Best No-Fee Business Credit Cards
As our series of best credit cards keeps rolling, we wanted to move on to highlighting exclusively some of the best business credit cards. I know not everyone is eligible for a business card, but many people (including myself) run a side business in addition to working full-time for an employer. As I’m always looking to maximize my points and miles at every opportunity, I’ve definitely had my eye on some of the best no-fee business credit cards.
Don’t get me wrong. There are some fantastic business credit cards out there that carry an annual fee. But there are also a handful that are both fantastic cards and cost you nothing to hold. Here are our five best no-fee business credit cards.
Chase Ink Business Cash
When I finally drop under 5/24 again next month (gonna be a party!!), the Chase Ink Cash is high on my list to grab. I’m waffling between it and the Chase Ink Preferred. The reason I think the Ink Preferred will win is that it will once again give me a premium Chase card to unlock transfer partners and the welcome offer is higher.
But the Chase Ink Cash is still excellent and probably the better card overall, earning 5% back at office supply stores and on cable, internet, and phone services, on up to $25,000 in spend per year. The 2% return at gas stations and restaurants is also great, especially considering that this is effectively 3% back if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve and use those points to book flights through the travel portal. All this, for no annual fee.
Here is the current welcome offer and benefits of the Chase Ink Cash:
- Earn $500 bonus cash back (50,000 Ultimate Rewards when you hold a premium chase card) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months after account opening.
- 5x/5% back at office supply, phone, cable and internet purchases (on up to $25,000 per year)
- 2x/2% back at restaurants and gas stations (on up to $25,000 per year)
- 1x/1% back on all other purchases
- Primary collision insurance when renting vehicles for business purposes
- No annual fee
- Learn more
The opportunity to finally have a card that earns 5% at office supply is huge. If you don’t have the Chase Ink Business Cash, I highly suggest making a plan to briefly drop under 5/24 to pick it up.
American Express Blue Business Plus
This one made our list of general best no-fee credit cards and also best cards for everyday spending. I finally picked up this card this year, and it has been one of my go-to options for many business purchases, as they don’t often fall into bonus categories. The Blue Business Plus earns 2x Membership Rewards on all purchases, up to $50,000 in spend per year. If you max that out, it is an excellent way to earn 100,000 Membership Rewards. That’s enough for multiple fantastic round-trip business class awards with ANA.
Here is the current welcome offer and benefits of the Blue Business Plus:
- There is a welcome offer via referral only for 15,000 Membership Rewards points after $5,000 in spend within the first 3 months.
- Earn 2x Membership Rewards points per dollar, on up to $50,000 annual spend
- No annual fee
- Learn More
If I had to pick one singular card on which to put all my spend, it might be the BBP.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited is the business analog to the Chase Freedom Unlimited. It earns 1.5% on all purchases or 1.5X Ultimate Rewards points with a premium card, all day, everyday. It’s an easy card to keep in your wallet for everything that doesn’t fall into a bonus category.
Before I decided that earning 2x Membership Rewards was a better return for us than earning 1.5x Ultimate Rewards, this earning structure (on the Chase Freedom Unlimited) was highly appealing. I’m sure it will definitely be for many people who are big fans of Ultimate Rewards, and I wanted to include it on our list of best no-fee business credit cards.
Here is the current welcome offer and benefits of the Chase Ink Business Unlimited:
- Earn $500 bonus cash back (50,000 Ultimate Rewards with premium card) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months after account opening.
- 1.5x/1.5% back on all purchases
- Primary collision insurance when renting vehicles for business purposes
- No annual fee
- Learn more
Since we already have a Freedom Unlimited, this one is lower on my personal list. However, that welcome offer is highly tempting.
American Express Blue Business Cash
The Blue Business Cash is the cash back-earning analog to the American Express Blue Business Plus. It’s provide a solid ongoing return for no annual fee. The cash back earned is automatically applied to your statement, so it’s essentially a 2% rebate on everything you buy.
Here is the current welcome offer and benefits of the Blue Business Cash:
- There is a welcome offer via referral only right now for $250 back after spending $5,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.
- Earn 2% cash back per dollar spent, on up to $50,000 annual spend
- No annual fee
- Learn More
I’ll argue that 2x Membership Rewards is the better play, but not a lot of business credit cards earn a flat 2% cash back with no annual fee.
Business Advantage Cash Rewards Credit Card
This small business credit card from Bank of America is an interesting option if you have a significant amount on deposit with them. The card earns 3% on one of six categories (you pick), 2% on dining, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is some value here, but overall it isn’t anything to write home about.
However, if you are a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors member, your cash back earning is boosted by 75%, which will make your new earning rates 5.25%, 3.5% and 1.75%, respectively.
To become a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors member, you must have $100,000 deposited in qualifying business deposit accounts with BofA. There are lesser tiers where you receive smaller bonuses, but for a smaller deposit.
Here is the current welcome offer and benefits of the card:
- $300 statement credit after making at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 3% cash back in a category of your choice among the following: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services (boosted to 5.25% as Platinum Honors)
- 2% cash back on dining (boosted to 3.5% as Platinum Honors)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases (boosted to 1.75% as Platinum Honors)
- No annual fee
- Direct Link
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for cash back or ways to boost your points balances, these options are some of the best no-fee business credit cards among those available.
Other posts in our best cards series:
- Best Cards for Grocery Shopping
- The Best cards for Gas Stations
- Best Credit Cards for Everyday Spending
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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
