Best Credit Cards for Business Owners 2026

Business cards offer the highest sign-up bonuses and don't count toward Chase 5/24. Perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and side-hustle owners. 5 cards with $7,550+ in total sign-up bonus value.

American Express

American Express Business Gold

200,000 points
~$2,400 value
Spend Required$15,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$375
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
4x on top 2 categories each month (up to $150k/yr)Categories: airfare, advertising, gas, shipping, computing, restaurants
American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

200,000 points
~$2,400 value
Spend Required$20,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$895
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
5x flights booked directly or via Amex Travel1.5x on purchases $5k+
Chase

Ink Business Preferred

100,000 points
~$1,250 value
Spend Required$8,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x travel3x shipping3x internet/cable/phone+1 more
Chase

Ink Business Unlimited

$750
~$750 value
Spend Required$6,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1.5% on all purchases
Chase

Ink Business Cash

$750
~$750 value
Spend Required$6,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1% on all purchases
5% office supply stores (up to $25k/yr)5% internet/cable/phone (up to $25k/yr)2% gas (up to $25k/yr)+1 more

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an LLC to get a business credit card?

No. Sole proprietors can apply using their Social Security number and personal name as the business name. Any side income — freelancing, selling online, consulting — counts as a business. You just need to report your business revenue honestly.

Do business cards affect your personal credit?

Most business cards (Chase, Amex, Capital One) do NOT report to personal credit bureaus unless you default. This means business card balances won't affect your personal utilization ratio. Citi is the exception — they do report to personal credit.

Why do churners prioritize business cards?

Business cards don't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule, often have higher sign-up bonuses ($750-$2,400), and keep your personal credit report cleaner. Many churners alternate between personal and business cards to maximize total earnings.