The Best Business Travel Credit Cards
One of the best aspects of running a business is the cool business credit cards you can get. These cards tend to have significantly better point-earning abilities and perks than consumer cards. I’ve been running this website for eleven years and have tried a lot of cards during that time.
I’m often asked by other bloggers, creators, and entrepreneurs which business travel credit card is the best.
Well, first, let me say, there is no “best.”
Every business is different and everyone has different needs. For example, I love the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card because the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) bonuses help me maintain my status, lounge access, and pay with points option. But if you aren’t a Delta flier, then that card doesn’t make sense for you.
Ask yourself, “What is my goal?”
Are you interested in loyalty to a brand, free rewards, or avoiding fees? Do you want to milk the rewards and bonus system to get free flights, or do you just want a card that won’t charge you a fee for using it at that restaurant in Brazil? Is elite status the most important perk for you? Do you want points you can use like cash for anything?
Get the card that aligns with your goals.
But, while there is no one “best” card, there are some that are better than others. Here is my list of favorite travel-related business credit cards:
Table of Contents
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee: $695 (See Rates and Fees)150,000 Points
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
While the annual fee is pretty high, The Business Platinum card is one of the premier business cards in the world and for people looking to elevate their travel experience. It includes airport lounge access, annual airline credits, 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel®, lots of statement credits, and a ton of perks that make this an amazing card for those who travel a lot.
Capital One Venture X Business
Annual Fee: $395150,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
This card is very similar to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, with a straight forward 2x miles per dollar earned on every purchase, annual travel credits, lots of statement credits, lounge access, and a wide variety of transfer partners. It’s an easy-to-use card with a reasonable yearly fee that pays for itself. I use this card A LOT. I love their transfer partners!
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Annual Fee: $0 introductory fee, $95 thereafter50,000 Bonus Points
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
I like this card because you get two miles per dollar on everything. It’s simple. So I use this for categories like paying vendors as well as any other categories that don’t come with a bonus from American Express or Chase.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Annual Fee: $375100,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
This is a great card to earn extra points on your biggest business expenses, as you can earn up to 4x points on the two categories where your business spends the most (from 6 eligible categories, up to $150,000 each year). I make sure to use this card when paying for purchases in my two largest spending categories. Rates & Fees; Terms Apply.
There are a lot of options for business cards, so you can always find something to meet your needs. I usually split my spending between a few cards and then shift my spending if I need to hit any bonus requirements. I have a Business Delta card for the pay-with-points option for my flights, a Hyatt card because I stay there a lot, and Capital One and American Express cards for everything else.
If you don’t want this many cards and want to keep things simple, stick to a hotel or airline card for those benefits and then pick whatever one other card has the most perks you need!
Stop paying full price for travel!
Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you:
- How to Pick a Credit Card
- How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
- How to Redeem Your Points
- And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for budget travelers)
- World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers)
- InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
