As companies expand their horizons, travel becomes integral to fostering growth, building relationships, and seizing opportunities. The significance of choosing the right business credit card for managing travel expenditures cannot be overstated. This is where choosing a business credit card becomes a strategic decision that can shape your company’s financial health and overall success. From airline miles to hotel stays, these top 10 business credit cards for travel are designed to cater to your travel needs.
This blog post delves into the leading business credit cards tailored for managing your business expenses.
This blog post delves into the top 10 business credit cards for travel tailored for managing your business expenses.
Criteria for Evaluating Business Credit Cards
Choosing the right business credit card for travel expenses is a strategic decision that requires carefully evaluating various factors. Here are the key criteria businesses should consider when choosing one of the top 10 business credit cards for travel:
Annual Fees
Annual fees can vary widely among credit cards. Some cards may offer robust benefits and rewards, justifying higher fees, while others may have lower or no annual fees.
Rewards Programs
Different cards may offer rewards in various forms, such as cashback, travel points, or specific perks. Choose a card with a rewards program that aligns with your business needs and spending habits.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
APR includes the interest rate and any additional fees or charges. A lower APR can save money on interest payments, especially if the cardholder carries a balance.
Additional Perks
These perks can enhance the overall value of a credit card, providing additional convenience or cost savings for business travelers.
Foreign Transaction Fees
For businesses involved in international travel, choosing a card with no or low foreign transaction fees is essential to avoid unnecessary costs.
Credit Limit and Flexibility
A higher credit limit can provide financial flexibility, but ensuring it aligns with your business’s needs and spending practices is important.
Introductory Offers
These offers can provide immediate benefits, but it’s crucial to understand the terms and conditions, especially if they change after the introductory period.
Customer Support and Online Tools
Responsive customer support and user-friendly online tools contribute to a positive experience in managing and monitoring your credit card.
Redemption Flexibility
Business credit cards with versatile redemption options allow businesses to tailor rewards to specific needs, increasing the overall value of the rewards program.
Top 10 Business Credit Cards for Travel Expenses
1. American Express Business Gold Card
Annual Fee – $295
Rewards Structure
- 4X points on the top 2 eligible spending categories.
- 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
- 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
Travel Benefits
- 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels through AmexTravel.com.
- There are no foreign transaction fees for global business transactions.
- Access to The Hotel Collection with benefits like a $100 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.
Additional Credits and Insurance
- $240 Flexible Business Credit for U.S. purchases at specified merchants.
- Baggage Insurance Plan and Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance for added protection.
- Trip Delay Insurance assists with covered delays on round-trip purchases.
2. Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Annual Fee – $95
Welcome Bonus
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
Earning Points
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year:
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases with no limits on your earnings.
Other Benefits
- Earn a total of 5x total points on Lyft rides through March 2025.
- Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to participating in frequent travel programs at a full 1:1 value, making one Ultimate Rewards point equal to one partner mile/point.
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards. For instance, 100,000 points can be redeemed for $1,250 towards travel.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside of the United States.
3. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
Annual Fee – $0
Welcome Offer
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
Reward Points
- Earn 2X points on all purchases with no annual fee.
- The 2X points apply to the first $50,000 spent on purchases each year.
- After reaching the spending cap, continue earning 1X points on purchases.
Intro APR
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases from account opening for the first 12 months.
- After the introductory period, the variable APR will be between 18.49% and 26.49%.
Global Assist Hotline
- Access the Global Assist Hotline for 24/7 emergency assistance during travels over 100 miles from home.
- Services include medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and assistance with missing luggage.
- Card Members are responsible for third-party service provider costs, with additional terms and conditions.
4. The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Annual Fee – $695
Reward Points
- Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
- Receive 1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more elsewhere.
- Earn 1X points on other eligible purchases using the Business Platinum Card.
Best Card for Lounge Access
- Access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, providing complimentary entry to over 1,400 airport lounges globally.
$200 Airline Fee Credit
- Choose a qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
- Business Platinum Card Members and Additional Business Platinum Card Members can enroll directly into Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status.
5. Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card
Annual Fee – $70 per company; $25 per card
Welcome Bonus
- Receive 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Mile Earning Structure
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
- Get 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping, and local transit (including rideshare) purchases.
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Companion Fare
- Earn another Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) on each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
Travel Benefits
- Enjoy a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, saving $60 per person roundtrip.
- Priority Boarding is included for the cardholder when paying for the flight with the Alaska Airlines Business card.
6. World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Annual Fee – $199
Welcome Bonus
- As one of the top 10 business credit cards for travel, the Hyatt card offers 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Accelerated Earning
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter.
- Eligible categories include travel and emergency assistance.
Hyatt Hotel Benefits
- Up to 9 total Points per $1 spent at Hyatt Hotels.
- Earn 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt Hotels.
- Get 5 Base Points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- Receive reimbursement of up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares in case of trip cancellation or interruption due to covered situations.
- Covered situations include sickness, severe weather, and other qualifying events.
7. IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Annual Fee – $99
Welcome Bonus
- Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Points at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- Up to 26X total points at IHG Hotels and Resorts.
- 10X points with this card, up to 10X points from IHG for being an IHG One Rewards member, and earn up to 6X points from IHG with Platinum Elite Status.
Anniversary Free Night
- Receive a complimentary Anniversary Free Night each account anniversary year with a point redemption cap of 40,000 points.
- Existing IHG One Rewards account points can be redeemed for your Anniversary Night at hotels above the 40,000-point redemption level.
Annual Spending Bonus
- Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 each calendar year.
8. Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
Annual Fee – $95
Welcome Bonus
- Earn up to 45,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
Reward Structure
- Earn 8 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at Hotels by Wyndham and on qualifying gas purchases.
- Get 5 points per $1 spent on eligible marketing, advertising, and utilities purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Vacation Club down payments).
Diamond Membership
- Automatically receive Wyndham Rewards DIAMOND member-level benefits.
- Enjoy perks like suite upgrades, welcome amenities at check-in, and more.
Anniversary Bonus
- Receive a bonus of 15,000 points each anniversary year.
- This bonus is sufficient for up to two annual free nights at participating hotels.
9. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Annual Fee – $95
Welcome Offer
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Points Earning Structure
- Get 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar for purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases using the Hilton Honors Business Card.
Priority Pass Select
- Receive 10 complimentary visits to over 1,200 airport lounges annually with a Priority Pass Select Membership.
Hilton Honors Diamond Status Upgrade
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year to earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
10. Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Annual Fee – $199
Welcome Benefit
- Earn 80,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the initial 3 months of card purchase.
Anniversary Bonus
- Receive 9,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary.
Points Earning Structure
- Earn 4 points for every $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases.
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on social media, search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
Cardmember Benefits
- Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- Unlimited tier qualifying points – Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $10,000 spent.
- $500 fee credit for points transfers per year.
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit every 4 years.
- Up to 365 inflight WiFi Credits per year.
Conclusion
We hope this list of top 10 business credit cards for travel helps you choose the right card for your business. With ITILITE, seamlessly integrate your corporate cards into the platform and elevate your expense management process. The platform provides a real-time and comprehensive view of all travel-related expenses.
Gain a crystal-clear understanding of your company’s spending patterns. ITILITE helps your business save time and money by automating and streamlining expense management. Minimize manual efforts, reduce errors, and optimize your travel spending effectively.
Book a free demo with us today!
FAQ’s
The top 10 business credit cards for travel include American Express, Ink Business, The Blue Business, Business Platinum Card, Alaska Airlines Business Card, World of Hyatt Business Card, IHG One Rewards, Wyndham Rewards Earner, The Hilton Honors Business Card and SouthWest Rapid Rewards Card.
Yes. Many of the top 10 business credit cards for travel offer various forms of travel insurance as part of their benefits package.
The additional perks or benefits of business credit cards for travel can vary widely depending on the card issuer and the specific card. For more information, you can look up their official websites.
