MoneyGeek's Take

Best Business Credit Cards for No Annual Fee in 2023

Using a no-annual-fee business rewards credit card gives you the ability to capitalize on your spending without paying to use the card. Certain rewards credit cards also offer higher reward/cash back rates on category-based spending.

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This article is part of our larger series on Best Business Credit Cards

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Last Updated: 11/18/2022

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Not having to pay an annual fee is ideal for business owners who aren’t looking for extensive features or perks from their rewards credit cards. Plus, some of the top no-annual-fee business rewards credit cards also come with sizable welcome bonus offers.

If your business expenses involve spending more across specific categories, such as gas or office supplies, you might benefit from credit cards that offer higher cash back/reward rates on category-based spending.

For companies whose employees travel internationally for business, consider looking at business cards that charge no foreign transaction fees. The Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus is one such card, and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi does away with this fee as well.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Our Top 3 Picks
Summarized List of All Winners
Tips for Comparing Credit Cards

This article is part of our larger series on
Best Business Credit Cards

MoneyGeek's Take: Top 3 Business Rewards Cards with No Annual Fee

Quick Summary

The best business rewards credit cards with no annual fees include ones that offer flat earn rates as well as ones that let you earn higher rewards/cash back when you spend across specific categories. We accounted for this when selecting the top three cards in this category, and we also paid due attention to welcome offers, APRs, foreign transaction fees and added benefits. You’ll find more options by scrolling further down the page.

Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus
A great no-annual-fee business card with 1.5% cash back
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Gas
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Groceries
We recommend the Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus to people who’re looking for an alternative that comes with 1.5% cash back on all your business purchases.
Using this card outside of the U.S. makes sense as it does not charge overseas transaction fees. Employee cards come at no extra cost. Getting to select your own due date is a plus.
Other benefits include $0 fraud liability, downloadable purchase records, year-end summaries, extended warranty and complimentary roadside assistance.
Pros
$0 annual fee
Flat cash back across all categories
No foreign transaction fees
Free employee cards

Cons
Penalty APR might apply if you make a late or returned payment
Cash advance fees
No annual fees
1.5% cash back on all purchases
No added fees for employee cards with customized spending limits
Ability to assign account managers
Purchase records made available in Quicken, QuickBooks and Excel
$0 fraud liability to safeguard against fraudulent transactions
Complimentary roadside assistance for all cardholders
Get additional protection on eligible purchases through extended warranty
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
A great business card with a flat, simple rewards structure and no annual fees.
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1.5xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Entertainment
We recommend the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card to business owners who do not wish to pay annual fees and keep their rewards earning simple. All purchases earn 1.5% cash back. This card comes with an intro 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months. It also gives you the ability to earn a considerable spend-based welcome bonus.
Employee cards come at no additional cost. Cardholders might benefit through purchase protection, extended warranty, roadside dispatch, auto rental collision damage waiver and travel and emergency assistance services.
Using this card outside of the U.S. might not work well, given that it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Pros
No annual fees
Flat 1.5% cash back
A spend-based welcome bonus of $900
0% intro APR for 12 months

Cons
No bonus cash back categories
Foreign transaction fees
No annual fee
Earn $900 bonus cash back by spending $6,000 in the first three months
Earn 1.5% cash back
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then variable APR 17.49% – 23.49% after that.
Free employee cards
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
An excellent no-annual-fee rewards card for Costco members
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–4% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
- 4xRewards Rate on Gas
- 3xRewards Rate on Dining
We recommend the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi for small businesses that are Costco members and are looking for a no-annual-fee card. Category-based spending lets you earn up to 4% cash back. You may redeem the cash back you earn at Costco Warehouses across the U.S. This card also comes with a competitive APR for purchases.
Using this card when traveling outside of the U.S. makes sense as it does not charge any international transaction fees.
Purchases you make using this card receive cover through extended warranty as well as damage and theft purchase protection.
Cardholders may also use the Citi Entertainment and Citi Concierge services to good effect.
Pros
Pay no annual fees
Pay no foreign transaction fees
Earn 4% cash back on all gas purchases globally for up to $7,000 in spending per year, and 1% thereafter
Earn 3% cash back when spending at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases globally
Earn 2% cash back on all non-gas related purchases at Costco and Costco.com
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for cash or merchandise at Costco Warehouses across the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Competitive APR for purchases
Fraud early warning to safeguard your account
Extended warranty and damage and theft purchase protection to safeguard your purchases
Access to presale tickets and special events via Citi Entertainment
24/7 access to Citi Concierge

Cons
Need to be a Costco member to apply
Cash back provided as an annual credit card reward certificate at the close of the February billing cycle
Penalty APR applies in cases of returned and late payments
Cash advance fee
No complimentary travel coverage
$0 annual fee
Competitive APR for purchases
4% cash back on spending of up to $7,000 per year on all gas purchases globally, and 1% thereafter
3% cash back on spending at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases worldwide
All purchases at Costco and Costco.com (other than gas) come with 2% cash back
Spending across all other categories gets you 1% cash back
Redeem earned cash back for merchandise or cash at any Costco warehouse in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
No foreign transaction fees
Complimentary extended warranty and damage and theft purchase protection
Complimentary access to Citi Concierge and Citi Entertainment
Fraud early warning in case of suspicious activity
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply

Summary of the Best Business Cards for No Annual Fee

Check out this no-annual-fee business rewards card comparison table to see how the best cards in this category fare across parameters such as who these cards might work best for, annual fees, reward rates and the credit required to apply.

Credit Card
Best For
Avg. Reward Rate
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus
A great no-annual-fee business card with 1.5% cash back
1.5% Cash Back
$0
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
A great business card with a flat, simple rewards structure and no annual fees.
1.5% Cash Back
$0
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
An excellent no-annual-fee rewards card for Costco members
1–4% Cash Back*
$0
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Fantastic card for earning rewards on office supplies
1–5% Cash Back*
$0
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
A simple cash back rewards card that helps you avoid hassles
1–2% Cash Back*
$0
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Great no-annual-fee card for earning rewards on business spending
up to 2X Membership Rewards® points
$0

MONEYGEEK PRO TIP

Business credit cards are an excellent opportunity to double up on welcome bonuses and rewards with your favorite brands. You can generally combine the rewards earned from your personal and business credit cards to accelerate free travel, elite status and higher cash back redemptions. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.

How to Compare Business Credit Cards & Intro Offers

What one person regards as the best no-annual-fee business rewards credit card might not work equally well for another person. This is because these cards have multiple differences that target them to specific types of businesses. You’ll want to take your individual requirements into consideration before making a selection.

Rewards/cash back rate

Consider if you might benefit more by earning a flat rewards/cash back rate on all categories or higher earn rates on category-based spending. For instance, the Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card let you earn 1.5% cash back on all business purchases. On the other hand, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi lets you earn up to 4% cash back on category-based spending. However, purchases that don’t fall under its bonus categories earn just 1% cash back.

Welcome offers

Most top no-annual-fee business rewards credit cards have time- and spend-based welcome offers for new cardholders. For example, the Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus Card (for excellent credit) comes with an early spend bonus that lets you earn a one-time $500 cash bonus by spending $4,500 on purchases in the first three months. Some of these cards come with introductory time-based 0% APR offers on purchases.

APR

It is common for business rewards cards to come with higher APRs than business cards without rewards/cash back. As a result, if you plan to carry a balance on your card from one month to the next, consider looking at what low-interest cards for businesses have to offer.

Foreign transaction fees

If you or your employees travel outside of the U.S. for business-related purposes, getting a card with no foreign transaction fees might be in your best interest. With banks charging foreign transaction fees of up to 3%, eliminating these hidden charges can boost your bottom line. No-annual-fee business rewards credit cards that fit this bill include the Capital One Spark Cash Select - $500 Cash Bonus Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi.

Additional perks

Despite having no annual fees, you can expect card-specific features and benefits such as free employee cards, purchase protection, extended warranty, basic travel insurance coverage, roadside assistance and access to expense management tools.