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5 best corporate credit cards for your business in February 2025
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Corporate credit cards are financial tools designed for businesses, not individuals. They allow companies to manage expenses, track spending, and often earn rewards on business purchases. Unlike personal credit cards, these are usually tied to the company rather than an individual's credit score.
In this article, we'll debunk the nuances of corporate credit cards, plus look at the 5 best corporate credit cards available. We've considered factors like rewards programs, expense management features, and overall value for different types of businesses. Whether you're a small startup or a large corporation, one of these cards could help streamline your finances and potentially save you money.
What is considered a corporate credit card?
A corporate credit card is a payment tool issued to a business—not an individual—for company-related expenses. The business, not the employee using the card, is legally responsible for paying the balance. These cards allow authorized employees to make purchases on behalf of the company, often with spending limits and tracking features.
Corporate cards can help businesses manage expenses, build credit, and streamline accounting. They are distinct from personal credit cards and should be used exclusively for business purposes.
While similar to personal or small business credit cards in functionality and often offering rewards programs, corporate cards are tied to the company's credit, impacting its business credit score.
» Learn more: The guide to corporate credit card programs
How does a corporate credit card work?
A corporate credit card allows authorized employees to make purchases for business expenses, with the company directly responsible for payment. The company receives a statement outlining all card transactions and pays the balance, typically monthly.
Let’s look closer at an example. Ramp provides businesses with physical and virtual corporate cards for their employees to use for company-related purchases. Ramp's platform automatically tracks all card transactions in real-time. It categorizes expenses, matches receipts, and provides insights into spending patterns. Ramp cards are charge cards, meaning the balance must be paid in full each month.
How do you qualify for a corporate card?
Qualifying for a corporate credit card can be more stringent than getting a personal or even a small business credit card. Here's a breakdown of the typical requirements:
1. Most corporate credit card issuers prefer corporations (C-corps, S-corps, LLCs) over sole proprietorships or partnerships. You also may need a significant annual revenue and substantial annual expenses to be considered.
2. Financial documentation, like balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, tax returns, and bank statements are typically required.
3. Your business’ Employer Identification Number (EIN) number. (Yes, it’s possible to get a business credit card with EIN only).
For some issuers, the requirements for corporate credit cards are changing. For instance, Ramp takes a different approach to approving businesses for corporate cards compared to traditional banks. Ramp primarily focuses on your company's financial health, particularly the amount of money you have in your business bank account. We require a minimum balance of $25,000 to qualify, which is lower than similar cards on the market.
Best corporate credit cards
Here's a quick overview of our picks for the 5 best corporate credit cards:
- Ramp Corporate Card
- American Express Business Platinum Card
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
- Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard
Best overall corporate card: Ramp Corporate Card
The Ramp corporate card is designed to help businesses save money and time by providing spend controls, easy expense submission, and real-time savings insights.
Rewards
Ramp offers cashback rewards and perks that can provide 5% savings. Customers can access over $350,000 in partner rewards and discounts from various service providers.
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fees
None
Other benefits:
Ramp offers significant benefits like unlimited cards, customizable controls, automated expense management, cost-cutting features, and integration with accounting software, potentially saving businesses time and money.
Best for premium travel perks: American Express Business Platinum Card
The Business Platinum Card is a premium business credit card designed for high-spending business owners who frequently travel.
Rewards
Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, 1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more, and 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome bonus
Earn 250,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fees
$695
Other benefits:
The card offers over $1,000 in annual statement credits for various business services and travel perks. Cardholders also get access to airport lounges worldwide and elite status with Marriott and Hilton hotel programs. However, the high annual fee may be a drawback for some businesses, with the rewards structure favoring frequent travelers and high spenders.
Best for cash back: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
The Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus is a business charge card that offers unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no preset spending limit.
Rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, everywhere, with no limits or category restrictions. Plus, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Annual fees
$150 (waived if you spend $150,000 or more annually)
Other benefits:
The card offers no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance, free employee cards, year-end summaries, and the ability to download purchase records into various formats. However, it is a charge card, meaning the balance must be paid in full every month or a 2.99% late fee applies to the outstanding balance.
Best for office supplies: Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
The Chase Ink Business Cash credit card is designed for businesses to earn cash back rewards on various business purchases with no annual fee.
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no limit.
Welcome bonus
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. Plus, earn an additional $400 when you spend a total of $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months, for a total potential bonus of $750 (equivalent to 75,000 points).
Annual fees
$0
Other benefits:
The card offers valuable benefits like employee cards at no additional cost, 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and travel coverages. However, bonus cash back earning is capped at $25,000 in combined purchases for the 5% and 2% categories each account anniversary year. The card also has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it's not ideal for international business purchases.
Best for flexible rewards: Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard
The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases for businesses with no annual fee.
Rewards
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual cap and rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open. You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase (up to 2.62% cash back) if you have a Bank of America business checking account and qualify for the Preferred Rewards for Business program.
Welcome bonus
Get a $300 online statement credit bonus after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Annual fees
None
Other benefits:
The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles (then a variable APR of 18.49% to 28.49% applies), cash flow management tools, online and mobile access, travel and emergency services, and zero liability protection. However, balance transfers, cash advances and foreign transactions incur fees.
Can you use a corporate credit card for personal use?
It's generally not recommended to use a corporate credit card for personal expenses. Doing so can violate company policies, complicate expense reporting, and potentially lead to disciplinary action or legal issues.
What is the difference between a personal credit card and a corporate credit card?
Personal credit cards are issued to individuals and tied to their personal credit, while corporate credit cards are issued to employees for business expenses and tied to the company's credit. Corporate cards often have higher limits, different rewards structures, and are subject to company policies and oversight.
Ramp: The best corporate card out there
Ramp stands out as the premier corporate card solution, offering a unique combination of powerful features and user-friendly design. With no annual fees, unlimited physical and virtual cards, and customizable spending controls, Ramp empowers businesses to manage expenses efficiently while maximizing savings.
Beyond just a payment tool, Ramp's integrated expense management platform automates tedious tasks, provides real-time spending insights, and seamlessly integrates with popular accounting software. This comprehensive approach saves time, reduces errors, and allows finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than manual data entry.
For businesses seeking a modern financial solution that delivers both control and flexibility, Ramp is the clear choice.
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- Save an average of 5% by spending less time and money across your entire business
- Automatically prompt, collect, and match receipts after each transaction through SMS, mobile app, and integrations
- Set granular controls down to the merchant, category, and transaction level for every card to prevent out-of-policy spend
- Requires no personal guarantee and bases credit limits on the company's financial health indicators
- Integrate directly with accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct to automate bookkeeping
- Offers a comprehensive platform that includes expense management, travel booking, procurement, and accounts payable
- Unique cost-cutting features and AI-powered savings insights to help businesses reduce expenses
- No annual, application, or late payment fees
- Access to over $350,000 in partner rewards and perks from leading companies
- Only available to US-based corporations and LLCs, excluding sole proprietors and unregistered businesses
- Requires a minimum of $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify
- Balances must be paid in full each month, which may not provide the flexibility some businesses need for managing cash flow
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
- Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide with the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Get up to $400 in annual statement credits for U.S. purchases with Dell Technologies
- Receive up to $200 in airline fee credits per calendar year for incidental fees on your selected airline
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere, with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn a one-time $1,200 cash bonus after spending $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Pay-in-full charge card, meaning your balance must be paid in full every month
- No preset spending limit, adapting to your needs based on spending behavior, payment history, and credit profile
- Earn up to 5% cash back on select business categories like office supplies, internet, cable, and phone services
- Employee cards available at no additional cost
- Introductory 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
- Earn a $750 bonus cash back after meeting the spending requirements within the first 3 and 6 months
- Simple, straightforward rewards structure with unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Get a $300 online statement credit bonus after making at least $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 28.49%
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for businesses
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- Offers a comprehensive platform that includes expense management, travel booking, procurement, and accounts payable
- Unique cost-cutting features and AI-powered savings insights to help businesses reduce expenses
- No annual, application, or late payment fees
- Access to over $350,000 in partner rewards and perks from leading companies
- Only available to US-based corporations and LLCs, excluding sole proprietors and unregistered businesses
- Requires a minimum of $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify
- Balances must be paid in full each month, which may not provide the flexibility some businesses need for managing cash flow
- If you spend a lot on office supplies or on internet, phone and cable services, this card caters to that
- Cardholders are automatically checked for a credit line increase every 6 months or sooner
- The card offers 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases with no limit
- Bonus cash back categories are capped at $25,000 in combined purchases per account anniversary year
- A foreign transaction fee of 3% is charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Cash back rewards are limited to 1% on all purchases outside the bonus categories
- 10% Business Relationship Bonus is only available if you have a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
- Comprehensive travel protections, including Trip Delay Insurance and Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status
- Enjoy up to $120 in annual statement credits for wireless telephone service purchases
- High annual fee of $695
- Earning rate of 1.5x points on eligible purchases is capped at $2 million per calendar year
- Airline fee credit is limited to one selected qualifying airline per year
- Some benefits, like the Indeed and Adobe statement credits, require enrollment and have expiration dates
- Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Potential to earn up to $14,400 cash back annually when you spend $60,000 monthly
- Annual fee of $150 is refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
- No foreign transaction fee
- As a charge card, the balance must be paid in full each month which may not be ideal for businesses that need to carry a balance
- The 2.99% late fee on the outstanding statement balance can add up quickly if payments are not made on time
- Lack of introductory 0% APR offer on purchases
- Overdraft protection through Balance Connect, which can help prevent declined purchases or returned checks
- Potential to earn up to 2.62% cash back on all purchases if you qualify for the highest tier of the Preferred Rewards for Business program
- Comprehensive travel and emergency services, including travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, and lost luggage assistance
- Free access to your business credit scores from Dun & Bradstreet
- Balance transfer fee of 4% of the amount of each transaction, which can add up if transferring a large balance
- Cash advance APR of 29.49%
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus earning categories
