6 best Citi business credit card alternatives for small businesses

Citi offers a narrow lineup of business credit cards. Many small teams find the rewards limited, the controls too basic, and the accounting integrations almost nonexistent. That’s a problem when you're trying to run lean, move fast, and close the books without manual work.

The right alternatives will offer you automated expense controls, rich rewards on common business spend, and real-time visibility.

What do Citi business credit cards actually offer, and what’s missing?

Citi’s business credit cards may work well if you run a solo operation, spend consistently in narrow categories like travel or gas, and don’t need much beyond basic card functionality. If all you're looking for is a way to earn modest rewards while keeping business and personal expenses separate, Citi can help you check that box.

Here’s what Citi business credit cards offer to its customers:

• Small, travel-focused product lineup. Citi currently offers just one core business credit card. It’s designed around airline miles, which means businesses with minimal travel don’t gain much value. In contrast, 45% of small-business owners say they prefer cards with cash-back rewards, not airline loyalty programs.
• Basic spending categories with limited rewards. Most business purchases earn just 1 point or mile per dollar. You’ll only earn higher rates in narrow categories like gas or telecom and only up to a cap. There's no flat-rate cash-back card for general business expenses.
• Standard liability and fraud protection. Citi includes $0 liability on unauthorized charges, fraud alerts, and basic purchase protection. These are helpful but standard across most major credit card issuers.
• Manual expense tracking. You can view transactions online, download statements, and export data into a spreadsheet. But, there are no built-in reporting tools. For comparison, 28% of small businesses say manual reconciliation is their top financial pain point, which Citi doesn't help solve.
• Ability to add employee cards. You can add additional users to your account, but you can’t assign custom roles, set granular limits, or approve transactions before they happen on a personal credit card. Everything is managed post-purchase, simplifying the credit card application process for users.
• Access to Citi’s mobile app and online dashboard. You will be able to manage your account, make payments, and view recent activity through Citi’s standard banking interface, which supports new credit applications. However, it’s designed for personal finance users, not business workflows.

However, for teams managing budgets, spending policies, and financial reporting, Citi’s business card setup falls short. You won’t find modern features like real-time spend controls, built-in approval flows, or seamless syncing with your accounting software.

With only one card for your business available, you don’t get choices tailored to your company’s size, growth stage, or operational needs.

Why small businesses are moving on from Citi

Citi’s business cards offer the basics, like spending power and purchase protection. But for many small businesses, that's no longer enough. As your operations grow, so does the need for more effective tools, such as flexible controls and integrations that reduce manual work.

Without those features, your finance team ends up chasing receipts, fixing errors, and managing spend in spreadsheets. That’s not sustainable when time and visibility matter.

• There are not enough card options for different business types. Citi only offers one core business credit card, and it’s geared toward travel rewards. There are no high cash-back options, no flat-rate cards, and no product lineup designed to scale with your company.
• Lack of spend controls and approval workflows. You can’t set custom credit limits for employees, control merchant categories, or build in pre-approval processes. Every purchase must be reviewed after the fact, which adds risk and slows down the process.
• No direct integrations with accounting software. Citi doesn’t natively connect to QuickBooks, Xero, or NetSuite. That means more time spent exporting CSVs, cleaning up transactions, and manually reconciling expenses.
• Minimal automation features. There’s no way to automate recurring tasks like categorizing spend, flagging policy violations, or syncing transactions in real-time. Everything has to be handled manually or through third-party tools, which may not be ideal for those looking to build business credit.
• Limited rewards for general spend. If most of your expenses fall outside a few niche categories, you are earning just 1 point per dollar. There’s no flat 2% cash-back card or flexible rewards program that adapts to your actual spending patterns.
• Lack of transparency affects credit report. With no real-time visibility or built-in tools to validate charges, you may end up chasing receipts or delaying your closing process. This typically occurs when multiple users share a single account.

What to look for in a better small business credit card

You don’t choose a business credit card often. When you do, it shapes how your team spends, tracks expenses, and closes the books every month. The right card can streamline workflows, improve visibility, and save hours across your finance team. The wrong one adds friction, manual work, and missed opportunities.

Real-time spend controls and team management

The ability to manage who spends what and where is essential for growing teams. Look for a card that lets you create custom roles, set spending limits by employee or vendor, and issue virtual cards tied to specific budgets or departments. You should also be able to freeze cards instantly and review spending in real-time.

Around 57% of small business leaders reported a lack of visibility into employee spending. That creates risk, delays, and unnecessary back-and-forth between teams.

Without these tools, every transaction becomes reactive. You find out about issues after they happen instead of preventing them upfront.

Built-in accounting integrations

A better card should help you close the books faster. Select a provider that offers native integrations with popular tools such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, or Sage. The integration should automatically sync transactions, apply GL codes, and match receipts so your books stay up to date in real time.

Some cards even allow you to set rules for categorization, attach receipts from your phone, or push data directly into your ERP without requiring downloads or file uploads.

Reward structures that match your actual spend

A good business card should help you earn value on the expenses that already drive your operations. Cards with flat-rate cash back (typically 1.5% to 2%) are ideal if your spending is spread across many categories. If your business is concentrated, category-specific rewards might make more sense.

Also, consider whether rewards come in points, miles, or cash back and how easy they are to redeem. Some programs have transfer partners or offer travel perks, while others allow you to apply cash back directly to your balance.

Automation that reduces admin and speeds up workflows

Manual processes slow you down. The best cards include automation features like auto-categorization, receipt matching, flagging for policy violations, and built-in approval flows. These tools reduce the time spent reviewing transactions, chasing receipts, or fixing errors during the close.

Some providers also allow you to set up workflows, such as routing a transaction to a manager for approval if it exceeds a budget or tagging recurring charges for review.

Best Citi business credit card alternatives to consider

No single business card works for every company. Some teams need built-in expense controls. Others want high flat-rate rewards or cards that sync directly with accounting tools. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all replacement for Citi, just better options depending on how your business operates.

1. Ramp Corporate Card: Best for automation and expense control

Ramp is a corporate card designed to simplify how you manage spending. It’s a comprehensive spend management system that helps you track purchases, enforce policies, and expedite the month-end close process. For small businesses frustrated by Citi’s limited tools, Ramp offers real visibility, automation, and time savings.

Key features

• Set granular spend limits by user, vendor, or category, with support for pre-approvals and real-time alerts.
• Sync transactions directly with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, and Sage, eliminating manual exports and reconciliations.
• Scan receipts, flag policy violations, and auto-categorize expenses to reduce admin time.
• Avoid annual fees and personal credit checks, making Ramp accessible to more businesses.
• Earn flat cash back on every purchase without tracking categories or activating offers.

Limitations

• Require full balance payment each month, with no option to carry a revolving balance.
• Need at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank account to qualify for approval.

Ramp is best for small and mid-sized businesses that want more control over spending, built-in automation, and fewer manual tasks. If you're tired of manual banking and have outgrown your limited tools, Ramp is a more scalable alternative to Citi.

2. Chase Ink Business Cash credit card: Best for high cashback on everyday business expenses

The Chase Ink Business Cash card is designed for small businesses that consistently spend in operational categories such as office supplies, internet, and gas. Unlike Citi, which offers just one airline-focused business card with narrow rewards, Chase gives you real cash value across a broader range of expenses without charging an annual fee.

Key benefits

• Earn 5% cash back on office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services—categories Citi doesn’t reward at this level.
• Earn 2% at gas stations and restaurants, covering common business travel and meals.
• Offer a $750 welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
• Charge no annual fee, making the card more accessible for lean budgets and those with fair credit.
• Allow you to pool rewards with other Chase cards and transfer points through Ultimate Rewards, unlike Citi’s limited redemption options.

Limitations

• Cash back categories are capped; spending beyond limits drops to 1%.
• Lacks expense controls or accounting integrations found in more modern solutions.
• Doesn’t include travel protections or premium card perks.

The Chase Ink Business Cash is ideal for small business owners who want better rewards on everyday spending without added costs. If you’ve outgrown Citi’s limited rewards model and need a card that delivers consistent value across real expenses, this is a clear upgrade.

3. US Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Best for travel and mobile spend

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect card is built for businesses that travel frequently or spend heavily through mobile wallets. Unlike Citi’s business card, which is tied to one airline program, this card offers more flexibility, broader rewards, and premium travel protections without locking you into a single brand.

Key benefits

• Earn 4x points on travel and gas, and 2x on dining, cell phone services, and office supply stores.
• Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through U.S. Bank’s travel portal.
• Get a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95—plus a 60,000-point welcome bonus after $6,000 spent.
• Receive up to $100 in statement credits for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
• Access cell phone protection when you pay your bill with the card.

Limitations

• Maximum rewards are tied to specific categories and booking portals.
• Points have a higher value when redeemed through U.S. Bank’s travel portal, which limits flexibility.
• Requires excellent credit history and may not be accessible for new businesses.

This Visa® business card is best for businesses that spend on travel and prefer earning high-value points over airline-specific perks.

If Citi’s limited rewards structure and lack of premium benefits no longer meet your needs, U.S. Bank’s Business Altitude Connect card offers broader coverage, more flexible rewards, and better value on mobile and travel spending.

4. Amex Blue Business Plus credit card: Best for flat-rate rewards with no annual fee

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is designed for business owners who want simple, consistent rewards without managing multiple spending categories. Unlike Citi’s travel-focused business card, Amex offers flat-rate points on every purchase. This makes it easier to earn value, regardless of how your business spends.

Key benefits

• Earn 2x Membership Rewards® points on all purchases up to $50,000 per year, with no category restrictions.
• Pay no annual fee, making it easy to keep over time without added cost.
• Transfer points to 20+ airline and hotel partners—more flexible than Citi’s airline-locked rewards.
• Access a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, useful for managing short-term cash flow.
• Use built-in expense tracking and employee card options with no extra fee.

Limitations

• Earn rate drops to 1x after $50,000 in annual spend.
• Requires strong credit to qualify.
• Redemption value depends on how you use Membership Rewards.

This card is best for businesses that spend outside traditional bonus categories but still want to earn travel rewards. If you’re not earning much from Citi’s category-limited structure, Amex Blue Business Plus gives you a way to earn transferable points on everyday purchases.

5. Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card: Best for flat-rate cashback and light automation

The Spark Cash Plus card is a strong option for businesses that spend heavily and want consistent cashback without tracking categories. Spark offers more value on general spending, better controls for multi-user teams, and basic automation tools that help reduce admin work. It’s built for scale and simplicity.

Key benefits

• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, with no category restrictions or caps—unlike Citi’s limited 1x earn rate on general spending.
• Get a $1,200 welcome bonus: $500 after $5,000 spent in 3 months, plus $700 after $50,000 in 6 months.
• Access a card with no preset spending limit, offering more flexibility for larger purchases.
• Set employee card limits, enable transaction alerts, and track spending with built-in tools.
• Export purchase records to accounting tools like QuickBooks and Expensify for easier expense management.
• Avoid foreign transaction fees, which Citi’s business card includes.

Limitations

• $150 annual fee, not waived the first year.
• No revolving credit and balance must be paid in full each month.
• Lacks real-time accounting integrations or automated categorization.

The Capital One business credit card is ideal for businesses with high, diversified spending that require predictable cash back and minimal automation. If you need more control than what Citi offers, like custom card limits, instant alerts, and simplified tracking, this card delivers without overcomplicating the process.

6. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Best for easy redemptions

The Autograph Journey℠ card is built for cardholders who want strong travel rewards without being tied to a single airline or hotel chain. Compared to Citi’s AAdvantage business card, which limits the value to American Airlines spending, Wells Fargo offers more flexibility, broader bonus categories, and a simpler points redemption system.

Key benefits

• Earn 5x points on hotels, 4x on airlines, 3x on dining and travel, and 1x on other purchases.
• Get a 60,000-point welcome bonus after $4,000 spent in 3 months (worth about $600 in travel).
• Redeem points for flights, hotels, gift cards, or transfer them to travel partners.
• Receive travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and auto rental coverage.
• Avoid foreign transaction fees, unlike Citi business cards.

Limitations

• $95 annual fee with no intro waiver.
• Requires good-to-excellent credit.
• No direct accounting integrations or team spend management tools.

The Wells Fargo business credit card is best for many business owners who want to book travel across multiple brands and avoid restrictive loyalty programs. If you are looking for a more flexible, modern alternative to Citi’s airline-specific card with better travel perks and easier redemptions, this card delivers.

Get a business credit card that fits your workflow and not the other way around

Choosing a small business credit card isn’t just about points or perks. It’s about finding a tool that supports how your team spends, tracks expenses, and closes the books. Citi’s limited business card lineup may suffice for basic travel needs, but it falls short in terms of control, flexibility, and accounting integration.

Modern teams need more. Whether you need real-time expense controls, flat-rate rewards across all spending, or a faster way to reconcile transactions, there’s a card built for that.

If your current setup creates more manual work than it solves, it might be time to switch. Ramp offers real-time spend controls, automatic receipt matching, and native accounting integrations that help finance teams stay ahead without chasing down transactions or cleaning up data later.