Best Credit Card for Work Expenses: 8 Options That Earn Major Points

If you have regular business expenses, it may serve you well to apply for a card specifically for work costs. You will be able to separate your business and personal purchases, and earn rewards for spending that isn’t your liability to pay. Here are the best rewards credit cards for work expenses, and who each card will work best for.

How to choose the best credit cards for work expenses

No matter your needs, there are a seemingly infinite amount of credit cards to choose from. So which one is the best? There’s no one perfect card, but the best credit card for work expenses is likely the one that will earn you the most amount of rewards for the purchases you are making.

Additionally, consider the ancillary perks that comes with some credit cards, such as travel insurance, extended warranty, and return protection. Things can get derailed as a professional or business owner from time to time, so having a credit card can be a great insurance policy on your expenses as well.

Lastly, should you select a small business credit card or personal credit card? Again, choose the card that works best for you. Keep in mind that business credit cards are intended solely for business expenses, while personal cards can be for personal or business costs.

The best business credit cards for work expenses

A nice perk of being a business owner is the ability to apply for business credit cards. There are many differences between personal and business credit cards, but the largest benefit is the ability to earn outstanding rewards on your business expenses.

Here are a few of the best business credit cards for work expenses from a variety of credit card issuers:

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash offers high rates of cash back for everyday business expenses. This includes 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.

You’ll notice there are limits to how much you can earn in the 2% and 5% categories, but that’s still a significant amount of cash back available, especially for a card with a $0 annual fee.

The Ink Business Cash has a welcome offer so you can earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

And if you need them, this card provides helpful travel and purchase coverages. This includes car rental collision insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.

For more information, check out our Ink Cash Business Credit Card review.

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

Similar to the Ink Business Cash, the Ink Business Preferred also offers rewards for common business expenses. You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that are good for more than just cash back. These rewards can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, experiences, and transfers to travel partners. Travel redemptions on this card offer a 25% bonus when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal

The Ink Business Preferred has a $95 annual fee and offers 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases. For a welcome offer, you can earn 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months.

The Ink Business Preferred also provides useful coverages, such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage. For travel protections, you have trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, as well as car rental collision insurance.

For more information, check out our Ink Business Preferred review.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

If you have a wide variety of business expenses that don’t always fit specific earning categories, consider a card like the Amex Blue Business Cash. This card isn’t limited to certain bonus categories, offering 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that. (Note: Cash back is earned in the form of statement credits.)

With an annual fee of $0, the rewards you can earn become more beneficial (since there’s no annual cost to offset).

If you want to avoid interest on purchases, the Blue Business Cash offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, and then 18.49% - 26.49% Variable.

For more information, check out our Blue Business Cash Card from American Express review.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Much like its consumer version counterpart, the Amex Business Platinum is geared toward luxury travel benefits. This includes access to Priority Pass and Centurion Lounge airport lounges, an up to $200 annual airline fee credit, and up to a $189 annual CLEAR Plus credit. These benefits alone can help offset the $695 annual fee. Select benefits require enrollment.

But if you consider this card’s unique business credits as well, you can more than balance out the annual fee. These credits include up to $400 in annual Dell credits, up to $360 in annual Indeed credits, up to $150 in annual Adobe credits, and up to $120 in annual wireless credits. (Select benefits require enrollment.)

The Amex Business Platinum offers cardmembers the chance to earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months.

You can also earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

For more information, check out our American Express Business Platinum review.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is likely a good fit for any business owner who makes travel purchases often, as well as anyone who wants to earn travel rewards on a variety of business expenses. This card has an annual fee of $95 (waived first year) and offers 5X miles on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on every purchase, every day.

If you take advantage of the early spend bonus, you can earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months. In addition, the Spark Miles for Business also provides up to $100 in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit.

For more information, check out our Capital One Spark Miles for Business review.

The best personal credit cards for work expenses

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is an excellent card to have if you travel for work consistently. With this card, you can earn outstanding points for flights and access luxury travel perks as well.

The Amex Platinum card offers 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. It also has a great welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months.

In addition, you get access to a long list of perks, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (terms apply), up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck, complimentary Gold Elite status for Marriott Bonvoy and Gold status for Hilton Honors properties, a dedicated concierge service, and complimentary benefits at Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts. Note that certain benefits require enrollment.

Keep in mind that this card comes with a hefty annual fee of $695. If you’re able to regularly earn bonus points by booking travel with airlines or through Amex Travel, this card is a must-have. If you aren’t able to utilize this, you may want to look at other cards.

For more information, check out our American Express Platinum Card review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

If you travel regularly for work, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is another great way to earn bonus rewards points on your expenses.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases. And if you have large expenses coming up, you have a great chance of earning the welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

While the card has a $550 annual fee , the card gives outstanding perks that make it easy to get serious value. You‘ll get:

• $300 annual travel credit
• Up to $100 credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry
• Special benefits at the Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection, including late check-out, early check-in, and room upgrades when available.
• Access to Priority Pass lounges 
• Monthly $5 credit to DoorDash and at least a year of complimentary DashPass subscription
  
• Complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership for two years (activate by Dec. 31, 2024)
• 50% more value when you redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for travel through Chase
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Car rental insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Purchase protection
• Return protection

For more information, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

While points are enjoyable to earn, maybe extra cash would suit you best. With the Chase Freedom Flex Card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. If your work expenses fluctuate each quarter, you have a great chance of earning some serious cash back without any of your own spending taken into account.

For example, let's say you spend $1,000 per month in varied work expenses. Even at the 1% cashback rate, that is still an effortless $10 in your pocket. However, if you were able to spend $1,000 within the quarterly categories that earn 5%, that could earn you an easy $50.

You can get all of these savings with a $0 annual fee, and the chance to earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

For more information, check out our Chase Freedom Flex Card review.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

If effortless and consistent cash back is more your vibe, the Citi Double Cash Card might be for you.

With this card, you can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the citi travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. If your purchases are consistently scattered across different spending categories, having a cashback credit card that earns a flat reward rate can be helpful.

Additionally, if you need to consolidate expenses from other credit card balances, the Citi Double Cash Card has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)).

This card also has a $0 annual fee, which means you’ll get to keep more of your rewards.

For more information, check out our Citi Double Cash Card review.

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

If the majority of your work expenses are predictable and you want to earn cash back on them, consider the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card.

With this card, you will be able to earn 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. It sounds a bit complicated, so let's break it down.

You will be able to earn 5% on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter). The categories you can choose have included:

• TV, Internet & Streaming Services
• Fast Food
• Cell Phone Providers
• Department Stores
• Home Utilities
• Select Clothing Stores
• Electronics Stores
• Sporting Goods Stores
• Movie Theaters
• Gyms/Fitness Centers
• Furniture Stores
• Ground Transportation

For the second rewards tier, you can earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants.

Lastly, you will earn 1% on all other eligible purchases.

The earning potential on this card is high if you have regular expenses that fall into these categories. Additionally, you can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.

All of these earnings come with a $0 annual fee, plus a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles (then 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)).

For more information, check out our U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card review.

Methodology

There were three main factors we considered as we researched the best credit cards for work expenses.

The first was the potential of the card's rewards program. Regardless of your typical business spending or what your biggest budget item is each month, these cards offer a wide variety of options to earn rewards that can be used to save you or your business money.

The second factor was convenience and flexibility. Whether you prefer to use your rewards for flights, hotels, cash back, gift cards, or more, most of these cards allow you a multitude of redemption options.

The third factor was card benefits. A card's benefits and perks can offer cardholders loads of value. Each of these cards has different features and some will be more valuable to you and your business than others.

Note: While you may be able to get approved for a business card using your Social Security number, most of the time you will want to use an EIN, or employer identification number. In addition, some business cards will report your credit history to the personal credit bureaus, which means your business activity could impact your personal credit score. Other credit card issuers might only report to the business bureaus, which could help you build your business credit score. Make sure you do your research to determine which approach is best for you.

The bottom line on the best credit cards for work expenses

Work expenses are a very simple way to earn credit card rewards, and they can also be a much more efficient way to cover costs until you’re reimbursed. If you pay with cash or a debit card, you’ll be without that money until your business pays you back. For small business owners, these cards can simplify bookkeeping and improve cash flow, as well as earn travel or cashback rewards.

Hopefully one of these credit card offers above can simplify your work expenses, while also earning you valuable perks in the process.

Up to 5% Cash Back

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

4.8

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

Apply Now

Current Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• $0 annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable)
• Up to 5% cash back

Drawbacks

• Capped spending on bonus cash back categories
• Has foreign transaction fee

Card Details

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• 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
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC