How small businesses use credit cards to boost their bottom lines — and to help streamline their operations
We typically spend a lot of time on personal credit cards here at The Points Guy. By picking the right cards (and then using them responsibly), the average consumer can earn hundreds of dollars a year in rewards — whether it's cash back, airline miles or flexible points that can be used in a variety of ways.
However, small businesses can also use credit cards to earn rewards — in fact, one could argue that these products can be even more valuable to business owners than they are to consumers.
Regardless of the size of your enterprise, here's how you can boost your bottom line — and streamline your operations — with a small-business credit card.
Getting started
Getting a small business off the ground can be a massive undertaking. Depending on the nature of your operations, you may need to invest in inventory, advertising, equipment or a number of other up-front expenses. This can sometimes happen weeks or even months before you have any income.
Thankfully, small-business credit cards can offer immediate capital to help in these early phases. In fact, some cards even offer an introductory 0% annual percentage rate on purchases — like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which offers a 0% introductory APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (after that, a 16.74%-24.74% variable APR applies). This can help defray the impact of some of those hefty initial expenditures.
And don't worry if you haven't yet formalized your business with a Federal Employer Identification Number, or EIN. Many business credit cards allow you to apply (and get approved) as a sole proprietor using just your Social Security number. This is a great starting point before you've established your operations and have a steady stream of income.
Related: Who qualifies for a business credit card?
This is exactly how Dorie and Michael, owners of a glass-blowing studio named Shiny Sparkle Labs in Brooklyn, New York, got started. They began with a simple, no-annual-fee card to fund their early operations — and then added additional cards as they built their business credit to diversify their rewards and enhance their earning potential.
Valuable rewards
Speaking of rewards, this is another great feature of small-business credit cards. Whether you're looking for cash back to reinvest in your operations or travel rewards to put toward your next trip, you're in the driver's seat for supporting your unique enterprise. In fact, many cards offer rewards in business-friendly categories that may match your common expenses, including online advertising, telecommunication purchases, office supplies and dining out for entertaining potential clients.
For example, one of my own small-business credit cards is the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which I opened years ago as a sole proprietor before having an established limited liability company, or LLC. I love the earning rates on this card:
- 5% back at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services (on up to $25,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year)
- 2% back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $25,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year)
- 1% back on all other purchases
Even better? The vast majority of small-business cards have no cap on the rewards you can earn.
No matter how you're spending your money, there's a business credit card that can put valuable rewards in your pocket.
Business-friendly perks
Beyond just the rewards you can earn, many business credit cards layer in a variety of perks designed specifically with small-business owners in mind. While typically found on the more premium cards, they can nevertheless go a long way toward offsetting a card's annual fee — and in many cases, these are purchases you were already planning on making.
As an example, the recently launched Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) includes the following statement credits:
- Google Workspace: Earn up to $200 in annual statement credits on purchases made directly with Google Workspace through Dec. 31, 2027.
- DoorDash: Receive a complimentary DashPass membership plus up to $25 in DoorDash credits each month, including a $5 monthly promotion at restaurants and two $10 promotions each month for groceries, retail orders and more through Dec. 31, 2027.
- ZipRecruiter: Earn up to $400 in annual statement credits on purchases made directly with ZipRecruiter ($200 from January to June and $200 from July to December) through Dec. 31, 2027.
- Lyft: Get up to $10 in monthly in-app credits to use on rides through Sept. 30, 2027.
- Gift cards: Earn up to $100 per year in statement credits when you purchase gift cards from a curated collection on giftcards.com/reservebusiness ($50 from January to June and $50 from July to December) through Oct. 31, 2028.
If you're currently using any of these providers, be sure to investigate whether this card — or others on the market — could be a good fit.
Tools to manage spending
Finally, most small-business cards have tools built right in to streamline your operations and control spending. This includes integration with bookkeeping software, which can help make your invoicing and tax preparation very straightforward. You can also add employee cards to your account. In fact, many cards allow you to set individualized spending limits on these authorized users, which can ensure each employee has what they need to make purchases for the business without worrying about overspending.
In addition, many business credit cards feature flexible payment options to ensure you're managing your business's cash flow.
The best part? These tools are typically built right into eligible cards; there's no additional purchase or fee to enable them.
Bottom line
As a small-business owner, you have a lot to manage on a daily basis. Thankfully, there's a product that can help ease these burdens across many facets of your operations: business credit cards. From helping you get started to earning valuable rewards and unlocking numerous perks, the right card can help improve your bottom line. And with built-in tools to manage spending and cash flow, these cards can boost your efficiency — putting valuable time back in your pocket to focus on growing your business.
If you own a small business — or are planning to start one soon — be sure to look into which business credit card is the best fit for you.
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