Saving money on your operations will always be a concern and need for any business owner. Whether you are a startup founder, side hustler, or any other type of entrepreneur, a business credit card can provide powerful resources — such as introductory interest rates, rewards on your purchases, and protection on your purchases.
But there are a few key differences to know when applying for a business credit card versus a personal credit card. Additionally, it is best to select the card that rewards you the most for your particular types of business purchases. So what do you need to keep in mind and how do you sort through all the business credit card options out there? Could a 0% intro APR card be good for you if you are planning large purchases for your company?
If a 0% intro APR business credit card is something you think you might need, this article will help you figure out the best card for you and your business.
How to choose the right 0% intro APR business credit card for you
There are many factors to consider when selecting a 0% intro APR business credit card. Is the rewards program the card offers actually valuable to you and your business? Is there an annual fee with the card and is the fee balanced out by the benefits you’ll receive? Does the card come with business perks that protect you, such as travel insurance?
If you don’t yet have the answers to all these questions, don’t sweat. There really is just one simple question you need to ask yourself — what does my business need in order to keep moving forward?
Does your business need to save money on travel? Does it need more cash flow? What about cards for all your employees so you can keep better track of spending? Or would your business benefit from you consolidating debt with a balance transfer? Once you answer this one question, you will be able to select the card that is perfect for your business needs.
To help you further narrow the options down, here are a few of the best credit cards if you're a small business owner looking for a 0% intro APR offer.
The best 0% intro APR business credit cards
Card | Intro APR on purchases | Welcome bonus | Rewards rate | Annual fee |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | 0% intro APR for 12 months, then 18.49% to 26.49% (variable) APR | 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 18.49% to 26.49% | Up to 2X points | $0 (terms apply) |
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card | 0% intro APR for 12 months, then 18.49% to 26.49% (variable) APR | 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 18.49% to 26.49% | Up to 2% cash back | $0 (terms apply |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | 0% intro APR for 12 months, then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable APR | Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Up to 5% cash back | $0 |
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | 0% intro APR for 12 months, then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable APR | Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Unlimited 1.5% cash back | $0 |
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit |
0% intro APR for first 12 months, then 20.99%, 25.99% or 28.99% (variable) APR | Introductory APR on purchases | Up to 5% cash back | $0 |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great option for businesses expecting a lot of big purchases. With this card, you will have a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then 18.49% to 26.49% (variable) APR.
In addition to great intro APR offers, the Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card offers simple and effective rewards. You will earn 2X Membership Rewards points on everyday eligible business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on eligible purchases after that. The points you earn are American Express Membership Rewards, which can be transferred to a variety of Amex travel partners. While the card does not come with a welcome offer, the simplicity of your regular rewards earning is notable as there are no spending categories to track.
If you travel for work, the card also offers rental car insurance and access to the Global Assist Hotline in case things go awry while you are on the road.
Lastly, the card has a $0 annual fee for the primary cardholder and all additional employee cards.
Explore more benefits and features in our Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card review.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
If earning cash to put back into your business is as much of a priority as saving interest on purchases, the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express may be a better fit for your needs.
The Amex Blue Business Cash will give you a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then 18.49% to 26.49% (variable) APR. This card also offers straightforward cashback, earning 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that.
This card is nearly identical to the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card in its benefits, except you will earn cash back (in the form of a statement credit) instead of points. You will have rental car insurance, access to the Global Assist Hotline, and a $0 annual fee for the primary cardholder and all additional cardholders.
Explore more benefits and features in our Amex Blue Business Cash Card review.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
With the Ink Business Cash Card, you will be able to earn cash back in different spending categories in addition to having interest-free spending. The card comes with a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases. After that the rate increases to 18.49% - 24.49% Variable APR.
This Visa card also comes with great rewards on your business expenses. You will earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases. If your business purchases align with the categories of this card, you may want to consider it as a tool for your business to save money each month.
To get your cashback earnings off to a great start, you can earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Along with opportunities to earn great cashback for your business, the card also provides rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and roadside dispatch. Depending on your lifestyle, you may also combine this card with other Chase cards so that you can use your cash back in the form of Ultimate Rewards for travel.
Explore more benefits and features in our Ink Business Cash Card review.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
The Ink Business Unlimited is an outstanding card to take advantage of both an introductory APR along with respectable cashback earnings as you use the card. When you are approved for the card, you will have a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable APR).
As you use the card, you will earn Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The rewards you earn are in addition to the welcome offer, where you can earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. So if your business is in need of $10,000 of new office supplies and you are approved for this card, you could earn a total of $1,050 back when you combine the welcome offer and cash back earned on the purchase. This is a remarkable savings that you can then reinvest into your business.
You will also have the ability to add employees to the account at no additional cost, rental car coverage while you travel, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.
If you are interested in a cashback card with an excellent welcome offer and perks to help you save more on your purchases, the Ink Business Unlimited is a great pick.
Explore more benefits and features in our Ink Business Unlimited review.
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
This card has a $0 annual fee and provides a 0% intro APR on purchases for first 12 months after account opening (then 20.99%, 25.99% or 28.99% (variable) APR), so you can use it for business expenses without worrying about interest in the beginning, though you’ll likely need excellent credit to be approved.
This is a straightforward cashback card that earns you up to 5% cash back on every purchase, so you don’t need to keep track of spending categories. What’s more, you get free employee cards and can set spending limits, which will help you manage employee spending and reap the rewards.
The Capital One Spark Cash Select has some nice management features as well. You can pick your own payment due date, set up autopay, easily identify recurring transactions, and download purchase records in multiple formats. You’ll also get roadside assistance, rental collision coverage, and travel assistance for when you hit the road, and there are no foreign transaction fees to worry about.
Better yet, you can earn a early spend bonus when you make of new purchases in the . This card is ideal for small business owners who don’t want to pay an annual fee and manage several employees who also make purchases.
FAQs
What credit score is needed for a business credit card?
The best small business credit cards will require good or excellent credit. But keep in mind that issuers may consider your business credit score as well. If your business is in good standing, this might help you get approved, even if your personal credit score could use some work.
Does opening a business credit card affect your credit score?
Yes. Credit card issuers will perform a hard inquiry on your personal credit so that they can check your payment history and creditworthiness before making an approval decision. This may result in a small, temporary dip in your credit score. Some issuers also report payments to consumer credit bureaus. If that’s the case, your use of the business credit will also impact your personal score. That’s why you should aim for low utilization and always make your payments on time.
Should I pay off my 0% intro APR credit card?
You should try to pay off your 0% intro APR credit card before the introductory APR period comes to an end and the regular variable APR kicks in. If you don’t, you’ll pay interest on the balance. But as long as you’re still within the 0% intro APR period and you have a plan for your overall credit card debt, you could focus on paying your other debts first.
Can I use my EIN to apply for a credit card?
Most business credit card issuers will ask for your employer identification number (EIN) in addition to your Social Security number (SSN) when you apply for a business credit card. If you’re looking to get an EIN only business credit card, you do have a few options, including a corporate gas card.
The bottom line on the best 0% intro APR business credit cards
0% intro APR credit cards for business are a great way to expand your spending power without increasing your interest fees. While all the cards mentioned above have an introductory APR offer, be sure to analyze the details of each rewards credit card to find the one that fits your business's needs the best. Whether you need travel coverage, purchase protection, or fee-free employee cards, one card may fit your business needs more than another. Or you may prefer to earn travel rewards versus cashback rewards, or to redeem your rewards for gift cards versus a statement credit.
A business credit card can become a great tool for your business. While making sound business decisions is important, so is making informed financial decisions for your business. So with the information above about 0% intro APR business credit cards, you can make the right selection for your needs and continue driving your business forward.
Methodology
To choose the best 0% intro APR business credit cards, we compared cards from multiple issuers. We assessed features like 0% intro APR periods, annual fees, rewards rates, and welcome offers to identify the best options for businesses. We did not include all cards available.