When considering the best cash back credit cards for businesses, we compared not only the various earning structures but the overall combination of benefits each card offered. We went through dozens of options and considered the following factors when it came time to cherry-pick our top choices: rewards rate, credit card fees, ease of use, welcome offers and cardholder perks.
Which credit card offers the highest credit limit?
Although business credit cards typically offer higher credit limits than personal cards, if you’re looking for the highest possible limit on a cash back business credit card, know that the limit you’ll actually receive will depend on your credit profile and the amount of business revenue you claim on your application.
If you expect that you’ll occasionally need to spend more on a card than your credit limit, consider a business charge card. With a charge card you’ll have to pay the balance in full every month, unlike a credit card where you can carry a balance. A charge card also doesn’t have a preset spending limit which means you won’t have to worry about being denied for a large purchase. However, the issuer will use your spending patterns to determine an upper limit on the amount you can charge at any one time.
Some of Forbes Advisor’s top picks for business charge cards that offer rewards you can take as cash back include:
- Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
- The Plum Card® from American Express
- Brex Corporate Card for Startups*
- American Express® Business Gold Card
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of The American Express® Business Gold Card, please visit this page.
How To Get A Business Credit Card
Getting a cash back business credit card is similar to getting any other type of credit card. Once you’ve identified a card that fits your business’ spending habits, you can apply. A business credit isn’t limited to those who work full-time or have a steady established business. It’s possible to get a cash back business card even if it’s just to use for part-time work, a freelance position or an occasional side gig.
How To Apply For A Business Credit Card
Most business credit cards can be applied for online or in some cases over the phone or in-branch if it’s a bank-issued card. If you know how to apply for a personal credit card, the process is similar. You’ll have to provide some basic information including your business’ contact details, annual revenue, industry type and number of employees. You’ll also need your company’s employee identification number (EIN) or, if you don’t have one, your social security number.
Be aware that when you apply for a business credit card, you’re personally guaranteeing that you’ll repay the debt, just like you would for a personal credit card. In other words, if your business goes belly-up, you’re still on the hook for any balance owed.
How do cash back business credit cards work?
Every time you make a purchase with your cash back business card, you’ll earn a percentage back on your spending. The amount you’ll earn will depend on your particular card’s terms. Those earnings are accumulated in your card’s account and you can redeem them according to your card’s protocols. Some cards let you redeem your cash earnings in any amount, at any time while others require a minimum balance to cash out.
The exact way you’ll receive your cash back also varies by card, with some letting you take those rewards as a statement credit against your balance and others also allowing you to take actual cash back.
Which cash back credit card earns the most cash back?
There’s no one best cash back business card that will earn the most rewards for everyone. The credit card that will earn you the highest cash back rewards will depend on your business’ spending habits and tolerance for tracking rewards.
For example, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 each calendar year of combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar spent. If these categories match up with your company’s expenses, the rewards can really add up. But it requires tracking your spending carefully.
If you prefer a simple cash back scheme, a card that earns the same flat rate on all your business spending could be a better fit. Consider the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business credit card, which earns 2% cash back on everything you buy, whether it’s desk supplies or inventory.