Credit cards
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When you’re managing a new business, maximizing your finances is vital for success, which is why it is important to be aware of some of the best business credit cards for startups. Opening a business credit card makes sense for startups since it can help simplify the finances of your new enterprise. Plus, lots of the rewards on these cards are geared toward business expenses and can help you earn points and miles you can redeem for business-related travel and rewards.
At The Points Guy, we are committed to helping our readers make better financial decisions, whether you’re an established business or just getting started. Here are our top picks for your startup from our partners.
The best cards for startups come with good welcome bonuses that can maximize value for your business.
Our picks for business cards feature annual fees to align with all budget sizes.
We chose cards with elevated earning rates across various startup spending categories.
Our best cards have multiple redemption options that give flexibility for those with a startup.
The value of additional perks on the card to help with your startup was factored into our ratings.
Finding the correct business credit card for startups is based on several factors. These include a card’s annual fee, welcome offer, bonus earning categories, perks and benefits. Startups looking for a business credit card should review their expenditures and what benefits they are looking for in a credit card, such as travel perks, purchase protections, or the ability to earn rewards across broad categories. After a startup has determined what they need, then they can shop around to see which credit card is a good fit.
Here are some of the main points to consider when choosing a business card for your startup:
Select a card with a minimum spend requirement that is achievable for your startup to earn the sign-up bonus. The welcome bonus is a large part of a card's value since it often offers more points than can be earned through general spending.
If your card features an annual fee, it is important to consider if the perks and benefits for your startup outweigh it.
Choose a card for your startup that features elevated earning rates on your regular spending.
Get the most out of the card you choose for your startup
Startups typically have a limited credit history, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a business credit card. Most issuers will allow individuals to apply for business cards using a social security number, but that requires a personal guarantee — an agreement where the applicant agrees to personally cover any debt on the business card. Even in cases of business failure, the personal guarantor is responsible for the debt.
This means that your personal credit history greatly affects your eligibility for a business credit card.
Applying for a business credit card is not a complicated process being that business credit card applications ask for information similar to personal card applications. Most business credit cards offer online applications and usually provide notice of approval or rejection right away.
The best business credit card for startups is one that best suits the spending needs and redemption options for business owners. Those looking for bonus earning categories to match their spending habits will be able to maximize the specific startup credit card they’re utilizing.
Most of the cards we've selected for business owners are recommended for those with good to excellent credit scores.
Small business credit cards are often given to companies with minimal credit history based on a personal credit score. However, established businesses should seek to create a dedicated business score to access better loans and lines of credit. For more information on how to build business credit, you can check out our full guide here.
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
Gabrielle Bernardini is the senior points and miles editor at TPG. Joining the team in 2023, she focuses on helping people utilize their credit card rewards to travel for less.
Daisy is a credit cards editor at TPG. Her expertise spans earning and redeeming rewards across rotating categories on multiple cards.Prior to this, she wrote news stories, how-to guides and tested and reviewed gear for Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated, Bicycling and Runner's World.
| Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Capital One Spark Cash Plus | unlimited business cash back | Earn $2,000 | 2 - 5% cash-back | $150 | at Capital One's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | no annual fee | As High As 50,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. | 2X points | No annual fee | at American Express's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | freelancers | Earn $750 bonus cash back | 1.5% cash-back | $0 | at Chase's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Chase Ultimate Rewards | Earn 100,000 bonus points | 1 - 3X points | $95 | at Chase's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | office supplies | Earn $750 bonus cash back | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 | at Chase's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | business owners who prioritize premium travel perks | As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. | 1 - 5X points | $895 | at American Express's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 American Express® Business Gold Card | flexible rewards earning | As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. | 1 - 4X points | $375 | at American Express's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
 Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card | no annual fee business spending and flat rate rewards | Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus | 2% cash-back | $0 | at Wells Fargo's secure siteSee detailsSee rates & fees |
Best for unlimited business cash back
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 2% | 2% cash back on every purchase |
| 5% | 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Earn $2,000
$150
25.99% (Variable)
740-850
The Capital Spark Cash Plus is a great cash back card for larger businesses with high spending. It allows business owners to earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, and Capital One will refund the card’s annual fee if the business meets a minimum spend of $150,000 annually. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card.
The Capital Spark Cash Plus is a great cash back card for larger businesses with high spending. It allows business owners to earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, and Capital One will refund the card’s annual fee if the business meets a minimum spend of $150,000 annually. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card.
Best for unlimited business cash back
Earn $2,000
$150
25.99% (Variable)
740-850
The Capital Spark Cash Plus is a great cash back card for larger businesses with high spending. It allows business owners to earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, and Capital One will refund the card’s annual fee if the business meets a minimum spend of $150,000 annually. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card.
Best for no annual fee
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 2X | Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply. |
As High As 50,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
No annual fee
16.99% - 28.74% Variable
Excellent to Good
If you’re just starting out with your small business (or side hustle), you may have some expenses that you’d like to maximize with a credit card but can’t yet justify paying an annual fee on other business cards. That’s where the Blue Business Plus card comes in. Read our full review of The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express.
If you’re just starting out with your small business (or side hustle), you may have some expenses that you’d like to maximize with a credit card but can’t yet justify paying an annual fee on other business cards. That’s where the Blue Business Plus card comes in. Read our full review of The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express.
Best for no annual fee
As High As 50,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
No annual fee
16.99% - 28.74% Variable
Excellent to Good
If you’re just starting out with your small business (or side hustle), you may have some expenses that you’d like to maximize with a credit card but can’t yet justify paying an annual fee on other business cards. That’s where the Blue Business Plus card comes in. Read our full review of The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express.
Best for freelancers
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 1.5% | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business |
Earn $750 bonus cash back
$0
16.99% - 24.99% Variable
670-850
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on everyday, non-bonus business expenses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card.
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on everyday, non-bonus business expenses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card.
Best for freelancers
Earn $750 bonus cash back
$0
16.99% - 24.99% Variable
670-850
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on everyday, non-bonus business expenses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card.
Best for Chase Ultimate Rewards
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 3X | Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year |
| 1X | Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn |
Earn 100,000 bonus points
$95
17.99% - 26.99% Variable
670-850
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is an excellent all-around business credit card that currently offers its highest welcome offer and the ability to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on a variety of business expenses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is an excellent all-around business credit card that currently offers its highest welcome offer and the ability to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on a variety of business expenses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Best for Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn 100,000 bonus points
$95
17.99% - 26.99% Variable
670-850
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card is an excellent all-around business credit card that currently offers its highest welcome offer and the ability to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on a variety of business expenses. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Best for office supplies
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 5% | Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. |
| 2% | Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases on dining and gas each account anniversary year. |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
Earn $750 bonus cash back
$0
16.99% - 24.99% Variable
670-850
Even if your business does not have a lot of travel expenses, there are still so many ways to take advantage of travel rewards cards. With no annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers generous returns on a broad spectrum of office expenses like supplies, internet, cable and phone services. Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash Credit Card.
Even if your business does not have a lot of travel expenses, there are still so many ways to take advantage of travel rewards cards. With no annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers generous returns on a broad spectrum of office expenses like supplies, internet, cable and phone services. Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash Credit Card.
Best for office supplies
Earn $750 bonus cash back
$0
16.99% - 24.99% Variable
670-850
Even if your business does not have a lot of travel expenses, there are still so many ways to take advantage of travel rewards cards. With no annual fee, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers generous returns on a broad spectrum of office expenses like supplies, internet, cable and phone services. Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash Credit Card.
Best for business owners who prioritize premium travel perks
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 5X | Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers¹, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per Card account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. ¹Effective February 17, 2027, select merchants only. See terms. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases. |
As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
$895
17.99% - 28.74% Variable
Good to Excellent
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express continues its long-standing streak as one of the most valuable cards on the market for frequent business travelers. The Amex Business Platinum card offers perks like automatic Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (enrollment required) and statement credits that can be used toward business-specific purchases.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express continues its long-standing streak as one of the most valuable cards on the market for frequent business travelers. The Amex Business Platinum card offers perks like automatic Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (enrollment required) and statement credits that can be used toward business-specific purchases.
Best for business owners who prioritize premium travel perks
As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
$895
17.99% - 28.74% Variable
Good to Excellent
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express continues its long-standing streak as one of the most valuable cards on the market for frequent business travelers. The Amex Business Platinum card offers perks like automatic Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (enrollment required) and statement credits that can be used toward business-specific purchases.
Best for flexible rewards earning
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.* |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ using your Business Gold Card.* |
| 1X | Earn 1X on all other eligible purchases. |
As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
$375
17.99% - 28.74% Variable
Excellent to Good
The American Express Business Gold takes the challenge out of earning points. With no rotating bonus categories, cardholders are in control of where to spend money and easily earn points that best suit their business needs. Read our full review of the American Express Business Gold Card.
The American Express Business Gold takes the challenge out of earning points. With no rotating bonus categories, cardholders are in control of where to spend money and easily earn points that best suit their business needs. Read our full review of the American Express Business Gold Card.
Best for flexible rewards earning
As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
$375
17.99% - 28.74% Variable
Excellent to Good
The American Express Business Gold takes the challenge out of earning points. With no rotating bonus categories, cardholders are in control of where to spend money and easily earn points that best suit their business needs. Read our full review of the American Express Business Gold Card.
Best for no annual fee business spending and flat rate rewards
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 2% | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases for your business – without caps or spending categories. |
Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus
$0
16.99% - 24.99% Variable APR
670-850
The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card is a solid option for businesses seeking a no-annual-fee card that earns a flat reward rate, eliminating the need to track bonus spend categories.
The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card is a solid option for businesses seeking a no-annual-fee card that earns a flat reward rate, eliminating the need to track bonus spend categories.
Best for no annual fee business spending and flat rate rewards
Earn a $500 cash rewards bonus
$0
16.99% - 24.99% Variable APR
670-850
The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card is a solid option for businesses seeking a no-annual-fee card that earns a flat reward rate, eliminating the need to track bonus spend categories.
What's your favorite business card for startups — and why?
“I turn 1.5% cash back into 1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent by holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, too. Then I transfer those points to World of Hyatt for outsize value hotel redemption.”
“Startups that travel will appreciate the Ink Business Preferred for many of the same reasons I do. For example, earning 3 points per dollar on travel, shipping and select advertising purchases (up to a generous account anniversary cap) is valuable — and you can redeem points for travel.”
“The Centurion Lounges are some of the nicest around. Plus, with a Priority Pass membership and access to Escape lounges and Plaza Premium lounges, I am covered with lounge access at most airports around the globe.” Enrollment required.
