Business Credit Cards Compared — United States

The first job of a business card is bookkeeping, not rewards: it walls company spending off from your personal accounts. Beyond that, the good ones pay bonus rates on advertising, shipping, internet and software, where a sole proprietor might spend $30,000 a year and earn around $900 to $1,200 at 3% to 4%. Most business cards still report to your personal credit and need a personal guarantee, so a default follows you home. Skip the premium business cards if your overhead is mostly payroll and rent, which rarely earn bonuses; the annual fee won't pay for itself. Eligibility usually just needs a side gig and an EIN or SSN, but confirm the earning categories and fee with the issuer.

6 cards to compare side by side