Business Credit Cards with Rewards

There is no Chase Sapphire Reserve business credit card. But small business owners can use the standard Sapphire Reserve card for business spending. Just try to avoid putting business and personal expenses on the same credit card, or else your finances might get too confusing.

Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best credit cards on the market. Many of its features, such as 3 points per $1 spent on travel and dining and a $300 annual travel credit, are ideal for business. But all of Sapphire Reserve’s perks come with a hefty $450 annual fee.

Even if you were to use Sapphire Reserve strictly for business spending, you’re still likely to get better value from a regular business credit card. Chase offers a host of business credit cards with rewards and benefits that are similar to, and in some cases better than, what Sapphire Reserve bring to the party.

The Ink Business Preferred card offers a more valuable initial bonus ($1,000 vs. Reserve’s $750). Ink Business Cash gives 5% back on office supplies. And Ink Business Unlimited has a 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. None of the three Chase business cards has an annual fee above $99. There are also viable options outside of Chase. The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card and the Amex Business Gold card are both good choices.

Here are some Chase Sapphire Reserve business alternatives:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: $450 annual fee, $75 for each authorized user. $10,000 minimum credit limit. 50,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (up to $750 in travel). 3 points per $1 on dining and travel (1 per $1 on all other purchases). $300 annual travel credit. Excellent credit required.
• Ink Business Preferred: $95 annual fee. $5,000 minimum credit limit. 80,000 points for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months ($1,000 travel value). 3 points per $1 on $150k spent per year on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone and advertising. 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Free employee credit cards. Good credit required.
• Ink Business Cash: $0 annual fee. $3,000 minimum credit limit. $500 for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 5% cash back on $25k spent per year on office supplies and internet/cable/phone service. 2% cash back on $25k spent per year at gas stations and restaurants. 1% on all other purchases. Free employee credit cards. Good credit required.
• Ink Business Unlimited: $0 annual fee. $3,000 minimum credit limit. $500 for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Free employee credit cards. Good credit required.
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: $0 for 1st yr, $95 after annual fee. $2,000 minimum credit limit. 50,000 miles for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. 150,000 miles for spending $50,000 in the first 6 months. 2 miles per $1 on all purchases. Free employee credit cards. Good credit required.
• American Express Business Gold card: $295 annual fee. No preset spending limit. Must pay in full every month. 2 points per $1 on business’s biggest 2 spending categories each month; 4 per $1 on first $150,000 in those categories per year. 25% points back on flights through Amex Travel (250,000 per year). Free employee credit cards. Good credit required.

While there is no Chase Sapphire Reserve business credit card, if you decide you would like to use the personal Sapphire Reserve card for business purchases, you will need excellent credit for approval.

Most Chase business credit cards require good personal credit history. That’s also the case with many business cards from other issuers. Keep in mind that business cards hold you personally liable for any unpaid balances. So, just like with a personal card, don’t spend outside the business’s means.

The best fuel card for small business is the U.S. Bank Business Edge Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard because it offers 3% cash back on fuel purchases at any station. That 3% rate applies up to $200 spent on each fill-up, with amounts above that yielding 1% back. The U.S. Bank Business Edge Cash Rewards card has a $0 annual fee.

Some people might think that the best fuel cards for small businesses are those partnered with a certain gas station, like the Shell Business card. But those cards restrict fuel purchases that earn rewards to specific stations too.

Many general business credit cards offer rewards at least as good, while letting you make purchases anywhere. For example, the American Express SimplyCash Plus Business card gives 3% cash back in the spending category of your choice, including fuel purchases.

Here are the best fuel cards for small businesses:

• Best overall: U.S. Bank Business Edge Cash Rewards World Elite. Unlimited 3% cash back on single gas purchases of $200 or less (1% on purchases in excess of $200); cell phones and accessories; and office supplies. $0 annual fee. Excellent credit required.
• Best fuel store card: Shell Small Business Card. Pay at the pump at more than 14,000 stations. No personal guarantee needed for businesses open for at least 3 years and with more than $1 million in annual sales. $0 annual fee. Good credit required.
• Best for office supply rewards: SimplyCash Plus Business Card from American Express. 3% cash back on the spending category of your choice, including fuel purchases. 5% back on up to $50k in telephone and office supply purchases per year. $0 annual fee. Good credit required.
• Best for wholesale shopping: Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card. 4% cash back on fuel purchases, up to $7,000 annually; 1% after. 3% on restaurants and travel and 2% at Costco. $0* annual fee. Excellent credit required.
• Best for introductory 0% APR: Chase Ink Business Cash. 2% cash back on first $25k per year on fuel and restaurant purchases. 5% on first $25k spent on office supplies and phone/internet/cable. $0 annual fee. Good credit required.
• Best initial bonus: CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select. 70,000 bonus miles for spending $4,000 in the first 4 months. 2 miles per $1 spent on fuel, telecommunications, cable/satellite and American Airlines purchases. $0 annual fee first year, $99 after. Good credit required.
• Best cash back: Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard. $200 cash back for spending $500 in the first 60 days. 3% cash back on fuel and office supply purchases, up to $250,000 spent annually. 2% back at restaurants. $0 annual fee. Excellent credit required.

The best fuel cards for small business are more flexible that you might realize. In addition to the cash back and rewards that come with fuel and business-related purchases, all the cards give at least 1% cash back or 1 bonus point/mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. You’ll be able to use your fuel card in a pinch for emergencies or other unexpected expenses and earn additional cash back or rewards in the process.