Points Intervention: Using a Cash-Back Business Credit Card
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In Points Intervention, I help people get their awards earning on track. This month I'm working with small-business owners — just in time for them to take advantage of the Chase Ink Plus Business card's current offer of 50,000 bonus points after a spend of $5,000 within the first three months.
Intervention: Christophe Carón Episode 2
This week I am working with Christophe Carón, owner and manager of Délice and Sarrasin, a crêperie in the West Village in New York City. He wants to choose the right business credit card for his spending and traveling patterns to maximize the accrual of points and miles, as well as benefits for his business. In yesterday's video, I learned some key facts about Christophe's needs and uses.
- The cafe uses ingredients imported from Europe on a monthly basis, so Christophe will need a credit card that avoids foreign transaction fees.
- Christophe flies Delta most often when traveling, and currently holds a Delta Platinum Card from American Express.
- The family-owned business is only four months old, so there are still start-up costs associated with running it. Christophe wants to run as much cash flow through a business credit card as possible to get the benefits of the spend.
In today's video, I have two main recommendations for Christophe.
If Christophe wants to stick with Delta, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express brings plenty of perks to the table. He would get lounge access when traveling, not only to Delta lounges but also to American Express's Centurion lounges. There's one at LaGuardia and there's one opening up this summer in Miami, both places that Christophe travels through.
This card has a $450 annual fee, which may seem like a lot, but every year you get $200 in airline fee rebates, and on many airlines you can get gift cards rebated to you. So it's really like paying $250 a year, plus that lounge access, which would normally cost $50 per visit, eventually makes that fee worth it if you're traveling several times a year. This card also carries perks at luxury hotels, which makes travel even sweeter. If Christophe learns how to leverage the perks, the Business Platinum card might make sense.
There are a few drawbacks to using this card, however. Christophe does want to have additional cardholders on the account, which comes with an additional $300 annual fee each. And also, as I often warn people, you don't want to put all your miles or points in one basket.
Because Delta has sadly changed the game in terms of how many miles it requires for awards, I recommend that Christophe avoid earning all of his miles with Delta. For that reason, I would not advise him to get a Delta business credit card. In fact, the best bet for Christophe is a cash-back credit card.
Capital One Spark Cash for Business
Capital One has a Capital One Spark Cash for Business that gives you cash bonuses just for signing up and meeting a minimum spend requirement. The annual fee is only $95 and it's waived the first year, and additional cardholders are free. For every dollar you spend you'll get 2 percent back, which is actually really valuable. When you compare that to getting one Delta SkyMile per dollar, it's better to get the cash back and book whatever flight you want on whatever airline you want, or even just add that cash to your bottom line. If you're spending a lot of money, especially when starting a small business, every dollar makes a difference. After all, cash gives you the most flexibility.
For Christophe to rake in some decent cash back for his spending, avoid foreign transaction fees and add cardholders with no additional annual fee, this card could be a great choice.
Tomorrow Christophe and I will talk about the benefits of paying utilities with a business credit card. And if you or your small business needs a Points Intervention, email intervention@thepointsguy.com.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees