7 Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

If you travel for business, then you know that having the right credit card can make a big difference in your travel experience.

To help you choose the best business credit card for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of what we believe are 7 of the best business credit cards for travel so that you can enjoy the finest possible business travel.

Whether you’re looking for a card with great rewards or one that comes with valuable perks and bonuses, we’ve got you covered.

Choosing the Best Credit Card for Business and Travel 

Choosing the best credit card for business and travel can be a daunting task. There are so many reputable companies out there, each with their own famed products and services.

By doing a little research and knowing what to look for, you can easily find the ultimate credit card for your needs. Make sure you choose a reputable and reliable company. There are a lot of credit card companies out there, and not all of them are created equal. Always choose a company that has a good reputation.

The interest rate on your credit card will have a big impact on how much money you basically spend on your trip, so make sure you opt for a card with a competitive interest rate.

Consider what type of business you have. If you regularly travel for business, then you’ll want a card that offers great rewards for travel expenses.

If you have a brick-and-mortar business, then you’ll want a card that offers cash back or other incentives for purchases for your store.

Decide what type of rewards you’re looking for. Do you want travel points that can be redeemed for free flights or hotel stays? Or do you prefer cash back or gift cards that can be used for anything?

Factors to Consider

When it comes to finding the best credit card for business travel, there are a few key factors to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to choose a reputable and well-known credit card issuer. You certainly don’t want to be stranded without a way to pay for your hotel or rental car or other business expenses!

Be sure to consider all the fees associated with using your credit card while traveling. Some credit cards come with foreign transaction fees that can be quite costly.

You’ll want to pick a credit card with strong anti-fraud measures to protect your money as best as possible. And what about limits? If you do excessive traveling for business, or need to make big purchases as part of your business travel needs, you certainly don’t want a card that will limit you in any way.

Have you considered the customer service of the credit card company? Should you be unhappy with the service or if you have any questions, it’s important to be able to reach out to somebody who can help you out. 

Finally, make sure that your credit card provides robust rewards and perks. After all, business travel can be stressful so why not rack up some benefits. Look for the rewards that will work best for you- cash back, gift cards, free flights or hotel stays.

Annual Fees 

Most business credit cards come with an annual fee. The best business credit cards have annual fees that are offset by the card’s benefits. For example, the best business travel credit cards offer perks such as free checked baggage, priority boarding, access to airport lounges or concierge services and trip delay insurance. If you travel often for work, these benefits can easily outweigh the cost of the annual fee.

When selecting a business credit card, it’s important to weigh the cost of the annual fee against the benefits of the card to see if it’s a good fit for your business spending needs.

Foreign Transaction Fees 

Foreign transaction fees are typically charged by credit card issuers as a way to offset the risk of currency fluctuations. Whenever you make a purchase in a foreign currency, your credit card issuer will first convert the amount to U.S. dollars. If the value of the foreign currency drops during that time, the card issuer could end up losing money on the transaction. To combat this risk, many issuers charge a foreign transaction fee.

Fortunately, there are business travel credit cards that don’t charge foreign transactions fees which will keep those charges off your overall travel expenses.

Airline Miles 

For the business traveler, one of the perks of the best travel credit card is the ability to rack up airline miles. With many business travel credit cards, you can earn rewards with every purchase, making it easy to earn enough points for a free flight.

Because business travel often involves flying to multiple destinations, being able to earn points on your travel expenses can add up quickly. So if you’re a frequent flyer who is looking for a way to save on your travel costs, then consider getting a business travel credit card with airline miles.

Points for Business Travel 

Business travel can be both hectic and expensive. However, there are a few key ways to make the most of your trip without breaking the bank.

First off, get yourself a business credit card to cover your travel expenses. Business credit cards offer many perks, such as rewards points or free travel insurance that can help offset the cost of your trip.

Be informed.  Know and take advantage of any business-related tax deductions that you may be eligible for.

Always, try to plan your trip in advance so that you can take advantage of discounts and deals on flights and hotels.

Perks 

When it comes to business travel, having a business credit card can be a major perk. Let’s take a look at what some of the best business credit cards offer when it comes to traveling:

• exclusive airport lounge
• free checked bags
• priority boarding
• frequent flyer miles
• concierge services – makes for easy booking of airfare, hotels and rental cars
• hotel points
• trip cancellation without penalty
• enhanced travel insurance
• rewards points for every dollar spent
• higher limits than personal credit cards

Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

There are so many business credit cards for traveling available. We have gone over lots of the information needed to make an informed decision as to which one is right for you.

Now it’s time to take a look at some of the actual companies that we believe offer the best travel credit cards available and their pros and cons.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card is a great choice for business owners who frequently travel.

Pros:

• no annual fee
• no foreign transaction fees 
• generous rewards program – lets you earn points for every dollar you spend
• redeem points for free travel – airfare, hotels, car rentals
• offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months – good option for business owners who need to finance a large purchase or consolidate existing debt

Cons:

• has a relatively high APR after the introductory offer time period has ended
• requires 720 – 850 credit
• only business account holders can earn bonus rewards

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a popular choice for small businesses who need to take travel into consideration.

Pros:

• no foreign transaction fees
• priority boarding
• free checked bags
• generous rewards program – earn points on every purchase
• points can be redeemed for travel expenses such as airfare and hotels
• known to offer great sign-on bonuses

Cons:

• high annual fee after the intro year
• limited redemption options
• high interest rate
• short grace period for payment

Capital One Spark Miles® for Business

If you’re a business traveler, the Capital One Spark Miles® for Business credit card is a good option to consider. 

Pros:

• no annual fee for the first year
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the fist 15 months
• no foreign transaction fees
• rewards program that offers 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases
• no limit to the amount of miles that can be earned
• rewards can be redeemed for travel expenses – flights, hotels, rental cars

 Cons:

• high annual fee (after the first year)
• rewards can only be redeemed for travel expenses 
• high APR after intro period
• fewer travel benefits and rewards than other similar type cards

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

There are a few key reasons why the Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a good option for business travel.

Pros: 

• access to airport lounges
• generous rewards program
• flexible spending limit
• excellent welcome bonuses
• generous statement credits
• 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
• number of built-in protections

Cons:

• to receive a welcome bonus, high spending requirement
• annual fee and other cardholder fees are quite high
• some credits have limits making them more difficult to use
• this card is only available to businesses that meet certain criteria

Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business

The Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is a good option for businesses that require travel as its rewards are designed to benefit those who travel.

Pros:

• offers 2x miles on all purchases which can add up quickly
• no foreign transaction fees
• 24/7 customer service – great bonus for time differences when traveling
• free first checked bag on domestic flights
• online account management
• fraud protection
• annual fee waived for the first year
• sign-on bonus of a good amount of miles
• free employee cards

Cons:

• annual fee expensive after initial free year
• limited airline partners
• high penalty APR
• you do not earn miles on balance transfers or cash advances

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

For business travelers, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card can be a great option for earning miles towards free travel. 

PROS:

• offers a large sign-up bonus of 40,000 miles
• earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else
• you receive $300 annual travel credit that can be used towards airfare, hotels and car rentals (offsets the annual fee)
• free checked bags
• priority boarding
• percentage off in-flight purchases

CONS:

• in order to collect the sign-on bonus miles you must spend $3,000 in the first 3 months
• high annual fee compared to other cards
• foreign transaction fee
• tiered mile earnings

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Don’t overlook the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card as a good option for business travel because it offers a wide range of perks and rewards. 

PROS:

• offers an annual free night stay at a hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy network
• offers 5 points for every dollar spent on Marriott hotels and 2 points per dollar spent on other travel expenses
• redeem points for free stays, airline miles, merchandise
• offers a travel insurance policy for lost luggage and trip cancellations
• 60,0000 point sign-up bonus to be used for free nights at Marriott hotels

CONS:

• annual fee
• high APR
• costly late payment fees
• foreign transaction fee

Based on the information we’ve provided in our article ‘ 7 Best Business Credit Cards For Travel’, you are well on your way to deciding which is the best travel credit card for you. Remember, take the time to weigh out all the fees with the earned rewards or perks and see which card’s fees are actually offset by these earnings!

Armed with the business credit card that suits your travel needs best, you are not only going to have your finest business travel experiences but, you are also going to save money and time with the rewards and perks that your chosen card offers you.

Now, don’t stop. You can never have enough information especially in the world of business which is constantly changing. We don’t want you to miss anything so check out our FREE web class. Ready, set – travel!