In today’s economy, many businesses are reducing their travel budgets and other expenditures. This leads many business owners to look for a credit card that rewards you for everyday business purchases. And what better reward than cash back?
We evaluated dozens of cash back credit cards for business to find the best. It should be noted that excellent credit is required to qualify for any of the cards covered here.
American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Card
Related Reading: Fast facts about cash back cards
In a post written a little over a year ago, CreditShout recommended the American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Card as “among the best of the best,” noting that its cash back program is tops in the industry. That assessment still stands. And then some. This is because American Express increased the bonus cash back you can earn from the card by lifting the caps on combines bonus category spending from $25,000 to $50,000 per year.
The card offers some of the most generous cash rewards of any card of this type, with up to 5 % cash back on items business owners really need, even when budgets are down. You’ll earn:
- 5% cash back for wireless service
- 5% cash back on office supplies
- 3% cash back on a cash back category of your choice, including gas, restaurants, airfare and other categories.
- 1% on everything else
You should not that the bonus category spending applies to your first $50,000 in combined spending in your 5% bonus categories and in your 3% bonus category, you’ll continuing earning 1% for these purchases.
On top of that, you can now make purchases on your SimplyCash Card in excess of your spending limit – and get cash back on those purchases too – with no overlimit fees, calls to make or steps to take! The amount you are allowed to spend over your credit limit is not unlimited. It will depend on factor like your use of the SimplyCash Card and payment history. Additionally, the amount you above your credit limit is due in full each month as part of your minimum payment dueThere is no annual fee.
The card has no annual fee, a 0% introductory APR. Unlike many American Express cards, this card offers the flexibility to pay in full with each statement or to carry a balance. The cash back is credited to your account when you receive that month’s statement – no waiting for checks or keeping track of points.
Capital One Spark Cash for Business
Capital One always likes to keep things simple. With the Capital One Spark Cash card you never have to worry about how to maximize your rewards, because you earn 2% cash back on ALL purchases.
We love this card because of the simplicity, and the fact that there are no complicated rewards categories to keep track of – you always know you’re earning cash back.
Capital One Spark Cash Rewards
- Earn 2% cash back on every purchase.
- Get a $100 cash bonus—just spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
- Receive a $50 cash bonus by signing up for one or more employee cards
This card also is offering a $100 cash bonus after you make $1,000 in purchases during the first three months of your cardmembership, and an additional bonus of $50 after signing up for one or more employee cards, for a total of $150 potential bonus cash.
Honorable mentions
TrueEarnings Business Credit Card from Costco and American Express
- No annual fee for Costco members
- 0 % introductory APR for 3 mos.
- 5 % cash back for buying gas
- 3 % for eating out
- 2 % for travel
- 1 % everywhere else
Editor’s Note: This card will only be available until April, 2016. At that time, Costco will start a new relationship with Citibank and Visa.
Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card, issued by Chase
- No annual fee
- Reward points redeemable for cash
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on Amazon.com
- Earn 2 points for every $1 at gas stations, restaurants and drugstores
- Earn 1 point for other purchases
Verdict:
It’s easy to see that the American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Card is tops in the category by a landslide. All four runners-up trail behind, but are similar to each other. The rest of the cards we looked at in this category offer either high APRs, annual fees, or less desirable rewards.
