7 Best Business Credit Cards for Travel of 2023 (Ranked)

With 67% of business owners having a business credit card, there is surely a big market with plenty of providers to choose from.

While that is a good thing, finding the right business travel card can be tough.

While the choice of card will largely depend on your specific needs, there are a lot of great benefits to be enjoyed when making the right decision.

In fact, some business credit cards offer free signup bonuses and ongoing cashback rewards while other providers give travel perks such as free gas miles, an airline lounge membership, airfare discounts, world-class concierge services, or global free hotel night stays.

On the other hand, making the wrong choice might mean that an expensive business trip gone wrong can put a serious dent in your wallet.

With all this in mind, it’s crucial to choose the right credit card, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.

In this article, I list the top business credit cards for travel this year and run you through their key features to help you make the right decision.

Let’s get right into it.

What are the Best Business Credit Cards for Travel?

The following is my list of the best business credit cards to consider, especially if traveling is an important priority.

1. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.

Best for getting unlimited cashback on your purchases.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card offers a credit card with no annual fees and an introductory APR rate of 0% for the first 12 months from the creation of your account.

You get unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make for your business, which is a nice touch.

This makes it easy to keep track of all your spending and cash flow with just one card.

They also have a referral program, earning you up to 100,000 points per year when someone you refer gets approved for the card.

The card also includes business cards for free, making it simple to keep track of, and control, your staff spending.

Key Features:

• Their referrals program gives you the possibility of referring other business owners to the card. When they become cardholders, you can earn up to 100,000 bonus points each year.
• 0% introductory APR on the first 12 billing cycles means that you save a good chunk of money in the first year.
• With protection when it comes to fraud, purchase as well as the ability to set up personalized account alerts, you will be covered when it comes to unauthorized transactions.

2. Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

Best overall for offering a credit card suitable for travel.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers 15+ available travel programs where you can redeem your miles. With unlimited 2x miles on each purchase you make, that will add up fast.

If your card gets stolen or lost, you can benefit from fraud liability which means that you’re not responsible for any fraudulent charges.

With the ability to get itemized reports of your spending, you can easily keep track of your business expenses and use the right tax software to ensure you stay compliant.

You also have the ability to use virtual card numbers to protect your account against online fraud.

Key Features:

• The 10-minute application process is quick and convenient, giving you a quick answer to whether you are accepted
• Ability to download and combine purchase records with accounting software makes business tracking easy to do.
• Get $0 fraud liability if your card gets stolen or lost.
• Set up automatic payments so you never have to worry about late fees.

3. The Platinum Card® from American Express Business.

Best for getting a huge amount of membership points quickly.

This American Express card known as The Business Platinum Card® allows you to get 150,000 membership points after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of account creation.

With a 0% APR in your initial year, this travel card is perfect for planning your next big purchase.

Giving you a 5x multiplier on prepaid hotels and flights, this card can easily help you rack up points quickly.

Benefit from complimentary airport lounge access, fine stays at top hotels, resort bookings, and much more.

You also get points when spending money on other bonus categories as well as other purchases using this card.

Key Features:

• Get over $1000 in business credits from companies such as Dell, Indeed, and Adobe to help with needed business purchasing
• Get a 5x multiplier on prepaid hotels and flights
• 1.5X points on business purchases, up to $2million in a calendar year
• Get an answer to your application in less than a minute

4. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card.

Best for getting priority boarding.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card gives you access to 4 upgraded priority pass and priority boarding each year, meaning that you can board earlier than most other passengers.

This no fee credit card when it comes to foreign transactions makes it suitable for use when traveling internationally. In addition, you can get your hands on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.

Giving you the ability to avoid long lines and get through security more quickly, you’ll be able to enjoy preflight peace of mind when traveling.

Insight wifi credits also make traveling a breeze and help you stay connected when on the go.

Key Features:

• You can earn points when making Southwest purchases, ridesharing in a destination, booking hotels and car rentals, as well as spending money on necessary business advertising.
• Earn up to 9000 points every anniversary as a card member.
• Get free credits when transferring points to another member card.
• Get more points when employees registered with your company spend points using the card they have.

5. Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Card.

Best for having one of the best hotel loyalty programs.

Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Card is featured as one of the best cards when it comes to hotel loyalty programs. With every qualified stay in a hotel, you’ll get 1000 points that are easily redeemable.

You can also roll over qualifying nights at hotels to the following year so that you can continue to rack up points without ever feeling that you have to use them or lose them.

Offering three simple tiers for points redemption, you can use such points to get different bedrooms, features, and options in various hotels during your qualified stays.

Key Features:

• Offers the one number hotel loyalty program as voted by USA Today.
• A points calculator on their website shows you exactly what you can spend money on and how many reward points you will earn.
• Investing in your business through advertising and marketing also counts towards points collection.
• Spend $1000 in the first 90 days of account creation and get 45,000 bonus points – which are enough for up to 6 free nights in some of the participating hotels.

6. United Club℠ Business card.

Best for having access to exclusive airport lounges before flights.

United Club℠ Business card offers one of the best credit card welcome offers in its class. After an initial spend of $5000 in the first 3 months of having the card, you’ll get 75000 points for free.

This is a substantial amount of points, no matter how you plan on using them.

As a cardmember, you’re also given free access to United Club lounges, for a value of up to $650 per year when traveling.

This means that having a place to relax before your flight, while easing the stress of travel, is never going to be an issue.

You can also get employee cards at no extra costs, so you can easily track and manage employees’ business spending.

Key Features:

• Free first and second checked bags on flights for yourself and an accompanying person – so you can travel in comfort and ease.
• No foreign transaction fees mean that you don’t have to pay extra when using the card abroad.
• No blackout dates when choosing your traveling dates, allowing you to travel based on your schedule, and not a preset one.
• Get a yearly free delivery membership to DashPass, allowing you to get the products you love delivered directly to you at no extra cost.

7. Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit

Best for giving you control on how to earn cashback.

This Rewards Mastercard card gives you a high 3% cashback on all eligible purchases.

This includes items ranging from international and U.S. gas stations fill-ups, travel-related purchases, office supplies, computer-related services, TV/telecom & wireless, or even consulting services related to business.

You can also get 2% cashback on any dining purchase that you make, along with a 1% cashback on everything else.

You also have the possibility of changing your choice category using their mobile app, which is a nice touch.

Your cashback can be redeemed as deposits into either your checking or savings Bank Of America account.

You can even get a check sent directly to you or even as card statement credits.

This high degree of flexibility, along with no annual fees involved, makes it one of the best cards for business, travel, and the combination of both.

Key Features:

• 0% introductory APR on the initial 9 billing cycles means that you don’t have to pay any interest on your credit card purchases during this period.
• The right business accounting software allows you to manage and track all your credit card transactions in one place.
• With online and mobile access to your accounts, you can pay rent, transfer funds, and even make other financial transactions wherever you are.
• Fraud monitoring gives you the peace of mind that your credit card details are protected from unauthorized purchases and transactions.

Other travel business credit cards to consider include Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, AmexTravel, Delta, Elite Status, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, The American Express Centurion, Ink Business Cash, and Chase Ultimate Rewards

What are Business Credit Cards for Travel?

As the name suggests, business credit cards for travel are specifically designed for those who frequently travel for work.

They offer a range of travel benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, rewards credit card points for every dollar spent and airline welcome bonus miles.

In addition, they often come with additional features such as free roadside assistance and car rental insurance.

The best business credit cards for travel can provide you with a significant amount of value, depending on your spending habits.

For example, some cards give you 50% more points on all qualifying purchases.

So if you frequently spend money on travel and dining, these cards could be a great option for you.

However, it’s important to carefully compare the various features and benefits of each card before applying.

Not all cards are created equally, and some may be better suited to your individual needs than others.

At the end of the day, business advantage travel credit cards offer an array of valuable features that can make your travel experience much smoother.

Let’s now explore the various factors that a business travel credit card should have.

Factors to consider when choosing a credit card for business travel

The following are the key factors to consider when choosing a business travel credit card.

The annual fee of the credit card

You should carefully compare the features and benefits offered by various cards before you apply.

Some cards may come with a high annual fee, while others may not charge you anything at all.

If possible, choose one that does not demand an annual fee since it will save you money in the long run.

If there is no interest on purchases or balance transfers for up to 12 months (0% intro APR), this is even better.

Such a feature generally saves you more money the more you use your card.

Make sure you do your research beforehand so that you know whether this option is available or not.

Membership rewards points

The best business credit card for travel often comes with a rewards program that allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend.

These points can be redeemed for a variety of different items, such as flights, hotel stays, and gift cards.

In addition, some cards offer bonus points for certain types of purchases.

For example, some cards give you 3x points on all travel and dining expenses.

This can be a great way to rack up rewards points quickly, especially if you tend to spend a lot of money on such expenses.

With some cards offering 4x points on purchases in specific categories and 2x points on other spending categories (as well as anything in between), points will add up fast.

Therefore, understanding what’s involved before you hit that ‘apply now’ button is crucial.

Spending limits

The last thing you want is to have a return trip cancellation and realize you’ve hit your spending limits while abroad.

Whether you find yourself stranded in a rented car in a remote gas station, or even in a restaurant unable to pay, the situation is never pleasant.

This means that you want to always have your credit card available for use at a moment’s notice.

While the tendency is to then use a personal credit card while traveling, small business owners should ideally not use this type of card in this situation since the expenses do not belong in the same category.

This situation can be preempted before even arising by ensuring that the credit limits on your card make sense for your situation.

Key business categories to spend money on

When looking for a business credit card for travel, it’s important to consider the types of expenses you typically incur.

For example, some cards offer bonus points for spending money on airline tickets, hotel stays, and car rentals.

If you frequently spend money in these categories, it makes sense to look for a card that offers bonus points in these areas.

In addition, some cards offer purchase protection when it comes to certain types of categories.

This can be a valuable feature if you often make large purchases or if you travel often.

Make sure to look for a card that offers such protection so you can be reimbursed if something goes wrong with your purchase.

The foreign transaction fee

Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee for purchases made with your card outside the country. This fee depends on the card, with most credit cards charging anywhere between 2-3%.

If you often travel internationally, it could be useful for you to find a card that does not charge this fee.

Having a foreign transaction fee can become a costly expense, especially if you frequently spend money when traveling.

Therefore, make sure to carefully compare the foreign transaction fee of various cards before applying for one.

Interest rates

Many credit cards charge higher interest rates than others, so it’s important to know which ones are the most suitable for your needs before applying.

Some cards do not charge an annual fee while still offering 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. However, these types of cards might then offer lower rewards points compared with cards that do come with an annual fee.

A lower APR can make a big difference in the long run, especially if you spend money regularly.

In addition, if you currently have recurring high-cost purchases, finding a card with a low APR can add up to big savings in the long run.

Therefore, it’s worth looking for a business credit card that offers 0% or low-interest rates so that you can save money by avoiding interest charges.

If possible, try to find one with an introductory period of at least 12 months where you won’t have to pay interest on your purchases or balance transfers. If that’s not possible, a variable APR that’s lower than the national average can still save you a lot of money in the long run.

Application fee

Some cards charge an application fee when you apply for a card, and this amount varies depending on the card issuer.

This fee is usually a one-time charge, so it’s important to factor this into your decision.

Since this fee is typically nonrefundable, you don’t want to apply for a card that you may not be approved for if a fee exists.

As always, be sure to check the issuer’s requirements before applying.

Hotel and car partners

If this is your first time looking for a business credit card, you may not be aware of the fact that many cards offer bonus points for spending money with certain hotel and car partners.

If you frequently stay at a certain hotel or rent cars from a specific company, it makes sense to look for a card that offers bonus points with these businesses.

These points might be exchanged for free room upgrades and discounts on car rentals.

This means that if you’re looking for extra perks when traveling, it’s worth searching for a card that offers such bonus points rewards.

Customer Service

When traveling, you’re likely to face some problems from time to time.

Unfortunately, customer service can vary wildly among credit card issuers and it’s important to know which ones are the best at solving issues as quickly as possible when they arise.

Some companies treat their customers well and will work quickly to resolve any pending problems.

However, other companies are known for being unhelpful and unyielding when it comes to solving customer issues.

Before applying for a business credit card, it’s important to do your research on the issuer’s customer service reputation.

This will help you avoid any potential headaches down the road if you experience any problems with your card.

Business eligibility

Not all business credit cards are created equal, and some are only available to businesses that meet certain eligibility requirements.

For example, some cards may require that your company have a minimum amount of annual revenue or may only be available to businesses that are of a certain size.

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for a specific card, it’s always best to contact the issuer directly to find out. This way, you can avoid wasting time applying for a card that you’re not eligible for.

Credit Score

While you may believe that your credit score doesn’t matter as long as you pay your bills on time, it can impact the interest rates you’ll be offered with a business credit card.

In other words, even though some cards allow applicants with bad credit, they will likely charge a higher APR than those open only to applicants with excellent credit scores.

If you have a low credit score and are looking for a lower APR, it makes sense to look for a business card that is open only to those with an excellent or good credit history.

If possible, try comparing cards from the same issuer so at least you won’t have to worry about jumping ship down the line to get a lower APR.

Specific terms apply to each of the credit cards so it’s important to read these conditions before account opening.

Other factors

Whether you are looking to use your credit card to purchase cable and cell phone services, buying items from office supply stores, or any other type of everyday business purchase (in addition to traveling), the credit card you choose should ideally offer bonus points for such expenses.

It can be frustrating to have several different cards that offer bonus points for spending with different types of businesses, yet cannot be combined together.

To avoid that and simplify your life (while earning more travel rewards), make sure to find a business credit card that offers bonus points when spending with a variety of merchants.

The rewards rate on small business credit cards created with the intention of traveling is also important to consider. Items such as travel purchases, restaurant bills, and car rentals generally fall into the 3-5% category.

Credit card warranty services are also something to keep in mind.

This service doubles the length of the original warranty for items that you purchase with your card so depending on the value of items you’re purchasing, this can be something to go for.

Finally, if you’re looking for a specific type of travel credit card, keep that factor as your number one priority.

If you’re looking for a startup business credit card for travel, it’s important to keep in mind that not all business credit cards in this category are created equally.

Make sure to read the fine print before applying so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Another example could be when looking for a business credit card with no credit – in this case, you’ll have to consider other factors during your research and application process.

Wrap Up.

In conclusion, there are many aspects to consider when looking for the best business credit card for travel.

By taking the time to compare various cards and their features, you can find one that meets your specific needs, allows you to save money while traveling while also getting a ton of rewards.

To summarize, the best business credit cards for travel are:

• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for getting unlimited cashback on your purchases.
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best overall for offering a credit card suitable for travel.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express Business: Best for getting a huge amount of membership points quickly.

All of these cards have great features and it’s hard to go wrong with any of them.

With a credit card from any of the above ones, you’ll be well on your way to travel more while spending less.

Have you ever gotten a travel credit card for your business? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below.

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Last Updated on December 8, 2022 by Adam Enfroy