 3 months of account opening. That’s worth $1,250 in cash rewards or potentially $2,000+ towards travel.
You’ll also earn 3X points on shipping, internet/phone/cable, travel, and advertising purchases. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed towards airfare, hotels, and more.
There is a $95 annual fee. But for any business able to hit the minimum spend, 100,000 points is an incredible offer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- 120,000 Membership Rewards points with $15,000 spend in 3 months
- 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
- Up to $400 in annual Dell credits
- $695 annual fee
The Business Platinum Card from American Express regularly offers targeted limited-time welcome bonuses up to 120,000 points for spending $15,000 in the first 3 months.
You’ll also earn 5X points on flights and hotels booked directly through Amex Travel, and business purchases with airline and shipping partners.
An annual $400 Dell credit effectively lowers the $695 annual fee, on top of other statement credits for wireless, Indeed, and more.
At up to 1.5 cents per point towards travel, 120,000 Amex points are worth nearly $2,000 in airfare or hotel redemptions.
Best No Annual Fee Business Cards
Many top business rewards cards charge annual fees ranging from $95 up to $695. While the ongoing rewards and perks may offset the costs, some businesses prefer a fee-free option.
Here are two of the best business credit cards with no annual fee:
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card
- 1.5% cash rewards on all purchases
- $500 cash rewards bonus after $5,000 spend in 3 months
- 0% APR on purchases for 15 months (3.74% after intro period)
- No annual fee
Wells Fargo’s Business Platinum card offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no rotating categories to track. New users can earn $500 cash rewards after spending $5,000 within 3 months from account opening.
Ongoing rewards are earned as 1.5 points per $1 spent, with each point worth $0.01 when redeemed for cash back. You’ll pay no annual fee to earn and redeem rewards.
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- 3% back on category of your choice
- $300 statement credit after $3,000 spend in 90 days
- No annual fee
Bank of America’s Business Advantage Cash Rewards card provides 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases. You’ll also choose a 3% high rewards category like gas, dining, or travel.
New cardholders can earn a $300 statement credit after $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days.
With no annual fee, unlimited 1% cash back, and a tiered rewards structure, this card from Bank of America is a flexible free option.
Conclusion on the Best Business Rewards Credit Cards
As you can see, the range of lucrative welcome bonuses, high rewards earn rates, and valuable benefits makes it well worth using a dedicated business rewards credit card.
Aligning your rewards programs with your largest spending categories will help maximize return on investment. Don’t forget to also practice smart credit card management by paying balances in full each month.
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