⚠️ Beware: These Seemingly Normal Habits Can Shut Down Your Business Card

View in browser

Rule No. 1 in the business rewards game: Make sure your business card is working for you, and not the reverse.

Rewards cards and loyalty programs should be tools that power growth — not headaches that slow you down. From avoiding surprise account freezes to turning travel into extra rewards and capitalizing on big welcome bonuses, we’re going to cover some smart ways to make your accounts work harder for you.

Today we’re going to help you:

💳 Avoid getting your card accounts shut down at the worst time.
✈️ Turn every business trip into a two-for-one earning opportunity.
💰 Score these big-value offers on no-fee cards (which are ending soon!)

CARD MANAGEMENT

How to avoid breaking your business card

If you rely on credit cards to pay your business expenses, having one suddenly shut down (even temporarily) can be a nightmare. Sadly, this is something that inadvertently happens to business owners a lot, leaving them scrambling to maintain operations.

Sometimes it’s triggered by something simple, like paying off your card too often (yes, that can look suspicious). Other times it’s a big new purchase, an international transaction, or even paying your bill from a new bank account. To you, those moves seem harmless — but to your bank, they can trigger red flags that freeze your account without warning.

Getting things unfrozen can take days or even weeks, which is the last thing you need when employees are traveling or waiting on expense approvals. And some banks handle these hiccups better than others.

The best protection? Diversify your cards across multiple issuers and build consistent usage patterns over time.

Don’t learn these lessons the hard way, though. Over more than two decades in business, Edward Pizzarello has been through this many times, and he’s put together some important do’s and don’ts that can help you avoid such disruptions.

LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Double dip on business trips: How small businesses can earn twice on every flight

If your team travels for work, those flights could be doing more than getting you from point A to point B — they could be earning your business serious rewards.

What many small-business owners don’t realize is that airlines have business-specific loyalty programs designed to reward companies, not just individual travelers.

These programs let your business earn points or miles every time an employee books a flight — on top of the rewards those travelers already get personally. That means your next work trip could help you build a balance toward future flights, upgrades or even elite status.

They’re also surprisingly easy to join and manage, with no big spending requirements for most small and midsize companies. And what’s even better is American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines each offer their own versions of these programs, so you have options!

Here are just a few reasons why joining these programs can pay off:

Double the rewards: Earn points for both the traveler and your business on every flight.
Faster elite status: Rack up Loyalty Points or status credits more efficiently.
Perks and savings: Redeem points for flights, upgrades or lounge access.
Smarter spending tracking: Get a clearer view of your company’s travel habits.

Want to know more? Check out these articles:

LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

Ending soon! $900 or 90,000 points

Elevated offers on Chase’sInk Business Cash® Credit Card andInk Business Unlimited® Credit Card are ending soon! But worry not, there’s still time for new applicants toearn $900 cash back (or 90,000 points).

To recap: With either card, you can earn an increased bonus of $900 cash back or 90,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening.

And what’s especially great with these cards is any business may qualify — including side hustles!

Cash back is the default bonus on these cards, but if you also have a premium Ultimate Rewards points-earning card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can convert this bonus into transferable points and redeem those points for maximum value via Chase travel partners.

That could be flights to London via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club starting at just 6,000 points each way (plus taxes and fees), or four heavenly nights at the all-inclusive Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa via World of Hyatt!

Here’s a quick rundown of each card’s perks:

Ink Business Unlimited: This card offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus added benefits, such as primary rental car insurance.

Ink Business Cash: This card earns 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services; 2% cash back at gas stations and at restaurants on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases per category each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Need more help deciding which one is right for you?

Today’s top stories

Inside Amex’s newest and nicest Centurion Lounge yet

American Express opened its long-awaited outpost at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), and this latest addition is bound to be a hit with travelers.

Smoking at airports: A major US airport wants to add a cigar bar

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) may get a cigar bar.

Capital One restricts eligibility across Venture card lineup with new 48-month family rule

Capital One restricted eligibility across its Venture family, including VentureOne, Venture and Venture X. What current and prospective cardholders should know.

Check your Hilton bookings: Some standard room reward nights now cost less at high-end properties

Some Hilton Honors properties now have lower standard award rates. Here's what you need to know, including some ways you can redeem fewer Hilton points.

Last-minute strategies to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status

By opening a credit card or booking a cash or award stay, you can earn Marriott elite qualifying nights by the end of the year to enjoy status in 2026.

You are receiving this email because you opted in at thepointsguy.com.

Where to find us:
The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.

Advertiser Disclosure:

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

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

Photo Credit: STURTI/GETTY IMAGES, MARTIN BARRAUD/GETTY IMAGES, SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

THE POINTS GUY © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2025

Card Type

Card Issuer

Cobranded Cards

Learn About Credit Cards

Credit Card Reward Programs

Airline Rewards Programs

Hotel Rewards Program

Learn About Rewards Programs

Airlines

Hotels

Cruises

Resources

TPG points valuation

Award vs. cash calculator

CardMatch

Sign up for the TPG Daily for breaking news, game-changing tips and exclusive deals from TPG partners

You’re onboard! Welcome to the TPG Daily.

Advertiser disclosure

Advertiser disclosure