Best credit cards for advertising of November 2024
If you run a small business, it’s critical to maximize your promotional expenditures with one of the best credit cards for advertising. In today’s digital world, you likely spend a decent amount of money each month on platforms like Facebook and Google to announce the launch of a new product or capture new business with sponsored ad placements. And while word-of-mouth advertising is great, sometimes you need that paid boost to garner more leads.
This is where one of our picks for the best credit cards for ad spend can come in handy. Whether you’re looking for a card to help you plan your next campaign or boost social engagement, our list has something to suit your business needs.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for high-spending small businesses
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for social media ads
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for new businesses
- Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card: Best for Wyndham loyalists
Browse by card categories
Best for high-spending small businesses
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.* |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.* |
1X | 1X is earned for other purchases. ** |
The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our review of the Amex Business Gold Card.
Pros
- Choice of bonus categories.
- Possible bonus earning on flights.
Cons
- Minimal bonus categories.
- High annual fee.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.74% to 27.74% variable APR.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
- The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- *Terms Apply
Best for social media ads
3X | Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year |
1X | Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn |
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card's sign-up bonus is the best-ever offer for the card. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Pros
- Multiple business-related bonus categories.
- Reasonable annual fee.
- Travel and shopping protections.
- High sign-up bonus.
Cons
- High spend needed for sign-up bonus.
- Cap for bonus earning rate.
- Lack of travel or business credits.
- Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule.
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Best for new businesses
2% | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. |
1% | 1% cash back on all eligible purchases after spending $50,000 per calendar year. |
For businesses just starting out, we get it: You want to minimize any costs while maximizing your expenses. This is why the American Express Blue Business Cash Card is the perfect fit — there’s no annual fee, and you’ll earn 2% back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1%. With this card, you’ll also have access to exclusive Amex Offers from useful businesses such as FedEx and Bloomberg.com to help you save money on business shopping, dining, travel and so much more. Enrollment required for select benefits. Read our review of the Amex Blue Business Cash.
Pros
- Bonus cash-back rate.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- Capped bonus earning.
- Foreign transaction fees.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% – 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Best for Wyndham loyalists
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
8X | Earn 8 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases. |
5X | Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible marketing, advertising and utility purchases. |
1X | Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments). That means paying bills, buying home office supplies, car repairs, and more are earning you your next great vacation! |
Pros
- Automatic Wyndham Diamond status
- Go Free award nights cost 10% less
- 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year
Cons
- Points can only be redeemed through Wyndham
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card* is a solid small business credit card that features various perks, a welcome bonus and automatic Wyndham Diamond status. Its standout feature is elevated earnings for various business expenses like 5 points per dollar spent on eligible marketing, advertising and utility purchases as well as 8 points per dollar spent at hotels by Wyndham and qualifying gas purchases. If you’re a Wyndham loyalist who frequently spends on advertising and gas for your business, having the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business is a great way to get the most out of your spending.
Comparing the best credit cards for ad spending
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
ELEVATED BONUS OFFER Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | high-spending small businesses | Earn 100,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.* | 1 - 4X points | $375 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | social media ads | Earn 90,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 3X points | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | new businesses | $250 statement credit Open Intro bonus Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. | 1 - 2% cash-back | No annual fee |
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card * *The information about the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Information updated as of 07/29/2024 | Wyndham loyalists | 45,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. | 1 - 8X points | $95 |
More details on the best credit cards for ad spending
The American Express® Business Gold Card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses. Cardholders can leverage the flexibility of earning 4 points per dollar in the two categories where they spend the most money each billing cycle (up to $150,000 purchase limit annually, then 1 point after that). Therefore, if your company spends a lot on Facebook and Google ads, you’ll earn bonus points in that category.
The card is ideal for businesses that value simplicity above all due to its high earning rewards potential. For example, businesses that maximize the $150,000 annual purchase limit can earn at least 600,000 Membership Rewards points each year.
“No other card provides the earning potential and adaptability this card has. Sure, its annual fee isn’t cheap, but I love the fact I don’t need to think about what purchases I put on this card. It will automatically adapt and provide 4 points per dollar in my top two spending categories each billing cycle (up to $150,000 of these purchases yearly, then 1 point after that).” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers no annual fee and allows cardholders to earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter; see rates and fees) . This card is a better alternative for those prioritizing cash-back rewards on business ad spending over Membership Rewards points.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great choice for social media ad space (like Facebook) because businesses will receive 3 bonus points per dollar spent (up to $150,000 annually). Cardholders can also earn Ultimate Rewards points in all business spending categories, such as travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers. Plus, we love its minimal annual fee of just $95.
As one of the best credit cards for Facebook ads, we recommend this card for business owners who will spend money on ad sales and want to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Because Ultimate Rewards points offer high value, business cardholders can use these transferable points to redeem for other business expenses, such as airfare, rental cars, hotels and more. Additionally, this card offers lucrative travel and purchase protections.
“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I've found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
If you value cash-back rewards more than earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a great alternative is the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. With no annual fee (see rates and fees) and the ability to earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter), this card can save your business money on ad sales.
If you’re a business owner who wants to earn cash back on your company’s advertising purchases, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is the ideal choice. Cardholders will receive 2% cash back on ad sales (up to $50,000 per calendar year), then 1% thereafter. With no annual fee, that is a great card for startups looking to spend on advertising.
For businesses just starting out, we get it: You want to minimize any costs on ad sales while maximizing your expenses. This is why this card is the perfect fit — there’s no annual fee, and you’ll earn cash back on eligible purchases.
“There are very few no-annual-fee cards that award fully transferable points, but the Amex Blue Business Plus is one of them. Not only that, you'll earn 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar you spend (up to $50,000 each calendar year). That's a fantastic return of 4% based on TPG's valuation, making this a great option for your small business needs.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers 2% cash back on all purchases with no maximum annual cap. Though it does have an annual fee, this card has a solid sign-up bonus. Additionally, since this card has no preset spending limit, it can be beneficial to businesses wanting to spend a lot of money on advertising.
The card features high earning rates in popular business spend categories and offers automatic Diamond status making it a multi-tasking champ.
*The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card and Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Wyndham loyalists who own a small business would benefit from the perks offered by this card.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card deserves a spot in any Wyndham loyalist’s wallet. It features generous rewards on everyday business expenses, automatic Diamond status and a reasonable annual fee.
If you like Wyndham properties but want a lower annual fee Wyndham card — don’t mind a card with less benefits — consider the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card.
How we rate cards
What TPG readers have to say about their top pick for best advertising card
TPG readers had a lot to say about their favorite credit cards to use for advertising. In particular, the American Express® Business Gold Card emerged as a favorite for its ability to earn bonus Membership Rewards points on advertising expenses.
Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG’s opinions of these cards.
American Express® Business Gold Card
“If you advertise your business you should have the Amex [Business] Gold card-which earns 4x points on advertising* up to $150k per year.” – Ryan L via Facebook
“4x on Google Ads spend* adds up quickly when you own a digital marketing agency, even a small one.” – Scott E via X
*Automatically earn 4 points per dollar spent in your top two spending categories each billing cycle, capped at $150,000 per calendar year across all bonus categories (then 1 point per dollar spent). Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio) is an eligible bonus category.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
“Multiple points for the largest travel choices.” – Karey K via a TPG newsletter survey
How to choose the best credit card for ad spending
- Go with a credit card that features a good sign-up bonus that you can earn. Sign-up bonuses are a large part of a card’s value and if you can’t achieve the spending threshold responsibly, you will be losing that value. In addition, choose a card that earns your preferred form of rewards currency - whether it’s points, miles or cash back.1Sign-up bonus
- Our best cards for advertising feature a range of annual fees, from no annual fees to high annual fees. With higher annual fees comes more premium rewards like shopping protection and travel car insurance but even our no annual fee cards feature great results.2Annual fee
- The best cards for advertising feature several business related bonus categories so that any small business can maximize their earning. If you’re looking for a card for advertising that also doubles as a solid business card, it is likely a card on this list will be a great fit for your wallet.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of credit cards for ad spending
Pros
- Using an advertising credit card responsibly can help build your business and personal credit score
- Generally credit cards that earn points on advertising are business-orientated and help small businesses earn rewards on their spending
- Some advertising credit cards provide shopping protection and primary travel car rental insurance.
Cons
- Having an advertising credit card can encourage small business owners to overspend
- Carrying a balance on advertising credit cards can negatively impact your personal and business credit score
- The cost of borrowing on advertising credits cards are significantly higher than most business loans
Frequently asked questions
The American Express Business Gold Card is a standout choice as one of the best advertising credit cards due to its ability to earn 4 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on ad spending, which is a terrific 8% return based on TPG’s valuations. Plus, even if your business doesn’t spend much on ads in one month, you’ll still be able to earn 4 points per dollar on other popular bonus categories (up to the first $150,000 in combined spending each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Additionally, the Amex Business Gold Card is not limited to online media advertising, which means you’ll also be able to earn Membership Rewards points on select television and radio, such as NBC National Broadcasting and CBS Radio.
The American Express Business Gold Card is the best credit card for Facebook ad spending because you’ll earn 4 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar, with a purchase limit of $150,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar. If you maximize your bonus point earning in this category, you can earn 600,000 Membership Rewards points annually, which TPG values at $12,000.
If you want to maximize your rewards through Google ad spending, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a solid choice to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Business owners will earn 3 points per dollar on their Google ad and social media advertising purchases (on the first $150,000 spent). Since TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, that’s a 6.15% return.
Therefore, if you spend the full $150,000 on Google ads, in which you’ll earn 3 points per dollar, you’ll earn 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points each year, which TPG values at $9,000.
Online advertising with companies such as Facebook and Google has become an integral part of many business strategies, and luckily there are credit cards that reward spending within this category. If you have a large ad budget, you can spread out the cost over multiple credit cards and continue to bring in significant rewards.