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It’s no secret that sometimes, the best opportunities are hiding in plain sight. That’s true both in business and in travel.

That means it’s sometimes worth taking stock of how you’re currently doing things to see if there are any better ways to go about them.

Whether you’ve been in business for years or you’re just starting out, you might be surprised by some of the under-the-radar ways your financial habits affect your business credit. (Pro tip: It’s not just about paying your bills by the due date.)

Today, we’re talking about:

🙈 How to navigate the blind spots in your business credit
🛃 An easy way to breeze through customs that few people are using
🤑 A no-brainer, 100,000-point business card offer

BUSINESS CREDIT

Business credit has some blind spots. Here’s how to navigate them

Many business owners assume that opening a business credit card is enough to start building business credit. In reality, business credit plays by a completely different set of rules — and missing a few early steps can quietly hold your company back for years.

While it’s easy enough to get a business card as a sole proprietor, having a registered business with its own credit history opens up a new world of opportunities (and challenges).

From how your business is set up to what actually gets reported (and what doesn’t), there’s a lot that most owners don’t learn until it’s too late.

Unlike personal credit, business credit depends on how your business is structured, which accounts report to credit bureaus and whether lenders can even “see” your business as a separate financial entity.

Get it right, and you can unlock higher credit limits, better financing terms and more flexibility as your business grows. Get it wrong, and you may find yourself relying on personal credit far longer than expected.

The truth is, there are a lot of behind-the-scenes mechanics in business credit, but we can show you the early moves that matter most and why some businesses never qualify for the financing they expect — even with strong personal credit.

If you are planning to scale or seek financing, or simply want to protect your personal credit, check out our guide to building business credit to make sure you understand what lenders and credit bureaus are really looking for.

SMARTER TRAVEL

Are you still going through customs the hard way? Try this program (and no, it’s not Global Entry)

Don’t get me wrong — Global Entry is great, and we will be the first to point out that there are many credit cards that can help you join this time- and grief-saving program for free.

But it’s not the only way to breeze through customs.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a service called Mobile Passport Control. It’s been around for about a decade but remains a relatively unknown option for travelers.

MPC lets travelers submit passport details, answer customs questions and upload a selfie right from their phone before landing. At many U.S. airports, that means access to a dedicated customs lane that’s often much faster than the standard line.

The big difference? Unlike Global Entry, MPC is free, doesn’t require preapproval and can be used by U.S. citizens, permanent residents and some international visitors.

It’s especially useful if you don’t travel internationally often enough to justify Global Entry — or if enrollment appointments are booked months out.

If you’re flying home soon from being abroad, this under-the-radar tool could save you serious time.

LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

The 100,000-point offer you've been waiting for

We’ve got some great news for anyone who wants an easy 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (so, everyone).

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has just boosted its welcome offer, letting new cardholders earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months after opening an account.

This is definitely an offer worth pouncing on for numerous reasons. This card carries just a $95 annual fee, and it’s rare to be able to harvest a six-figure welcome offer at that price point.

And these aren’t just any points. They’re Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which means they can be transferred to arguably the best lineup of partner programs available.

Programs like:

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, where you can book lie-flat business-class seats to the U.K. starting at just 29,000 points each way (plus taxes and fees). Fun fact: I’ve booked four of these flights in the past year, all with Chase points.
World of Hyatt, where you can stay at luxurious all-inclusive resorts like Secrets Baby Beach Aruba for as little as 25,000 points per night (off-peak) or basic Category 1 hotels for as little as 3,500 points per night.

That’s why we value 100,000 Chase points at $2,050, per our January 2026 valuations.

And you’ll earn many more points with this card. Do you spend money on travel? Shipping? Advertising? Internet and phone services? You’ll earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent across all of those categories combined.

If you want to easily earn 100,000 highly valuable points and enjoy some powerful earning potential, all from a low-fee card, this one is a home run.

Today’s top stories

Getting a refund for a canceled or delayed flight: What to know in 2026

If your flight is canceled and you choose not to fly, you are entitled to a full refund.

Delta announces Las Vegas Sky Club, plans to revamp 2 Florida lounges

Delta Air Lines is adding a new Sky Club at a popular tourist destination, and announced plans to renovate several of its existing outposts.

7 amazing first-class seats you can book with points and miles

Looking for luxury? These are the best first-class flights you can book with points and miles.

These are the best times to buy an international flight

Is it worth waiting for a last-minute deal, or should you lock in affordable airfare as soon as you find it? Here's a breakdown of the best times to book your flights by region.

Marriott Bonvoy elite status ‘soft landing’ policy: How to requalify for status

If you didn't requalify for your Bonvoy status last year, Marriott will give you the status just below your expiring tier through February 2027.

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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: Rowan Jordan/Getty Images, Getty Images, Gabrielle Bernardini/The Points Guy

THE POINTS GUY © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2026

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⚠️ Watch Out for Business Credit Blind Spots

⚠️ Watch Out for Business Credit Blind Spots