The unique bonus categories built for businesses (and the cards that offer them)
If you use a rewards credit card for your personal expenses, you’re probably used to earning bonus miles on things like dining and travel purchases.
But the world of business credit cards is decidedly different. The banks that issue these cards, in most cases, understand that business owners have different spending patterns.
Many business expenses are recurring, and some can be quite sizable. Finding a unique bonus category on a credit card that corresponds to a large recurring expense can be a great set-it-and-forget-it strategy for earning your next free trip.
Let’s look at some of the most useful earning categories across popular business credit cards.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
You might be surprised to see this one leading the list, but I think this card frequently gets overlooked by small-business owners.
A large portion of business spending doesn’t fall into conventional credit card bonus categories — that’s where The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes in. This card earns 5 points per dollar spent on all purchases that don’t fall into a bonus category (on up to $100,000 spent each year, then 3 points per dollar thereafter).
That’s great value on spending you wouldn’t be earning bonus rewards on anywhere else. Hilton Honors points are worth 0.5 cent apiece, according to TPG’s December 2025 valuations, so that’s a solid 2.5% return on the first $100,000 in uncategorized spending each year. And while Hilton points have seen some significant devaluations, 500,000 of them can still cover plenty of great stays.
Related: Hilton Honors Amex Business Card review: Elite perks on a budget
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has long featured statement credits and lounge access that small-business owners have found value in. But, until recently, bonus categories were limited, and it wasn’t a great card to rack up spending on.
However, following its recent refresh, business owners can now earn 2 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent across a handful of unique categories (on up to $2 million in combined purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter). Those categories include U.S. cloud service providers, U.S. construction materials and hardware supplies, U.S. electronic goods retailers, U.S. shipping providers, U.S. software and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more.
Since U.S. construction materials and hardware supplies is a new bonus category, I’m still figuring out the full range of suppliers it covers. But in any case, this lineup of categories can deliver big value to most businesses.
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
When it debuted earlier this year, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) got a lot of buzz for its dazzling welcome bonus, new hotel credits and lounge access. But it’s the benefit of earning 3 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising that really sets this card apart.
This is a huge spending category these days, and while there are other cards that let you earn a bonus on it (including another Chase business card), the Sapphire Reserve for Business is the only one that doesn’t limit how much you can earn.
For my two cents, without an inclusion of a bonus category like this, the Sapphire Reserve for Business wouldn’t carry quite the punch it does. Travel bonuses are common among other business credit cards, many of which carry much smaller annual fees. If your business consistently spends on social media and search engine advertising, this category makes it easy to increase your balance of Chase Ultimate Rewards points while helping justify the hefty annual fee.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business review: Is Chase's new business card right for you?
Capital One Venture X Business
Many folks choose the Capital One Venture X Business card because of the simple, consistent earning of 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on every purchase. And if you book a lot of hotels and rental cars for employees, then the Capital One Travel portal may be your new best friend.
When booking through Capital One Travel and paying with your Venture X Business, you’ll earn 10 miles per dollar spent. Just be sure to compare pricing, as the portal may charge a higher rate than you could get elsewhere.
Related: Capital One Venture X Business review: Huge earning potential for a reasonable annual fee
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
If earning cash back is your preference, then you'll want to consider the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which offers a healthy 5% cash back at office supply stores and on cable, internet and phone services (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases per account anniversary year). And that 5% back could be 5 points per dollar if you have an eligible Chase card to combine rewards with.
Many small-business owners rely on retailers like Amazon for electronics purchases, but earning 5% back when you purchase printers and computers through an office supply store’s website may just be the incentive you need to change your buying patterns.
Related: Chase Ink Business Cash card review: Great for office supplies and technology services
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
Wyndham Rewards doesn’t get as much love as other hotel loyalty programs, but it offers plenty of value, especially if you use the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card.
This card has two standout bonus categories. It earns a leading 8 points per dollar spent on gas purchases, perfect for companies that have a fleet of vehicles, and 5 points per dollar spent on utility bills — something you won’t find anywhere else.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Small-business owners manage dozens of different details on a daily basis. Taking the time to figure out the best bonus category for a specific charge may not always be in the cards.
But if one of these unique categories fits your monthly expenses, it may be worth the effort to set yourself up with a card that will boost those earnings. Many of these categories are purpose-built for small-business owners. Not to mention, the extra points will help take the sting out of some of the higher (and increasing) annual fees we see popping up.