When it comes to managing finances for sole proprietors, selecting the right business credit card is crucial. These cards not only help streamline expenses and cash flows but also offer various benefits tailored to the unique needs of individual entrepreneurs.
From cash back rewards to travel perks and expense management tools, the best business credit cards for sole proprietors can significantly enhance their financial flexibility and operational efficiency.
Best for Everyday Spending: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (review).
Best for Benefits: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (review).
Best for Cash Back:The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (review).
1. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best for Everyday Spending
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 2 Points Per Dollar on the First $50,000 in Purchases Each Calendar Year (1x Points thereafter)
- 0.0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months. After that, reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- No Annual Fee (rates & fees)
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (review) offers a strong 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases annually, making it an excellent no-annual-fee (rates & fees) option for small business owners. This card provides good value for everyday spending and access to Amex’s 20+ transfer partners, though it does have foreign transaction fees.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Earning Points: 2 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent on the card annually (then 1 point per dollar).
Card Benefits: Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Expanded Buying Power, and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
2. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for Benefits
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (review) offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all business purchases with no bonus categories to track and no annual fee. This card shines brightest when paired with premium Chase cards, allowing you to transform your rewards into valuable Ultimate Rewards points for transfers to travel partners.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
3. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Best for Travel
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) simplifies rewards earning with double miles on everything you buy. This straightforward business card lets you transfer miles to travel partners or redeem directly for travel purchases, making it a practical choice for business owners who want travel flexibility without complex bonus categories.
Welcome Bonus: Earn a 50,000 miles bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months.
Earn Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars for bookings via Capital One’s travel booking site; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, primary rental car insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
4. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best for Spending at Office Supply Stores, Internet, Cable, and Phone
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (review) packs serious value with no annual fee, offering excellent rewards at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services. This business card stands out with its substantial welcome bonus and valuable perks like purchase protection and primary rental car coverage for business rentals.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 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; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: Primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
5. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best for Cash Back
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (review) offers 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases annually, then 1% thereafter, with rewards automatically credited to your statement each billing cycle. This no-annual-fee card (rates & fees) provides a straightforward way for small businesses to earn cash back on expenses, though larger spenders may find more value in other options.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Cash Back: 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases every calendar year. After that, the card earns 1% back. Your cash back on the Blue Business Cash appears as an automatic monthly statement credit.
Benefits: Extended warranty, purchase protection, secondary rental car insurance, Expanded Buying Power, and 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, after that a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR applies.
6. Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Best for Amazon Prime Members
- bonus_miles_full
- 5% Back or 90 Day Terms on Eligible U.S. Purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Business, & Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership (up to $120,000 in purchases each calendar year)
- 2% Back at U.S. Restaurants, U.S. Gas Stations, and U.S. Wireless Phone Services
- No Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fees (rates & fees)
The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card is a good choice for businesses who frequently spend at Amazon.com, AWS, Amazon Business, and Whole Foods because you get 5% cash back or 90-day terms on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year (1% back thereafter).
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Rewards: 5% cash back or 90 Day Terms on all purchases made at Amazon, Amazon Web Services, and Whole Foods with eligible Prime Membership (up to $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% back thereafter); 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. wireless service providers; and 1% back on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: No foreign transaction fees, extended warranty, purchase protection, secondary rental car insurance, baggage insurance plan, and access to Amex Offers.
7. Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Best for High Credit Limits
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus (review) is a powerful business card that offers a simple yet rewarding 2% cash back on all purchases. Designed for businesses with high operating expenses and a preference for straightforward rewards, this card eliminates the complexities of tracking bonus categories. With no preset spending limit and a large welcome bonus, the Spark Cash Plus can be a valuable tool for managing cash flow and earning substantial rewards.
Welcome Bonus: Earn $2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars for bookings via Capital One’s travel booking site; 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: No preset limit, no foreign transaction fees, and extended warranty.
For rates and fees of the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express, please click here. 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.
