Running a small business involves a million expenses: office supplies, travel, advertising, and salaries for employees. These add up fast, and small business owners need to cut corners wherever possible. The easiest ways involve a business credit card offering cashback rewards. With strategic use of these cards, business owners can earn rewards on everyday purchases, defray expenses, and improve cash flow.
In this article, we will discuss the best cash back business credit cards, go deep into what they have to offer, and explain why each of them could be great fits for your small business.
Why Business Credit Cards with Cash Back Are Important
Before we get into our recommendations for individual best cash back business credit cards, let’s take a step back and talk about exactly why these types of credit cards can be so beneficial to your small business. Here are just a few reasons these are valuable tools:
- EARNING REWARDS ON EVERYDAY EXPENSES
There is no way to avoid business expenses, and a cash back business credit card allows you to get a percentage of your purchases returned to you. Whether you are buying office supplies, paying for internet services, or covering lunches for fellow employees, you can make those costs work in your favor.
- SIMPLE REDEMPTION PROCESS
Unlike reward cards, which depend on the accumulation of points or travel miles, cashback cards are pretty straightforward when it comes to redemption. Many of these cards will let you redeem your reward earnings as a statement credit, direct deposit, and even checks for easy use of your rewards earned.
- FLEXIBILITY
Cashback rewards can be utilized however you see fit. This may be reinvested into your business, used toward operational costs, or stored for a rainy day. The flexibility of these cards makes them a favorite with many entrepreneurs.
- EXPENSE TRACKING AND MANAGEMENT
Business credit cards usually offer built-in expense tracking tools, which can be helpful for bookkeeping, tax reporting, and budget management. Several cards also enable you to extend employee cards with spending limits, which helps to keep team expenses in control.
With that said, here are the top-rated business credit cards for the best cashback rewards for small businesses.
1. Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card belongs to the crop of the best business cards for the small business owner, especially in instances when the revenues are office-related. This card has some very impressive cashback rates in specific business categories, making it a lucrative option for businesses looking to cut costs on day-to-day operations.
KEY FEATURES
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each year on office supply purchases and telecommunications services like internet, cable, and phone services.
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases with no limit.
PROS
- High cash back rates in business-essential categories.
- No annual fee.
- Excellent welcome offer of $750 bonus after spending $7,500 within the first three months.
CONS
- Cash back categories of 5% and 2% are subject to a yearly cap of $25,000.
- May not be as helpful for businesses whose spending does not necessarily fall under these categories.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is ideal for small businesses with high expenditure in terms of office supplies, internet, and telecommunications services. It’s probably the best credit card for typical business expenses given that it is free from annual fees and offers really priceless rewards.
2. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card**
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card grants a no-fuss, flat rate cash back to businesses looking for simplicity and reliability with no rotating categories to track or spending caps. It is ideally targeted at businesses of varied spending habits who do not want to worry about maximizing different categories.
KEY FEATURES
- 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then **1% cash back** on additional purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Expanded buying power, allowing you to spend above your credit limit (with terms based on factors such as credit history and payment patterns).
PROS
- The rewards are very easy to understand; there are no complicated categories.
- No annual fee.
- Flexibility to make purchases that take you over your credit limit if needed.
CONS
- The 2% cash back rate is capped at $50,000 in spending annually, which may be limiting for higher-spending businesses.
- Fewer bonus categories than other cards.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a no-brainer for small business owners looking for no-fuss rewards who want to avoid keeping track of their spending among miscellaneous categories. It fits best for those businesses whose spending falls into numerous categories.
3. Capital One Spark Cash for Business
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business is among the best options if your business incurs enormous expenses. It would include unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, offering simplicity and a high reward potential for businesses with diverse or high-volume spending.
KEY FEATURES
- 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases.
- A generous $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 within the first three months.
- No foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international business.
PROS
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no categories or spending caps.
- The rewards are easy to use; no need to manage a complex, rotating category system..
- No foreign transaction fees.
CONS
- $95 annual fee (waived for the first year).
- Lacks bonus categories that could optimize rewards for particular types of business spending.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business is ideal for businesses that incur high monthly expenses and for those who desire a no-fuss flat-rate rewards system. The unlimited cash back rewards and no foreign transaction fees also make it the perfect card for businesses with international travel.
4. Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card offers customized rewards, thus letting you choose where you want to gain the most cash back. It’s a highly flexible card; therefore, it is one of the very best options for a small business whose spending habits can take different bends with time.
KEY FEATURES
- 3% cash back in a category of your choice (gas, office supplies, travel, or computer services).
- 2% cash back at restaurants.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
PROS
- Customizable 3% cash back category lets you adjust rewards to match your business’s highest expenses.
- No annual fee.
- High-value welcome bonus for new cardholders.
CONS
- 3% and 2% cash back categories are capped at $50,000 in combined annual spending.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card is best for businesses who want flexibility in the rewards structure. If your spending tends to be all over the board from one year to the next – or even from one month to the next, this credit card lets you maximize your cash back returns based on current priorities.
5. U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® is another perfect option for small businesses, especially for those whose expenses are heavy on office–related and travel. This card offers improved rewards in common business categories, sweetened with a lucrative welcome bonus.
KEY FEATURES
- 3% cash back on eligible purchases in gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone service, and internet.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- $500 cash back after spending $4,500 in the first 150 days.
- No annual fee.
PROS
- Strong 3% cash back in essential business categories like office supplies and telecommunications services.
- No annual fee.
- Generous sign–up bonus.
CONS
- The 3% cash back categories are capped at $50,000 in spending per year.
- Limited category flexibility compared to customizable cards.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards card is the perfect match for businesses whose expenses in gas, office supplies, and telecommunications are consistent. Having no annual fee, along with one of the best sign-up bonuses out there, makes this card very competitive for business owners on a shoestring budget.
How to Choose the Best Cash Back Business Credit Card
Choosing a business credit card for your company? Consider the following:
- SPENDING HABITS
Consider where your business spends money the most. Is it on office supplies, travel, or telecommunications? Opt for a card that gives you the highest rewards in those categories where you are spending the most.
- ANNUAL FEES
There are numerous cards offering annual fees; however, they are normally offset by the rewards and benefits. Try working out in advance if the rewards you will earn outweigh the fee.
- REDEMPTION FLEXIBILITY
Not all cards are created equal when it comes to cashback redemption. Make sure to select a card through which you can redeem your rewards in the mode that is most relevant for your business.
- ADDITIONAL PERKS
Many business credit cards provide additional perks like purchase protection, extended warranties, or even travel insurance. If these perks apply to your business activities, then consider them.
Conclusion
Cashback business credit cards are indeed an effective means for a small business to save money and earn rewards on expenses taken frequently. Options abound whether you’re looking for high rewards in specific categories, flexible structure, or a simple flat-rate card. Cards like the Chase Ink Business Cash® or Capital One Spark Cash for Business rank among the best means for any business to maximize their returns on everyday purchases.
