August 17, 2023
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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is our pick for best business credit card for travel. It offers the most valuable combination of points and perks of any of our top picks for small businesses.
One of the big benefits of owning a small business is the ability to leverage your business spending into free travel. You can earn rewards for major business purchases such as advertising, computers and office supplies — then simply cash those points or miles in to fly to a client meeting, stay at your favorite beach hotel or attend an annual conference or business retreat.
And the benefits go beyond free trips — a business credit card for travel may offer a variety of perks, from airport lounge access and airline or hotel elite status to travel credits that reimburse you for checked bag fees and in-flight drinks.
Travel rewards: Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid booked through Amex Travel
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
One of the best business cards for air travel, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5X points when booking through Amex Travel and includes access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Amex Centurion and Delta Sky Club lounges.
Overall first year value: $3,690*
First year rewards value: $2,660
Other credits and perks: $1,030
The card includes over $1,000 in credits each year, including up to a $200 airline fee credit and up to a $189 CLEAR membership reimbursement (enrollment required). Your points transfer to hotel and airline partners to book award travel, or you can book travel through Amex and receive up to 35% of your points back with a designated airline that you choose at the beginning of the year. And when you arrive at your destination, enjoy elite perks through complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status (enrollment required) or when booking through Fine Hotels & Resorts.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please click here.
Travel rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
The United℠ Business Card is the one of the best business credit cards for travel because of its generous welcome bonus and earning rate: Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Overall first year value: $2,213*
First year rewards value: $2,013
Other credits and perks: $200
Additionally, it includes travel benefits that save money and improve the travel experience for the cardholder, including a free checked bag on United flights, priority boarding and two United Club passes each year. And if you also have a personal United card, you’ll receive 5,000 anniversary miles when you renew the card.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Travel rewards: Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
Travelers searching for perks will love the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. As one of the best business credit cards for travel, it includes an annual companion certificate good for any class domestic flight, complimentary entry to Sky Club and Centurion Lounges when flying Delta and access to the free upgrade list even if you don’t have elite status. You’ll also enjoy priority boarding and the first checked bag free on Delta flights and numerous travel protections on any airline. And, if elite status is important to you, you’ll get a Status Boost by earning up to 60,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) based on your spending – 15,000 MQMs for every $30,000 in purchases.
Overall first year value: $3,184*
First year rewards value: $1,319
Other credits and perks: $1,865
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card please click here.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is one of the best business credit cards for frequent business travel because of its automatic elite status and generous earnings potential.
Overall first year value: $1,284*
First year rewards value: $855
Other credits and perks: $429
Its annual fee is a reasonable $95, which makes it easy on the company’s budget, and there are no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. Additionally, businesses that have larger spending needs can earn Hilton Honors Diamond elite status (enrollment required) and up to two free nights each year. Cardholders also receive 10 airport lounge visits each year and limited travel protections when using the card to book reservations.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
To see rates & fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card please click here.
Travel rewards: Earn up to 3X points on all travel purchases
When traveling internationally, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is the best credit card for business travel expenses. You’ll earn up to 3X points on travel reservations and receive valuable protections if something goes bad on your trip. Reservations are covered against cancellation, interruption, rental car damage and more.
Overall first year value: $2,393*
First year rewards value: $955
Other credits and perks: $429
There are $0 foreign transaction fees on international purchases, and you can add employee cards for no additional charge. Rewards can be transferred 1:1 to airline and hotel partners. Or, if you prefer more flexibility, you can book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® for a 25% bonus.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Travel rewards: Up to 3X points
Small business owners looking for one of the best business credit cards for travel without an annual fee should consider the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card. It earns unlimited 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time-no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
Overall first year value: $600*
First year rewards value: $600
Other credits and perks: N/A
Customers with larger balances benefit from up to 75% more points if they qualify for Preferred Rewards. The points never expire, and they can be used to offset travel and dining purchases, book travel or redeem for cash back and gift cards.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Rewards: Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases
Business owners who want to earn flexible rewards points without paying an annual fee will enjoy The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. It lets you earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. It’s an excellent companion card to other cards that earn Membership Rewards or a card that stands on its own.
Overall first year value: $1,210*
First year rewards value: $880
Other credits and perks: N/A
While it doesn’t have many benefits, the card does offer an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then a 18.49% - 26.49% Variable rate applies). Ideally, you’ll restrict its use to domestic purchases since it charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
To see rates & fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express please click here.
Travel rewards: Get unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Get unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is an excellent option for business owners who are building their credit because it offers unlimited 1% cash back rewards without charging an annual fee. Although this is a business credit card, Capital One reports your activity to your personal credit report, so you’ll build credit by using the card responsibly.
Overall first year value: $200*
First year rewards value: $200
Other credits and perks: N/A
While this card doesn’t offer bonus cash back on flights, you do earn extra rewards when booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. You can also add employees at no extra charge and then set customized spending limits for each card and earn rewards on their purchases.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Business travelers don’t always have access to a company credit card when they travel. In these situations, having The Platinum Card® from American Express is a wise choice.
Overall first year value: $4,021*
First year rewards value: $2,008
Other credits and perks: $2,013
It offers luxury travel benefits that are worth more than its premium annual fee, like hotel elite status* and airport lounge access. And it includes over $1,500 in annual credits for travel expenses that improve your travel experience, like up to a $200 hotel credit, up to a $200 airline fee credit*, up to a $189 for CLEAR credit* and more.
*Enrollment required.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please click here.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Recommended Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Winner
|
$695 | 19.49% - 27.49% Variable | Excellent/Good | |
|
United℠ Business Card
Review Coming Soon
|
Airline miles
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99 | 21.74% - 28.74% Variable | Excellent/Good | Review Coming Soon |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
|
Airline perks
|
$550 | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Excellent/Good | |
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
|
Hotel rewards
|
$95 | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Excellent/Good | |
|
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
|
International travel
|
$95 | 21.24% – 26.24% Variable | Excellent | |
|
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Review Coming Soon
|
No annual fee
|
$0 | 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR | Excellent | Review Coming Soon |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
|
Earning points with no annual fee
|
No annual fee | 18.49% - 26.49% Variable | Excellent/Good | |
|
Capital One Spark Classic for Business
|
Low credit score
|
$0 | 30.74% (Variable) | Fair | |
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Business travelers
|
$695 | See Pay Over Time APR | Excellent/Good |
To choose the best business credit card for travel, you’ll need to consider your travel preferences, your spending patterns and which types of travel perks you’re likely to use. Here are the key features to look at:
First, decide whether you want to earn miles, hotel points or transferable points. For a comprehensive primer on the differences, pros and cons, check out our guide on what credit card points are worth.
A general rule is that transferable points are best for businesses seeking flexibility in how they redeem rewards, while miles or hotel points may work well for frequent travelers loyal to a particular airline or hotel. It is worth noting, however, that airline and hotel business rewards cards often offer automatic elite status with the brand or a boost to help you get status faster.
One of the most important considerations in choosing the best business credit card for you is how you fly and where you stay. This will allow you to eliminate cards right away if you’re not already a loyal customer of the brand. If you’re extremely loyal to one airline or hotel brand, you might choose a co-branded airline or hotel business travel card. If you prefer to mix things up in how you fly and where you stay, it may be better to choose a general business travel card.
A sign-up bonus is an especially important consideration for a business credit card. Owning a small business or having a side gig means you’ll be spending money on business expenses ranging from advertising to office furniture, and that gives you enormous leverage in the points and miles game. A sign-up bonus is a major opportunity to maximize those earnings, so make sure you’re getting a generous bonus that offers the most value for the way you travel.
Many business cards offer bonus earnings in popular business spending categories like cable, internet, office supplies and online advertising. Take a look at your business spending from the past year to guesstimate how many points or miles you might earn in that category on a business card. This does require a little legwork, but it could help you to see exactly which business card would allow you to maximize your earnings based on the way you spend in your business.
Many of the best business credit cards for travel include an annual bonus that rewards cardholders for keeping the card year after year. These bonuses include annual free nights, credits for airline fees and other travel expenses and extra miles or points deposited into your account. Some benefits are included simply for paying your annual fee, while others require cardholders to spend a certain amount to earn them. Take this into consideration when comparing which business credit cards to apply for.
Many of the biggest benefits of the best business travel credit cards come from the travel credits and perks that are included with the card. Complimentary or reduced-price airport lounge access gives travelers a premium place to relax and grab a drink or snack before a flight. Saving time at airport security and U.S. customs is simple with TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, and most of these business travel credit cards reimburse these application fees. And some airline credit cards offer a companion certificate, which allows you to bring a companion along at no charge after you’ve paid the taxes and fees.
If you ever travel internationally, you’ll want to look for a card with no foreign transaction fees. These sneaky fees typically tack about 3% onto each purchase made outside the United States, so they could add significantly to the cost of a business trip.
Many business cards for travel offer some travel insurance, which may include coverage for trip cancellations and delays, lost luggage and rental car liability. The specifics of the coverage offered can vary, so read the fine print and exclusions so you know exactly what is — and isn’t — offered on a specific card.
Many business travel credit cards offer other travel-centric perks. These might include free checked bags or upgrades on a co-branded airline business travel card or automatic elite status on a hotel business travel card. And you may be able to reach higher levels of elite status based on your spending each year. Some travel cards also have a concierge service to help you plan your travel or book shows or dining reservations.
While some business owners are tempted to use a personal credit card for business travel, the best option is to book reservations using your business credit card. A business credit card helps build your business credit score and keeps your personal and business expenses separate. When you commingle your personal and business purchases on one credit card, valid business expenses can get lost. These lost expenses can result in you paying higher taxes and makes it hard to get a clear picture of your business profitability.
Furthermore, while most business credit cards do not post on your personal credit report, a personal credit card does. By using your personal credit cards for business expenses, your credit utilization may be higher than normal, which could negatively affect your credit score. A lower credit score could result in higher interest rates and declined applications on personal credit needs, like a mortgage or an auto loan.
Tip: For businesses that are just starting out, you may not have a business credit card for travel just yet. In that case, you can designate one personal card for your business and avoid using it for any personal charges. Keep in mind that although your new business doesn’t have much revenue, many banks allow you to open a business credit card based on your personal income and credit score.Now that you’ve chosen the best business travel credit card for you, let’s make sure you know how to maximize its value. Here are six tips for making the most of a business travel card:
Yes, you can use rewards earned from the best business credit cards for travel to book personal trips. For business credit cards that earn airline miles and hotel points, those rewards deposit into your personal loyalty accounts, so it is nearly impossible to separate them. Credit card rewards typically are not taxable, so business owners can use them for personal travel without worry.
Although you can use your Social Security number when applying for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, the best approach is to use an Employer Identification Number (EIN) when applying for one of the best business travel credit cards. This helps to build your business’s credit history, protects your personal privacy, and keeps your business and personal lives separate. Many banks require business owners to provide a personal guarantee when applying, so you may also need to provide your Social Security number.
While some small business owners use their personal credit cards to make purchases on behalf of their businesses, the best option is to have a dedicated business credit card. Even if your business is just starting, some banks offer credit cards to businesses with little or no revenue. When you use one of the best small business credit cards for travel rewards, you’ll earn miles and points on your eligible business expenses.
To choose the best business credit cards for travel, we looked at business credit cards available on LendingTree as well as top issuer sites. We calculated the value of each card’s sign-up bonus and the ongoing rewards based on how much an average cardholder might spend in a card’s spending categories, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. We also added in the value of annual bonuses and perks like companion certificates, free hotel night certificates and travel credits. We considered the annual fee in the overall value and averaged it over two years, to select the cards that offer the most value for small business travelers.
To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please click here.
To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card please click here.
To see rates & fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card please click here.
To see rates & fees for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express please click here.
To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please click here.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
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