Travel for work? Here are the 7 best credit cards for you

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A business travel credit card can help you turn business spending into free travel. These cards allow you to earn rewards on everyday business expenses and redeem them for flights and hotel stays.

The best business travel cards include added travel perks like elite status, airport lounge access, and travel insurance.

We've reviewed a wide range of business credit cards and compiled a list of the best options for travelers. We’ve included both co-branded cards with specific travel brands and those with flexible travel rewards and benefits.

The best business credit cards

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium travel benefits
• United℠ Business Card: Best for frequent flyers
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Best for domestic flights
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best for Delta flyers
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best for hotel stays
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for flat-rate rewards
• Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best for no annual fee

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium travel benefits

Rewards:

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points (on up to $2,000,000 per calendar year) on key purchases of $5,000 or more (electronics goods, retailers, software, and cloud service providers; construction materials and hardware supplies; shipping providers)
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $695. See rates and fees. 

Consider Amex's Platinum business card if you want to travel in style with elite benefits. This card has one of the highest annual fees but can be worthwhile if you use the card’s generous rewards, travel perks, and added business benefits.

The card gives travelers access to more than 1,400 airport lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. You'll also receive elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.

Other travel perks include airline fee credits, a CLEAR Plus credit, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and some travel insurance protections.

United℠ Business Card: Best for frequent flyers

Rewards:

• 2X miles on United Airlines purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supplies, and local transit and commuting
• 1X miles on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

The United℠ Business Card is a good choice if you fly often for business — or pleasure. The co-branded airline card has a solid welcome bonus, decent rewards rates, and elevated travel benefits.

This business card is free for the first year, then costs $99 annually after. But, the card’s value may outweigh the fee if you fly regularly and earn enough rewards from business spending.

Cardholders receive valuable United benefits, including free checked bags on eligible United flights, priority boarding, United Club lounge passes, and 25% back on inflight purchases.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Best for domestic flights

Rewards:

• Earn 4X points on Southwest purchases, 3X points on participating hotel and car rental partners
• 2X points on local transit, rideshares, commuting
• 2X points on social media and search engine advertising as well as internet, cable, and phone services
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $199

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card may be a good choice if you travel primarily within the U.S.

For one, it carries a massive welcome bonus offer — one of the highest on the market today. Cardholders also receive bonus points each year after their card anniversary.

Southwest Airlines offers some flights to the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, but most of its destinations are within the United States. If you regularly travel out of the country, there may be better cards for you.

That said, if you’re a Southwest regular, this card can make your experience even more rewarding. It includes upgraded boardings, in-flight Wi-Fi credits, and fee credits for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus. You’ll also get protections like lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best for Delta flyers

Rewards:

• 3X miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases
• 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases (after spending $150,000 in one calendar year)
• 1X miles on all other purchases

Annual fee: $650. See rates and fees.

If you prefer to fly Delta, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card is the card for you. The card's annual price tag is steep but can be justifiable if you use the card's benefits.

This card offers a robust welcome bonus and added perks for regular Delta flyers.

For example, you’ll get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when traveling on a Delta-operated or marketed flight. You’ll also get an annual companion travel certificate, free upgrades, priority boarding, free checked bags, and concierge service.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best for hotel stays

Rewards:

• 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels (up to 18.5X points through the Bonvoy loyalty program with Gold Elite status)
• 4X points at worldwide restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. shipping, and U.S. provider wireless telephone service purchases
• 2X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $125. See rates and fees. 

The Marriott Bonvoy Business card is an excellent choice if your business trips include hotel stays.

This card comes with a welcome bonus offer of Free Night Awards. Plus, because this card gives you complimentary Gold Elite status, you’ll get access to perks like late checkout, room upgrades, and discounts.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Best for flat-rate rewards

Rewards:

• Unlimited 2X miles per dollar on all purchases
• 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Annual fee: $0 the first year, $95 after

Even if you love travel rewards, keeping track of all the earning rates to ensure you're maximizing your rewards can be a pain. If you want a simpler way to earn and track your rewards, consider the Capital One Spark Miles card. 

You can redeem your miles for travel through Capital One, transfer your miles to airline and hotel partner programs, or put miles toward gift cards, Amazon.com purchases, and cash back.

This card comes with a decent welcome bonus and a $0 annual fee for the first year (then $95 after). You’ll get perks like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®: Best for no annual fee

Rewards

• Unlimited 3X points on travel booked through Bank of America Travel Center 
• 1.5X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 

Earning rewards is great, but doing so without paying an annual fee is even better.

With Bank of America’s Business Advantage Travel Rewards card, you can earn a flat rate of 1.5X points on all purchases and 3X points on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. It's especially valuable if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member — you’ll earn up to 75% more points on purchases.

This card won’t come with many of the elite travel perks you’ll see with other cards, but it does come with some travel protections and no foreign transaction fees. Plus, if avoiding an annual fee is top of your list, this card is a great option.

Do you need a travel business card? 

If you're a business owner or employee who frequently travels for work, using a dedicated business credit card can offer several advantages over using a personal credit card or paying with cash or debit. Here are a few key benefits:

Separate business and personal expenses 

Using a business credit card for all your work-related travel expenses makes it easy to keep your business and personal finances separate. This can simplify your bookkeeping and make tax time less stressful.

Earn rewards 

Many business credit cards offer rewards tailored to business expenses, including travel. By using a card that offers bonus points or miles on travel purchases, you can earn valuable rewards that can save your business money on future trips.

Enjoy travel perks and benefits

Some business credit cards offer additional travel perks and benefits, such as airport lounge access, free checked bags, or hotel elite status. 

Manage employee spending 

If you have employees who travel for work, using a business credit card can help you manage their spending and track expenses more easily. Many business credit cards offer free employee cards with customizable spending limits and controls.

Build business credit 

Using a business credit card responsibly can help you build your company's credit history and improve your credit score over time. This can make it easier to qualify for loans, lines of credit, and other financing in the future.

How to choose the best business travel credit card 

With so many business credit cards on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for your company. Here are some factors to consider:

Rewards program 

Look for a card that offers a rewards program that aligns with your business travel spending habits. If you spend a lot on airfare and hotels, a card that offers bonus points or miles in those categories could be a good fit. If you value flexibility, look for a card with transferable points that can be redeemed with multiple airlines or hotels.

Travel benefits 

Consider which travel benefits are most important to you and your employees. Some cards offer perks like airport lounge access, free checked bags, or priority boarding, while others may offer travel insurance or rental car coverage. Think about which benefits would be most useful for your typical business trips.

Annual fee

Many business credit cards charge annual fees, which can range from under $100 to over $500. Consider whether the rewards and benefits offered by the card are worth paying an annual fee. In some cases, the value of the rewards and perks can easily outweigh the cost of the fee.

Foreign transaction fees 

If your business requires international travel, look for a card that waives foreign transaction fees. These fees, which are typically around 3% of each transaction, can add up quickly if you're making a lot of purchases abroad.

Business-specific bonus rewards

Some business credit cards offer bonus rewards on categories beyond just travel, such as office supplies, advertising, or shipping. Consider whether your business spends heavily in any of these areas and look for a card that rewards those purchases.

Sign-up bonuses

Many business credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses or introductory APR offers to new cardholders. These bonuses can be worth hundreds of dollars in rewards or savings, so they're definitely worth considering. Just be sure to read the fine print and understand any minimum spending or other requirements to earn the bonus.

Making the most of your business travel card rewards 

Once you've chosen the best business credit card for your company's travel needs, here are four tips for making the most of your rewards.

1. Use your card for all business travel 

To earn the most rewards possible, use your business credit card for all your company's travel-related purchases, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, and dining. This will help you rack up points or miles quickly.

2. Take advantage of category bonuses 

If your card offers bonus rewards on certain categories like office supplies or advertising, be sure to use it for those purchases as well. This can help you earn even more rewards on your business spending.

3. Pay your balance in full each month 

To avoid paying interest on your business travel purchases, be sure to pay your credit card balance in full each month. This will make sure that you're not negating the value of your rewards with costly interest.

4. Redeem your rewards strategically 

When it comes time to redeem your rewards, be strategic about how you use them. If you have a card with transferable points, consider transferring them to an airline or hotel partner for high-value redemptions like first-class flights or luxury hotel stays. If you have a card with statement credits or cash back, use those rewards to offset your business travel expenses and save money on future trips.

How we rated the best business travel credit cards

To determine the best credit cards for business travel, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.

Here are some of the key factors we considered:

• Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use credit cards, as they allow you to earn valuable points, miles, or cash back on your everyday spending.
• Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
• Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
• Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
• Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
• Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.

Frequently asked questions about business travel cards

Here are some common questions and answers about business credit cards for travel:

Can I use a personal credit card for business travel expenses?

Yes, you can use a personal credit card for business travel expenses. However, using a dedicated business credit card can offer several advantages, such as separating business and personal expenses, earning business-specific rewards, and building business credit.

What credit score do I need to qualify for a business credit card for travel?

Most business credit cards for travel require good to excellent personal credit to qualify, which typically means a FICO score of 670 or higher. However, some issuers may also consider your business credit score and other factors when evaluating your application.

How do I choose between a business credit card with points or miles?

It depends on your travel preferences and redemption goals. If you want the most flexibility and the ability to redeem rewards for a variety of travel options, a card with transferable points may be a good choice. If you're loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand, a co-branded card that earns miles or points in that program may offer more value.

Can I add employee cards to my business travel credit card account?

Yes, most business credit cards for travel offer free employee cards that you can add to your account. You can typically set spending limits and track expenses for each employee card, which can help you manage your company's travel spending more efficiently.

The bottom line

Business travel credit cards are a great option for business owners with enough annual business expenses to leverage for rewards. It's also an excellent way for business travelers to access added benefits when flying or staying at a hotel.

When choosing a travel credit card, consider factors like the annual fee, interest rates, and reward options to ensure that the benefits you'll receive outweigh the costs. If you don't travel frequently or if your business expenses are not significant, a general rewards credit card might be a better fit.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.