Best business cash-back credit cards of November 2024

Business owners who are looking for simplicity and don’t want to worry about remembering bonus categories will find use in the card’s flat 2% cash back rate on all purchases. 

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a solid option for high-spending businesses since the welcome bonus can earn you $1,200 cash back if you spend $30,000 in the first three months of card membership. Plus, you can also earn a refund of the card’s $150 annual fee each year you spend $150,000 or more on the card. 

If you’re looking for a card without an annual fee, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (see rates and fees) offers a similar 2% cash back rate on the first $50,000 you spend each calendar year (1% cash-back earnings afterward). If your business doesn’t spend enough to offset the $150 annual fee, the Blue Business Cash could be a strong option. 

Freelancers, those with a side hustle, newcomers to points and miles and those with varying expenses will love this card and the fact that it doesn’t require tracking any bonus categories to maximize earnings. Instead, its flat earning rate provides value on all purchases without an annual fee required to unlock its full potential.

“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, but you'll earn 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar you spend (on up to $50,000 each year). That's a fantastic return of 4% back based on TPG's valuations, making this a great option for your small-business needs.” — Nick Ewen, director of content

If you want a card without an annual fee that doesn’t have the earning limits of the Blue Business Plus, look at the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. You’ll earn 1.5% back on all purchases (and can convert these into transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card). Doing so would yield a 3% return on all spending based on TPG’s valuations.

If you’re looking for a flat-rate earning structure, the Ink Business Unlimited gets 1.5% cash back on every purchase without having to be concerned with bonus categories. Plus, the card becomes flexible if you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, as you can convert your earnings to Ultimate Rewards points for maximized earnings potential. 

“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash, Ink Preferred and Ink Unlimited cards. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supplies, internet and phone purchases, whilst the Ink Unlimited covers everything else, with a flat 1.5% earn rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash-back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt, managing editor 

If you’re wanting to earn more cash back on your everyday business expenses, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card could be a strong alternative. For a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees), you can get 2% cash back on all purchases with no cap on your earnings.

If you’re interested in maximizing your earning potential through bonus categories, the Ink Business Cash earns more in frequently leveraged business expenses — getting 5% back on office supplies and select utilities and 2% at restaurants and gas stations.  

With the Ink Business Cash, you can earn more on common bonus categories without incurring an annual fee. Plus, if you hold a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Ink Business Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can convert these earnings into flexible points to use toward travel. 

If you prefer Bank of America, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers an elevated cash-back earning rate on similar categories to the Ink Business Cash for no annual fee.

If you don’t spend more than $50,000 in eligible business expenses each calendar year, you’ll be able to leverage 2% cash back earnings on every purchase. (After spending $50,000 annually, the rate goes down to 1% cash back.) The earning structure is simple and doesn’t require memorization of bonus categories. Cash back is received as reward dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.

Aside from the flat 2% cash back rate on all purchases up to $50,000 annually, the card also comes with an array of benefits, such as concierge-level service through the Global Assist feature when you travel more than 100 miles from home*, secondary car rental loss and damage insurance**, up to one year extended warranty protection on purchases and 90 days of purchase protection against theft or damage†. 

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
†Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

If you don’t mind managing bonus categories, Chase’s Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers more rewards in certain categories (5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent on office supplies and select utilities, as an example). Neither card comes with an annual fee. 

Two types of business owners should consider this card. First, it works well for those who can maximize the 3% categories — which include gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services and business consulting services — and are looking for a card without an annual fee. Second, those who can qualify for Preferred Rewards tiers will love the accelerated earnings rates that far outpace earnings on other cards without annual fees.

Picking your top spending category each month allows you to maximize rewards, even when your purchases vary across the year.

Those who need different bonus categories or who won’t qualify for Preferred Rewards should consider the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. It has no annual fee and earns 5% back on the first $25,000 of purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each cardmember year. You’ll also earn 2% back on the first $25,000 of combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each cardmember year and 1% back on other purchases.

If you’re looking to maximize spending in your top eligible category, you can get 5% cash back up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle where you make the most purchases. 

As a solid cash-back earner, the Citi Custom Cash could be a strong addition if you find yourself spending frequently in one eligible category where you can leverage the 5% rate effectively. 

For simpler rewards, you could opt for the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) which gets you 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay). 

Business owners who can qualify for Preferred Rewards status should consider this card thanks to its accelerated earning rates that are based on your banking and investment accounts. Additionally, this card is a solid option for business owners looking for a quality cash-back rate on a card without an annual fee and without annual earning limits.

For no annual fee, earning up to 2.625% back on your business expenses is a solid return.

Consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card if you don’t have qualifying accounts with Bank of America or prefer to earn points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem. The Ink Unlimited earns 1.5% back on all purchases, but you can redeem these as transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you have other eligible Chase credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.