amex travel business

Best business credit cards of June 2024

The best business credit cards offer generous earning rates, lucrative perks and additional features to affect both your bottom line and your operational efficiency. Selecting the right business card allows you to earn rewards while focusing on the day-to-day operations of your enterprise — whether you own a formal business with multiple employees, are just getting your company off the ground or simply do freelance work as a side gig.

Business credit cards allow you to separate business and personal spending. In addition, they allow you to access more rewards and unique perks that aren’t typically offered on personal credit cards. Consider where your business spends the most and what type of rewards you want to earn when selecting your business card — or cards.

Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best business cards from our partners below.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for travel perks
• Capital One Venture X Business : Best for businesses with high-spending
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for bonus earning
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus : Best for unlimited business cash back
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express : Best for no annual fee
• American Express® Business Gold Card : Best for flexible rewards earning
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : Best for freelancers
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business : Best for everyday business spending
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card : Best for office supplies
• Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card : Best for businesses that fly Alaska Air regularly
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card : Best for BofA Preferred Rewards for Business members
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card : Best for customizable business cash back
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card : Best for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers
• United℠ Business Card : Best for United Airlines flyers
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card : Best for small business owners

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Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, credit pointers with brian kelly, maximizing business credit cards, helpful tools, how we rate cards, what is a business credit card, how to choose the best business credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of business credit cards, frequently asked questions.

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express .

• Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
• Up to $400 annual statement credit for U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
• Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels; access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
• Steep $695 annual fee.
• High spend needed for welcome offer.
• Limited high bonus categories outside of travel.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Capital One Venture X Business

The Capital One Venture X business card has all the Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit and lounge access. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Business card .

• The Capital One Venture X Business card has a welcome offer of 150,000 miles.
• In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 travel credit and airport lounge access, at a reasonable annual fee of $395.
• Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
• The card requires a high spend of $30,000 in the first three months to earn the 150,000-miles welcome bonus.
• Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Travel.
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of options
• Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
• Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s sign-up bonus is among the highest we’ve seen from Chase. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full  review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card .

• One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening.
• Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption.
• Reasonable $95 annual fee.
• Bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners; primary car insurance.
• Perks including cellphone and purchase protection; extended warranty; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement;.
• Yearly cap on bonus categories.
• No travel perks.
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications.
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a business cash-back card that offers 2% on all purchases. If your business spends more than $7,500 annually and doesn’t want to keep up with multiple bonus categories, this is the perfect card for you.

• Unlimited 2% rewards rate on all purchases with no categories to keep up with
• No foreign transaction fees, making this a great card to bring on your travels abroad
• $150 annual fee may be pricey for small business owners
• Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
• Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
• $150 annual fee
• Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business Plus is a great card for small business owners who want to earn lucrative Membership Rewards points on everyday business spending. It was created specifically for sole proprietorships and start-ups with limited revenue who would appreciate a card with an introductory interest rate and expanded buying power. Read our full review of the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express . 

• No annual fee.
• Earn Membership Rewards points; transfer points to 22 travel partners.
• 2x points capped at $50,000 a calendar year (then 1x)
• No higher bonus categories for business-related spending.
• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• 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.
• You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our full review of the Amex Business Gold card .

• You'll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the top 2 spending categories each month (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year).
• Hefty $375 annual fee.
• There may be better options for small businesses who don't spend a lot.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
• *Terms Apply
• See Rates & Fees

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited' sign-up gives you a generous $750 cash back spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card .

• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• No Annual Fee.
• Primary insurance for car rentals.
• No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred.
• Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus.
• No travel protections.
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a simple way to earn rewards on every business purchase, no matter the category. Those miles can then be easily redeemed for travel purchases or by transferring to partners. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

• You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you don’t have to juggle different bonus categories.
• Employee cards are free and also earn 2 miles per dollar on all spending.
• It’s an affordable card that only charges $95 in annual fees, and that fee is $0 the first year.
• The sign-up bonus is only worth $925 according to TPG valuations (not provided by the issuer), which falls short against some of the top business travel cards.
• The card comes with minimal perks if you’re wanting additional benefits for when you travel.
• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
• Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
• Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

The Chase Ink Business Cash is an excellent no annual fee card for small business owners. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on office supplies and select utilities, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations. Ink Business Cash cardholders also get automatic credit limit increase assessments every six months — and sometimes even sooner — to suit the needs of their growing enterprises. Read our full review of the Chase Ink Business Cash card . 

• Earn $350 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
• You’ll earn 5% at office supply stores and on common monthly bills such as internet, cable and phone services. Plus, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
• 5% and 2% cash back earned on certain categories is capped at the first $25,000 you make in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 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
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card

For small business owners in the Pacific Northwest, this card definitely packs a punch. You can jump start your earning with a good sign-up bonus and the famous companion fare offer, and Alaska Airlines has some good airline transfer partners if you need to go another route. Read our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card .

• Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare each year card is renewed (after meeting spend requirement)
• Free checked bag
• 20% back on inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases when you pay with your card
• Only earns 1-2 miles per dollar for all purchases outside of Alaska Airlines purchases
• Get 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Earn another Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
• Free checked bag for any cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation when you pay for your flight with your card - that's a savings of $60 per person roundtrip!
• Priority Boarding for any cardholder when paying for the flight with an Alaska Airlines Business card.
• Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if your company has an eligible Bank of America® small business account.
• Enjoy 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when you pay with your new card.
• Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska Airlines Business card.
• Plus, no international transaction fees and a low annual fee of $70 for the company and $25 per card.
• This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Back offers phenomenal returns on all purchases, with a 1.5% earning rate that could potentially climb to 1.875-2.62x for existing Bank of America customers who participate in the Preferred Rewards for Business program. Read our full  review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card .

• Unlimited 1.5% earning rate on all eligible purchases, no matter the category.
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business members could have access to even more earning potential.
• There’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you want to avoid using this card on your international travels.
• Redemption options are limited to cash back rewards.
• Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, or join Preferred Rewards for Business for no fee, and earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash back on all purchases if you have a Bank of America® business checking account and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier.
• No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Choose how to redeem your cash rewards – as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
• 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 18.49% to 28.49% will apply.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers small businesses a way to mold their rewards structure to fit changing business needs. If you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program, this no-annual-fee card has the potential to easily earn you thousands of dollars in cash back each year. Read our full review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card.

• Flexible earning structure (3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% on dining; up to $50,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1%)
• No annual fee or expiration on rewards.
• $300 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Only one category can be chosen for the 3% rewards rate each month.
• 3% foreign transaction fee.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas stations & EV charging stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services, 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• You'll earn 3% cash back on purchases in the category of your choice and 2% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
• You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier. That means you could earn up to 5.25% cash back in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% cash back on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, and up to an unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
• Choose how to redeem your cash rewards-as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you. Cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• To change your choice category for future purchases, you must go to the Mobile Banking app or Business Advantage 360, our small business online banking. You can change it once each calendar month, or make no change and it stays the same.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is ideal for business travelers and loyal Southwest flyers interested in hitting A-List status or earning a Companion Pass. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card . 

• 9,000 points on each cardmember anniversary
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (up to $100)
• 4 upgraded boardings a year
• $199 annual fee means only those loyal to Southwest will truly benefit
• Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 2X points on rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.

United℠ Business Card

The United Business Card offers a plethora of travel benefits that will benefit business owners who prefer to fly United — all for a reasonable annual fee. Read our full review of the United Business Card . 

• Earns 2 miles per $1 spent in a variety of categories, including United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), gas, office supplies and more
• Get a $100 United travel credit after qualifying purchases each year
• If you have a personal United card, too, you can earn 5,000 bonus miles each year
• Open employee cards at no additional cost
• Redemption options are mostly limited to United and its partners
• Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases
• You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
• Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
• Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
• $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

For business travelers who stay with Hilton, there is a lot to love about the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. You’re getting a solid return when you use the card on eligible Hilton purchases, and it comes with a nice array of perks. Read our full review of the  Hilton Honors Amex Business Card .

• Hilton Gold status
• Up to $240 statement credit each year for eligible purchases directly with Hilton
• Complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status (Emerald Club® program is required; enrollment is required)
• Less useful for non-Hilton loyalist
• Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• Enhanced: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required.
• Terms apply.

While its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ) may appear jarring at first, the Business Platinum Amex offers unmatched benefits, including lounge access, plus other value-added perks that can easily offset the card’s annual fee each year. Not to mention, it has an earning structure that can add up quickly for those who travel frequently. If you want to be rewarded for travel spending with American Express Travel and want extra comfort on your trips, this card provides both. New applicants can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.

You don’t have to be a high spender to find value in this card. It’s well suited for those who travel frequently, will enjoy airport lounge access , will benefit from automatic elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required) and can maximize the card’s various statement credits. Plus, the card’s return on spending for travel purchases is very strong — as is the return in select business categories and purchases totaling more than $5,000. You’ll also enjoy a 35% points rebate on eligible flights booked with Amex Travel on up to 1 million points back per calendar year.

“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that's even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell, I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Enrollment is required for select benefits. Rewards — earning 5 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you have a business banking relationship with Capital One, consider the Capital One Venture X Business card. It comes with a lower annual fee (see rates and fees ) and access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One Lounges. Additionally, it earns at least 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases.

The Capital One Venture X Business credit card features a $395 annual fee (see rates and fees ) that more than pays for itself when you account for the considerable rewards and perks that come with the card. We love that the Venture X Business card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase when you book via Capital One Travel. We especially love the generous earning structure that gives you 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and the whopping 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars (when booked through Capital One Travel).

Fans of Capital One who frequently book travel via the Capital One portal and want a card the offers no foreign transaction fees.

In addition to a solid earning structure, the Venture X Business card provides you with a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel in addition to 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary — starting with your first anniversary.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who want to take advantage of a solid earning structure that provides them with easy to redeem miles. The Venture Rewards card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase plus an unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You get similar benefits that come with the more premium Capital One Venture cards with a smaller annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees ).

With just a $95 annual fee, you’ll unlock several valuable perks on the Ink Business Preferred . These include a strong earning structure, valuable insurance benefits and access to Chase’s full range of airline and hotel transfer partners, such as World of Hyatt and United Airlines MileagePlus. Using these partners is the key to getting huge value from your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Additionally, you can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.

Small business owners who spend heavily on travel, shipping, advertising or internet, cable and phone services will benefit from earning 3 points per dollar spent on these purchases (on up to $150,000 of purchases per account year, then 1 point per dollar). Plus, they can take advantage of the card’s primary rental car insurance, excellent  purchase protection , extended warranty and  cellphone protection  (when you pay your monthly bill with your card) — valuable benefits if something goes wrong.

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I’ve found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.”  —  Katie Genter , senior writer

Consider the  Capital One Spark Miles for Business , which has a $0 introductory annual fee the first year, then $95 (see  rates and fees ). It earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel and rental car reservations made with Capital One Travel and unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases. You’ll also enjoy reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee — a benefit worth up to $100 once every four years.

We love earning 2% cash back on all purchases with the Spark Cash Plus, meaning there are no bonus categories to track or complex transfer partners to understand when it’s time to redeem your rewards. Plus, the card has two user-friendly elements: Rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open, and you can redeem your cash back in any increment, starting from just a cent. The annual fee is a reasonable $150 (see rates and fees ).

Business owners whose spending habits fluctuate will love the fact that this card has no preset spending limits. It adapts to you, which can be great when you need to spend more around busy periods or to restock inventory. If you can pay your bill in full each month (which is required on this card), you’ll love this spending flexibility.

High-spending businesses can take home a ton of cash-back without worrying about complicated travel rewards.

If you’d prefer to earn transferable rewards points or get higher earnings in your most common spending categories, the American Express® Business Gold Card might fit well in your wallet. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar (an 8% return on spending based on TPG’s valuations ) in your top two spending categories each month on up to $150,000 of these purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar.

The Blue Business Plus Card from American Express offers a solid earning rate of 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar. If your small business spends less than $50,000 each year in purchases, the Blue Business Plus can be a good no-annual-fee option (see rates and fees ) that provides an effective 4% return on spending, based on TPG’s valuations of Amex points. For those with spending that falls outside other cards’ bonus categories, this is an excellent option.

Freelancers, those with a side hustle, newcomers to points and miles and those with varying expenses will love this card and the fact that it doesn’t require tracking any bonus categories to maximize earnings . Instead, its flat earning rate provides value on all purchases without an annual fee required to unlock its full potential.

“ There are very few no-annual-fee cards that award fully transferable points, but the Amex Blue Business Plus is one of them. Not only that, but you'll earn 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar you spend (on up to $50,000 each year). That's a fantastic return of 4% back based on TPG's valuations, making this a great option for your small-business needs.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you want a card without an annual fee that doesn’t have the earning limits of the Blue Business Plus, look at the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card . You’ll earn 1.5% back on all purchases (and can convert these into transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card). Doing so would yield a 3% return on all spending based on TPG’s valuations.

There are few perks more rewarding than earning a large number of points automatically — but that’s just the attraction of the Amex Business Gold. You’ll earn 4  Membership Rewards points per dollar in your top two spending categories monthly (on up to $150,000 of these purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar). Categories include popular business expenses like U.S. restaurants, U.S. advertising in select media and U.S. computer software, to name a few. Plus, you can add up to 99 employee cards, paying just a $95 annual fee for the first five cards, and then a $95 annual fee for each card after (see rates and fees ). The card currently has a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

Business owners who spend in the card’s bonus categories will love its up-to-8% return (based on TPG’s valuations ). Bonus categories where you can earn up to 4 points per dollar include transit purchases; U.S. purchases for online, TV and radio advertising; monthly wireless phone service charges made directly from U.S. service providers; U.S. purchases at gas stations; U.S. purchases at restaurants; and U.S. purchases from electronic goods retailers and cloud system providers. You’ll also enjoy perks like Amex Offers . 

“ No other card provides the earning potential and adaptability this card has. Sure, its annual fee isn’t cheap, but I love the fact that I don’t need to think about what purchases I put on this card. It will automatically adapt and provide 4 points per dollar in my top two spending categories monthly (up to $150,000 of these purchases yearly).” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you’re looking for a lower annual fee or a card that earns bonus points on more purchase categories (not just your top two per month), consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card . You’ll earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, select advertising purchases and internet, cable and phone services (on up to $150,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar). Its annual fee is just $95.

If you’re looking for ease of earning on all your purchases — or a card that earns well on purchases that don’t fall into bonus categories with other credit cards — the Ink Unlimited card is a clear winner. Freelancers and independent contractors love the ability to earn 1.5% back on all purchases, pay no annual fee and even combine the points they earn with Chase Ultimate Rewards from other eligible Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Plus, there are no earning limits on this card.

There are two types of business owners who will benefit from this card. The first is the person looking for a card with a lucrative earning structure but no annual fee. The second is someone who needs a card for those “other” expenses that fall outside the bonus categories offered by other rewards cards in their wallet. This is an ideal card for everyday business expenses.

“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, while the Ink Unlimited covers everything else with a flat 1.5% earn rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If you’re looking for a card that rewards you based on your banking relationship, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card earns 1.5% back on all purchases. Those with banking and investment accounts at Bank of America can bump their earning rate up to 2.625% on all purchases thanks to Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business .

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card has an intro offer of 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations , this bonus is worth $925. You can transfer Capital One miles to 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan and Wyndham Rewards, and you’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Plus, the card has an introductory annual fee of $0 the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees ).

Business owners who want to earn a transferable currency will love Capital One miles, which have grown in value and redemption options over the past few years. You’ll also enjoy a  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100) and the flexibility to use your miles to cover travel expenses at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece. If you’re looking for a card that earns valuable miles without needing to track bonus categories, this is it.

You’ll earn transferable points on every purchase without worrying about bonus categories, all for a low annual fee.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has the same $95 annual fee but earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of Capital One miles. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, select advertising purchases and internet, cable and phone services (on up to $150,000 in annual purchases, then 1 point per dollar); you’ll earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

No card can match the Ink Business Cash for earning on office supplies. You’ll love accruing 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, plus 2% back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. New applicants can earn up to $750 back: $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 after spending $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening. However, you can turn your cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

This is an ideal card for business owners whose primary expenses are at office supply stores, telecommunications providers, gas stations or restaurants thanks to those bonus categories. You can earn handsomely in these categories without paying an annual fee to keep the card in your wallet.

“I love this card for awarding 5% back on my telecommunication services and office supply purchases, all with no annual fee. But my favorite perk is taking those cash-back rewards and combining them with my earnings from the Chase Sapphire Reserve. This means I’m effectively earning 5 fully-transferable Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar I spend in these categories — which I then can transfer to valuable partners like World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If your expenses are spread across many categories, you may prefer a card that earns a flat rate on all purchases. Consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express , which earns 2  American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on all purchases (on up to $50,000 of purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar) and has no annual fee (see rates and fees ).

The Alaska Airlines Visa Business card offers great airline-specific perks like priority boarding, a $100 annual Alaska Lounge+ credit, elevated earnings on Alaska Airlines flight purchases and more. In addition, the card is currently offering 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when new cardholders make purchases totaling $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening their account.

Businesses who frequently fly Alaska Airlines could benefit from the packed airline-specific perks on this card. Flyers will enjoy priority boarding, a free checked bag and earn 3 points per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines flights.

"I opened the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card when it was offering an elevated welcome bonus, but I keep it to earn 2 miles per dollar on gas and for the annual Companion Fare I get after spending $6,000 in a year. And because I have a Bank of America checking account, I get a 10% bonus on all the miles I earn using the card." — Nick Ewen , director of content

If your business frequently travels but is not an Alaska Airlines loyalist, consider the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card . The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and other business categories each year. The card is also currently offering an incredible 100,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The card does not offer many airline-specific perks but allows you greater flexibility when it comes to bonus earning and redemption options.

This card has few travel perks but no annual fee, so it can be worthwhile for business owners looking to earn cash back easily. The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash offers a terrific 1.5% earning rate on all purchases, but Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business customers can earn even higher rates — from 1.875% to 2.625%, depending on their tier within the program.

Business owners who can qualify for Preferred Rewards status should consider this card thanks to its accelerated earning rates that are based on your banking and investment accounts. Additionally, this card is a solid option for business owners looking for a quality cash-back rate on a card without an annual fee and without annual earning limits.

For no annual fee, earning up to 2.625% back on your business expenses is a solid return.

Consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card if you don’t have qualifying accounts with Bank of America or prefer to earn points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. The Ink Unlimited earns 1.5% back on all purchases, but you can redeem these as transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

With the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash, you can maximize your ever-changing business purchases with up to 3% cash back. You can choose your top spending category monthly for 3% earnings, plus receive 2% on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 spent in combined category and dining purchases per year, then 1% back). If you have qualifying accounts for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program , you could boost your earning rate to 5.25% back in your chosen category — impressive earnings for a card with no annual fee.

Two types of business owners should consider this card. First, it works well for those who can maximize the 3% categories — which include gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services and business consulting services — and are looking for a card without an annual fee. Second, those who can qualify for Preferred Rewards tiers will love the accelerated earnings rates that far outpace earnings on other cards without annual fees.

Picking your top spending category each month allows you to maximize rewards, even when your purchases vary across the year.

Those who need different bonus categories or who won’t qualify for Preferred Rewards should consider the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card . It has no annual fee and earns 5% back on the first $25,000 of purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each cardmember year. You’ll also earn 2% back on the first $25,000 of combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each cardmember year and 1% back on other purchases.

The Southwest Performance Business credit card is ideal for Southwest fans, as it’s packed with perks that will make business trips on the airline more comfortable than ever, especially for those who don’t yet have A-List or A-List Preferred status. You’ll earn extra points in popular business categories, enjoy four priority boarding positions each year, receive up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits annually and have the ability to accelerate your path to the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass .

Business owners who can both take advantage of those day-of-travel perks and maximize this card’s earning structure. It accrues 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases; 3 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; 2 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, phone services, local transit and commuting; and 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

“It made sense for me to get this as my first Southwest card given that I live in Austin, where almost 40% of flights are operated by Southwest. I get the most value out of this card by taking advantage of the upgraded boardings, inflight Wi-Fi credits and 9,000 anniversary bonus points, which help offset the significant annual fee.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If you only fly Southwest a handful of times per year or want a lower annual fee, you should consider the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card instead. You'll enjoy a 25% discount on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases, have the chance to spend your way toward A-List status, get a shortcut toward the Companion Pass and receive two EarlyBird check-ins each year.

The United Business Card is an affordable option for business travelers who tend to fly with United and its partners. This is a great card to pair with your personal United credit card, too, because it will not only help you keep personal and business expenses separate, but you’ll also receive 5,000 bonus miles each year on your United Business Card account anniversary for carrying both cards. Plus, you can spend your way toward United elite status and gain access to expanded award availability when it comes time to redeem those MileagePlus miles.

Those who want elite-like benefits with United — such as priority boarding and free checked bags — but aren’t willing to shell out for premium cards with lounge access will love this card. Its earning rates, perks and moderate annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99) are a powerful combination for those who fly United a few times a year.

“As a frequent United traveler, I actually have a couple of United credit cards that unlock different perks and benefits. While I initially got the United Business Card for the bonus and to keep business expenses separate, I keep it for the discount on inflight purchases, the 5,000 annual mile bonus for having both a business and personal United card and the $100 statement credit for charging at least seven annual United flights to the card.” — Summer Hull , director of content

If you’re looking for points you can use with United and in other ways, see if the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a better fit for your wallet. For a $95 annual fee, this card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can transfer to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, including United, though you do miss out on the airline-specific perks.

Considered one of the most advantageous hotel business cards available, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers exceptional value. With its valuable mid-tier Hilton Gold elite status, this card provides a range of premium benefits while maintaining a reasonable $195 annual fee (see rates and fees ). If Hilton is the preferred hotel chain for your company, adding this card to your wallet is a highly recommended choice.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business card provides an excellent balance of benefits while maintaining a low annual fee. Cardholders can enjoy various perks, including  complimentary Gold Elite status, free night rewards and valuable travel protections. It's worth noting that the card offers the highest earning potential for points on Hilton purchases, as is common with cobranded cards. Please keep in mind that enrollment may be required for certain benefits.

“With generous perks like Gold status, a path to two standard free night awards and the ability to unlock top-tier Diamond status with $40,000 of spend in a calendar year, the Hilton Honors Business Card is all about giving you perks beyond your money’s worth with a reasonable annual fee.” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter.

Unlike some other cards, the American Express® Business Gold Card does not provide hotel status. However, it offers the advantage of earning American Express Membership Rewards points , which can be transferred to Hilton or utilized with a wide range of hotel and airline partners . This flexibility allows cardholders to maximize their rewards by choosing with diverse options beyond just Hilton.

Use it as often as possible

The more you use your card, the more points and rewards you’ll earn. It can be strange to switch up spending habits but try to switch to using your business credit card as your go-to option rather than cash, debit, bank transfers, or other payment methods.

Use it for all business expenses and pay it off every month

You can maximize your business credit cards by charging all business purchases to your credit card. This is a great way to keep your business expenses separate from personal expenses as well as maximize the return on your spending. Most credit cards geared toward small businesses offer at least 1% cash back or 1 point per dollar spent. The right credit card for your business will likely offer even higher returns. By putting all of your expenses on a business credit card, you will earn more rewards! 

But this does not mean you should spend money you wouldn’t have otherwise spent. Charging everything on your business credit card is a means to earn rewards on spending that would’ve occurred anyways. 

Finally, be sure to pay off your balance in full every month to avoid interest and fees that could cancel out any rewards you earn.

Consider multiple cards for different expenses

If you’re a small business, it is likely that your spending is not concentrated on one category. Luckily, many business cards offer various bonus categories. In order to receive the most return on your spending, consider having multiple cards that earn an elevated return on your business’s various main spending categories. Then, cover your bases with a solid flat-rate card for every purchase you make that doesn’t fall into an eligible category.

However, if that’s too much for you to manage, aim for that sweet spot of a card with a lucrative rewards structure and affordable annual fee.

• Awards vs cash calculator Compare the cost in points or miles to cash.
• CardMatch™ Get prequalified offers in less than 60 seconds.

Many travelers are familiar with personal credit cards, but business credit cards are an entirely different segment of the market. These products are generally geared toward those who run small businesses , and as such, they frequently include perks that are valuable to a business owner — including features like no preset spending limit, bonus rewards on shipping or technology purchases, and even statement credits toward software purchases.

Note that you don’t necessarily need a formal business to apply (and get approved) for a business credit card. Many freelancers or sole proprietors can use a business card to separate business-related expenses from their personal ones.

Types of business credit cards

Having a business credit card is important for both small businesses and larger corporations. The primary difference between a small business card and a corporate business card is who is liable for the debt and fees.

Small Business

Small businesses hold the primary cardholder liable for debts and fees and the primary cardholder earns the rewards for small business cards.

Corporate cards hold the company liable for debts and fees and the company generally keeps the rewards for corporate cards.

How to apply for a business credit card

If you own a small business or just do freelance gigs , you could be eligible for a business credit card. You don’t necessarily need a tax ID or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to qualify for a business credit card ; if you’re a sole proprietor with a small business or side gig, you can usually enter your Social Security number (SSN) instead.

How do Business cards work?

When you’re approved for a business credit card, your company is essentially taking out a loan with the issuing bank. You can then use the card to make purchases, but you need to pay off the loan according to the terms. And each time you swipe it, you’re earning rewards that can be used in a variety of ways — including reinvesting them right back into your business.

Information you’ll need to provide

When filling out an application form for a business credit card, there are some extra pieces of information required in addition to what you might provide for a personal credit card application.

This is likely to include:

The name of your business

When you start your application, you might not be sure what name to put on a business card application . If you’re the sole owner of your small business, you might not even have a designated name for it. If this is the case, don’t worry, you’re allowed to use your own name instead.

Contact information

Similarly, if you don’t have a separate business contact number and mailing address, you can also use your own here too.

A Taxpayer Identification Number

There are two numbers you could use for this, depending on how your business is set up. If you’re the sole business owner, you can use your Social Security number. Or, in the instance that you employ staff or have a more formal business structure, then you should use your business’s Employer Identification Number . You can easily get an EIN on the IRS website .

Your industry

It’s up to you how you want to describe your business; you can either use more rigid categories like travel, food and drink, or retail, or you can describe the exact service you provide should your business type not fall into those categories.

How long you’ve been in business

This one’s pretty self-explanatory.

Revenue and expenses

This is the part where you enter how much money your business makes and how much your outgoings were to run your business.

What you do not need

A specific business type.

Whether you have a structured company, LLC or partnership, or you operate without a formal or legal business structure, you’re still perfectly eligible to apply.

Business credit history

In most cases, your small business credit card would be guaranteed by you personally and not the business itself. This means that you won’t be required to include an existing credit history for your business.

While business credit history is not a requirement for approval, building your business credit could provide better access to a host of benefits, including lower interest rates and cheaper business insurance premiums. 

Check out the following guides to applying for small-business cards for issuer-specific strategies:

• How to fill out an Amex business card application
• How to complete a Chase business credit card application
• How to complete a Capital One business credit card application

Related: 5 ways you might be eligible for a business credit card without realizing it

• 1 Sign-up bonus Find a card that your business can readily meet the minimum spend for its sign-up bonus. A welcome bonus plays a large part in a card’s value as it typically offers more points than can be earned through general business spending.
• 2 Annual fee If your card features an annual fee, it is important to consider if the card’s perks and benefits outweigh the card’s annual fee.
• 3 Bonus categories Choose a business card that features elevated earning rates on your regular business spending.

What's your favorite business credit card — and why?

• Using business credit cards responsibly can help you build your business credit score.
• Business credit cards can earn cash back, points or miles on every dollar you spend.
• Business credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Business credit cards provide business-friendly perks like travel insurance, complimentary hotel stays and bonus points on expenses like shipping or software.
• Opening a business credit card can separate personal and business expenses.
• Credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your card irresponsibly can damage your business credit score.
• The cost of borrowing on business credit cards is higher than traditional loans.
• You’re still personally responsible for business credit card debt.
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score.

Business and personal credit cards have similar functionalities. Many card issuers allow for personal referrals for business cards . In both cases, you’re extended a line of credit to make purchases, and you agree to pay for those purchases over time based on the cardholder agreement.

However, business credit cards are geared toward small businesses, and depending on the issuer (or specific card product), you may need to produce formal documentation in order to be approved. In addition, business cards typically include bonus categories or benefits that may hold less appeal to the general consumer. This can include bonus rewards on shipping purchases, statement credits for business-related service providers or embedded technology to help with accounting.

Additionally, many personal credit cards pair well with business credit cards. Complementary personal/business card combinations can help you diversify your points earning and bonus categories and can play a part in a responsible spending strategy. 

There’s no single card that would be considered the “best” for every, single small business . Instead, it’s important to consider the type of rewards and selection of benefits that make the most sense for your company. If your company travels internationally often, you would want a business credit card with no foreign transaction fee . If you’re not interested in travel rewards, then a cash-back business card could make the most sense. If your small business spends a bunch of money on client dinners, then a business card with a dining bonus could be the best fit.

While it’s not technically “illegal” to use a business card for personal use , it’s generally against the terms and conditions of most business credit cards. In addition, combining personal and business purchases on a credit card can make it harder to separate legitimate, business-related transactions when tax season rolls around. Finally, business credit cards tend to have fewer protections for cardholders, so using one for personal reasons could backfire.

Sometimes. It all depends on the given issuer , since some will consistently report business card account information to both consumer and commercial credit bureaus, while others won’t. Instead of worrying about this question, though, focus your energy on paying your balance in full and on time each month. This will ensure that any business cards reported to a credit bureau will only impact your score in a positive way.

Plus, your business credit card could provide multiple benefits to your personal score. This could be done by managing your business credit card account responsibly, which demonstrates you’re a reliable borrower, or lowering your personal credit utilization, for instance. 

You certainly can , though each issuer reserves the right to review your application and determine whether you qualify for a business line of credit. In many instances, you can use your Social Security number as a sole proprietor and get approved for a card. Even if you have no business credit history, an issuer will look at your personal credit score and history to determine your eligibility.

It is possible to refer someone to a business card even if you only have personal cards. Every issuer has their own policy regarding rewarding referrals so you will have to check with your specific card issuer to see if you are eligible for a referral bonus. Check out our in-depth guide on earning referral bonuses on both personal and business credit cards .

The best small business credit card will depend on your small business. See what perks and benefits your business is looking for and if the card you're looking at is the best fit for your business spending. You can use our guide above to help you see which card is the best for your business.

There is no limit to the amount of business cards you can have. It is important to know your business and what cards align most with your spending.

While it’s easy and free to check your personal credit score, the process with a business credit report requires jumping through a few more hoops. You can check your business credit score through free services that send alerts when your score or report changes. However, you often have to pay additional fees to view unlimited full reports. 

Tracking your business credit score may be a bit harder, but it’s not any less important than your personal credit report

The wording of these two may be similar, but the features of a business credit card and a business line of credit are very different. 

A business credit card is like a personal credit card because it allows borrowers to spend with a predetermined credit limit at an annual percentage rate (APR). Most business cards are unsecured, and borrowers can be approved for one without proof of assets or collateral. 

A business line of credit is a revolving business loan with a preset credit limit. To be approved for a business LOC, your business’s financial picture and creditworthiness are considered. Sometimes, approval is based on collateral. LOCs are meant to cover day-to-day operative expenses that may exceed a credit limit on a credit card, such as payroll.

Personal Finance

Best no annual fee travel credit cards for june 2024.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

Travelers are back in the skies and on the roads, airplanes are taking off full, and there is likely a good chance you’re planning to travel this year or thinking about it. Whether you’re heading off on a much-deserved vacation or just getting away for a weekend, you may be looking to earn rewards on your travel spending.

But most travel credit cards come with an annual fee. That might make sense for road-warrior business travelers who are on a first-name basis with the airport check-in agent, but what if you don’t travel as often? If you’re an occasional traveler, paying an annual fee might not make sense .

In this article, we’ll cover the best travel credit cards with no annual fee.

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards: Summary

Best for thankyou points: citi rewards+® card, best for cash back on travel: card_name, best for hilton stays: card_name, best for united miles: card_name.

• Best for American miles: American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up® Mastercard®

Best for Delta miles: card_name

Our recommendations.

Citi Rewards+® Card

(Rates & Fees)

The Citi Rewards+® Card wouldn’t normally make a list of great travel cards, but it currently offers bonus points on some travel. Cardmembers can earn a total of five ThankYou Points on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal through December 31, 2025.

If you’re invested in the Citi ThankYou Points ecosystem, the card is a must-have, not for its travel benefits, but for its point bonus on redemptions. The card offers a 10% rebate on point redemptions when you redeem your ThankYou Points. If you hold multiple ThankYou Point-earning cards and combine your ThankYou Points accounts, you get this rebate on any redemption, up to 100,000 points redeemed per year.

Here are the details of the Citi Rewards+® Card :

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Special offer: Earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025 (airfare is not included).
• 2 ThankYou Points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent per year at supermarkets and gas stations for first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter.
• 1 ThankYou Point per dollar on all other purchases.
• ‌ foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee.
• ‌ $0 (Rates & Fees) annual fee.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

If you want a no-annual-fee card that offers cash back on travel and are a Costco member, the card_name simply can’t be beat. The Costco Anywhere Visa offers 3% cash back on travel categories including airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines and Costco Travel. You must be a Costco member to get this card, but if you’re looking for cash back on travel, few other cards offer as much cash back on as many travel categories as the Costco Anywhere Visa.

The one quirk of the rewards earned by the Costco Anywhere Visa Credit Card is that you earn your rewards as Costco Cash. Costco Cash rewards get distributed once your February billing statement closes in the form of a credit card reward certificate. This certificate must be redeemed at Costco for merchandise or cash.

Here are the details of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card:

• 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent each year on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide and then 1% thereafter.
• 3% cash back at restaurants worldwide.
• 3% cash back on eligible travel purchases.
• 2% cash back on all other purchases at Costco and at Costco.com.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• ‌ annual_fees annual fee.

Hilton Honors Card from American Express

If your travel plans have you staying within Hilton’s family of hotel brands, consider picking up the card_name . The card earns seven Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar spent at hotel properties within the Hilton portfolio. And you’ll get Hilton points for your everyday purchases like gas and groceries. The card earns five Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations as well. The card is also a great choice if you’re planning to travel abroad as it does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Here are the details of the Hilton Honors American Express Card:

• 7 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent at any participating hotel within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• 3 Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
• foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee ( Rates & Fees ).
• annual_fees annual fee ( Rates & Fees ).

United Gateway℠ Card

Why we like it:.

United MileagePlus aficionados wanting to pad their mileage balances without paying an annual fee should take a look at the card_name . The card earns two United miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting.

The benefits of the card_name don’t stop with earning miles. The card also offers 25% back on United inflight and United Club premium drink purchases. And the card offers essential travel insurance coverage such as auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and purchase protection.

Here are the details of the United Gateway Card:

• 2 United miles per dollar spent on United purchases.
• 2 United miles per dollar spent at gas stations.
• 2 United miles per dollar spent on local transit and commuting.
• 1 United mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fees.
• annual_fees annual fee.
• Member FDIC.

Best for American miles: card_name

Citibusiness® / aadvantage® platinum select® mastercard®.

If you want to earn American Airlines miles on your purchases with the airline, there may be no better card than the American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up® Mastercard® . The card earns two miles per dollar spent with American Airlines—an earning rate that matches even the airline’s most premium card_name , which carries a annual_fees annual fee. In addition to miles on American Airlines purchases, the card earns two miles per dollar spent at grocery stores.

The card_name has a unique feature among airline cards with no annual fee: The card can help you earn elite status with American Airlines. You earn one loyalty point for every one dollar you spend on purchases. Earning just 15,000 loyalty points in a year gets you Group 5 boarding privileges and a handful of preferred seat coupons. Once you earn 40,000 loyalty points in a year, you get AAdvantage Gold status, giving you access to complimentary upgrades.

Here are the details of the card_name :

• 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.
• 1 AAdvantage mile per dollar spent everywhere else.
• Earn 1 loyalty point for every AAdvantage mile earned from purchases.

Delta SkyMilesR Blue American Express Card

Delta Air Lines flyers can earn SkyMiles without paying an annual fee if they hold the card_name . The card_name offers two SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants, plus a 20% rebate on in-flight purchases. The card does not levy a foreign transaction fee ( Rates & Fees ), making it a solid option for international travelers who prefer SkyTeam.

Here are the details of the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card:

• 2 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases.
• 2 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent at restaurants.
• 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards Comparison Chart

Our methodology.

To find the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, we looked at the offerings from banks, U.S.-based airlines, and the major hotel chains. To be included in our list, cash back cards had to earn greater than 2% cash rewards on travel. Co-branded hotel and airline cards needed to earn at least two points per dollar on purchases with the brand. In most cases, we found that holding the no-annual-fee card that aligns with your travel brand preferences will earn you the most miles and points.

TIME Stamp: Brand loyalty can be rewarding

If you are a Costco member, the card_name offers the best travel rewards across a variety of travel purchases. If you’re not a Costco member and want a travel credit card that offers the best rewards with no annual fee, go with the entry-level card of your most used travel brand.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

• Pros and Cons
• About American Express Bank
• User Experience and Customer Support
• Trustworthiness
• Amex Business Checking Review
• Fees and Charges
• Opening an Account
• How Amex Business Checking Compares
• Why You Should Trust Us

American Express Business Checking Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate banking products to write unbiased product reviews.

American Express Business Checking is a good option if you have an eligible U.S. small business. This account has no monthly service fee, offers 1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account (Annual Percentage Yield), and lets you earn 30,000 Membership Rewards® points if you meet certain criteria.

Earn 30,000 Membership Rewards® points after qualifying activities

no monthly service fee

1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account

30,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn a welcome bonus if you meet certain requirements
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn Membership Rewards points for debit card purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly maintenance fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No minimum balance requirements
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No incoming domestic wire transfer fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No international ACH transfer fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No overdraft fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No fee for stop payments
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No fee for physical check processing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No fee for mobile deposit capture
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No out-of-network ATM fees
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $25 outgoing domestic wire transfer fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Costs for a physical checkbook varies from third-party vendor based on items ordered
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No reimbursements if you're charged by an out-of-network ATM provider
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Can't deposit cash

American Express Business Checking is a great option if you have an eligible U.S. small business. This account has no monthly service fee, offers 1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account, and lets you earn 30,000 Membership Rewards® points if you meet certain criteria.

• American Express Business Checking is now available to any eligible U.S. small business
• To earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points you must meet the following requirements: 1) Receive $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits within the first 30 days of opening your account; 2) Maintain an average account balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days, and 3) make 5 or more qualifying transactions within the first 60 days of opening your account
• Earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $2 spent using an American Express Business Debit Card
• Access to more than 70,000+ Allpoint® and MoneyPass® ATMs
• Earn 1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account
• No interest earned on balances over $500,000
• Interest compounded and deposited monthly
• FDIC insured

American Express Business Checking Pros and Cons

About american express national bank.

American Express National Bank (Member FDIC) is an online-only bank with bank accounts, credit cards, and personal loans. American Express National Bank has access to free ATMs in the MoneyPass and Allpoint ATM networks.

In 2023, the online financial institution launched American Express Business Blueprint , a free cash-flow management app small business owners may use. The American Express Business Blueprint mobile app has received 3.1 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store, and 4.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple store.

Your American Express National Bank accounts are FDIC -insured for up to $250,000 per depositor.

American Express National Bank User Experience and Customer Support

American Express National Bank doesn't have physical branches, so you'll have to consider other options if you prioritize a traditional banking experience.

The online institution offers 24/7 customer support for business checking accounts by phone, so it's a great choice if traditional customer service hours for banks don't work for you.

Is American Express National Bank Trustworthy?

The Better Business Bureau grades business based on whether they respond effectively to customer complaints, advertise honestly, and have transparent business practices. The BBB gives American Express an NR (No Rating) because it is responding to previously closed complaints.

American Express has been involved in one recent public controversy.

In 2022, American Express paid $430,500 in a settlement with the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In the settlement , OFAC accused the bank of processing transactions on an account where the supplemental card holder was linked to illegal drug distribution and money laundering.

American Express Business Checking FAQs

American Express Business Checking pays a good interest rate, especially since many free business checking accounts do not offer interest. However, keep in mind that there are online banks that offer even more competitive interest rates on business savings accounts.

American Express Business Checking has no monthly service fee.

If you're a new American Express Business Checking Account customer, you are eligible to earn rewards through business banking. To get 30,000 Membership Rewards® points, you must open an account, receive $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits within the first 30 days of opening your account, maintain an average account balance of $5,000 for the next 60 days, and make 5 or more qualifying transactions within the first 60 days of opening your account.

American Express lets you connect your account to QuickBooks. You can also make check deposits through the mobile app.

You are eligible to open American Express Business Checking if you have an eligible U.S. small business . Non-profits, money service businesses, and internet gambling business are a few examples of businesses that are not eligible. 

American Express National Bank (Member FDIC) might be a good option if you are looking for a free high-yield business checking account. It also might be worth considering if you're interested in one of the best American Express business cards .

American Express Business Checking Review

American Express Business Checking may be a good choice if you want a no-fee checking account for a business. It has no minimum balance requirements, no monthly service fee, and unlimited fee-free transactions.

Features of American Express Business Checking

American Express Business Checking Interest Rates

Typically, business checking accounts don't offer any interest, but with American Express Business Checking , you'll be able to earn 1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account.

If you're strictly searching for a competitive interest rate on a bank account, though, the best business savings accounts have higher rates than high-yield business checking accounts.

Choosing between these high-yield business bank accounts will depend on the main purpose of your account. Business checking accounts are optimal for managing business expenses, while business savings accounts are a good place for storing money for savings goals or excess funds.

American Express Business Checking Membership Rewards

American Express Business Checking also allows you to get a welcome bonus of 30,000 Membership Rewards® points if you fulfill the following requirements:

• Open American Express Business Checking and deposit $5,000 or more within the first 30 days
• Maintain an average daily balance of $5,000 or more 60 days after your account balance has initially reached this balance amount
• Make five or more qualifying transactions (mobile deposits, check deposits by mail, ACH transfers, wire transfers, or Bill Payment transactions) within the first 60 days of opening your account.

You'll also earn one Membership Rewards point for every $2 spent using an American Express Business Debit Card. Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for things like travel or gift cards.

American Express Business Checking Fees and Charges

American Express Business Checking has no account opening fee, no monthly service fee, no incoming domestic wire transfer fee, no non-sufficient funds fee, and no stop pay fee.

There are still a few fees to be mindful of, though. American Express Business Checking does have a $10 same-day domestic ACH transfer fee, a $25 outgoing domestic wire transfer fee , and 2.7% foreign transaction fee. If you want to get physical checks, the cost for a checkbook varies, depending on the charge from a third-party vendor.

If you use an ATM that isn't in the Allpoint or MoneyPass ATM network, American Express won't reimburse fees if you're charged by the bank or out-of-network provider.

Opening an American Express Business Checking Account

First, you must be eligible to apply for the American Express Business Checking Account before opening an account.

American Express allows business owners from most U.S. businesses and industries to apply. However, if you own a non-profit, a money service business, a cryptocurrency business, internet gambling business, or a marijuana-related business, you won't be able to open an American Business Checking Account. 

When you're opening the business checking account online, you'll need to provide an employer identification number (EIN) or taxpayer identification number (ITIN), your driver's license, and your Social Security Number.

Regarding business documentation, you'll need to answer questions about your business industry, location, and revenue. You may also need to share documentation, like a "Doing Business As" certificate, Articles of Organization, or a Certificate of Formation. If there are multiple business owners, you may also need to provide a partnership agreement or written document that specifies the role of each owner.

Once you're approved for the American Express Business Checking Account, you'll be able to link an external bank account and deposit money. American Express may close a bank account for inactivity if a deposit hasn't been made within 120 days of application approval.

How the American Express Business Checking Account Compares

American Express Business Checking vs. Axos Bank Business Checking

If you're searching for a bank that offers multiple business account options, Axos Bank will likely be a more compelling option. Axos Bank has business checking accounts, business savings accounts, business money market accounts, and business CDs.

You might prefer American Express if you're an Amex credit card customer or you only want to open a business checking account. American Express Business Checking also pays a higher interest rate than the Axos Bank Business Savings Account and Axos Bank Business Money Market Account .

Axos Business Banking Review

American Express Business Checking vs. Bluevine Business Checking

Bluevine is an online banking platform that has an interest-earning business checking account. Similarly to American Express Business Checking, the Bluevine Business Checking Account has a $0 minimum opening deposit, no monthly service fees, and unlimited fee-free transactions.

The most notable difference between these two accounts is how the interest rate works. The Bluevine Business Checking Account pays 2.00% APY on up to $250,000 when you meet one of the monthly eligibility requirements. Meanwhile, American Express Business Checking pays 1.30% APY on the first $500,000 in your account and does not have transaction requirements.

Bluvine also offers a 4.25% APY when you join the Bluevine Business Checking Premier Account plan with a $95 monthly fee.

BlueVine Business Checking Account Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed American Express Business Checking

For our American Express Business Checking banking review, we used our bank account methodology . We rate each account on a scale from 0 to 5.

For business checking accounts, we consider many of the same factors we would for personal checking accounts, such as minimum opening deposits and monthly fees. But we also look at things that are specific to business accounts, such as monthly transaction limits.

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• Main content

3 dream trips you can take with 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit  americanexpress.com  to learn more.

Let’s say you recently applied for one of the most legendary cards on the market— the Platinum Card by American Express —and scored a hefty, six-figure welcome bonus. 

As a well-informed credit card aficionado, you know that those American Express Membership Rewards Points are worth a measly 0.6 cents per point if you opt for a cash-back redemption, but can be worth a lot more if saved toward your next vacation. But where should you go? 

Amex has so many transfer partners that it can be genuinely tricky to a) consider which partners will maximize the value of your points and b) plan out your next adventure from there. That’s why Fortune Recommends decided to do the hard work for you. From petting wombats outside Sydney to neon-soaked tours of Tokyo, here are three dream trips you can take with 100,000 Membership Rewards Points.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

See Rates and Fees

Intro bonus

Reward Rates

• 5X Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1X Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases
• Packed with valuable potential credits for digital entertainment, Uber Cash, Walmart+ membership, and more.
• Airport lounge access with a larger network than any other card
• Membership Rewards are valuable due to their flexibility.
• The multiple potential credits can be cumbersome to track.
• Sky-high annual fee
• Some of the perks can be hard to use if they don’t align with your lifestyle.

Other benefits

• Travel benefits including hotel and car rental chain statuses, car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
• Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection

1. Order life-changing ramen in Tokyo

If you’ve read our guide on the best redemption options for Membership Rewards, you’ll know that your best option—by far—is to transfer your points to an airline or hotel loyalty program. 

Amex has 21 transfer partners as of this writing, including 18 airlines and three hotel chains (complete list below). Unless otherwise stated, you can transfer 1,000 Membership Rewards Points (MRP) in exchange for 1,000 partner points, meaning a 1:1 transfer rate.

Airline partners

• AeroMexico (1,000 MRP to 1,600 AeroMexico Rewards Points)
• AIR FRANCE KLM
• ANA Mileage Club
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• HawaiianMiles
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue (250 MRP to 200 TrueBlue points)
• Qantas Frequent Flyer (500 MRP to 500 Qantas Points)
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Hotel partners

• Choice Privileges
• Hilton Honors (1,000 MRP to 2,000 Hilton Honors Points)
• Marriott Bonvoy

Now, how does this chart help you order comfortingly hot, gloriously authentic ramen in Tokyo? 

Well, the trick to redeeming Membership Rewards Points is to know which partner has the most valuable points. Japan’s largest airline ANA, for example, has points that can sometimes be worth well over 2 cents per point (CPP) each. That means a flight from JFK to Tokyo—which would normally cost you well over $800—may cost you as little as 40,000 ANA Mileage Club Miles round trip . See the example from my own research below:

That means if you have 100,000 Membership Rewards points at your disposal–and you’re flexible on dates–you and a companion could fly all the way around the world with 20,000 Membership Rewards points to spare. 

From there, you can take a Mt. Fuji tour by day…

… and explore the world’s largest city by night, sipping tonkotsu broth before you embark on your Winter Illumination Tour.

Of course, 100,000 Membership Rewards Points won’t cover 100% of your expenses the entire time you’re in Tokyo—but speaking from firsthand experience, getting to Tokyo is by far the most expensive part. Once you’re there, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that an authentic bowl of ramen costs around ¥1200 or roughly $7.60. 

Oh, and if you’re looking to earn a generous rate of 4X Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent as you satisfy your inner foodie, remember to bring your American Express Gold Card for its dining rewards.

American Express® Gold Card

• 4x Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4x Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x).
• 3x Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com booked directly with the airline or on amextravel.com.
• 1x Earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases
• High rewards at U.S. supermarkets, dining in and dining out.
• Up to $120 a year in credits for eligible dining ($10 each month).
• Up to $120 a year in Uber Cash ($10 each month), good for Uber rides or Uber Eats.
• The $250 annual fee might be unpalatable to some.
• The dining credits and Uber Cash credits are doled out monthly, in $10 increments.
• Outside of dining, U.S. supermarkets and airfare, the card’s earnings are plain vanilla.
• Travel benefits including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection

All that being said, if you’d prefer to explore a sprawling, adventure-rich metropolis closer to home, why not spend your hard-earned MRP in the Big Apple? Here’s how.

2. Explore NYC, starting five blocks from Central Park

With New York being as expensive as it is, you might already be wondering: how far can 100,000 MRP really take you once you’re there? 

Turns out, it can get you within shouting distance of Central Park—and you won’t have to live like the cast of Rent, either. 

Thanks to a 1,000-to-2,000 transfer ratio, your 100,000 Membership Rewards Points can instantly become 200,000 Hilton Honors points. If you can save a mere 500 more Membership Rewards Points/1,000 Hilton Honors points, you’ll have exactly enough in the bank to book a three-night stay at the New York Hilton Midtown based on what my research turned up. 

Among the seemingly billions of hotel options in New York, what makes the New York Hilton Midtown special? 

Well, not only is it insanely good value for New York lodging—it’s also within a roughly 10-minute walk of Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. 

That means you and your companion can follow in the footsteps of Carrie Bradshaw, Joey Tribbiani and Buddy the Elf without ever having to hail a cab. And while a three-nighter in a New York Hilton will quickly wipe out the stash of Membership Rewards you’re working with in this example, you don’t have to pay another penny to enjoy the natural splendor of Central Park in autumn. 

Now, maybe you’re thinking Tokyo and New York are fine—but you want to spend your 100,000 Membership Rewards Points on something you feel is truly unique and special. Something you’ve never done before. Something you can tell your friends about and they’ll go you did WHAT?

If so, allow me to introduce you to the mighty Australian wombat. 

3. See the opera in Sydney and maybe pet a wombat

Beyond ANA and Hilton, another Amex partner with favorable transfer ratios is Australia’s own Qantas Airways Limited. 

After a quick search, I found a flight option from San Francisco to Sydney for $1,152 or 41,900 Miles plus $99 cash. That means 41,900 Miles covered $1,053 of the fare, or provided over 2.5 CPP each. 

Now, to set expectations, that’s 41,900 Miles one-way—so you’ll likely have to pay something out of pocket to fly both you and a companion “down under,” as well as cover lodging. 

But 100,000 Membership Rewards points (transferred 1:1 to Qantas) will still foot a massive chunk of the bill, and for further consideration, look who will be waiting for you: 

Yes, in addition to ‘roos and snakes, Australia is home to the adorable, friendly wombat. You can take a day tour from Sydney to meet both kangaroos and wombats up close before enjoying a lunch that I’d guess must involve some degree of vegemite. 

Then, in the evening, why not a twilight cruise through Sydney harbor? 

Yes, I confess again that 100,000 Membership Rewards Points won’t get you and your plus-one all the way to Australia and back, nor will it fully cover lodging while you’re there. But I wanted to highlight this option nonetheless to show just how much value Qantas is willing to give you for your Membership Rewards Points—and point out that a wombat-filled Aussie adventure could be well within your financial reach. 

The takeaway

Amex’s long list of transfer partners is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it gives you tons of options. But on the other hand, it gives you tons of options , which can make choosing and planning the perfect trip rather tricky. 

Hopefully one day AI will help us spend our credit card rewards like a robot travel agent, running endless calculations to find the ideal redemption path. But until then, it’s a more manual process. 

At least it’s a massively rewarding one, with wombats, cherry blossoms and $1 New York slices awaiting our arrival. 

About the author

Chris is a two-time author, keynote speaker and credit card nerd helping Gens Y and Z build better lives through financial fluency and positive psychology. His writing has been featured in Fortune, Fortune Recommends, Forbes Advisor, U.S. News, ConsumerAffairs, Money Under 30 and Investor Junkie. Chris got his start in 2015 when he decided to quit his corporate job, travel to 41 countries and ask 1,000 people what happiness means to them. In 2019 he did a TEDx talk revealing his findings, and still speaks to college students today through a partnership with CAMPUSPEAK. Chris lives in Atlanta with his partner Holly and his rescue pup, Joy.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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Your 2024 Credit Card Checklist for Summer Travel

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Checklists are a key step in travel preparation for many people. Passport — check. Phone charger — check. But have you checked to make sure you’re fully utilizing the travel perks offered by your credit card?

Whether you’re a seasoned jetsetter or a novice traveler seeing the world for the first time, benefits from the right credit card can make a trip more convenient and more comfortable. That’s good news for the 50% of Americans who plan to travel more in 2024 than 2023, according to a survey by IPX1031, a Fidelity National Financial Company.

Here’s a credit card checklist to review before you hit the road this summer.

1. Bring a card

First things first — be sure to bring a credit card! Many airlines, and even entire airports, are now cash-free. That means you’ll need a card to pay for that pre-departure drink or in-flight snack. You might even earn bonus rewards.

For example, if restaurants are a bonus category for your card, sit-down establishments within the airport will usually still earn that higher rewards rate. If your card earns a bonus on travel purchases, you'll usually earn that bonus for in-flight purchases.

2. Register for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear

Airports are more crowded than ever, with air passenger growth up 6% and foreign travel up 24% year over year, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.

To ease the burden of long lines, check if your card offers a credit that covers the cost of TSA PreCheck , Global Entry or Clear . These programs allow you to speed through the line at security or customs, but since they all require a background check and an in-person interview, you'll need to register well before your trip. Even if you haven’t been verified for this trip, register today to prepare for your next trip.

3. Register for lounge access

Airport lounges offer a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal, with most offering free food and drinks. If your card offers access to Priority Pass lounges, you’ll need to register for that benefit before you hit the road.

Don’t forget your physical membership card, or even easier, download the Priority Pass app and use your phone to access the lounge.

4. Notify your issuer of your travel plans

Few things can create issues like having your card unexpectedly stop working when you’re away from home, especially internationally. With rates of credit card fraud increasing, it’s possible your card could stop working if you’re spending outside of your normal patterns or locations. To preempt this, notify your issuer before you travel. Often you can do this online or through the app, but just in case, be sure to travel with at least two cards .

5. Avoid paying foreign transaction fees

If you’re traveling abroad, make sure you have a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees . If your card does levy those fees, try to get a different card before you leave the country.

6. Pay with your most rewarding card

Be sure to identify opportunities to leverage your trip and earn outsized rewards. For example, if you know you’ll be staying at a Hilton brand hotel, you might consider applying for one of the Hilton credit cards offered by American Express and earn up to 14 Hilton points per dollar you spend at the hotel. Those points can stack up fast and easily defray costs for your future travel.

But you'll need to bring the physical card with you. Many hotels aren't able to accept digital wallet payments, so if you can't swipe your card, you'll miss out on those heightened rewards.

7. Check your card’s money-saving offers

Many issuers have programs, such as AmEx Offers, Chase Offers and BankAmeriDeals from Bank of America, that let you add rotating promotional offers to your card and earn additional points or cash back for making purchases at specific merchants. Be sure to review these offers for any merchants where you might spend during your travels. Just be aware of the fine print — often these offers exclude, or only include, international merchants.

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Best travel cards main takeaways.

• Money has evaluated hundreds of credit cards, comparing their fees, benefits, welcome offers, travel insurance policies and more.
• The top credit cards for travel offer high rewards on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for airfare, hotel nights, cash back, statement credits or more.
• Our picks feature the best travel cards for every budget and include no-annual-fee, low-annual-fee, premium and business cards.

Why Trust Us?

Our editorial team has spent well over a thousand hours analyzing, evaluating and comparing the top credit card offers in the market. We carefully vet each card’s fine print in order to understand their features, limitations and potential benefits for consumers. We review cards independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.

• 46 travel credit cards evaluated
• 10+ data points used, including ongoing fees, reward programs and welcome offers
• 100+ sources reviewed

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. O ur top picks are listed strictly in alphabetical order.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for flat rate rewards
• Bilt Mastercard® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for paying rent
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee card for travel partners
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Best no-annual-fee travel card for domestic travel
• Discover it® Miles – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for everyday spending

Best low-fee-annual-fee travel credit cards

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best travel card for flat-rate rewards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best travel card for flexible rewards

Best premium travel credit cards

• American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best low-cost premium travel card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for lounge access

Best business travel credit cards

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best business travel card

Best airline travel credit cards

• United℠ Explorer Card: Best airline credit card

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Our top picks are listed in alphabetical order.

Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
• No bonus category for travel
• Few benefits compared to other cards
• Limited redemption options

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card best suited for travel reward beginners or those who are already Bank of America customers.

Some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members — that’s up to 2.62 points for every dollar spent.

However, the card doesn’t offer hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection. Additionally, you can only redeem your points as statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com

• No annual or foreign currency conversion fee (Click herehttps://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/bilt/terms/">here; for rates and fees)
• Use it to pay your rent and earn rewards without incurring any processing fees
• You can earn double points on all purchase categories (except rent payments) on the first of every month (up to 10,000 points)
• Earn 2x points on travel (when booked directly through an airline, hotels, car rental agencies and cruise lines)
• No welcome bonus or introductory APR period
• Points redeemed for statement credits are worth 0.55 cents each
• You must make at least five transactions in a statement period to earn points
• Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

• Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
• No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
• $100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

• 10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
• Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

• $300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
• Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

• Free first checked bag for you and a companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
• 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
• Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
• $95 annual fee (after the first year)
• No intro APR period
• Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

• Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
• Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
• Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your travel card’s rewards program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
• If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

• Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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