How to maximize credit card rewards on business expenses
Editor's Note
Every startup has expenses, whether you're running a business from home or opening a brick-and-mortar store. For points and miles enthusiasts, the good news is that many of these expenses can earn valuable credit card rewards, from equipment purchases to eligible tax payments.
By putting eligible business expenses on the right credit cards, you can earn rewards on purchases you're already making while working toward welcome bonuses and annual spending thresholds. Just be sure you can pay off your balances in full and that any processing fees don't outweigh the rewards you earn.
Here's a list of tips for maximizing your rewards and choosing the right credit cards for your business.
Best business credit cards
The right business credit card can help you earn rewards on everyday expenses while offering valuable perks like travel benefits and purchase protections. Whether you prefer cash back or points and miles, here are some of our top picks for businesses of all sizes:
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: This card earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare and prepaid lodging purchases booked on amextravel.com and 2 points per dollar spent in select business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million in combined eligible purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar spent). Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees).
- Capital One Venture X Business: Earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases, 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel. Annual fee: $395.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined spending on travel and select business categories for each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases — with no limit to your earnings. Annual fee: $95.
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. Annual fee: $150.
These cards have different spending requirements and earning structures, so the best fit will depend on how much your business spends and whether you prefer cash back or transferable points and miles.
Related: How to get a business credit card
Earn points on your housing expenses
If you're starting a business from home, you can earn rewards on your personal housing expenses through Bilt. The loyalty program lets you earn Bilt Points by paying rent or your mortgage.
You can maximize your rewards with one of three Bilt credit cards:
You can transfer your points to Bilt's loyalty partners or book travel through Bilt's travel portal.
All three Bilt cards allow you to earn up to 1.25 points per dollar spent on eligible rent and mortgage payments without transaction fees. Under Bilt's Housing-only rewards option, your earning rate depends on how much you spend on everyday purchases with your card each billing cycle. If you spend the amount of your monthly housing payment(s) or more in everyday purchases on the Bilt Card, you'll earn 1.25 points per dollar on your rent or mortgage payment that month.
Bilt's housing rewards apply only to eligible residential properties, not to commercial office space.
Related: Why you should still care about Bilt Rewards even if you don't want one of its credit cards
Earn points and miles on office supplies
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending across these bonus categories each account anniversary year: office supply stores and internet, cable and phone services.
Plus, you'll earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, then 1% cash back. You'll also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
You can combine your cash-back rewards with points earned on a card that allows transfers to Chase's airline and hotel partners, such as the Ink Business Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
This can give business owners more flexibility when redeeming rewards, including the option to transfer eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards points to travel partners.
Alternatively, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year in the following categories:
- Travel
- Shipping purchases
- Internet, cable and phone services
- Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
For businesses with substantial office supply spending, the Ink Business Cash may be the stronger choice, while the Ink Business Preferred can be useful for broader expenses such as shipping and advertising.
Related: The complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to earn, redeem and transfer points
Earn points and miles on advertising
If your business spends money on advertising through platforms like Facebook, Instagram or Google, choosing a card with an advertising bonus category can help you earn more rewards on those purchases.
Here are three cards worth considering:
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent in your top two spending categories each billing cycle, which can include purchases at U.S. media providers for select online, radio and TV advertising (bonus-earning is limited to the first $150,000 in combined eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent). Annual fee: $375 (see rates and fees).
- Ink Business Preferred: Earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined spending across multiple categories (then 1 point per dollar spent), which include advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines. Annual fee: $95.
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar spent. No annual fee (see rates and fees).
The Amex Business Gold and Ink Business Preferred can offer higher earning rates on eligible advertising purchases, while the Blue Business Plus provides a simpler option for expenses that fall outside those categories.
Maximize business credit card travel perks and protections
Beyond earning points and miles on business expenses, many business credit cards offer valuable travel perks and protections. Depending on the card, these benefits can make traveling more comfortable and help you save money on both business and personal trips.
One of the most perk-packed business travel cards is The Business Platinum Card, which offers the following benefits (enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply):
- Up to $120 statement credits for Global Entry or up to $85 in TSA PreCheck statement credits every four years
- Up to $200 in airline statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees, such as checked bags and inflight refreshments with one selected qualifying airline
- Complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries
- Up to $600 in annual lodging statement credits (up to $300 semiannually) on eligible prepaid bookings through American Express Travel, including Airbnb Luxe properties. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to qualify for the credit
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold and Leaders Club Sterling status with The Leading Hotels of the World (enrollment required)
- Access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, with benefits such as property credits, breakfast and room upgrades on eligible stays.
Another option is the Business Gold Card. While it doesn't have the airport and hotel perks the Business Platinum card offers, there are various protections to give you peace of mind while traveling.
The Ink Business Preferred also offers valuable travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car coverage for eligible business rentals.
Related: 9 valuable travel perks that you can get with a credit card
Bottom line
Business expenses can add up quickly, especially when you're getting a company off the ground. The right credit cards can help you earn valuable rewards on purchases you'd make anyway, from office supplies and advertising to travel expenses.
Before choosing a card, consider which expenses account for most of your budget, whether you can meet a welcome offer's spending requirement and how much value you'll get from the card's ongoing benefits.
With the right strategy, you can turn everyday business expenses into valuable points, miles or cash back to put toward your next trip or reinvest in your business.
Related: The best business credit cards to add to your wallet
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Business Plus Card, click here.