Best Credit Card for Business Travel in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Capital One Spark Cash Plus

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Capital One Spark Miles for Business

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Business Travel

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Whether you're a solo entrepreneur racking up miles or managing a team of frequent flyers, the right credit card can turn business travel from a necessary expense into a strategic advantage.

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Don't let a massive welcome offer distract you from what really matters: long-term value. A common pitfall is choosing a card with a high annual fee that outweighs its benefits or one whose reward structure doesn't match your company's actual spending patterns.

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Key Factors

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• Annual Fee: Weigh the annual fee against the monetary value of the card’s perks and rewards to determine its net cost or benefit to your business.
• Rewards Structure: Prioritize cards that reward your most significant spending categories, like airfare and hotels, to maximize your return.
• Travel Perks: Look for benefits that directly improve the travel experience and save money, such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and credits for incidental fees.
• Redemption Options: A good travel card offers flexible redemption, allowing you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners or book travel directly for high value.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: If you travel internationally, a card with no foreign transaction fees is essential to avoid incurring an extra 2-3% on every purchase abroad.
• Business Tools: For teams, consider cards that provide free employee cards, spending controls, and integration with accounting software to streamline expense management.

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What to Watch Out For

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A common pitfall is getting locked into a rewards ecosystem that doesn't fit your travel style, such as a card that heavily favors one airline when your team needs the flexibility to fly several. It's also easy to overlook the fine print on key benefits; for instance, a card's travel insurance might seem comprehensive but could have exclusions or coverage limits that leave you exposed during a trip.

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Decision Flow

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Navigating the options can be straightforward if you start with your top priority. Here’s a simple decision flow based on common business travel needs:

• If you prioritize premium perks and comfort: Look to a premium travel card. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express are designed for this purpose, offering benefits like airport lounge access and comprehensive travel credits that can offset their high annual fees for frequent travelers. Keep in mind that with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually, as this spending goes toward the card's $300 Annual Travel Credit. For American Express benefits, Terms Apply.
• If you want to maximize rewards on spending: Focus on a card with high reward rates in your biggest expense categories. If your team spends heavily on travel and dining, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a strong contender, offering bonus points in these areas and valuable redemption options through travel partners.
• If you value simplicity and flexibility: When travel is unpredictable and spans various airlines, a card with a simple, flat-rate rewards structure is ideal. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, for example, allows you to earn a consistent number of miles on every purchase, which can then be redeemed to cover nearly any travel expense without worrying about bonus categories.
• If you are loyal to one brand: For businesses that consistently use one airline or hotel group, a co-branded credit card is often the most rewarding choice. These cards offer brand-specific perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and room upgrades that provide significant value if your loyalty is unwavering.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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Maximize Your Return with Business Travel

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Here are some expert strategies to ensure you're getting the most value out of every dollar spent on business travel:

• Know your bonus categories: Use the card that offers the highest rewards rate for specific travel purchases, such as flights, hotels, or rental cars, to accelerate your earnings.
• Stack your rewards: Combine your credit card earnings with rewards from airline and hotel loyalty programs, and book through online shopping portals to earn extra points on your purchases.
• Redeem wisely: Maximize the value of your points by transferring them to airline or hotel partners, where they can often be worth significantly more than when redeemed for cash back.
• Time your applications: Apply for a new travel card before a large business expense to help you easily meet the spending requirement for a lucrative welcome offer.
• Don't forget the perks: Take full advantage of your card's built-in benefits like annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and complimentary elite status to save money and travel more comfortably.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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Stop leaving money on the table. Kudos is a free app that automatically picks the best card for every purchase to maximize your rewards. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond the main perks and fees, consider your travel patterns. If you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel, a co-branded card could offer more tailored value than a general-purpose travel card. Regardless of your choice, disciplined financial habits are non-negotiable; aim to pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges can quickly wipe out any rewards you accumulate. It's also prudent to carry some local cash for smaller purchases or emergencies and to be wary of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' options, which are simply another form of debt that requires careful management to avoid financial strain.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What's the difference between a business credit card and a personal credit card for travel?

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Business credit cards are designed for commercial expenses and often offer rewards tailored to business spending categories, like shipping or advertising. They also help separate business and personal finances, which can simplify accounting and tax preparation.

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Do I need an EIN to apply for a business credit card?

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Not necessarily. Many issuers allow sole proprietors and freelancers to apply for a business credit card using their Social Security Number (SSN) instead of an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

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Can my employees get cards on my business account?

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Yes, most business credit card issuers allow you to add employee cards to your account. You can often set individual spending limits and track their purchases separately for better expense management.

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