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Best Business Credit Cards for Travel Rewards in 2026: Earn Miles, Points & Perks

Allie Johnson, Author at LendingTree

Written by  Allie Johnson

Sarah Fisher, Editor at LendingTree

Edited by  Sarah Fisher

Updated
Many of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us, but this does not influence our recommendations. Read disclosures (opens in a new tab).
Key takeaway
  • The Capital One Venture X Business is our Editor’s top pick for best business travel card due to the potential to earn a top-notch sign-up bonus and its array of luxury travel perks including airport lounge access, travel credits, a trusted traveler program credit and annual bonus miles.

Every business owner on the go needs a business travel credit card with rewards and perks tailored to their travel and spending patterns. The best business credit cards for travel can help you to rack up rewards and take your next business trip in style with perks such as airport lounge access, airline or hotel elite status, upgrades and free checked bags. Read on to find the right business travel rewards credit card for you.

  • Best card for business travel: Capital One Venture X Business
  • Best Chase business credit card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  • Best business travel credit card with low annual fee: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
  • Best travel business credit card with no annual fee: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
  • Runner-up: Best travel business credit card with no annual fee: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see rates & fees)
  • Best business card for flexible rewards: American Express® Business Gold Card
  • Best business credit card for airline miles: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
  • Best United business credit card: The New United℠ Business Card
  • Best business card for airport lounge access: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Best business credit card for hotel rewards: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
  • Best business travel card for low credit scores: Capital One Spark Classic for Business

Compare the 11 Best Business Travel Credit Cards

Methodology: How we chose the best business credit cards for travel

We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best travel credit cards for businesses. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:

We calculate the value of rewards and perks for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor statistical data on an annual spend of $20,000, then subtract the annual fee. This value includes the card’s sign-up bonus, annual bonus (including free night certificates) and travel perks like lounge access and travel credits. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.

We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum thresholds to redeem, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options, like travel statement credits and cash back.

We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase protections, travel protections and elite status benefits, against those from other cards.

Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best business travel credit card. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. As such, you should consider the amount your business is likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits will be most valuable for your business. That way you can find the travel card that’s best for you and your business needs.

Best business travel cards

Best card for business travel: Venture X Business Card

Pros
  • Earn a huge sign-up bonus
  • $300 annual travel credit plus anniversary bonus miles
  • Luxury travel benefits include airport lounge access
  • No preset spending limit
Cons
  • Extremely high spending required for bonus
  • Must book through Capital One for travel credit
  • Balance due in full every month

The Capital One Venture X Business is our pick for the best business travel credit card due to its flexibility, simplicity and slate of luxury travel perks, all for a reasonable annual fee offset by an annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One's travel site and an anniversary bonus. It's also got an outstanding sign-up bonus, but the spending required to earn it is high even for a business credit card.

This business travel rewards credit card is one of the best Capital One business cards and one of the few charge cards on our list, so you can make large purchases without worrying about hitting a credit limit. But you will have to pay your bill in full monthly.

Overall first year value: $3,953*
  • First-year rewards value: $3,159*
  • Other credits and perks: $794*

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best Chase business credit card

Pros
  • Large sign-up bonus
  • Earn up to 3X points on travel and business purchases*
  • Travel protections include primary car rental and trip cancellation insurance
  • Transfer points 1:1 to Chase partner airlines and hotels
Cons
  • Annual fee
  • High spending required for sign-up bonus
  • *Bonus categories are capped at $150,000 in spending per year
  • High 19.49% - 25.49% Variable APR

One of the best Chase credit cards on the market, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a great choice for business owners who spend at least several thousand dollars on business purchases each month. If you can meet the required minimum spending, the card offers one of the best sign-up bonuses around, worth over $1,000 in free travel off the bat when redeemed through the Chase portal at a 25% bonus.

This Chase business credit card also boasts an excellent rewards earning rate on both travel and common business purchases, so it can serve as the top-of-wallet card for business owners who prefer the simplicity of using one primary card. Keep in mind that it does have a high APR, so it's not the best card for financing business purchases.

Overall first year value: $2,393*
  • First-year rewards value: $2,393
  • Other credits and perks: $0

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best business travel credit card with low annual fee

Pros
  • Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
  • 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • Flexible rewards with more than 15 transfer partners
  • Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Cons
  • High APR of 24.49% (Variable)
  • Flight purchases don’t qualify for bonus miles

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is our choice for the best business travel credit card with a low annual fee because it features an annual fee of $0 intro for first year; $95 after that. There’s no extra annual fee to get employee cards.

You’ll earn 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel. While it doesn’t have bonus categories on common business purchases, you’ll earn an elevated rate on every purchase without having to keep track of bonus categories. Miles can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards and more, or you can transfer them to over 15 airline and hotel partners. The card can also help cover the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.

Overall first year value: $1,795*
  • First-year rewards value: $1,640
  • Other credits and perks: $155

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best travel business credit card with no annual fee

Pros
  • $0 annual fee
  • Earn a solid welcome bonus
  • Simple rewards earning structure
  • 15+ transfer partners
Cons
  • Few travel perks
  • No bonus categories for business spending
  • Must book with Capital One to get bonus rewards rate

The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business is an ideal basic travel business credit card for business owners who prefer simplicity, travel only occasionally and have modest business spending. The card offers the chance to earn a decent welcome bonus and the ability to maximize rewards by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.

But keep in mind that you could be leaving money on the table due to the lack of bonus rewards in popular business spending categories, and the fact that you have to book through Capital One to earn 5X miles on travel, the only bonus earning category offered.

Overall first year value: $1,578*
  • First-year rewards value: $1,578
  • Other credits and perks: $0

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Runner-up: Best travel business credit card with no annual fee

Pros
  • Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 you spend annually on eligible purchases
  • Intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (followed by a 16.74% - 26.74% Variable APR)
  • Complimentary employee cards to earn rewards on purchases and track spending
  • Points combine with other Membership Rewards cards for additional perks and redemption opportunities
Cons
  • Low welcome offer compared with other cards
  • Rewards bonus points limited to the first $50,000 spent each year
  • Foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express serves as a solid basic no annual fee credit card for business owners who have lower monthly spending, want to avoid an annual fee and only travel domestically. This card offers an elevated rewards rate on all eligible spending in any category, but only on the first $50,000 a year in spending.

Though it's one of the best travel business credit cards for domestic travel, this card does charge foreign transaction fees. So, if you travel internationally on business, you may want to choose a different card.

Overall first year value: $1,100*
  • First-year rewards value: $1,100
  • Other credits and perks: $0

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best business card for flexible rewards

Pros
  • Massive welcome offer plus introductory APR deal
  • Flexible bonus categories based on your spending
  • Hundreds of dollars in business credits
Cons
  • Cap on bonus earnings
  • Must book through Amex Travel for travel bonus earnings
  • Low rewards earnings outside of bonus categories
  • Must pay off some purchases in full monthly

The American Express® Business Gold Card is our choice for best business travel card with flexible rewards due to its generous bonus earnings in the two eligible categories where you spend the most. There are six eligible categories offered, covering some common business purchases like transit, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants, so the card will likely fit most business owners' spending habits.

You should know the card is a charge card, which means no preset spending limits, which means your spending limit is flexible, and depends on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history. But you do have to pay your bill in full each month, except for purchases eligible for Pay Over Time (terms apply).

Overall first year value: $2,839*
  • First-year rewards value: $2,444
  • Other credits and perks: $395

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best business credit card for airline miles

Pros
  • Earn a huge welcome offer plus get an annual companion certificate upon renewal (terms apply)
  • Complimentary airport lounge access
  • Reach elite status quicker each year with a Medallion® Qualification Dollar boost
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit (enrollment required)
Cons
  • High spending required for welcome offer
  • $650 annual fee
  • Limited bonus categories
  • Potentially high APR

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is the ultimate luxury business travel card for frequent business travelers, offering one of the best packages of perks available on any card. From lounge access to an annual companion certificate upon renewal (terms apply) and a full suite of travel and purchase insurance, this card has enough benefits to offset the annual fee many times over for those who fully utilize the perks.

Keep in mind that the card falls a bit short compared with other business travel cards when it comes to rewards earning, as it has few bonus categories. For that reason, it shines when used in combination with another card for everyday business purchases.

Overall first year value: $2,285*
  • First-year rewards value: $955
  • Other credits and perks: $1,330

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best United business credit card

Pros
  • Solid welcome bonus includes PQPs to help you reach elite status faster
  • 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, priority boarding and a free checked bag on eligible United flights
  • Earn bonus miles after you add an employee card in the first three months of card membership
  • Over $500 in credits annually
Cons
  • Annual fee: $150
  • High spending required to earn 2 seat upgrades

The New United℠ Business Card is the best business travel credit card for United loyalists who travel at least a few times a year due to its array of United-specific travel perks, annual credits and a sign-up bonus that includes Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) to help you get to Premier status faster. For a modest annual fee, you get 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, priority boarding and a free checked bag on United flights and credits that can more than make up for the annual fee.

Overall first year value: $2,207*
  • First-year rewards value: $517
  • Other credits and perks: $940

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Find out which United credit card is best for you

Best business card for airport lounge access

Pros
  • Phenomenal welcome offer
  • Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®
  • Hilton Honors™ Gold and Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status after enrollment
  • Earn generous business and travel credits worth over $3,000 in value annually (after meeting qualifying spend thresholds)
Cons
  • $895 annual fee
  • Must book travel through Amex Travel to earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels
  • Lackluster bonus rewards earnings

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers some of the richest perks of any business card on the market, starting with world-class airport lounge access to over 1,550 airport lounges around the world. Add in the most valuable welcome offer of any card on our list, plus an array of travel and business credits and elite status at two popular hotel chains (Hilton and Marriott, enrollment required), and this card can't be beat for business owners seeking a luxury business travel card.

It's important to note that this card does fall short in rewards earning for everyday business spending and travel not booked through Amex, so it works best when paired with another business card that has standout bonus earning categories for general travel and business purchases.

Overall first year value: $7,501*
  • First year rewards value: $3,562*
  • Other credits and perks: $3,939*

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best business credit card for hotel rewards

Pros
  • Valuable welcome offer with extended time to meet spending requirement
  • Earn up to 12X Points on hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio made directly
  • Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status and an opportunity to earn Diamond status
  • Complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status (enrollment required)
Cons
  • Significant spending is required to earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond status
  • 5X business bonus categories are limited to the first $100,000 in annual purchases (3X Points thereafter)
  • High 19.49% - 28.49% Variable APR
  • $195 annual fee

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is one of the best business credit cards for travel and hotel rewards because of its complimentary elite status and generous earnings potential.

Its $195 annual fee is more than offset by an annual Hilton credit of up to $60 per quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your card (up to $240 annually). In addition to complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold elite status, businesses that spend $40,000 or more on eligible purchases can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond elite status. Cardholders also receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).

If you do business internationally, you should know that this card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.

However, you should keep in mind that this credit card will be best for Hilton loyalists, not necessarily all travelers.

Overall first year value: $1,208*
  • First year rewards value: $968
  • Other credits and perks: $240

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

Best business travel card for low credit scores

Pros
  • Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel portal
  • Free employee cards
  • $0 annual and foreign transaction fees
  • Extended warranty coverage on eligible purchases
Cons
  • No welcome bonus
  • Flights don’t qualify for bonus cash back
  • High purchase APR

The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is an excellent $0-annual-fee option for business owners with credit issues. It offers unlimited 1% cash-back rewards on all purchases and an elevated rewards rate on some travel purchases.

While this card doesn’t offer bonus rewards on flights, you do earn extra rewards when booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One’s travel portal. You can also add employees to the account at no extra charge, set customized spending limits for each employee’s card and earn rewards on their purchases.

Overall first year value: $215*
  • First year rewards value: $215
  • Other credits and perks: $0

*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology

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How to choose a business credit card for travel

Choosing among the best business credit cards for travel can be challenging. Look at the following categories to see which perks, rewards and protections are the best fit for your business.

Cash, points, or miles?

Flexible points such as American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards® are generally considered the most valuable rewards due to their flexibility and transfer partners. Some of the best travel credit cards allow you to maximize the value of your points by transferring them to an airline or hotel loyalty program, allowing you to get high-value redemptions such as international flights. However, if you're loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand, you may want to focus on earning a certain type of airline miles or hotel points. Keep in mind that redeeming rewards for travel can be worth up to twice as much as cash back rewards.

Airline/hotel affiliations

Consider what airline and hotel brands you prefer to use. You can eliminate cards right away if you’re not already a loyal customer of the brand. If you’re loyal to just one airline or hotel, you’ll get more rewards and perks by selecting an airline or hotel business travel card from that brand. But if you don’t have any brand preferences, choosing a general business travel card is likely a better option.

Are you loyal to one airline or hotel brand for your business travel? Check out our guides to the best airline credit cards and the best hotel credit cards.

Sign-up bonus

A sign-up bonus can offer a lucrative incentive to apply for a business credit card, quickly netting you up to $1,000 or more in free travel. Keep in mind that you must spend a minimum amount on the card in a certain timeframe to earn the bonus. It's important to consider both the value of the bonus and how much you typically charge on a business credit card to make sure you can comfortably meet the spending requirement.

Earning categories

The best business travel cards offer bonus rewards earnings in popular business categories such as travel, office supplies and phone and internet services. For example, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card lets you earn 3 points per $1 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. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn. It's wise to take a look at your business spending from the last year or so to see where you spend the most so you can choose a business travel card that offers bonus rewards in those categories.

Annual bonuses and benefits

Many business travel credit cards include an annual bonus that rewards cardholders for keeping the card year after year. These bonuses include annual free nights, airline companion certificates, credits for fees or other travel expenses and extra miles or points deposited into your account. Some benefits are included simply for paying your annual fee, while others have minimum spending requirements.

Travel credits and perks

Many of the biggest benefits of business travel cards come from the included travel credits and perks. Complimentary or reduced-price airport lounge access gives travelers a premium place to relax and grab a drink or snack before a flight. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry allows jetsetters to save time at airport security and customs, and many business travel cards cover the cost of these programs.

See our guide to the best credit cards for free Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®.

Some airline credit cards even offer a companion certificate, which allows you to bring someone along at no charge (or at a significantly reduced charge) after you’ve paid the taxes and fees.

Many of our picks for the best business travel card offer an array of travel benefits. For example, The New United℠ Business Card comes with two United Club℠ one-time passes per year along with over $500 in travel credits, a free first checked bag, priority boarding on eligible United flights and 25% off inflight food and drink purchases.

Foreign transaction fees

If you travel internationally for business or spend money with international companies, make sure to choose a business travel card with no foreign transaction fee. These fees can tack on a cost of up to 3% to purchases made outside the United States. For example, one of our picks, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. (see rates & fees). Fortunately, the rest of the cards on our list don't charge these fees.

Travel insurance

The best business credit cards for travel come with insurance that can save the day when a business trip doesn't go as planned, and some cards offer more comprehensive travel insurance coverage than others. For example, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card covers the basics with trip cancellation and interruption coverage as well as auto rental coverage, while the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers those protections plus coverage for lost, stolen or damaged luggage1 and trip delays of more than six hours2.

Employee cards

A card that offers free employee cards is ideal if you have employees who travel for business purposes. You can keep tabs on spending and avoid the sticker shock from reimbursement receipts, while freeing your employees from covering business expenses on their personal credit card.

Other travel benefits

Some business travel cards, especially cobranded airline and hotel credit cards, offer other travel perks specific to the brand. For example, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express comes with Hilton Honors™ Gold and Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status (enrollment required). And The New United℠ Business Card offers a free first checked bag and priority boarding on eligible United flights plus two United Club℠ one-time passes per year. These perks can be especially valuable for brand loyalists.

A LendingTree study found that limited access to capital is one of the top reasons businesses fail. Using a credit card responsibly can strengthen your company’s finances while also building the credit history you need to qualify for additional funding. That credit access can make all the difference when it’s time to grow — or when you need to get through a rough patch.

Using a personal credit card for business travel

While some business owners are tempted to use a personal credit card for business travel, it’s usually best to book reservations using your business credit card. A business credit card helps you build business credit and keep your personal and business expenses separate. If you use one credit card for both personal and business purchases, you risk losing track of your business expenses. These lost expenses can result in you paying higher taxes and make it hard to get a clear picture of your business profitability.

Furthermore, while most business credit cards don’t show up on your personal credit report as long as you make on-time payments, personal credit cards do. Using a personal credit card for business expenses could make your credit utilization higher than normal — which could negatively affect your credit score.

Tip

If your business just started, you may not be able to get a business credit card for travel yet. Until you can qualify, designate or open a personal card for business expenses and avoid using it for any personal charges. Even if the business is new and doesn’t have much revenue, many banks will approve a business credit card based on your personal income and credit score. Another option is to get a secured business credit card to build business credit.

Frequently asked questions

Our pick for the best business card for international travel is the Capital One Venture X Business. This card comes with an array of business travel perks to help you travel in style, including the chance to earn a lucrative sign-up bonus, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One's travel site and a trusted traveler program credit. And it has a foreign transaction fee of none, which is great for credit cards for international travel.

A virtual business credit card has several advantages for corporate travel, allowing companies to reduce the risk of fraud, save money and better track their corporate travel. However, small business owners will likely want a traditional business travel credit card to carry in their wallet on business trips. The good news: most of these also offer virtual card numbers that you can use for more secure online transactions.

Yes, business owners can use their rewards for business or personal travel. Typically, rewards earned from airline or hotel credit cards are deposited into your loyalty accounts at the end of each statement cycle, while flexible points generally stay with the bank or card issuer until they are redeemed or transferred. Credit card rewards are typically not taxable because they’re a rebate on spending, although there can be potential tax implications if you’re redeeming for cash or gift cards. Although it depends on your situation, business owners will most likely be permitted to use business credit card points to help pay for personal travel.

While you may technically be able to get away with using your business credit card for personal purchases, you should avoid this practice for several reasons. First, personal use of a business credit card likely goes against the fine print in your credit card agreement. Second, it's best to keep your business purchases separate to simplify bookkeeping and taxes and protect yourself from liability.

Most small business credit cards require you to provide your Social Security number as a personal guarantee when you apply for business credit. Most business credit cards that allow you to apply using only an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS are corporate credit cards, but there are exceptions. Check out our list of business cards with no personal credit check to see if one's a fit for you.

Business entities like an LLC or Corporation are formed to create separation between the business and its owner. While you can use your personal credit card for business expenses, doing so can erode the protections of your LLC. The best option is to use one of the best business travel credit cards for your company expenses and to build credit for your business. Even if your business is new or has little to no revenue, many banks will approve your application based on your personal credit and income.

1. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

2. Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
The information related to the Capital One Spark Classic for Business, Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and The New United℠ Business Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

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