Congratulations on starting your Limited Liability Company (LLC). One advantage to an LLC is that you qualify for excellent business credit cards. While there is no one best business credit card, each has its benefits that could match your needs.

As an entrepreneur, you may want to know the best option right away to focus on more important business aspects. However, every company has different needs, and you can help your business in the long-run by selecting the right credit card. Let's get into our top picks.

American Express Blue Business Plus Card No Annual Fee $0
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus $95
Capital One Spark Cash for Business Business Cash Back $0 intro first year; $95 after that
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Simple Business Travel Rewards $0 intro first year; $95 after that
Ink Business Cash Credit Card Office Supplies $0
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Hilton Loyalists $95
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Marriott Loyalists $125
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard American Airlines Business Travelers $0 intro first year; $99 after that

American Express Blue Business Plus Card: Best for no annual fee

The American Express Blue Business Plus Card offers 0% APR on purchases for one year after opening your account. After, you get a variable APR between 13.24% and 19.24%.

Members earn 2X points (2% back) on the first $50,000 spent each year and 1X points (1% back) on anything after. These points apply to any category without an annual fee. American Express redeems your balance monthly as a statement credit.

American Express offers expanded buying power so that you can spend beyond your credit limit. The maximum value adjusts based on your credit records. American Express cards are now accepted at 99% of US places, so you can spend virtually anywhere.

They offer Expense Management Tools, online statements, and Account Alerts to keep you on top of your spending. American Express has a Business App and a regular one to help with account management.

You can earn extra points by adding Employee Cards, and you can designate an Account Manager to access your account. American Express has 24/7 customer service, and they tell you if you qualify in seconds.

Members get an Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Dispute Resolution, and Amex Offers in addition to the above benefits.

If you are a small business owner who spends less than $50,000 a year, you may benefit from the Blue Business Plus Credit Card. However, more spending may indicate that you should opt for a different card option.

What We Like Most:

  • No annual fee
  • Great rewards program
  • Employee cards

The Downsides:

  • Points rewards multipliers aren't as lucrative as other cards

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for sign up bonus

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card from Chase Bank promises to reward you for all of your business spendings. They offer 3X points for each of your first $150,000 spent each year in shipping purchases, travel, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases. All other purchases get 1X points.

The reward points are Chase Ultimate Rewards, so you can get gift cards, travel, and cash back as long as your account stays open. If you put the points to travel, they are worth 25% more.

You can add employee cards for free and control their spending limits. Chase offers cell phone, Zero Liability, fraud, purchase, and extended warranty protection to all cardmembers. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation insurance, and a car rental collision damage waiver.

However, these benefits come at the cost of a $95 annual fee. They also have high cash advance and balance transfer fees. The Ink Business Preferred Card does make up for it with 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in your first three months of having the account.

This business credit card is recommended if you plan on spending $150,000 or less each year due to the high amount of points. Also, they provide extensive travel benefits if you plan on taking your business abroad. However, if you will spend nowhere near that, you may wish to choose a different card to avoid the excessive fees.

What We Like Most:

  • Great sign up bonus
  • Nice rewards for online advertisers
  • Customer support

The Downsides:

  • Annual fee
  • High balance transfer fees

Capital One Spark Cash for Business: Best for cash back

The Capital One Spark Cash for Business card gives you a decent welcome bonus of $500 upon spending $4,500 in the first three months after opening your account. You have unlimited 2% cash back and a $0 fee for your first year. The annual fee is $95 after that.

Capital One offers fraud coverage, automatic fraud and security alerts, free employee cards that reward you for their purchases, an extended credit limit, and cash back rewards. You can set your employee’s spending limits and appoint an account manager.

The card has a 29.99% variable APR. Your minimum payment includes 10% of the balance to the limit, late fees, interest, and the balance above the limit.

Other benefits include payment flexibility with AutoPay and digital records. The records include transaction details, recurring transactions, year-end summaries, and purchase records. You can get an extended warranty and protection, virtual card numbers, and card lock.

Travel benefits include miles transfer with your Spark Miles card, TSA Pre-Check, travel assistance, rental collision coverage, roadside assistance, and no foreign exchange fees. They have resources for businesses as well.

Capital One has a 24/7 assistant called Eno that sends alerts when something happens. You can also call their representatives toll-free.

Overall, the Capital One Spark Cash for Business is an excellent option for small businesses. You get 2% cash back on all purchases and plenty of benefits. However, they have an extraordinarily high penalty APR, so you will want to stay on top of your payments. If you find you may lose track of payments, then this credit card is not for your business.

What We Like Most:

  • Good welcome bonus
  • Straightforward rewards earning
  • Free employee cards

The Downsides:

  • High penalty APR
  • No bonus categories

Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for simple travel rewards

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card is an incredible choice for frequent travelers. You earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 within three months of your account opening. They offer unlimited 2X miles on every purchase without blackouts, seat restrictions, or a minimum to redeem.

Like the Capital One Spark Cash, Miles has a $0 fee for the first year and $95 after. You get free employee cards that you can set limits on and earn rewards from, and you can assign one of them as your account manager.

Travel benefits include Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check credit, rental collision coverage, no foreign exchange fees, miles transfer, and travel and roadside assistance. You get business discounts and money back as well with some of Capital One’s resources.

They offer payment flexibility and AutoPay, and you can access various metrics online. Capital One has year-end summaries, transaction details, recurring transactions, and purchase records available digitally.

Capital One has business-grade protection, from security and fraud alerts, $0 fraud liability, virtual card numbers, extended warranty and protection, and card lock.

You can get help from their customer support or the Eno Capital One Assistant.

Despite these benefits, Capital One Spark Miles for Business has a 20.99% variable APR, limited airline partners, and poor transfer rates for miles. If you are a small business owner who relies on travel, this card may suit your needs.

What We Like Most:

  • Straightforward rewards earning
  • Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check credits
  • Good sign up bonus

The Downsides:

  • No bonus categories
  • Points aren't as lucrative as other rewards programs

Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for office supplies

The Ink Business Cash Credit Card starts you off with a $750 bonus cash back once you spend $7,500 on purchases within your first three months of having an account.

From there, you can earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend on your internet, office supplies, phone, and cable services each year. You also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at restaurants and gas stations each year, and 1% back on all other purchases.

Like most business credit cards, you can get employee cards for free and set their spending limits. Each employee card will offer you more rewards. You can redeem your rewards points for gift cards, cash back, and travel.

Chase offers tons of protections to members, including zero liability, auto rental collision damage, and purchase. They provide extended warranties on US goods as well.

The APR is 0% for your first year, and then it is variable between 13.24% and 19.24%. However, the APR for cash advances is 24.99%, and the penalty one reaches 29.99%. You get a 20 day grace period after each billing cycle.

While the Ink Business Cash card does not have an annual fee, it does have a $5 or 5% balance transfer and a $15 or 5% cash advance fee. You are charged the greater amount. The foreign purchase transaction equates to 3% of each in USD. Chase has a returned payment and late penalty of $39.

If your LLC spends a lot in the above bonus categories, then the Chase Ink Business Cash card offers many of the highest-earning rates. They do cap rewards in each category, so it applies more to smaller startups. If you focus more on travel, then you may benefit more from a different card.

What We Like Most:

  • Good cash back sign up bonus
  • Bonus categories in common business purchases
  • Free employee cards
  • Good purchase protection

The Downsides:

  • Foreign transaction fee

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Best for Hilton loyalists

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a staggering 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points welcome offer.

You earn these points upon making $3,000 in eligible purchases within three months of membership. From there, you earn 12X points for each dollar spent on Hilton hotels and 6X points on purchases related to gas stations, shipping, phone services, restaurants, flights, and car rentals. You get 3X points on all other purchases.

This card has a variable APR between 15.74% and 24.74%, and they charge a $95 annual fee. Other fees include a $5 or 3% fee on cash advances, depending on which is greater. They do not have a purchase or balance transfer introductory APR or a foreign purchase transaction fee.

You will have access to expense management tools, including account alerts, employee cards, an account manager, a year-end summary, online statements, access to American Express apps, and vendor pay by Bill.com. American Express has a baggage insurance plan, a Global Assist hotline, and car rental damage insurance.

For travelers, you can get a free weekend night reward after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases, a second weekend night after $60,000, 10 complimentary visits to airport lounges, and diamond status after spending $40,000.

If you plan on traveling frequently, you can get extensive points on hotel spending. However, this card’s benefits are limited if your LLC does not require travel.

What We Like Most:

  • Large welcome offer
  • Free weekend night awards
  • Common bonus categories

The Downsides:

  • Hilton points aren't worth as much as other reward programs

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: Best for Marriott loyalists

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card offers 75,000 Bonus Points and $150 in statement credits after making $5,000 of eligible purchases within your first three months as a member. You can get 6 points per dollar for purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 4 points per dollar at restaurants, phone services, shipping, and gas stations, and 2 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

This Amex card has a variable APR of 15.74% to 24.74%, and it does not have a purchase or balance transfer introductory APR. However, it does have a steep annual fee of $125 and a cash advance of 3% or $5, depending on which is greater.

Travel benefits include free nights, the Air+Car transfer program, priority late checkout, bonus points on hotel stays, and premium internet access. They also waive foreign transaction fees. Their customer services include a baggage insurance plan, a Global Assist hotline, and car rental damage insurance.

You can take advantage of their expense management tools by appointing an account manager, using the American Express apps, getting free employee cards, setting account alerts, viewing online statements and a year-end summary, and using Bill.com’s Vendor Pay. American Express offers purchase protection, Amex Offers, extended warranty, and dispute resolution as well.

Unlike the Hilton card which earns you points at all chains owned by Hilton, the Marriott Bonvoy one only works for Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Given its high annual fee, you would need to be a Marriott loyalist to choose this card. If you do use it, you will get tons of benefits at Marriott hotels.

What We Like Most:

  • Good sign up bonus
  • Free nights
  • Expense management tools

The Downsides:

  • Higher annual fee

CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard: Best for American Airlines travelers

The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has extensive travel benefits for LLCs who use American Airlines. They offer a welcoming bonus of 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in your first four months with an account. You get a free first year, but the annual fee is $99 after.

Travel benefits apply to American Airlines flights, and they include preferred boarding, 25% savings on inflight WiFi and food purchases, free checked bags, an American Airlines Companion Certificate, and no foreign transaction fees.

Instead of points, you earn miles. You get 2 miles for every dollar spent on satellite and cable providers, on eligible American Airlines purchases, at gas stations, on phone services, and on car rentals. You earn 1X miles on other purchases.

You can authorize employee cards, talk to your 24/7 business assistant, get special offers on digital purchases, and view digital records of your transactions.

This card has a variable 15.99% to 24.99% APR on purchases, and a 25.24% one on cash advances. The cash advance fee is either $10 or 5%, depending on which is greater. They also have a late penalty and returned payment of $39.

If you need to take a few flights on American Airlines, you can justify choosing this card. It offers incredible rewards to its cardmembers at a modest annual fee. However, those who do not need to fly often should choose a different card.

What We Like Most:

  • Strong sign up bonus
  • Preferred boarding and in-flight perks
  • Free employee cards

The Downsides:

  • Modest bonus categories

Recap: Best LLC Credit Cards of 2021

How We Assess the Best Credit Cards for LLCs

When choosing a business credit card, you will want one that matches your needs. Depending on your travel frequency, expenditures, and capital, you may need a different card.

Type of Rewards You Prefer (Cash vs. Points)

Most cards offer either cash back or points, and some provide miles. Points are not redeemable at all locations, but cash is, and miles are only useful if you fly frequently. Check where the points apply for each credit card to determine if you could use them.

Spending Categories

Many rewards only apply to specific spending categories. Utilities like phone, internet, and television services often count, as well as restaurants, travel, and gas station expenditures. Some even count office supplies. However, spending in ineligible categories can yield a lesser or null reward. Look into the categories to see if your expenditure patterns fall within the higher brackets; otherwise, you may wish to search elsewhere.

Credit Score

Your credit score may impact which cards you can get. Higher scores can qualify you for lower APRs and improve your chance of approval. You can check your approval chances on websites like CreditKarma so that you can avoid a credit inquiry for a card you are unlikely to get.

Make sure to protect your credit score by paying your debts by the deadline each month. Failing to do so can increase your fees and APR astronomically, and it may disqualify you from keeping your card.

Fees and APRs

Each credit card agency has different fees and APRs. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the steeper fees, but you will want to ensure that you can afford the interest. A business card with an intro 0% APR will help when starting your LLC as you can make some big purchases with little penalty.

Some companies have variable APRs that depend on your account standing and credit score. Others have different APRs for penalties, balance transfer, purchase, and new members. Look for the lowest values that you qualify for to save the most money.

Look for a card with minimal fees for cash advances and balance transfers. Many waive foreign transaction fees, which will help during international travels. Annual fees can also get costly, so make sure your benefits outweigh the price.

Additional Benefits

You may want some additional benefits like purchase protection, extended warranties, travel insurance, auto rental damage collision protection, and cell phone protection. Some have luxury perks like airport lounge access, hotel room upgrades, and airline credits.

Other important benefits include employee cards, account managers, and management tools. Getting account alerts, digital records, year-end or quarterly summaries, receipts, and exportable transactions all help with accounting.

Sign-Up Bonus

Some business credit cards offer welcome bonuses if you meet a spending quota within the first few months of opening your account. The sign-up bonus may include points, miles, cash back, or a combination of the bunch. These values often change, so you may need to check the page repeatedly to determine the current bonus’ value.


Filed under: Top Picks

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