Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the latest credit card information.
If you’re looking for a rewards card specifically for your business spending, you have a variety of great options. From The Business Platinum Card® from American Express with its points rebate for airfare to the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with its 3-point-per-dollar categories, there’s no shortage of cards that help you maximize purchases for your business.
Earning rewards on your expenses is a must for any growing company, making business cards essential. But what if you’re a startup or up-and-comer looking for a rewarding no-annual-fee business credit card? This limits your choices a bit, though happily there are still some solid picks.
Related reading: Best business credit cards of 2023
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening. You’ll get a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, after which it will be a variable APR of 17.49% to 23.49%.
Why it’s worth it: This Chase business card is unique in that it allows you to redeem rewards as cash back (with each point earned equal to 1 cent), but if you have an Ultimate Rewards-earning card — such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card — you can choose to convert your cash-back points to Ultimate Rewards points that are fully transferable to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
That flexibility, coupled with the Ink Business Cash’s bonus categories, can lead to a healthy return on spending. You’ll get 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services, plus 2% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. (And you’ll earn an uncapped 1% cash back on everything else.) Although this card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, its ample rewards and no annual fee make up for it.
Read our review of the Ink Business Cash card for more details.
Official application link: Ink Business Cash
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Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening. Like other Chase business cards, it features a 12-month 0% intro APR offer on purchases, which goes to a variable APR of 17.49% – 23.49% afterwards.
Why it’s worth it: This is essentially the business version of the Chase Freedom Unlimited (minus the bonus categories on the Freedom Unlimited). It earns you 1.5% back on purchases, uncapped. The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card offers higher purchase protection limits than the Freedom Unlimited, along with primary car rental insurance when renting for business purposes. The 1.5% cash back you earn on all spending can be boosted if you own a card that earns Ultimate Rewards, since that means you could transfer your cash back to redeem it as points, effectively getting you a 3% return on spending based on TPG’s valuations.
Read our review of the Ink Business Unlimited card for more details.
Official application link: Ink Business Unlimited
The Blue Business® Plus Credit card From American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening, worth $300 according to TPG’s valuations. There’s also a 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 17.74% to 25.74% (see rates and fees).
Why it’s worth it: This card offers a flat 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases for the first $50,000 you spend each calendar year (1 point per dollar thereafter). Since TPG values Amex points at 2 cents apiece, you’re looking at a 4% return on spending up to that $50,000-a-year cap. There’s no additional fee to add cards for employees (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Blue Business Plus card for more details.
Official application link: Blue Business Plus
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending at least $3,000 on your card within the first three months. Get an intro 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then a variable APR of 17.74% to 25.74% (see rates and fees).
Why it’s worth it: If you want a simple business card to earn cash back, this Blue Business Cash is a terrific option. You’ll earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases for your first $50,000 spent each year, then 1%. You can also access expanded buying power for instances where your business has to spend beyond your credit limit. Additional employee cards for $0 (see rates and fees).
Read our review of the Blue Business Cash card for more details.
Official application link: Blue Business Cash
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select For Business
Sign-up bonus: Earn $500 cash back after you spend $4,500 within the first three months from account opening.
Why it’s worth it: Unlike many other cards on this list, the Spark Cash Select doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees, making it a wise choice if you travel abroad. You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% back on everything along the way. Of course, if you’d rather earn miles, you can apply for the travel version of this card, the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business.
The information for the Capital One Spark Cash Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Read our review of the Spark Cash Select card for more details.
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business
Sign-up bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months from opening an account. That’s roughly a $370 value according to TPG’s valuations. There’s also a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 months, 18.24% to 28.24% variable thereafter.
Why it’s worth it: You’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, plus 1.5 miles per dollar spent on every other purchase. You can take advantage of Capital One’s transfer partners to get the most out of your Spark miles. The card also provides access to travel perks like no foreign transaction fees, rental collision coverage and roadside assistance.
The information for the Capital One Spark Miles Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Read our review of the Spark Miles Select card for more details.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Welcome bonus: You’ll earn 30,000 points with this card when you use it to make $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening — worth $300 toward travel. There’s also 0% introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a variable APR that’s currently 16.49% to 26.49% will apply.
Why it’s worth it: This card earns you 3 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn as much as 75% more per purchase with this no-annual-fee card. When it comes time to redeem, you can use points toward statement credits for travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point or for cash back or gift cards.
Read our review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card for more details.
Related: The best Bank of America credit cards of 2021
Official application link: Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn a $300 online statement credit after making at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Why it’s worth it: This card can be a great option if you want to customize your earning. Each month, you can designate one of the following categories and receive 3% cash back on those purchases:
- Gas stations.
- Office supply stores.
- Travel.
- TV and telecommunications.
- Computer services.
- Business consulting services.
Also, you’ll earn 2% back on dining and 1% back on all other purchases. though your heightened cash back rates are capped at $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%). Couple your custom category with the earning power of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards to maximize your rewards.
Read our review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card for more details.
Official application link: Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card
Bottom Line
There are plenty of options for no-annual-fee business credit cards that also rack up lucrative rewards. You might not get the highest earning rates on these cards, and most of them are light on supplementary perks. However, if your goal is to recoup some cash or to earn redeemable points toward free travel without an upfront cost, you’ve got options.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Joey Robinson.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Cash Card, click here.
