Your business credit card can significantly impact your company's financial operations and growth potential. With so many options available, it's essential to keep these factors top-of-mind.

Higher credit limits

Fast-growing businesses need high limit business credit cards that can amplify their spending power. Many legacy card issuers rely heavily on personal credit scores when determining credit limits, leaving founders with insufficient spending capacity.

You don't have to settle for a card provider with outdated underwriting practices. Look for a credit card provider that can help you access higher limits by considering a wider range of business factors.

The Brex Business Card, for example, will assign limits based on your company's revenue streams and cash positions — not your personal credit history. And, with consistent on-time payments, you can increase your spending limit and improve your business credit score as your business grows.

Rewards programs

Some business credit cards only offer rewards in the form of cash back or a statement credit. These rewards programs usually offer a meager return on your spend, similar to cash back rewards on personal credit cards.

Other business cards, like the Delta Reserve Business AmEx, offer rewards in the form of miles. But these can be limiting if your company doesn't travel frequently or fly exclusively with that specific airline.So, how do you compare all of the different rewards programs?

Start by considering your biggest expenses, such as advertising, travel, or office supplies. Then, prioritize the cards that offer bonus rewards or multipliers in those areas. Compare the earning rates and redemption options across different cards to determine which program provides the most value for your business.

Ultimately, the best rewards program for your business will offer significant multipliers on your biggest spending categories and provide flexible redemption options. With the Brex Business Card, you can turn your rewards points into cash back, miles, statement credit, or billboards to promote your brand.

Fees

Business credit card fees can add up quickly. And we’re not just talking about annual fees. While no annual fee business credit cards are available, it's important to weigh all of the potential fees when selecting a business credit card, including the hidden fees.

Weigh all of the potential fees when selecting a business credit card, including the hidden fees. Foreign transaction (FX) fees can quickly eat into your profits when operating internationally, and some cards charge up to 3% per transaction. Late payment penalties can get really steep, too. Some issuers impose APRs as high as 29.99%.

Some providers also charge for every user you add. This can become a large expense for growing companies, especially those with distributed teams or multiple vendors.

As your business scales, you might need dozens or even hundreds of cards for employees and vendors across different departments and locations. You shouldn’t have to pay a fee every time you issue a physical or virtual business credit card, and you shouldn’t have to get around those fees by sharing cards, which makes expenses harder to track and invites unauthorized use.

Look for a card that operates in multiple currencies to avoid FX fees and doesn't charge for additional employee or vendor cards. This will allow you to scale your operations without incurring extra costs.

No personal guarantee

Traditional business credit cards typically require founders to personally guarantee their company's debt. This means you're putting your personal assets on the line if your business can't pay its bills. It's a risky proposition, especially for early-stage startups or companies in volatile industries.

A personal guarantee can also impact your personal credit score. Late payments or high utilization of your business card could harm your ability to secure personal loans or mortgages in the future.

Some card issuers offer business credit cards without personal guarantees, but they typically require your company to have substantial revenue or years of operating history. This leaves many growing businesses stuck between risking personal assets or settling for inadequate credit limits.

With Brex, there’s no personal guarantee required, so founders can build business credit without putting their personal finances at risk.

24/7 customer service and support

Imagine you're traveling for an important client meeting, and your card is unexpectedly declined. You could be left spending hours on hold before you talk to an agent who can help. Or told to call back during business hours.

Some credit card companies have customer support that’s restricted to business hours Monday-Friday. Others rely on slow ticketing systems or email support, which can leave you in limbo for days to resolve urgent issues. That’s especially problematic for businesses with distributed teams working across different time zones.

That’s why 24/7 customer service is a must. Look for a provider that offers knowledgeable support via phone, live chat, and email whenever you need it.

Exclusive partner discounts

In addition to the rewards program, look for discounts that can help offset operational costs on the services you need to fuel your company’s growth.

Business credit cards often tout partner discounts as a key benefit, but the value of these offers can vary. Some cards provide discounts that have limited practical use for most businesses. For example, a card might offer a $100 annual credit that's restricted to personal streaming subscriptions like Spotify or Apple TV — nice to have, but hardly impactful for your company's bottom line.

The most valuable partner discounts will offer substantial savings on essentials like software subscriptions, cloud services, shipping, office supplies, and digital advertising. These discounts can translate into thousands of dollars in savings annually, directly impacting your operational costs and profitability.

Consider how these discounts fit into your current and future business needs. A significant discount on a service you're already using or planning to adopt can provide immediate value. Plus, partner offers can be an excellent way to try new tools or services that could enhance your business operations without committing to full-price subscriptions.

Brex offers partner perks worth up to $180,000 in value. These perks include credits for essential business services like AWS, UPS, Zoom, Slack, and QuickBooks.

Accounting software integrations

Accounting software integrations can eliminate manual data entry, reduce errors, and save your company serious time when reconciling and tracking expenses.

Many business credit cards offer third-party integrations. These integrations often rely on outdated syncing methods that may result in delays or errors in transaction reporting. A poorly built integration could even expose sensitive financial data.

With direct integrations, transactions are automatically categorized and synced in real time, providing up-to-date financial insights. This kind of accounting automation improves accuracy and allows finance teams to focus on strategic tasks rather than routine data entry.

Brex offers deep integrations with popular accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero. Its direct NetSuite integration, which earned NetSuite's 2023 Partner of the Year award, enables efficient expense reconciliation and real-time financial data syncing. Brex also integrates with leading ERP systems for thorough financial management, and HRIS platforms like Rippling for efficient employee onboarding and card issuance. Now that you know what to consider when choosing a business credit card, here’s a look at the best options on the market, starting with the Brex Business Card.

The Brex Business Credit Card was built for growing businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises. Brex, creators of the first-ever credit card for startups, continues to take an innovative approach to underwriting with approvals and limits based on a company’s true potential rather than a founder’s personal credit history.

In addition to business credit cards, Brex offers an all-in-one spend platform that includes expense management, bill pay, travel booking, and more. Companies can start with just the card and add features as they grow, allowing for a scalable solution that evolves with their needs.

• Annual fee: $0

• APR: N/A (Charge card — balance due in full each month.)

• Foreign transaction fee: $0

• Minimum credit score requirement: No personal credit check required

• Typical spending limit range: Up to 10-20x higher than traditional cards, based on cash balance and revenue.

Key benefits

10-20x higher credit limits: Brex's unique underwriting model considers your company's cash balance, revenue streams, and spending patterns to determine credit limits. This approach often results in limits that are 10-20 times higher than legacy card providers.

As your business grows, your credit limit can increase automatically. With Brex, you can get the spending power you need right off the bat and get higher limits as your needs evolve — without having to make constant limit increase requests.

Founder-friendly rewards: Some business credit cards offer modest multipliers on select spend categories like travel and dining. Brex’s rewards program features multipliers on several key spend categories like rideshare, travel, restaurants, and recurring software subscriptions.

And, with Brex, your points can be redeemed for cash back, miles, statement credit, gift cards, and even unique options like billboard advertising or company offsites.

Partner perks: Brex offers partner perks worth more than $180,000. These include substantial credits towards AWS, Experian, Freshworks, Gusto, QuickBooks, Slack, UPS, Zoom, and other essential services.

Brex also gives you 3x rewards points on eligible Apple products including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and MacBooks.

Multi-currency support: Many corporate cards charge FX fees, which add up fast for global businesses. Brex, on the other hand, is a truly global corporate credit card that’s accepted in 210 countries. And Brex cards can be issued in over 20 currencies. All told, Brex is the best business credit card for global businesses.

With Brex, employees can make purchases in their local currencies, reducing FX fees and simplifying expense management for international entities. Brex also facilitates reimbursements faster through local bank accounts and currencies — a must-have for companies with global employees.

No personal guarantee: Unlike many traditional business credit cards, Brex does not require a personal guarantee. This means founders don't have to put their personal assets at risk when using the card for business expenses.

The absence of a personal guarantee also means that your personal credit score isn't impacted when you apply for or use a Brex card. This separation of personal and business finances provides peace of mind and financial flexibility for entrepreneurs.

24/7 support: Brex customers have access to 24/7 customer support — at no added charge. You can call Brex customer support or reach a knowledgeable agent via live in-app chat or email.

Thousands of integrations: Brex integrates with thousands of popular business tools, allowing you to connect with the platforms you already use. These integrations span accounting software, ERPs, and HR platforms with direct, two-way data synchronization to drive accuracy and efficiency.

For example, the Slack integration provides instant expense notifications, keeping teams informed in real time. And integrations with platforms like Workday and Rippling enable easy employee onboarding and offboarding. Simply sync your HRIS with Brex to automate card activation for new hires and ensure immediate deactivation for outbound employees.

Drawbacks

Brex is not for freelancers looking for a second credit card. The Brex Business Credit Card will benefit scaling companies looking to optimize their financial operations and fuel their future growth.

AmEx Blue Business Cash offers a straightforward cash back program for small business owners. It features a simple rewards structure with no annual fee, making it attractive for businesses with moderate expenses.

• Annual Fee: $0

• APR: Up to 26.49% (Prime Rate + 17.99%)

• Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction

• Variable Minimum credit score requirement: Generally 700+

• Typical spending limit range: $1,000 to $40,000

Key benefits:

• No annual fee

• Simple cash back rewards

• Introductory APR period

Drawbacks:

• High FX fees

• No AmEx travel perks

• No Membership Rewards® points

• No redemption flexibility on rewards

• Limited expense tracking tools

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card advertises a 2% cash back rate. But once a cardholder hits $50,000 in annual spending, the rewards rate drops to just 1% — less than what you’ll get with many business credit cards and even personal credit cards.In other words, once you redeem $1,000 in cash back rewards with AmEx Blue Business, you’ll earn just $500 on every $50,000 you spend. That could be fine for small, local businesses with limited spending volume but not for growing companies with higher expenses or those aiming to maximize their rewards on business spending. Scaling businesses need a card that can keep pace with their increasing expenditures, offering consistent, high-value rewards without arbitrary caps.

With Blue Business Cash, rewards can only be redeemed for an automatic statement credit, so you won’t earn any Membership Rewards points. You can find much more flexible redemption options with other business credit cards. With Brex, for example, you can redeem your rewards points for cash back, statement credit, travel, company offsite planning, and more.The card's foreign transaction fee of 2.7% makes it a non-starter for businesses with distributed teams or global employees. And AmEx will only allow you to add up to 99 employee cards.

Blue Business Cash also lacks the expense tracking automation offered by modern business credit cards like Brex.

"[Brex] blows away even innovative platforms like AmEx,” said one reviewer on Capterra. “Reporting and payment canceling is on point — what an incredible product. Oh yeah, the B2B payments platform is incredibly user-friendly too. Goodbye to old-school ACH."

Bank of America's offering allows businesses to choose their preferred cash back category, but the low spending limits make it less than ideal for rapidly growing companies.

• Annual Fee: $0

• APR: Up to 28.49%

• Foreign transaction Fee: 3%

• Variable Minimum credit score requirement: Generally 750+

• Typical spending limit range: $3,000 — $5,000

Key benefits:

• No annual fee

• 2-3% cash back, capped at $1,000

• Signup bonuses for new BoA customers

Drawbacks:

• Capped earning on bonus categories

• High FX fee

• High APR

• Complex rewards structure

• Hard to get approved

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, which may appeal to small business owners. However, a closer examination of the rewards structure reveals some significant limitations.

While the card allows you to earn 3% in your selected category and 2% on dining, these enhanced rates only apply to the first $50,000 in combined annual spending across both categories. Once you hit this cap, the rewards rate drops to a mere 1% for all purchases. This structure can be particularly restrictive for businesses with higher spending volumes.

The card does offer the potential for increased rewards through Bank of America's Preferred Rewards for Business program. You just have to maintain a sizable average daily balance with Bank of America to access these boosted rates.

The approval process for this card can be challenging. Typically, you have to have a credit score of 750 or better. Even then, you might get denied by BoA without much explanation. For those who do get approved, the spending limits tend to be quite low at around $3,000-$5,000.

It's worth noting that the 3% foreign transaction fee makes this card less suitable for businesses with international operations or frequent overseas transactions. This fee quickly negates any rewards earned on foreign purchases.

Tailored for frequent business travelers loyal to Delta Air Lines, this card provides premium travel perks and the opportunity to earn miles quickly. Despite its high annual fee, small businesses that prefer to fly Delta might find value in its complimentary airport lounge access.

• Annual fee: $650

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% variable APR

• Foreign transaction fee: N/A

• Variable minimum credit score requirement: Generally 750+

• Typical spending limit range: $1,000-$15,000

Key benefits

• 3x miles on Delta purchases

• Delta Sky Club® Access

• Up to $10 monthly rideshare credit

Drawbacks

• High annual fee

• Only 1x miles per dollar before spending $150,000

• Delta SkyMiles worth just ~$0.01/mile

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card offers a range of premium perks for frequent Delta flyers. Cardholders enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, an annual companion certificate, and the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward elite status. The card also provides priority boarding, a free checked bag, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

However, this card comes with a steep $650 annual fee, and the rewards structure doesn’t return much value for cardholders. Cardholders must spend $150,000 in a calendar year to unlock 1.5 miles per dollar on non-Delta purchases. Until you reach $150,000, you’ll only receive 1 Delta SkyMile per dollar.

The cash value of Delta SkyMiles fluctuates. They could be worth just 1.2 cents per mile, depending on when and how you redeem them.

Like other AmEx products, Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers basic features like annual spending reports, but it lacks the comprehensive expense tracking tools and automations of other cards like the Brex Business Credit Card.

This no-frills business card is known for its low introductory APR period. However, it does not offer a rewards program or other benefits that typically come with business credit cards.

• Annual fee: $0

• APR: 17.99%-26.99%

• Foreign transaction fee: 3%

• Variable minimum credit score requirement: Generally 700+

• Typical spending limit range: $5,000-$15,000

Key benefits

• No annual fee

• Basic card controls

• Physical and virtual credit cards

Drawbacks

• No rewards program or cash back

• High foreign transaction fee

• High balance transfer fee

• Limited business-specific perks beyond basic fraud protection

The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a no-frills business credit card that focuses primarily on its introductory APR offer. While it provides 0% APR on purchases for 18 months, the card does not earn points, miles, or cash back on purchases.

Small, local businesses may be drawn in by the introductory APR period, but the typical spending limit is $5,000-$15,000. Even during the 0% APR period, this card won’t help scaling businesses with cash flow. After the introductory rate, the card’s APR climbs as high as 26.99%.

While there’s no annual fee for the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card, the 3% FX fee is costly for companies that do business internationally.

Other cards, like the Brex Business Credit Card, can potentially offer limits of $100,000 or more depending on factors like your company's cash balance, spending patterns, and revenue. And, with Brex, you earn rewards on all company spending with generous multipliers on rideshares, travel, and other major spend categories. Plus, unlike the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card, Brex is a truly global card that enables you to avoid costly foreign transaction fees.

Designed for very small businesses with fair credit, Capital One Spark 1% Classic offers a path to building credit history. Still, with just 1% cash back, its rewards structure doesn’t return a whole lot of value for cardholders.

• Annual fee: $0

• APR: 29.99% variable APR

• Foreign transaction fee: $0

• Variable minimum credit score requirement: Generally 640+

• Typical spending limit range: $300-$6,000

Key benefits

• 1% cash back on every purchase

• No annual fee

• Additional cash back on Capital One Travel bookings

Drawbacks

• No higher reward tiers outside of Capital One Travel

• High APR

• Low credit line

• Reports to personal credit bureaus

The 1% cash back rate is extremely low for a business credit card. And with spending limits that can be as low as $300, this card does not provide sufficient spending power for growing businesses.

It’s also worth noting that the card's APR is higher than the average for business credit cards, which means substantial charges if you carry a balance.

Another drawback: Capital One may report card use information to consumer credit bureaus in addition to business credit bureaus. This means any issues with the card could potentially affect your personal credit score. Additionally, the card requires a personal guarantee, putting your personal assets at risk if your business can't pay its debts.

In contrast, Brex does not require a personal guarantee or credit check. Brex also offers higher credit limits based on cash balance and revenue rather than personal credit history.

Chase's offering for small businesses provides cash back on all purchases. It also doesn’t have an annual fee. Still, Ink Business Unlimited has a foreign transaction fee of 3% and its typical spending limit range is lower than you might expect.

• Annual fee: $0

• APR: Up to 24.49%

• Foreign Transaction fee: 3% of each transaction

• Variable minimum credit score requirement: 670

• Typical spending limit range: $3,000 to $25,000

Key benefits

• No annual fee

• 1.5% cash back

• Online account management

Drawbacks

• Personal guarantee required

• Difficult approval process

• No expense management tools

• Low credit limits

• No bonus categories

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card may be an appealing option for freelancers and sole proprietors. Its cash back structure is straightforward, offering a flat and modest 1.5% on all purchases. And its minimum credit score requirement of ~670 presents a lower barrier to entry compared to other Chase products.

However, the card has several drawbacks for scaling companies. Like many business credit cards, it requires a personal guarantee, meaning you're personally liable for the debt if your business can't pay. And the approval process can be challenging, even for applicants with good credit scores.

The card also fails to provide businesses with expense management tools, beyond basic tracking. Brex, on the other hand, offers a full-stack spend management platform with advanced features like real-time expense tracking, automated receipt capture, and customizable approval workflows to drive efficiency and accuracy for growing companies. Brex also integrates directly with popular accounting software and ERPs to improve financial operations.

With spending limits as low as $3,000, Chase Ink Unlimited doesn’t offer much spending power for businesses. Additionally, the card’s flat cash back rewards structure doesn’t return much value. Outside of occasional, limited-time promotions (like 5% back on Lyft), Chase Ink Business Unlimited only offers 1.5% cash back.

This co-branded Chase airline card caters to businesses frequently flying with United Airlines. It also offers airline-specific perks and the ability to earn miles on everyday business spending.

• Annual fee: $99 after first year

• APR: 21.99%–28.99% variable APR

• Foreign transaction fee: $0

• Variable minimum credit score requirement: Generally 700+

• Typical spending limit range: $5,000-$15,000

Key benefits

• Free checked bags on United

• Priority United boarding

• 2x miles on United purchases

Drawbacks

• $99 annual fee after the first year

• Rewards tied to a single airline

• High APR

• Low credit limits

• Personal guarantee required

The United Business Card offers perks for business owners who frequently fly United plus 2x rewards on a few select categories, such as United purchases and office supplies. However, purchases outside of those spend categories return just 1 mile per dollar.

However, the card has several limitations that may make it less suitable for growing businesses. The $99 annual fee (waived for the first year) can be a burden, especially when considering the relatively low credit limits typically offered. And the high regular APR (up to 28.99%) is problematic for businesses looking to float purchases.

Unlike more modern business credit cards, the United Business Card lacks comprehensive tools for tracking and categorizing expenses, which can be crucial for scaling companies. Additionally, the card requires a personal guarantee and reports to personal credit bureaus, potentially impacting the business owner's personal credit.

While the rewards structure is beneficial for frequent United flyers, it lacks flexibility. The card does not have a foreign transaction fee, but it doesn’t offer the multi-currency support of the Brex Business Card. Brex cards are accepted in over 200 countries and can be issued in more than 20 currencies. Plus, with Brex, you can reimburse employees in their local bank accounts and currencies to avoid intercompany transactions and costly FX fees.

There are many business credit cards with no annual fee, but only Brex offers a full-stack financial platform designed to scale with your business from startup to enterprise.

With Brex, you can access high credit limits based on factors like your company's cash balance and revenue, rather than your own personal credit score. This approach often results in limits that are 10-20x higher than traditional business cards, giving you the spending power you need to fuel growth.

Unlike other rewards programs that only give you cash back or miles, Brex rewards return real value with flexible redemption options. Get multipliers on your biggest spend categories like software subscriptions, rideshares, and travel. Then, redeem them however you’d like — cash back, travel, statement credit, offside planning, or even unique options like billboard advertising.

Beyond high credit limits and rewards, Brex’s expense management automation can significantly reduce manual work. Brex automates receipt matching, expense categorization, and approval workflows, saving time and minimizing errors. And, with real-time spend tracking and direct integrations with accounting software and ERPs, your finance team will have unprecedented visibility and control over all company spend. That’s why Brex is the best business credit card for growing companies

Ready to make every dollar count for your business with a business credit card that does more? Sign up for a Brex card in minutes and future-proof your company today.