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The Best Business-Friendly Credit Card Perks

May 09, 2019
6 min read
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Qualifying for business credit cards gives you an undeniable leg up in the points and miles world, as it lets you pursue more welcome bonuses while keeping expenses off your personal credit report. The downside is that most business owners don't have the time to learn all the ins and outs of which points to earn and burn, which is why a number of credit card issuers have gone out of their way to design benefits specifically for them. Here are a few of the best business-friendly credit card perks currently available.

Dynamic Bonus Categories: American Express® Business Gold Card

(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

Each month, Amex will calculate which of the following two categories you spend the most in and automatically award you 4x points in those categories:

  • Airfare purchased from airlines
  • US purchases for advertising in select media
  • US purchases for shipping
  • US purchases at gas stations
  • US purchases at restaurants
  • US purchases made from select technology providers

Your business needs might change from month to month, especially if you're in a cyclical industry, and Amex made the incredibly generous decision to reward you where you spend the most without you doing any extra work. Your 4x earnings are capped at a total of $150,000 a year in spend in combined purchases, with the card earning 1x on all other purchases. Still, if you can max out that amount, your company will have a whopping 600,000 Membership Rewards points at its disposal to jump-start your corporate travel. That's worth $12,000 based on TPG's valuations.

Luxury Travel Perks: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

The Business Platinum card from American Express has dozens of luxury travel perks, any one of which could help smooth out your business operations. First there's the airport lounge access, consisting of a Priority Pass select membership, access to Amex Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when you're flying Delta, which can help you squeeze in a bit more work before you board the plane. The Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott will give you bonus points toward free nights and a few other brand specific perks, and the card's $595 ($695 if application is received on or after 1/13/2022) annual fee (see rates & fees) is offset by an up to $400 annual statement credit for U.S. Dell technology purchases. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Travel Protections: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

If you're still under 5/24 with Chase, the Ink Preferred should be at the top of your wish list thanks to its massive sign-up bonus of 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. For businesses that travel frequently, one of the best benefits of the Ink Preferred is access to Chase's A+ suite of travel insurance policies. You'll enjoy primary car rental insurance, trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance and cell phone protection as well. As an added benefit, many of these policies kick in if you pay for even a small part of your trip with the Ink Preferred, so you can use your card to pay the taxes on an award ticket and still enjoy the great coverage.

Flexible Redemption Options: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

While "simplicity" and "flexibility" may not be the conventional definition of credit card perks, it's clear that the Spark Miles for Business was designed with to streamline the lives of busy company owners. The card earns a fixed 2x miles on all purchases, so there's no worrying about bonus categories or annual limits and you simply swipe away. When it comes time to redeem your miles, you can choose to use them at a fixed rate of 1 cent each to erase travel purchases made with the card. If your employees need to be on a specific flight you can book the cash ticket instead of hunting for award space, and then simply wipe the charge away with your points. If your travel plans are a little more flexible, you can transfer your miles to Capital One's top-notch partners, including Avianca LifeMiles, Aeroplan and Etihad Guest, which are equally rewarding for short domestic flights and international premium cabin awards.

Free Night Certificates: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

While every Marriott Bonvoy credit card offers some form of an annual free night certificate (most of which are worth up to 35,000 points), the Bonvoy Business Amex makes it easy for high-spending businesses to reap the rewards. Earlier this year the card offered a targeted monthly spending bonus, allowing business owners to earn up to 45,000 bonus points — 75,000 for each month you spend $5,000 or more on the card, up to 6 months. If you maxed this bonus out and spent $30,000 in 6 months, you'd be half way toward earning a second free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points), which is awarded to cardholders who spend $60,000 a year. The ability to earn two free night certificates and a ton of bonus points along the way makes this card a great choice for businesses with frequent travel.

Bottom Line

While some issuers simply make their business credit cards a perfect copy of the consumer versions, the truth is business owners have different needs. The cards on this list are all designed to make your life easier, more efficient and more rewarding, without distracting from your primary goal of running a business.

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For rates & fees of the Business Platinum Amex, click here.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

NEW BENEFIT! TAKEOFF15!
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

1 - 3X points
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Annual Fee

$250

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
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.

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees