Best Small Business Credit Cards For Startups Of October 2024

With extra cash back on office supplies, gas, EV charging stations, dining and cellphone service, the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® rewards common business expenses. Combined with a generous welcome bonus and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 billing cycles, it’s a triple threat with no annual fee.

Why We Like It

The card offers a $100 annual credit towards recurring software subscriptions such as Quickbooks or FreshBooks.

For businesses with inconsistent cash flow, U.S. Bank ExtendPay allows you to pay off large purchases for a flat rate of 1.60% or below.

What We Don’t Like

As the card charges a foreign transaction fee, businesses with significant foreign purchases should consider a card with no foreign transaction fees instead.

Who It’s Best For

Business owners who are looking for a way to increase their bottom line via cash back in popular business categories will find a lot of value in using this card.

With no annual fee, the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business* is a simple card with no need to remember revolving bonus categories. Capital One miles are transferable to multiple air and hotel partners, which is where you’ll likely get the best value. Alternatively, they can be redeemed for travel expenses.

Why We Like It

The card provides an extended warranty on eligible purchases, as well as rental car collision coverage. There’s no foreign transaction fee, so your business purchases outside the U.S. won’t incur extra fees.

What We Don’t Like

Startups that need more time to pay should look elsewhere though, since this card does not offer an introductory APR.

Who It’s Best For

Established businesses that don’t need a long pay-over-time period, and are looking for ways to reward themselves with free flights and hotels via Capital One’s travel partners, would be well served by this card.

Wells Fargo’s newest business card, the Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo*, offers a compelling cash-back offer along with a lengthy introductory APR offer. The fact that it doesn’t have an annual fee helps make this a great no-fuss credit card.

Why We Like It

It’s not common for cards to offer this many perks in one credit card, considering the lack of an annual fee and the first-year intro APR on purchases. If you want to access airport lounges but don’t travel often, having this card will get you a Priority Pass membership with a pay-as-you-go feature, saving you the membership fee to get into the program.

The flat 2% cash rewards on business purchases can be redeemed for statement credit, travel or gift cards.

What We Don’t Like

While there aren’t any caps on the rewards you can earn, if you don’t have another credit card to combine your rewards, you’re stuck earning a maximum of 2% cash back.

Who It’s Best For

Business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards-earning structure who also have a Wells Fargo relationship can benefit from this card’s potential.

Business owners can score significant rewards by using the no annual fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card to pay for office supplies, internet, cable and phone expenses. The card’s high earn rates in these typical areas of business spending can help earn cash back faster than other small business credit cards.

Why We Like It

The Ink Business Cash card offers employee cards at no additional cost. It also includes various travel and consumer coverages, including an auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

What We Don’t Like

The elevated earn rate applies only to the first $25,000 in combined purchases per year. If your total expenses in these categories exceed this amount, you may want to use another card once you’ve hit the cap.

Who It’s Best For

Small business owners who find themselves spending a lot of their time in office supply stores and have large telecommunication bills can get a huge chunk of Ultimate Rewards® each and every month up to the spending cap.

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns unlimited flat-rate cash back on all purchases, which makes it a good fit for businesses that don’t have concentrated spending in any one area.

Why We Like It

Card features include employee cards at no additional cost, a primary auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

What We Don’t Like

Although there is no annual fee, the card charges a foreign transaction fee, making this card one you should keep at home if you travel abroad. Also, keep in mind that you’ll be charged the foreign transaction fee for renting a car internationally so we only recommend using this card for domestic rentals.

Who It’s Best For

If you spend more time running your business than you do worrying about which bonus category is en vogue this month, then this card deserves a place in your wallet.

The no annual fee Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card lets you choose your top earning category. Choices include common business spending areas such as computer service, office supply stores and telecom and wireless services.

Why We Like It

If your business banks with Bank of America and has Business Platinum Honors status, you can earn an extra 25% to 75% on your cash-back rewards. The card provides travel accident insurance.

What We Don’t Like

You will face a foreign transaction fee for purchases abroad. Bank of America also doesn’t have any transfer partners so you won’t be able to take advantage of any sweet-spot redemptions.

Who It’s Best For

Business needs sometimes change, and if yours change regularly, having a card that changes its cash back bonus along with you is a great option to maximize returns. If you have an existing relationship with Bank of America, the rewards could prove to be some of the best in the industry.

While The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) caps reward earnings, most smaller startups and new businesses won’t be limited by the $50,000 maximum spend for elevated earnings. The true value for many might come from Amex Membership Rewards® redemption flexibility, as points can be transferred 1:1 to many travel partners.

Why We Like It

Amex’s suite of business benefits are some of the best in the industry. With secondary car rental loss and damage insurance¹, extended warranty² and purchase protection², your purchases and rental cars are covered. The card also offers employee cards at no extra charge and unlocks Amex Offers, a program that provides periodic merchant offers.

What We Don’t Like

The card does charge a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not the best option for international business expenses. It also won’t be a great fit for startups with more than about $4,200 in monthly expenses due to the $50,000 annual rewards cap for the 2 points per dollar earnings rate (then 1 point per dollar).

Who It’s Best For

This card is great for small businesses that don’t have large monthly expenses but still want to earn valuable Membership Rewards. By avoiding an annual fee, you can also save money for your company’s bottom line.

Flat-rate cards are appealing for their simplicity. The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card fits the bill, earning unlimited flexible miles on all purchases. If earning travel rewards is a goal, then this card is worth a look, especially since miles transfer to multiple travel partners.

Why We Like It

The Spark Miles is a great option for businesses looking to simplify their earnings and focus more on growing the business. The introductory annual fee for the first year (rates & fees) lets you earn rewards while your business is ramping up, and Capital One’s suite of business benefits allows you to make managing your business easier.

What We Don’t Like

The purchase APR is high for all applicants regardless of creditworthiness, so avoid this card if you need to carry a balance. The annual fee may be offset by the statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® once every four years. But crunch the numbers to make sure you’ll still see rewards after the annual fee kicks in.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best for business owners who want to earn rewards but also need seamless integration with business tools.

The State Farm Business Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card* is a solid cash-back earner for businesses that spend in its bonus categories. It also has a solid introductory APR offer.

Why We Like It

The card offers limited benefits including purchase protection, cell phone protection and a $100 software subscription credit. Cardholders will also avoid foreign transaction fees and gain access to U.S. Bank’s ExtendPay.

What We Don’t Like

The extra bonus for insurance payments is only valid for the first year, and only if you apply with a State Farm agent. If you do spend a lot on insurance payments, the cap of $4,000 a year in spending to earn rewards is also limiting.

Who It’s Best For

The card is not just for insurance payments, as the cash back is also very high for other popular categories, offering a chance to get a big return on your everyday business expenses.

If your personal credit is on the weaker side and you’re looking for a business credit card, the Capital One Spark 1.5% Cash Select for Good Credit* card may be your best bet. Flat-rate cash back, no annual fee and an introductory APR on purchases make this card worthy of consideration.

Why We Like It

Although the card is light on benefits and doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, it does provide an extended warranty on eligible items purchased with the card. Like all Capital One cards, you won’t be charged foreign transaction fees.

What We Don’t Like

Unlike other Capital One cards, the rewards you’ll get here are exclusively cash back. If you want to get extra value from transfer partners or travel rewards, look elsewhere.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best for small business owners who still need time to work on making their credit shine but don’t want to skimp on rewards. Also, the introductory APR can be a lifeline for small businesses just starting out.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) is a no-frills option for small businesses that want to earn cash back and won’t spend more than the higher-reward earnings cap.

Why We Like It

With employee cards and expanded buying power*, the card will work well for small businesses on the rise. The card also offers rental car loss and damage insurance¹, purchase protection², extended warranty² and access to Amex Offers.

What We Don’t Like

The card charges a foreign transaction fee, so it may not be a good choice if your business makes significant purchases outside the U.S.

Who It’s Best For

If travel isn’t on your horizon, and instead you want to build up a little extra cash in your rainy day fund, then this card can help generate some extra cash back for your business. It also doesn’t hurt that if you need to spend a little over your credit line, the card can come in handy in a pinch.

The Capital One Venture X Business is a premium credit card with premium benefits to match. The generous welcome offer suits businesses with high spending. Flexible miles can be transferred to multiple air and hotel partners or redeemed for travel expenses.

Why We Like It

At first glance, the card appears pricey, but the annual fee (rates & fees) is easily offset by the annual $300 travel credit for purchases made through Capital One Travel, access to over 1,300 airport lounges, an annual 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit once every four years and no foreign transaction fees. For businesses that do a lot of travel spending, this card is a no-brainer.

What We Don’t Like

In order to trigger the $300 travel credit, you have to book through the Capital One Travel portal. That might mean that you’re not getting the best deal or you might forgo points earned.

Who It’s Best For

Travel benefits are one of the best features of this card. If you’re looking for a flat-rate travel card that has lounge access and a lot of transfer partners, this card ranks high.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card remains an all-star business credit card with one of the most lucrative welcome bonuses available on any business credit card. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are arguably some of the most valuable credit card points available. The bonus spending categories offered by this card are attractive and relevant for start-ups and small businesses.

Why We Like It

Significant travel protection, including trip cancellation and interruption for up to $5,000 per person, primary rental car insurance when renting for business purposes, cell phone insurance up to $1,000 per claim and no foreign transaction fees. If your startup is expanding, you’ll have no additional cost for employee cards. All this for a relatively low annual fee.

With this card, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. It’s also possible to transfer Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 rate to various hotel and airline partner programs.

What We Don’t Like

Some small businesses might not find these bonus categories useful and might be better served by a card that earns bonus rewards on different expenses.

Who It’s Best For

Considering the card earns Ultimate Rewards, this card is a great addition to other cards in the Ultimate Rewards family. If you have personal cards earning Chase Ultimate Rewards, this business card lets you pool all your points together for even more rewards optimization.