Best for Business TravelersSpend Req.
$20,000 / 15 months
The premium business card for frequent travelers. The 300,000 Membership Rewards point bonus ($4,500+ value) is the largest on this list, though the $20,000 spend in 15 months is a significant commitment. Lounge access (Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta) transforms the airport experience. Hilton and Marriott Gold status provides room upgrades and late checkout. The $200 airline fee credit, $200 Dell credit, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit help offset the $895 annual fee. Earns 5x on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel and 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more. Best suited for businesses with heavy travel budgets.
$200 airline fee credit$200 Dell creditCenturion Lounge accessPriority Pass
Best for Flexible Category RewardsSpend Req.
$15,000 / 3 months
The smartest earning engine among business cards. The 4x earning rate automatically applies to your top two spending categories each billing cycle (from airfare, advertising, gas, shipping, computing, and restaurants) on up to $150,000 per year. This adaptive structure means you do not need to track rotating categories — the card does it for you. The 200,000 Membership Rewards point bonus is massive ($3,000+ value), though the $15,000 spend requirement in 3 months is steep. Transfer partners include Delta, JetBlue, Hilton, and Marriott. The $375 annual fee is justified if your business spending is spread across the bonus categories.
Flexible payment optionsExpense management toolsTransfer to 20+ airline/hotel partnersNo foreign transaction fees
Best Overall Business CardSpend Req.
$8,000 / 3 months
The gold standard for business credit cards. The 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points sign-up bonus is worth $1,500+ when transferred to airline and hotel partners like United, Hyatt, and Southwest. Earns 3x on the first $150,000 spent annually on shipping, internet/cable/phone, travel, and advertising — categories that cover most small business expenses. Cell phone protection (up to $1,000 per claim) is a hidden gem that alone can justify the $95 annual fee. Points pair perfectly with the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred for even higher transfer value. Since this is a Chase card, it is subject to 5/24 for the initial application, but does not count toward 5/24 once approved.
Employee cards at no additional costCell phone protection subject to termsNo foreign transaction fees
Best for Startups & Simple RewardsSpend Req.
$6,000 / 3 months
The easiest business card to maximize. A flat 1.5% back (as Ultimate Rewards points) on every purchase with no categories to track, no spending caps, and no annual fee. The $750 sign-up bonus requires $6,000 in spending over 3 months — achievable for most small businesses. The 0% intro APR for 12 months provides breathing room for new businesses making initial investments. When paired with the Ink Business Preferred, your 1.5x points become transferable to airline and hotel partners, dramatically increasing their value. Free employee cards help track team spending. This is the ideal first business card for sole proprietors and freelancers.
No annual feeEmployee cards at no additional cost
Best for Office Supplies & TelecomSpend Req.
$6,000 / 3 months
The category king among no-annual-fee business cards. 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (up to $25,000 per year in combined purchases) is exceptionally generous. The office supply store category is particularly valuable because stores like Staples and Office Depot sell gift cards — buy Amazon, restaurant, or airline gift cards at 5% back. Also earns 2% at gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 per year). The $750 sign-up bonus requires $6,000 in 3 months. Like the Ink Unlimited, pairing with the Ink Preferred unlocks point transfers to travel partners.
No annual feeEmployee cards at no additional cost