Where Are the Biggest Bonuses? Try Small-Business Cards
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Credit cards for small-business owners differ from general consumer credit cards in many ways, including reward structures and how you qualify to get the card. Among the most eye-popping differences are the lucrative sign-up bonuses offered by business credit cards compared with their consumer counterparts.
FEATURED
Business card bonuses are typically higher
The more you spend on a credit card, the more the card issuer earns, and businesses tend to spend more than individuals and households.
If a business carries a balance, the issuer makes more in interest charges. Even if the cardholder never carries a balance and never pays interest, the issuer earns a percentage of each transaction through swipe fees.
Because businesses spend more, issuers can afford to be more generous — and enticing — with their sign-up bonuses. Qualifying for those bonuses, though, often requires a higher amount of spending soon after being approved for the card.
Examples
Sign-up bonuses can change frequently, but here are real examples of sign-up bonuses — sometimes called "welcome offers" — featured by business credit cards compared with a comparable consumer-level card.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Bonus | Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn. |
Maximum bonus value | $500 | No maximum. |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $95 | $95 |
Bonus | Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. |
Maximum bonus value | $1,250 | $750 |
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business vs. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Bonus | Earn a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles - equal to $200 in travel - once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. |
Maximum bonus value | $200 | $200 |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Card type | Business | Personal |
Annual fee | $695 | $695 |
Bonus | Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
Maximum bonus value | $750 | $600 |
(see rates and fees) | (see rates and fees) |
How you can capitalize
Even if you're not a full-time entrepreneur and just have a side business, you may qualify for a business credit card and be eligible for these big sign-up bonuses. Just be aware that cardholder protections are weaker for business cards vs. consumer cards and you must agree to a personal guarantee, stating that you are personally liable for debt even if your business goes belly-up.
On a good note, if you’re using your card for business, its fees and interest count as business expenses. That means you can deduct those card expenses at tax time.
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