Ramp Business Card review: A corporate charge card with limited perks
Ramp Business Card overview
The Ramp Business Card makes the most sense for corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships seeking a no-annual-fee, streamlined solution for expense management. However, factors like a lack of a welcome bonus and no elevated reward rates in business-specific categories place the Ramp Card at the back of the pack when compared to other business cards on the market. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Business owners looking for a straightforward way to track their business expenses without shelling out for an annual fee may benefit from holding the Ramp Card. This corporate charge card is a bit different from some business credit cards in that it requires the balance to be paid in full each billing cycle instead of allowing cardholders to carry a balance.
To qualify for the Ramp Card, your enterprise must be registered in the U.S. and have a physical U.S.-based address (note that P.O. boxes, virtual addresses and mail-forwarding addresses do not qualify). Additionally, though Ramp does allow international transactions, most of your business operations and related spending should occur stateside.
Finally, your business must be a corporation, an LLC or an LP to qualify for the Ramp Card. Individuals, sole proprietors and other unregistered businesses do not qualify for this product.
The information for the Ramp 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.
Ramp Card pros and cons
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Ramp Card welcome offer
The Ramp Card doesn't feature a standard welcome offer for new applicants like we see on other business and personal cards.
If you want a business card with a welcome bonus that will net you points, miles or cash back, the Ramp Card is not for you.
Related: What is a corporate credit card, and how does it work?
Ramp Card benefits
The Ramp Card is part of the Ramp finance operations platform, which features integrated software to help manage business spending across all cards issued to your enterprise.
One great feature of this card is that you can get an unlimited number of employee cards — both virtual and physical — for free. This also enables you or a designated account manager to supervise and control individual and company-wide spending. The Ramp Card also provides access to real-time spend data.
Ramp software allows you to control which preapproved merchants your employees can make purchases at and set spend limits as needed. Those seeking a one-size-fits-all platform where they can manage all the financial aspects of their business spending can enjoy Ramp's one-stop shop approach.
Related: What credit score do you need for business credit cards?
Ramp helps you automate expense tracking and even reimbursement for instances when your employees make business-related purchases with a non-Ramp card.
Additionally, the Ramp Card doesn't require a personal guarantee. This means that if your business (as its own entity) isn't able to pay the debt accrued on the card, you as an individual are not liable for that debt.
Earning cash back with the Ramp Card
The Ramp Card earns up to 1.5% cash back on all spending, which can be lucrative, especially since there's no cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.
Redeeming cash back with the Ramp Card
You can redeem your Ramp Card cash back as a statement credit or Ramp Plus payment (for those who are subscribed to this optional, paid platform), transfer it to airline and hotel loyalty programs or put it toward gift cards.
Ramp offers step-by-step instructions on redeeming your cash-back rewards across the options listed above.
Transferring rewards with the Ramp Card
If you want to use your Ramp Card cash back as travel reward currency, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the loyalty program member ID needs to be identical to your name within Ramp's system.
For example, if your name in Ramp's system is "Elizabeth Smith" and your member ID for an airline loyalty program is "Liz Smith," you will not be able to convert your Ramp cash back into airline miles.
Next, select the loyalty program you want to transfer your cash back to, type out the member ID for that loyalty program and then specify the number of points you want to transfer (there's a minimum of 100 points required each time you make a transfer).
Once you've designated a set number to transfer, you should see that figure in your loyalty program account within two business days.
Frequent flyer reward programs part of Star Alliance, OneWorld and SkyTeam are transfer partners of the Ramp Card. Additional partners include the following hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy and Wyndham Rewards.
It's reported that all Ramp rewards transfer to partners at a 1.5:1 ratio.
Which cards compete with the Ramp Card?
If you want a business card that comes with a welcome bonus and offers elevated reward rates in popular categories, as well as the ability to earn valuable and transferable travel rewards, consider one of the following options.
- If your focus is on earning travel rewards for conducting business abroad: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features solid travel perks (like Centurion Lounge access) and earns Membership Rewards points that transfer to several airline and hotel partners. This card also features lots of business- and travel-related statement credits that help offset its hefty $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), making it a great companion for the frequent business traveler. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
- If you're looking to maximize your business spending: Consider Chase's Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which has an excellent welcome bonus, a manageable $95 annual fee and solid earning rates in popular business-related categories. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping expenses, internet, cable and phone service expenses and advertising purchases made with social media platforms and search engines (on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year). To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred card.
- If you want a simple cash-back business card with no annual fee: The Capital One Spark Cash Select might just be the perfect fit. This card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back across all purchases and 5% cash back on hotel and rental car purchases booked via Capital One Business Travel. The Spark Cash Select does require that you pay your balance off in full each billing cycle, making it ideal for business owners who are already in the habit of doing so. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Select.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best business credit cards.
Bottom line
The Ramp Card can provide solid value for a business owner who wants to work out of a proverbial one-stop shop. Those who prefer prioritizing streamlined business expense management and financial tracking over maximizing their business spending to earn rewards will find that the Ramp Card, coupled with the Ramp platform, is a powerful duo.
If you're the type of entrepreneur who wants to maximize your business spending with every transaction, one of the alternative options listed above may better suit your needs.
Related: Do business credit cards affect personal credit?
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.