6 BEST SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS FOR PREMIUM TRAVEL BENEFITS

WHAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT CARD?

A small business credit card is designed to fit a business owner’s particular needs. They often come with cash back at office supply stores and for business services like cell phones and even shipping. They also offer online tools to make tracking your business expenses easier, and they make it simple to add employees as authorized users while also restricting their access.

To qualify for this type of card, you must own a business of any size. Your company doesn’t need to be incorporated—you can be a sole proprietor, freelancer, or contractor.

Not all business credit cards are the same, especially when it comes to travel benefits. Let’s look at the best ones for business travelers:

1. AMERICAN EXPRESS BUSINESS PLATINUM

Ideal for: Frequent travelers who crave airport lounge access and want to impress clients, prospects, and partners.

The annual fee is $595, but if you crave status and luxury, you get access to Delta SkyClub, Priority Pass Select, and American Express Centurion airport lounges. There’s also elite status with Avis, National, and Hertz rental car companies—with guaranteed availability and free upgrades to better vehicles, among other perks.

It’s important to note that this is a charge card, which means the balance must be paid in full at the end of each billing cycle. If you don’t, be prepared to pay a hefty late fee. Thankfully, it’s the only charge card on this list.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS (TERMS APPLY)

• 100,000 points after you spend $15,000 in the first three months.

• Extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 in those three months.

• 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express.

• Access to Delta SkyClub, Priority Pass Select, and American Express Centurion airport lounges.

• $200 statement credit towards Dell purchases.

• 35 percent rebate on miles redeemed for airline tickets.

• $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre-application fee credit.

• A $200 annual “incidental credit” for use on any airline. Comes in handy for checking extra bags and buying in-flight food and drink.

• Gold Elite status at Hilton and Starwood Hotels.

• Access to Boingo Hotspot and Go-Go Preferred Wi-Fi.

FEES

• $595 annual fee.

• No balance transfer fee.

• No cash advance fee.

• No foreign transaction fee.

2. DELTA SKYMILES RESERVE FOR BUSINESS

Ideal for: Frequent travelers on Delta, the world’s second-largest airline.

With this card, you can quickly build up Delta Medallion Miles (MQM) and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD), and not just by purchasing tickets. You can also earn them by buying seat upgrades, audio headsets, and even inflight meals and drinks. Cardholders who spend a certain amount of money a year can earn thousands of MQMs and miles.

There’s a $450 annual fee, but if you fly often and spend $1,325 a month, the average rewards value is $1,085 per year.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS (TERMS APPLY)

• Welcome offer of 10,000 MQMs and 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

• Earn 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 miles after spending $30,000 per year. Earn an additional 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 additional miles after spending $60,000 per year.
  • Starting on January 30, 2020, cardholders will only receive 15,000 MQMs for spending $30,0000 and an additional 15,000 at $30,000 intervals after this.

• 2x miles per dollar on Delta purchases.

• 1x mile per everyday purchases.

FEES

• $450 annual fee.

• No balance transfer fee.

• No foreign transaction fee.

• 3% or $5 cash advance fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

3. UNITED CLUB BUSINESS

Ideal for: Frequent travelers on United, the world’s third-largest airline.

The United Club Business card offers 2x miles for every United Airline purchase, which makes it a prime choice for businesses that prefer to fly United. The annual fee for this card is $450 and sounds like a lot, but access to United Club lounge is worth $550 alone.

You’re also eligible for Hertz President’s Circle. Those benefits include a one-car-class vehicle upgrade, 25% on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Points, and 675 rewards points after every 15 rentals.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS (TERMS APPLY)

• 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

• $100 statement credit after first purchase.

• 2x miles for every dollar spent on United Airline purchases.

• 1.5x miles for every dollar spent on everyday purchases.

• Designated check-in lanes.

• Priority security lanes, boarding, and baggage handling.

• Cardmember and companion get first two checked bags for free.

• Concierge services to help find restaurants, sports, concert tickets, and the like.

• No fees on employee cards.

• Eligibility for Hertz President’s Circle perks.

FEES

• $450 annual fee.

• No foreign transaction fee.

• 5% or $5 balance transfer fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

• 5% or $15 cash advance fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

4. UNITED EXPLORER BUSINESS

Ideal for: Business owners who frequently fly United with partners or other employees.

This card is excellent if you like getting your bags checked for free. And if you travel with a companion, neither of you will pay for checking your bags. The typical price per bag is around $30, each way.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS (TERMS APPLY)

• 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

• 1x mile for every dollar you spend.

• 2x miles for every dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores.

• 2x miles for every dollar spent on United purchases.

• Priority boarding.

• Two annual passes to United Club airport lounges—a $100 cash value—which comes with complimentary snacks, beverages, workspace, and free Wi-Fi. (Two free passes per year.)

• Unlimited miles that don’t expire as long as your card is active.

• Use miles to book award travel on Star Alliance and other partner airlines.

• Use miles for travel upgrades like inflight Wi-Fi, hotels, car rentals, merchandise, and gift cards.

• Premier upgrades on award tickets.

• Employee cards at no charge.

FEES

• Waived annual fee for the first year, then $95.

• No foreign transaction fee.

• 5% or $5 balance transfer fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

• 5% or $15 cash advance fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

5. JETBLUE BUSINESS

Ideal for: Budget-conscious travelers.

While light on some of the benefits of other cards, the annual fee is a mere $99, and you get 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary.

REWARDS AND BENEFIT (TERMS APPLY)

• 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months.

• 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of opening the account.

• 6x points for every $1 spent on JetBlue purchases.

• 2x points for every dollar spent at restaurants and office supply stores.

• 1x point on all other everyday charges.

• The first checked bag is free not just for you but up to three companions on the same reservation.

• 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.

• Free fraud liability protection. You won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges that you report.

• 10% points back when you redeem points.

• $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more.  

FEES

• $99 annual fee.

• No foreign transaction fee.

• 3% or $5 balance transfer fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

• 3% or $10 cash advance fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

6. CITIBUSINESS / AADVANTAGE PLATINUM SELECT WORLD

Ideal for: Frequent travelers on American Airlines, the world’s largest airline.

Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles within the first year of opening your account, and the $99 annual fee is waived for the first year. However, this card doesn’t give you the ability to earn unlimited reward miles like some of its competitors. And if you aren’t based in an American Airlines hub city, another option may work better for your business.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS (TERMS APPLY)

• 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

• 10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 in the first year.

• 2x miles for every dollar spent.

• 2x miles if you spend on gas, car rentals, and cable and satellite providers.

• 1x points for other $1 purchases.

• First checked bag is free.

• Preferred boarding.

• 25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi.

• Earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate. After spending $30,000 in a cardmember year, redeem to get a round-trip coach ticket within the Continental United States.

FEES

• Waived annual fee for the first year, then $99.

• No balance transfer fee.

• No foreign transaction fee.

• 3% or $5 cash advance fee (whichever is greater per transaction).

HOW TO GET THE MOST TRAVEL REWARDS

The travel benefits on small business credit cards are significant, but they change just as often as your business does. So regularly check the terms and conditions to ensure you’re taking advantage of all these cards have to offer.