Best Business Credit Cards For Startups 2024

Startup businesses have unique financial needs and having the right credit card is essential for their success. With the right business credit card, you can manage cash flow more effectively, earn rewards on everyday purchases, and build a strong business credit profile.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best business credit cards that startups should consider to get off on the right foot. We'll also discuss Wise Business—an alternative business account.

Looking for a reliable international business account with low fees?

Get a Wise Business account >>

Wise Business Card: The hassle-free business debit card that saves you money.
Trustpilot Rating: Great with 190,000+ reviews²⁶
Over 300,000 businesses use Wise every quarter

Table of contents
Chase Bank of America Wells Fargo American Express U.S. Bank Capital One

Business Credit Card For Startup

There are quite a few different banks that offer business credit cards that are especially helpful for startups. Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at business credit cards from

• Chase
• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• American Express
• U.S. Bank
• Capital One

Chase

Chase offers 10 business credit card options. Some are good for earning miles toward travel and others give points toward hotel stays, but Chase recommends startups use the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card¹.

This card is among their standard business cards called the Ink Business Credit Cards. Other options include

• Ink Business Premier Credit Card
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

The main difference between these cards is the cashback percentage, but since Chase recommends the Ink Business Unlimited Card, we’ll focus on that one.²

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card Key Features:³

• $900 bonus cash back (after $6,000 in purchases in your first 3 months)
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back
• 0% APR for your first year (18.49%–24.49% variable APR after)
• Qualify for Chase Ultimate Rewards (redeem for cash back, gift cards, travel, etc.)
• Free option for employee cards with controllable spending limits
• 5% cash back on purchases for Lyft rides (through March 2025)

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card Pricing & Fees⁴

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Membership	Free
My Chase PlanSM Fee (fixed finance charge)	0% for first year \ 1.72%/month after
Balance Transfers	$5 or 5% (whichever is greater)
Cash Advances	$15 or 5% (whichever is greater)
Foreign Transactions	3% (in USD)
Late Payment	$40
Return Payment	$40
Return Check	None
My Chase LoanSM APR	18.49-24.49%
Balance Transfer APR	18.49-24.49%
Cash Advance APR	29.99%
Default APR	Up to 29.99%
Purchase Annual Percentage Rate (APR)	0% for first year \ 18.49-24.49% after
Minimum Interest Charge	None

See the Best Banks for Small Businesses >>

Bank of America

Bank of America recommends a few credit card options for small businesses

• Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card
• Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
• Business Advantage Travel Rewards credit card
• Platinum Plus Mastercard Business card
• Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard Secured credit card

The card they recommend most for startups is the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card, which we’ll discuss below.⁵

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Key Features:⁶

• $300 online statement credit (after $3,000 in purchases in your first 90 days)
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back
• Free option to join Preferred Rewards for Business (unlimited up to 2.62% cash back)
• No Annual Fee
• No limits or expiration dates on cash-back rewards
• Cash reward redemption options (account deposit, statement credit, or mailed check)
• 0% APR for your first 9 billing cycles (18.49%–28.49% variable APR after)
• Contactless card with chip and tap

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Pricing & Fees⁷

Feature	Cost
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	0% for first 9 billing cycles \ 18.49-28.49% after
APR for Balance Transfers	18.49-28.49%
APR for Cash Advances	29.49%
Penalty APR	None
Annual Fee	None
Balance Transfer	4%
Cash Advance	4%
International Transaction	3% (in USD)
Late Payment ($5,000)	$49

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo does not currently offer a business credit card for small or other types of businesses, but they do say the option is “coming soon”. Wells Fargo’s website states: “Stay tuned for more information in the coming months. Existing cardholders can continue using their current credit cards with confidence.”⁸

As they stated, Wells Fargo does offer credit cards for general use. There are six currently on the market:

• Active Cash Card
• Autograph Card
• Reflect Card
• Bilt Mastercard
• Choice Privileges Mastercard
• Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

While the others are geared toward travel, hotel, and rent charges, the Active Cash cards are probably the best for startups and small businesses looking to earn cash back with a low APR. Reflect has a better APR deal, while Active Cash has better cash-back options.⁹

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card Key Features: ¹⁰

• Unlimited 2% earn on purchases
• No expiration date on cash rewards (while account is open)
• No categories to track
• Redeem for purchases as low as $1
• $200 cash rewards bonus (after $500 in purchases in your first 3 months)
• Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card Pricing & Fees ¹¹

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	0% for first 15 months 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% after
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Balance Transfers	0% for first 15 months 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% after
APR for Cash Advances and Overdraft Protection Advances	29.99%
Minimum Interest Charge	$1
Annual Fee	None
Balance Transfers	$5 or 3% (whichever is greater) for first 120 days $5 or 5% (whichever is greater) after
Cash Advances	$10 or 5% (whichever is greater)
Foreign Currency Conversion	3% (in USD)
Late Payment	Up to $40

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Key Features: ¹²

• 0% APR for your first 21 months (18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% variable APR after)
• $0 Annual Fee
• Up to $600 cell phone protection when making payments through your card (with a $25 deductible)
• Access to My Wells Fargo Deals, giving you personalized offers with merchants
• 24/7 Roadside Dispatch for emergency assistance
• Zero Liability protection

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Pricing & Fees ¹³

Feature	Cost
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	0% for first 21 months 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% after
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Balance Transfers	0% for first 21 months 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% after
APR for Cash Advances and Overdraft Protection Advances	29.99%
Minimum Interest Charge	$1
Annual Fee	None
Balance Transfers	At least $5, or 5%
Cash Advances	$10 or 5% (whichever is greater)
Foreign Currency Conversion	3% (in USD)
Late Payment	Up to $40

American Express

American Express offers 14 different business cards, but there are three that they recommend through the American Express Corporate Program for startups:

• Corporate Green Card
• Corporate Gold Card
• Corporate Platinum Card

We’ll look into the features and pricing for all three of these cards below, but overall they are very similar. The Green Card is probably the best option for a standard startup, while Gold and Platinum are great for businesses that require frequent travel.¹⁴

American Express^® Corporate Green Card Key Features: ¹⁴

• $75 Annual Fee
• 3% Uber Cash on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (with enrollment and if eligible)
• Hilton Honors Silver Status (with enrollment)
• Global Assist Hotline
• 24/7 Customer Service

American Express^® Corporate Green Card Pricing & Fees ¹⁵

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Fee	Up to $75
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.5% (in USD)
Late Payment Fee	$39 or 2.99% (whichever is greater)
Administrative Suspense Fee \ (90 days past due and charge privileges suspended)	$25
Reinstatement Fee \ (if Card is cancelled due to non-payment)	$25

American Express^® Corporate Gold Card Key Features: ¹⁴

• $250 Annual Fee
• 5% Uber Cash on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (with enrollment and if eligible)
• Up to $100 in airline fee statement credits per year (at one selected airline)
• Hilton Honors Silver Status (with enrollment)
• Up to $100 in LoungeBuddy statement credits per year (to use on their app or website)

American Express^® Corporate Gold Card Pricing & Fees¹⁶

Feature	Cost
Annual Fee	$250
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.5% (in USD)
Late Payment Fee	$39 or 2.99% (whichever is greater)
Administrative Suspense Fee \ (90 days past due and charge privileges suspended)	$25
Reinstatement Fee \ (if Card is cancelled due to non-payment)	$25

American Express^® Corporate Platinum Card^® Key Features: ¹⁴

• $550 Annual Fee
• Up to $189 in CLEAR Plus statement credits per year (when charging membership to your card)
• 5% Uber Cash on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (with enrollment and if eligible)
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Up to $200 in airline fee statement credits per year (at one selected airline)

American Express^® Corporate Platinum Card^® Pricing & Fees ¹⁷

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Fee	$550
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.5% (in USD)
Late Payment Fee	$39 or 2.99% (whichever is greater)
Administrative Suspense Fee \ (90 days past due and charge privileges suspended)	$25
Reinstatement Fee \ (if Card is cancelled due to non-payment)	$25

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International Business Account and Card: Wise Business

Wise is a banking alternative with a flexible, low-cost international business account. Their goal is to help you avoid the hassles that come with traditional banking through transparent pricing and global reach.

Key Features:

• Hold over 40 currencies
• Get local account details when abroad
• Receive money in 9 currencies at no extra cost
• No monthly fees
• No minimum balance

Pricing & Fees ¹

Feature	Cost/Rate
Account Registration	$0
Account Details (Receive Money like Local)	One-time payment: $31
Sending Money	From 0.43%
ATM Fees >$100/month/account	2%
Account Funding Transactions	2%
Wise Debit Card	$5
Converting Money	From 0.43%

Looking to operate your business with less fees?

Get a Wise Business account >>

Wise Business Card: The hassle-free business debit card that saves you money.
Trustpilot Rating: Great with 190,000+ reviews²⁶
Over 300,000 businesses use Wise every quarter

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank offers four business banking cards to its users:

• U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard
• U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card
• U.S. Bank Business Leverage Visa Signature Card
• U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card

We’ll learn more about these four cards below, but the main difference between them lies in their cash back and points offers.¹⁸

U.S. Bank Business Altitude^TM Connect World Elite Mastercard^® Key Features: ¹⁸

• 60,000 bonus points offer (after $6,000 in purchases in your first 180 days)
• 5x points on prepaid hotel and car rentals (booked in Rewards Center)
• 4x points on travel, including airfare, hotels, gas and EV charging stations (up to $150,000 in combined annual spend)
• 2x points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell phone services
• 1x points on all other purchases
• $0 Annual Fee for the first year ($95 after and no Annual Fees on employee cards)

U.S. Bank Business Altitude^TM Connect World Elite Mastercard^® Pricing & Fees ¹⁹

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	20.24-28.24%
APR for Balance Transfers	20.24-28.24%
APR for Cash Advances	29.99%
Penalty APR	32.49%
Minimum Interest Charge	$1
Annual Fee	$0 for first 12 months $95 after
Annual Fee for Authorized Employees	$0
Balance Transfer	3% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Convenience Check Cash Advance	3% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance ATM	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Equivalent Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Overdraft Protection	None
Foreign Transaction	None
U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Fees	Up to 1.6%
Late Payment	$40
Returned Payment	$40
Overlimit	$40

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa^® Business Card Key Features: ¹⁸

• $500 cash back (after $4,500 in purchases in your first 150 days)
• 3% cash back on eligible purchases (gas and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, restaurants)
• Annual $100 statement credit for monthly software service purchases (like FreshBooks or QuickBooks)
• $0 Annual Fee

U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa^® Business Card Pricing & Fees ²⁰

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	0% for first 15 billing cycles 19.24-28.24% after
APR for Balance Transfers	19.24-28.24%
APR for Cash Advances	29.99%
Penalty APR	29.99%
Minimum Interest Charge	$1
Annual Fee	None
Balance Transfer	3% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Convenience Check Cash Advance	3% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance ATM	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Equivalent Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Overdraft Protection	None
Foreign Transaction	3%
U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Fees	Up to 1.6%
Late Payment	$40
Returned Payment	$40
Overlimit	$40

U.S. Bank Business Leverage^® Visa Signature^® Card Key Features:¹⁸

• $750 in rewards (after $7,500 in purchases in your first 120 days)
• 2% cash back in your top 2 categories automatically
• $0 Annual Fee for the first year ($95 after and no Annual Fees on employee cards)

U.S. Bank Business Leverage^® Visa Signature^® Card Pricing & Fees²¹

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	21.24-26.24%
APR for Balance Transfers	21.24-26.24%
APR for Cash Advances	29.99%
Penalty APR	29.99%
Minimum Interest Charge	$1
Annual Fee	$0 for first 12 months $95 after
Annual Fee for Authorized Employees	$0
Balance Transfer	Introductory fee of 5% or $5 (whichever is greater) 3% or $5 (whichever is greater) after
Convenience Check Cash Advance	5% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance ATM	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Equivalent Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Overdraft Protection	None
Foreign Transaction	None
U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Fees	Up to 1.6%
Late Payment	$39
Returned Payment	$39
Overlimit	None

U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card Key Features: ¹⁸

• 0% APR for your first 18 billing cycles (17.24-26.24% variable APR after)
• Competitive introductory rate, purchasing power, and business control
• $0 Annual Fee

U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card Pricing & Fees ²²

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	0% for first 18 billing cycles 17.24-26.24% after
APR for Balance Transfers	0% for first 18 billing cycles 17.24-26.24% after
APR for Cash Advances	29.99%
Penalty APR	29.99%
Minimum Interest Charge	$1
Annual Fee	None
Balance Transfer	3% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Convenience Check Cash Advance	3% or $5 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance ATM	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Advance	5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Cash Equivalent Advance	4% or $10 (whichever is greater)
Overdraft Protection	None
Foreign Transaction	3%
U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Fees	Up to 1.6%
Late Payment (<$100)	$19
Late Payment ($100-$250)	$29
Late Payment (>$250)	$39
Returned Payment	$35
Overlimit	$39

Capital One

Capital One offers seven different business credit cards:

• Spark 1% Classic
• Spark 1.5% Cash Select (with intro APR)
• Spark 1.5% Cash Select (with $500 bonus)
• Spark 2% Cash Plus
• Venture X Business
• Spark 2X Miles
• Spark 1.5X Miles Select

The best all-around cards are the Spark 1.5% Cash Select options, so we’ll look more in-depth at those below.²³

Spark 1.5% Cash Select Card (with intro APR) Key Features: ²³

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back (no minimums or expiration dates)
• Unlimited 5% cash back on travel expenses (booked through Capital One Travel)
• $0 Annual Fee
• 0% APR for your first 12 months (21.24%–29.24% variable APR after)

Spark 1.5% Cash Select Card (with intro APR) Pricing & Fees ²⁴

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	0% for first 12 months 21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.24% after
APR for Transfers	21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.24%
APR for Cash Advances	32.24%
Penalty APR	34.65%
Annual Fee	None
Transfer	None
Cash Advance	3% or $3 (whichever is greater)
Late Payment	Up to $39

Spark 1.5% Cash Select Card (with $500 bonus) Key Features: ²³

• $500 cash bonus (after $4,500 in purchases in your first 3 months)
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back (no minimums or expiration dates)
• Unlimited 5% cash back on travel expenses (booked through Capital One Travel)
• $0 Annual Fee
• 18.49%–24.49% variable APR

Spark 1.5% Cash Select Card (with $500 bonus) Pricing & Fees ²⁵

Feature	Cost/Rate
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases	18.49%, 21.49%, or 24.49%
APR for Transfers	18.49%, 21.49%, or 24.49%
APR for Cash Advances	32.24%
Penalty APR	34.65%
Annual Fee	None
Transfer	None
Cash Advance	3% or $3 (whichever is greater)
Late Payment	Up to $39

Wise Business Account for International Businesses

Wise is a banking alternative that is great for businesses looking to increase their global reach. They offer an international business account that offers transparent fees. Small businesses will find that it is an intuitive digital account with numerous features, such as accounting software integrations and batch payments, that make their daily tasks easier for their team.

Notable Features:

• No account opening fee

• No minimum balance requirement or monthly fees

• Receiving funds in 9+ currencies costs a one-time fee of 31 USD. Fees are charged per transfer with US fees starting as low as 0.43%

• The Wise account offers the mid-market rate—resulting in reduced costs.

Send money with Wise >>

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. Chase
2. Chase
3. Chase
4. Chase
5. Bank of America
6. Bank of America
7. Bank of America
8. Wells Fargo
9. Wells Fargo
10. Wells Fargo
11. Wells Fargo
12. Wells Fargo
13. Wells Fargo
14. American Express
15. American Express
16. American Express
17. American Express
18. U.S. Bank
19. U.S. Bank
20. U.S. Bank
21. U.S. Bank
22. U.S. Bank
23. Capital One
24. Capital One
25. Capital One
26. Wise Trustpilot