Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
- Best overall business card for new businesses:Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.
- Best 0% intro APR card for new businesses:U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®.
- Best business travel card for startups:Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
- Best overall business card for new businesses:Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.
- Best 0% intro APR card for new businesses:U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®.
- Best business travel card for startups:Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Here are the best credit cards for startups and new businesses
Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash back (annual spend less than $50,000) The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Setting up an office Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.8/5 | $0 | 1%-5% Cashback | $350 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Travel rewards Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.9/5 | $95 | 1x-3x Points | 120,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
0% intro APR U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1%-3% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Corporate card for startups Brex Card Apply now on Brex's website | 3.2/5 | $0 | 1x-7x Points | 10,000 Points | Apply now on Brex's website |
Charge card for startups Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $150 | 2%-5% Cashback | $2,000 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Flat-rate cash-back rewards Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 | $0 | 1.5%-5% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Best overall card for new businesses Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Startups with fair credit Capital on Tap Business Credit Card Apply now on Capital on Tap's website | 3.8/5 | $0 | 1.5% | N/A | Apply now on Capital on Tap's website |
Advertising + software American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.6/5 | $375 | 1x-4x Points | 100,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Travel, gas + EV charging U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Best for | NerdWallet rating▼ | Annual fee▼ | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash back (annual spend less than $50,000) The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.7/5 | $0 | 1%-2% Cashback | $250 | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Setting up an office Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.8/5 | $0 | 1%-5% Cashback | $350 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Travel rewards Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 4.9/5 | $95 | 1x-3x Points | 120,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
0% intro APR U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1%-3% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
Corporate card for startups Brex Card Apply now on Brex's website | 3.2/5 | $0 | 1x-7x Points | 10,000 Points | Apply now on Brex's website |
Charge card for startups Capital One Spark Cash Plus Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $150 | 2%-5% Cashback | $2,000 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Flat-rate cash-back rewards Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees | 4.9/5 | $0 | 1.5%-5% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on Capital One's website Rates & Fees |
Best overall card for new businesses Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | 5.0/5 | $0 | 1.5% Cashback | $750 | Apply now on Chase's website |
Startups with fair credit Capital on Tap Business Credit Card Apply now on Capital on Tap's website | 3.8/5 | $0 | 1.5% | N/A | Apply now on Capital on Tap's website |
Advertising + software American Express® Business Gold Card Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees | 4.6/5 | $375 | 1x-4x Points | 100,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website Rates & Fees |
Travel, gas + EV charging U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees | 5.0/5 | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on U.S. Bank's website Rates & Fees |
I'M INTERESTED IN:
Our pick for
Cash back (annual spend less than $50,000)
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Cash rewards
Cons
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Setting up an office
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
Travel rewards
Pros
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- Earn 120k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,200 cash back or $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Our pick for
0% intro APR
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Pros
- Bonus cash back categories
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on purchases
Cons
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn $750 in cash back. Just spend $6000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Rewards never expire.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Corporate card for startups
Brex Card
Pros
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Qualify with limited/bad credit
- Bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- No personal guarantee
Cons
- Complicated rewards structure
- High capital requirement for approval
- Daily repayment may be required
- Not available to sole proprietors
- Get 10,000 points when you spend $3,000 on a Brex Card within your first 3 months.
- No personal guarantee needed – Brex does not ask for a personal credit check or security deposit during the application.
- Credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional small business corporate cards.
- Minimum bank balance of $50,000 from professional investors may be required to qualify for Brex.
- Exclusive signup offers from the best products and tools for your business (e.g. AWS, Google Ads, WeWork, Salesforce) worth up to $150,000 in value.
- Earn points on every dollar spent with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 4x on Brex Travel, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software subscriptions and 1x on all other transactions.
- Earn 3x Brex Rewards points on all eligible Apple purchases through the link or your Brex dashboard.
- Miles transfer program to 7 airlines (including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air France, and more) and their loyalty programs, giving Brex customers access to book travel across all of the major global airline alliances - Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam.
- 30-day charge card running on the Mastercard network. Enjoy global acceptance with no foreign transaction fees.
- Build business credit: Brex partners with Dun & Bradstreet and Experian to report your on-time payments.
- Make employee expenses seamless - automated receipt-capture and expense matching and reconciliation via text, email, and mobile app. Instantly add new users and set spending limits.
- Contactless pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
- Simplify reconciliation with built-in integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and more.
Our pick for
Charge card for startups
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Pros
- Earns cash back on primary and employee cards
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance must be paid in full every month
- Has annual fee
- High spending requirement to hit full welcome bonus, annual bonus offers
- Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- $150 annual fee - Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
- Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
- For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Flat-rate cash-back rewards
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit
Pros
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- No reward caps
Cons
- Requires excellent credit
- Earn a $750 bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account
- Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
- Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- $0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges
View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Best overall card for new businesses