In the business world, having access to the right financial tools can make all the difference. Business credit cards are among the most versatile tools for managing cash flow, earning rewards, and building credit. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the 10 best business credit cards you can apply for in 2025, tailored for various business needs with a focus on rewards, fees, and benefits.
1. Ink Business Premier® Credit Card
– Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel through Chase Travel℠, 2.5% on purchases over $5,000, and 2% on all other purchases.
– Annual Fee: $195
– Welcome Bonus: $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 within the first three months.
– Why It’s Great: Ideal for businesses with large expenses, offering high cash-back rates and no foreign transaction fees.
2. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
– Rewards: Up to 1.5x Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases and 5x on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.
– Annual Fee: $695
– Welcome Bonus: 150,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first three months.
– Why It’s Great: Perfect for frequent business travelers with extensive airline and hotel perks.
3. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
– Rewards: Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, with 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
– Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95
– Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months.
– Why It’s Great: It offers flexibility with no preset spending limit, which is ideal for growing businesses.
4. American Express® Business Gold Card
– Rewards: 4X points on the two select categories where your business spends the most each month.
– Annual Fee: $375
– Welcome Bonus: 70,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first three months.
– Why It’s Great: Tailored rewards for businesses with diverse spending habits.
5. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
– Rewards: 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% at gas stations and restaurants on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases annually.
– Annual Fee: $0
– Welcome Bonus: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
– Why It’s Great: No annual fee with high cashback rates in common business expense categories.
6. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
– Rewards: 3X miles on Delta purchases, 1.5X miles after spending $150,000 in a calendar year, and 1X on other purchases.
– Annual Fee: $650
– Welcome Bonus: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 6 months.
– Why It’s Great: For Delta loyalists, providing access to Delta Sky Clubs and premium travel benefits.
7. U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
– Rewards: 5% cash back on prepaid travel booked through the Rewards Travel Center, 3% on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases.
– Annual Fee: $0
– Welcome Bonus: $500 cash back after spending $4,500 in the first 150 days.
– Why It’s Great: Excellent for businesses that spend significantly on travel and office expenses.
8. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
– Rewards: 2X Membership Rewards® points on all business purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1X.
– Annual Fee: $0
– Welcome Bonus: 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
– Why It’s Great: A straightforward rewards structure without an annual fee.
9. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
– Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
– Annual Fee: $0
– Welcome Bonus: $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
– Why It’s Great: Simplifies rewards with a flat rate across all spending.
10. Capital One Spark 1% Classic
– Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.
– Annual Fee: $0
– Welcome Bonus: None, but offers a low threshold for credit approval.
– Why It’s Great: Best for businesses with less than perfect credit looking to build or repair credit.
Credit card fees are charges imposed by credit card companies and payment networks on various aspects of card use. Here’s a breakdown based on current trends and regulations:
Types of Credit Card Fees:
1. Interchange Fees:
– These are paid by the merchant to the card-issuing bank. They vary based on the type of card, transaction, and merchant category. For 2025, interchange rates for Visa range from 1.15% + $0.05 to 2.40% + $0.10 per transaction, while Mastercard rates can be similarly structured.
2. Assessment Fees:
– Charged by the card networks like Visa, MasterCard, etc., to maintain their infrastructure. These fees are typically around 0.14% of the transaction amount.
3. Merchant Services Fees:
– These are additional fees charged by the payment processor beyond the interchange and assessment fees. They might include:
– Flat Rate or Percentage Fees: For instance, PayPal or Stripe might charge a flat rate for each transaction.
– Monthly and Per-Transaction Fees: Common in interchange-plus pricing where a fixed percentage plus a small fee per transaction is charged.
4. Annual Fees:
– Many credit cards charge an annual fee for the privilege of holding the card, particularly premium or rewards cards. These can range from $95 to over $695, depending on the card’s perks.
5. Late Payment Fees:
– Legislation has recently limited these fees to $8 for the first late payment, but this can vary by issuer or based on further regulatory changes.
6. Foreign Transaction Fees:
– Typically, around 3% of the transaction amount when using the card abroad or for international purchases online.
7. Cash Advance Fees:
– Often a percentage of the advance amount or a flat fee, whichever is higher, plus immediate interest accrual.
8. Balance Transfer Fees:
– Usually, 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, is aimed at reducing high-interest debt from one card to another with a lower rate.
Recent Developments and Legislative Actions:
– Credit Card Competition Act: This legislation, which has been discussed but not passed by 2025, aims to increase competition among payment networks potentially lowering merchant fees.
– Regulatory Changes: Efforts by the Biden administration in 2024 to cap late fees have had some effect, reducing them from an average of $32 to $8, which could save consumers money.
– Fee Increases: Visa announced increases in some swipe fees effective January 1, 2025, affecting merchants and potentially consumers if these costs are passed on.
– Surcharging: As of 2025, many states allow merchants to add a surcharge on credit card transactions, though this is capped at 4% of the transaction amount.
Consumer and Merchant Strategies:
– Negotiation: Merchants can sometimes negotiate lower fees, especially with higher transaction volumes or lower risk profiles.
– No-Fee Cards: Consumers can opt for cards without annual fees, though these might offer fewer benefits.
– Avoiding Fees: Paying bills on time, using cards with no foreign transaction fees for international use, and understanding the fee structure of your card can help avoid or minimize charges.
Credit card fees are a complex ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders, and staying informed about these fees can significantly impact both consumer spending and merchant profitability. Always check the most current terms of your card or merchant agreement for the most accurate fee structure.
By selecting from these top business credit cards, you can optimize your business’s financial strategy, manage cash flow better, and take advantage of rewards that align with your business operations. Always consider the annual fees, rewards structures, and additional benefits in light of your business’s specific needs.