The 8 Best Credit Cards for LLC Owners

CREDIT CARDS - BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS
Here’s a look at some of the best credit card choices for an LLC.
Updated March 21, 2024
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If you have a small business LLC, the right business credit card can help you earn valuable rewards, save money, and even build credit for your business. All good things, right? 

However, choosing among the best business credit cards isn’t a simple process. The "right" card might be different depending on whether you're a new business, a sole proprietor, or a freelancer. There are literally hundreds of cards to choose from, which is why we pulled together this guide outlining some of the best credit cards for LLCs.

The best credit cards for LLC owners:

Read on to learn more about these cards and why they are excellent options for small business owners. This way, you'll know how to pick the right card for you and your business.

In this article

Best credit cards for LLC owners

Here are some great credit card offers for LLC owners, what you need to know about each card, and how each can benefit you and your business.

Card Rewards program details Annual fee
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
4.8
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 $95
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
4.8
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 $0
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
4.8
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 $695 (terms apply)
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
4.8
5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center; 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases $0
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Capital One Spark Miles for Business
4.9
5X miles on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on every purchase, every day $95 (waived first year)
Brex Credit Card Brex Credit Card
3.5
7X points on rideshare, 4X on Brex Travel, 3X at restaurants and on eligible Apple products, 2X on software subscriptions, and 1X on all other purchases with Brex Exclusive $0
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
4.8
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase $0
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Capital One Spark Cash Plus
4.7
2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel $150

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Pros Cons
  • Generous welcome offer of Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Flexible redemption options
  • Has a $95 annual fee

The Ink Business Preferred card works well for LLC owners who frequently buy social media and search engine advertising, as well as those who have internet and phone needs. Plus, cardholders can get employee cards at no additional cost. Spending on those cards also earns rewards, allowing you to accumulate points faster. This is also a good card if you’re looking to redeem your points for travel.

With this card, you can earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. When redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, that could earn you $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel.

Generous rewards: The Ink Business Preferred card offers 3X points on 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. On top of that, you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees. 

Flexible redemption options: When you go to redeem travel rewards, you can get 25% more in redemption through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Why we like it: We like the Ink Business Preferred card because of its welcome bonus (you can earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening) and generous rewards in useful categories. Employee cards are free, and employee purchases earn rewards.

What we don’t like: We don’t love that there is a spending cap on rewards and that it doesn’t offer an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. 

Apply now or for more info, check out our Ink Business Preferred review.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Pros Cons
  • Generous rewards
  • Welcome bonus
  • Has a spending cap

The Ink Business Cash card is ideal for the small business owner who wants generous cash back in categories they spend the most in, but who might not make big purchases very often. With a $0 annual fee and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable), this card can be a good start for business owners who need a little more flexibility or who might be getting started.

This Chase business credit card features tiered cashback rewards in categories that you’re likely to use for business.

Generous rewards in certain categories: With this card, you’ll receive 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. The 2% cash back tier applies to purchases at the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. You also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome bonus: You can also 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.

Why we like it: There is a $0 annual fee with the Ink Business Cash card and rewards are straightforward. You can also 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. Employee cards have no additional cost, and you can set individual spending limits as well as earn cash back faster through purchases made on employee cards.

This card also offers 5% cash back on each dollar spent on qualifying Lyft rides, which is great if your business requires regular travel or urban commutes.

What we don't like: This card has spending caps on cash back, which could limit your earnings. 

Apply now or for more info, check out our Ink Business Cash review.

Perspectives
Chris Lewis
Chris Lewis
Associate Director of Digital PR

Chris is the Associate Director of Digital PR for FinanceBuzz.

WHY I LIKE THIS CARD

The Ink Cash is among my most-used cards for business spend. The bonus categories cover phone, internet, and office supplies for my side hustle, and because I have other cards in the Chase ecosystem, the points are flexible and can go even further toward travel. It also earns great rates at restaurants and gas stations, so it covers the majority of my business’s spend in just one card. And with a $0 annual fee, it’s a no-brainer for me to carry in my wallet long-term.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Pros Cons
  • Lots of potential credits (enrollment may be required for certain benefits)
  • Welcome offer
  • Has a $695 annual fee

If you travel a lot for business and you know you’ll make large purchases, the Business Platinum Card from American Express is a good option. Even with the $695 annual fee, this is one of the best credit cards for LLCs because of its premium perks.

Generous points: You'll 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

Credits: There is a $200 airline fee credit and a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. You can also receive up to $400 in annual Dell credit, up to $360 in annual Indeed credit, up to $150 in annual Adobe credit, and up to $120 in annual wireless telephone services credit. (Note that select benefits require enrollment.) 

Why we like it: Business purchases can also see heightened rewards. For example, if you make a purchase of $5,000 or more, you’ll get 50% more points. Additionally, redeeming for eligible flights results in getting 35% points back.

There’s also a very generous welcome offer with this card. You can earn 120,000 membership rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is ideal for business owners who know they’ll make large purchases and can benefit from the bonus points. On top of that, perks like Gold status with Marriott and Hilton, and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection also make this card worthwhile. Certain benefits require enrollment, but the enrollment process is generally simple. However, you do need to be a high-spending business owner who travels frequently or able to make use of the annual credits to make this card worth the annual fee.

What we don't like: The $695 annual fee and the relatively high bonus spending requirement.

Apply now or for more info, check out our Amex Business Platinum Card review.

Perspectives
Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®
Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®
Senior Credit Cards Writer

Ben is a Senior Credit Cards Writer for FinanceBuzz.

WHY I LIKE THIS CARD

The Amex Business Platinum has loads of perks and benefits that many business owners can use. I personally like having the airport lounge benefits for when I travel, especially the complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Club lounges. It’s also been great to use the $189 CLEAR Plus statement credit each calendar year to help reduce my time standing in airport lines.

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Pros Cons
  • Introductory APR
  • Welcome offer
  • 3% foreign transaction fee.

The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards makes sense if your business spending aligns with its earning categories and you want a $0 annual fee. This card is also an ideal fit if you want to take advantage of an intro APR offer to save on interest.

Introductory APRs: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles, and then 19.24% to 28.24% (Variable) and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, and then 19.24% to 28.24% (Variable).

Welcome offer: Earn $500 in cash back after spending $4,500 on the account owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.

Why we like it: With a $0 annual fee, the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards provides plenty of benefits. It offers 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center; 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. 

What we don't like: The 3% foreign transaction fee.

For more info, check out our U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards review.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Pros Cons
  • Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • Welcome offer
  • No intro APRs

If you’re a big spender looking for a generous signing bonus, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card might be a good choice for your LLC. This card comes with an annual fee of $95 (waived first year).  If you know you’ll be making some big purchases and ramping up spending in the coming months, this can be a good choice that lets you earn big rewards.

Reward points: With this card, you get unlimited 5X miles on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on every purchase, every day. 

Welcome bonus: You can earn 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months.

Why we like it: This card also has a few perks that an LLC owner might find attractive, including 5X miles on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, as well as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. 

Plus, it’s possible to transfer your miles to more than 10 of Capital One’s travel partners. There are free employee cards and no foreign transaction fees. You can also download your transactions to Quickbooks, Quicken, or Excel, making it easy for accounting and taxes.

In addition to being a great rewards card, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can also be a good ongoing card for frequent travelers who are willing to book through Capital One’s travel portal.

What we don't like: There’s no intro APR on purchases or balance transfers.

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

Brex Credit Card

Pros Cons
  • No fees
  • May be able to get the card without a credit check
  • Must have $100,000 in your business bank account

The Brex card can be a great choice for businesses that are growing rapidly but might not yet have established business credit. This can make the card especially beneficial for startups. This can be an easy-to-get business card for those who have a lot of assets, but might not have the credit history to help them qualify for other cards.

It could be an ideal card for business owners who are capital-rich, but credit poor. With this card, it’s possible to earn rewards for common business expenses, especially if you do a lot of business travel. You can also avoid interest and fees by having the card connected to your business account.

Reward tiers: Brex features the following rewards tiers for earning points:

  • 7X on rideshare (with Brex Exclusive)
  • 4X on Brex Travel (with Brex Exclusive), including flights, hotels and Airbnb
  • 3X on restaurants and eligible Apple products
  • 2X on software subscriptions (with Brex exclusive)
  • 1X on all other purchases

No fees or interest: There are no fees and you don’t have to worry about interest, because Brex connects to your business bank account and automatically deducts your monthly expenses.

Why we like it: If you meet that requirement as an LLC, you can get this card without the need for a credit check or a personal guarantee. This can be a huge advantage. Plus, Brex reports to Dun & Bradstreet and Experian to help you build business credit.

What we don't like: To get this card, though, you do need $100,000 in your business bank account. 

For more info, check out our Brex card review.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Pros Cons
  • Welcome bonus of Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • $0 annual fee
  • Introductory purchase APR offer of 0% for 12 months then (18.49% - 24.49% Variable)
  • 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fee

This Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is best for someone who doesn’t want to keep track of different spending categories. It could also be a good fit for someone who wants another card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Simple cashback: Earn Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Intro purchase APR: The 0% for 12 months then (18.49% - 24.49% Variable) could come in handy for larger business expenses.

Why we like it: You can redeem your cash back through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program for travel rewards. This card also offers primary rental car insurance and free cards for employees.

What we don’t like: This card may not provide enough value if your spending fits into a bonus category on a higher-earning card.

Apply now or find out more in our full Ink Business Unlimited review.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Pros Cons
  • 2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Charge card
  • $150 annual fee

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is best for someone who pays off their balance in full each month, as the Spark Cash Plus card is a charge card.

Welcome bonus: You can earn $1,500 after spending $20,000 in the first 3 months (plus an additional $1,500 after spending $100,000 in the first 6 months).

Cash back with no categories: Earn 2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Why we like it: This card offers a generous welcome bonus and a simple cashback structure.

What we don’t like: You shouldn’t get this card if you can’t pay off the balance in full each month.

Find out more in our full Spark Cash Plus review.

How to choose the best credit card for an LLC owner

Consider these factors to help choose the best credit card for your LLC business.

Business requirements

You need to have a legitimate business to apply for a business credit card. Fortunately, if you’re an LLC owner, you can apply for a business card.

Credit requirements

Many business credit card applications require a credit check into your personal credit history. And it’s often the case that you need at least a good credit score to qualify for the best business cards.

Earning potential

Many credit cards offer rewards in the form of cash back, points, or miles. If you want to use rewards for travel redemptions, consider a card that earns points or miles. If you simply want a way to help offset your everyday costs, consider a cash back credit card.

Perks and benefits

Depending on your needs, you might look for certain benefits on business credit cards. That could include expense management tools, free employee cards, or not having to pay foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases.

Be sure to carefully review card benefits as you compare different business cards.

Membership fees

Some business credit cards charge an annual fee to cardholders. In many cases, cards with annual fees have a wider variety of perks and benefits.

But keep in mind that no-annual-fee cards can still provide lots of value. It’s worth taking the time to compare all cards, whether they have an annual fee or not, so you can find your ideal business card.

What’s the best credit card for an LLC owner?

As a small business owner, the credit card you choose should meet your needs and goals. When deciding on the best business credit card for an LLC, you need to consider how you’re likely to use a card and the types of things you spend on.

Some common considerations when choosing a business credit card include things like how often you travel, what types of goods and services you normally buy, and whether the cards you’re considering come with an annual fee. 

An annual fee doesn’t need to be a deal-breaker, though. In some cases, an annual fee might be worth the cost, especially if you know you’ll use the card enough that the rewards will outweigh the cost. Or you may want to check out the best 0% intro APR business credit cards if you're planning to make some large purchases.

7 benefits of a business credit card

  1. Increase your cash flow: Stay on top of purchasing inventory and supplies even if you don’t have much cash on hand.
  2. Earn credit card rewards: Earn points, miles, or cash back on all your business purchases. Then use your rewards to discount upcoming expenses such as flights or hotel stays.
  3. Get access to higher credit lines: Business credit cards often have higher credit limits compared to personal credit cards. This can come in handy for making large business purchases. And some cards have intro purchase APRs for a number of months after account opening, so you should plan your spending accordingly. 
  4. Separate your personal and business expenses: Putting all your business expenses on a business credit card could make things easier during tax season and for general record-keeping.
  5. Receive business perks and benefits: Many business credit cards offer business-related perks such as increased rewards on common business expenses and credits toward business services.
  6. Simplify employee spending: Set spending limits and monitor employee purchases if you give your employees their own credit cards.
  7. Build your business credit score: Similar to using a personal credit card to build your personal credit score, using a business credit card could help build your business credit score. This could open up more opportunities to get credit products with better terms.

4 steps to apply for a business credit card

  1. Check your personal credit score: Lenders look at your personal credit report to determine your creditworthiness for a business credit card. Check your credit score so you know which business credit cards you’re more likely to be approved for. It's best to check with all three credit bureaus.
  2. Research different business credit cards: With your credit score in mind, research and compare different business credit cards. Consider which benefits and rewards might align best with your business. For example, it could make sense to apply for a card that offers increased rewards on shipping purchases if that’s one of your top business expenses. You should also consider whether you want a traditional card with a line of credit or a charge card. 
  3. Gather required information: Business credit card applications typically require both personal and business information. This often includes your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number (SSN) You also need to include your business structure (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.), annual business revenue, and your tax ID type. Your tax ID could include an employer identification number (EIN), individual tax ID number (ITIN), or SSN.
  4. Fill out and submit the application: Completely fill out the credit card application and submit it. It’s common to receive an immediate response about your application, but you also might have to wait 7 to 10 business days for more information.

FAQ

Can I get a business credit card with an LLC?

Most business card applications require you to have a legitimate business, which could include an LLC, sole proprietorship, or another type of business. You don’t need to have a large number of employees or a certain amount of income for most cards. However, some cards require you to have at least a good personal credit score to be approved.

Do I need a business credit card for an LLC?

You don’t need a business credit card if you run any sort of business, but it could provide you with multiple benefits. That could include being able to separate your personal and business expenses, as well as provide cards for your employees to use. With certain business cards, you could earn valuable rewards on all your eligible business expenses.

What’s the easiest business credit card to get?

These are some of the easiest business credit cards to get:

  • Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card
  • Capital One Spark Classic for Business
  • First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition Secured Mastercard Credit Card
  • Brex Credit Card
  • Ramp Card

Methodology

We chose these cards with LLC owners’ needs in mind. Some of these cards include luxury perks, and others focus on travel rewards or cash back. In addition to rewards, we also considered credit situation and the possibility that a business owner might be capital-rich and credit poor. We also included a variety of credit card issuers. The idea with these cards is to provide a variety of options that cater to the different needs of small business owners.

Bottom line

Choosing a small business credit card for your LLC can be a big decision. The right credit card should help you reach your goals and fit with your financial situation. It can also help your business build credit, which can be valuable down the road.

Make sure you carefully consider your options and that you’re responsible with your credit card use. When possible, pay off your card as quickly as possible to reduce your interest expenses. As long as you choose credit cards that work with your situation and business needs, they should be able to help you achieve success.

Hot Welcome Bonus

4.8

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Current Offer

Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards Rate

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

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

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