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

Choosing the best business travel card can be your passport to a world of perks, from airport lounge access to hotel upgrades. But with so many options out there, how do you find the one that best matches your business needs?

MoneyGeek has evaluated the ins and outs of the best business travel credit cards to help you find your perfect fit. Here's what you need to know about what a business travel card is, how it works and what factors to consider when choosing the best business credit card for travel rewards.

Why You Can Trust Our List

MoneyGeek's Top Picks


  • American Express® Business Gold Card

    A dynamic rewards card for high-spending business owners


    • 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
    • 19.49% – 27.49% VariableAPR
    • $295Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    American Express® Business Gold Card

    Terms, rates and fees apply

  • Capital One Spark Miles for Business

    Best flat-rate rewards card for frequent travelers


    • 2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 26.24% VariableAPR
    • $95 ($0 first year)Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

    A card that offers generous rewards for business travelers who fly Delta frequently.


    • 1.5–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $550Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

    Great for big welcome offer and ongoing rewards


    • 1–3 Points per $1Rewards Rate
    • 21.24% – 26.24% VariableAPR
    • $95Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

    Great for hotel rewards and perks for business spending


    • 2–6 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $125Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

    An excellent business card with Southwest and other travel benefits


    • 1–3 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
    • $199Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • 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® pointsRewards Rate
    • 18.49% – 26.49% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    Top-tier business card with premium travel benefits


    • 1–5 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 19.49% – 27.49% VariableAPR
    • $695Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

    Great for earning Hilton Honors points


    • 3–12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $95Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • United℠ Business Card

    Solid travel card for United fans


    • 1–2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 21.74%–28.74% VariableAPR
    • $99 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

    Lucrative rewards for World of Hyatt members


    • 1–9 PointsRewards Rate
    • 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
    • $199Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

When considering a business credit card with travel rewards, it is advantageous to reflect on what your travel needs are. While having an abundance of features is enjoyable, it isn’t advisable to pay an annual fee for a card unless you use its benefits. — Brett Holzhauer, Personal Finance Journalist

Business Travel Cards Defined

A business travel card is a credit card designed to offer benefits and rewards to business owners and professionals who travel frequently for work. These cards offer rewards points for travel-related expenses such as airline tickets and hotel stays. The best business travel credit cards stand out by providing enticing sign-up bonuses and a wide array of perks to make your business travels more comfortable and economical.

When you pay for your business trips using a business travel rewards credit card, you facilitate smoother expense tracking and earn rewards that you can later use to offset future travel costs. It's a savvy way to save on travel expenses while enjoying extra comforts on your business trips.

How Business Travel Cards Work

Understanding the workings of business travel credit cards can help you maximize their potential benefits. Let's break down the fundamental aspects of how these cards function.

Reward Points and Miles

Most business travel credit cards operate on a rewards system, earning points or miles for every dollar you spend. These points can be incredibly versatile, allowing you to redeem them for flight tickets, hotel stays or even cash back in some cases. The best business travel card for you would offer a rewards rate that aligns with your spending pattern, helping you accumulate points quickly and easily.

Sign-Up Bonuses

Many of the best business travel credit cards come with a lucrative sign-up bonus as an incentive to choose their card. To secure this bonus, you'll typically need to meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of account opening. It's a great initial boost that can lead to substantial savings on your business travels.

Annual Fees

Business travel credit cards often come with annual fees ranging from moderate to high amounts. While this might seem like a downside, the best business credit cards for travel often offer benefits that far outweigh the cost of the annual fee, provided you make good use of the card's features and rewards.

Additional Perks

Apart from rewards and bonuses, these cards also come with additional perks such as airport lounge access, travel insurance and free checked bags, further enhancing your travel experience. When choosing a business travel rewards credit card, considering these extra benefits can help you find a card that adds value and convenience to your business trips.

Should You Use a Personal Credit Card for Business Travel?

Using a personal credit card for business travel might seem convenient, especially if you already have a card with great rewards. However, keeping your business and personal expenses separate is generally recommended for easier management and better financial clarity.

Opting for a business travel credit card instead can provide you with detailed reports on your spending, a feature that many personal cards do not offer. Moreover, business credit cards often come with higher credit limits, giving you more flexibility for making business-related purchases.

While using a personal card for business travel isn't a no-go, the best business travel credit cards can offer benefits specifically tailored to business needs, which will make your trips more rewarding and your expense tracking simpler.

MORE: Best Business Travel Credit Cards for Airline Miles in 2023

Business Credit Cards: Travel or Cash Back?

When it comes to business credit cards, you often face a choice between travel rewards and cash back. Both have their merits, and the best option for you hinges largely on your business’s specific needs and travel frequency.

Travel rewards business credit cards tend to give you perks like airline miles, hotel upgrades and access to exclusive lounges. These perks can make your business trips more comfortable and pleasurable. They are especially beneficial if you or your employees travel frequently for work.

On the other hand, cash back cards offer a straightforward rewards system, giving you a percentage of your spending back as cash. This might be the better option if your business expenses are more varied and not necessarily travel-centric.

In essence, while travel rewards cards can elevate your business travel experiences with luxurious perks, cash back cards offer flexibility and simplicity that is hard to beat. The best business credit card for travel rewards or cash back is one that aligns with your business spending patterns and preferences.

MORE: Best Business Credit Cards for Cash Back in 2023

Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Card

Before deciding on the best business travel card for you, it's wise to weigh the pros and cons. Let’s break down the potential advantages and drawbacks to consider.

Pros

  • airplane icon

    Reward points and travel perks

    When you choose a business travel rewards credit card, every dollar spent can earn you points or miles that can be redeemed for travel-related rewards. These perks can make your business travels much more enjoyable and comfortable, offering a significant advantage over other types of credit cards.

  • graphCard icon

    Higher credit limits

    Business travel credit cards often offer higher credit limits compared to personal cards. This gives you the financial flexibility to manage larger purchases efficiently, which can be great for businesses with substantial travel or operational expenses.

  • goodCredit icon

    Build business credit

    Utilizing a business travel card responsibly can assist in building your business credit score, which can be beneficial in securing better terms for business loans or credit lines in the future.

Cons

  • annualFee icon

    Annual fees

    Many business travel credit cards come with annual fees that can be quite substantial. It’s important to ensure that the benefits and rewards you receive from the card justify these fees.

  • rewards icon

    Complex rewards structures

    While the rewards can be generous, the structures can sometimes be complex and require active management to fully benefit from them. Understanding the nuances of a card's reward system can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.

  • highInterestAPR icon

    Potential for high interest rates

    If not managed carefully, business travel cards can come with high interest rates, especially if you carry a balance month to month. It’s advisable to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid accruing high interest charges.

How to Choose a Business Travel Credit Card

Selecting the best business travel credit card will enhance your business travel experience. Here are some key factors to consider while making your choice:

  • Understand your spending habits: Before you start exploring options, take time to analyze your business spending patterns. Understanding where most of your business expenses lie will help you choose a card that offers maximum rewards for your spending habits.
  • Weigh the annual fee against the benefits: Almost all premium business travel credit cards have an annual fee. Remember to evaluate whether the perks and rewards offered by the card outweigh the annual fee to ensure you get the best value.
  • Consider the rewards structure: Travel rewards business credit cards come with different rewards structures. Some offer miles or points that can be redeemed for travel benefits, while others offer cash back. Choose a structure that offers the best returns on your spending based on your preferences and business needs.
  • Look into the sign-up bonus: Many cards lure in new customers with a generous sign-up bonus. While this is an attractive feature, be sure to check the spending threshold required to earn this bonus and confirm that it aligns with your budget.
  • Check the foreign transaction fees: If international business travel is a regular occurrence for you, considering a card with no foreign transaction fees should be a priority. This way, you can save on the extra costs that accumulate while using the card abroad.
  • Examine additional perks: Finally, don't overlook the additional perks offered by the card. From airport lounge access to travel insurance, these perks can add substantial value to your business travel credit card, making your travels more comfortable and convenient.

Securing the best business travel card hinges on a deep understanding of your spending habits and travel needs. Remember to weigh the benefits against the costs and choose a card with a rewards structure that aligns with your business's financial landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions to assist you in understanding and choosing the best business travel card for your needs.

Experts' Advice Choosing a Business Travel Credit Card

  1. Who is best suited for a travel rewards credit card, and how can consumers determine if a travel card is right for them?
  2. What factors should consumers consider when searching for and comparing travel credit cards?
  3. What common mistakes do people make when it comes to choosing and using a travel credit card?
  4. How can travelers maximize the rewards and benefits of travel credit cards?
Julia Menez
Julia Menez

Travel Hacking Coach and Founder of Geobreeze

About Grace Pilling


Grace Pilling headshot

Grace Pilling is passionate about empowering readers to make informed financial choices to support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line. Prior to joining MoneyGeek as a senior content manager, Grace was a senior editor at CreditCards.com and Bankrate, where she focused on teaching people how to use credit cards wisely.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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