The best business credit cards offer great rewards every time you use them, but sometimes a card’s rewards program overshadows its perks, which can also provide significant value. Not all credit card perks are created equal, though, so it’s important to know what’s available if you’re looking for a new card.
Here are some of the top business credit card perks available and how they can help you take your business to the next level.
Introductory 0% APR promotion
A handful of business credit cards, including the U.S. Bank Business Platinum, offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases, balance transfers or both for a set period.
A 0% APR deal on purchases can allow you to purchase much-needed inventory or equipment to grow your business and pay it off interest-free over time. It can also provide you with the chance to cover your operating expenses during a period of irregular cash flow.
With a balance transfer promotion, you can move a high-interest balance from another credit card to the card with the 0% APR deal and pay it off interest-free for a period. By eliminating interest charges from the equation, you can use that money for more important things as you build your business.
Before you take advantage of this benefit, though, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- These cards typically charge relatively high APRs after the promotional period ends. To avoid getting caught up in paying interest again, make it a goal to pay off the balance before the APR jumps.
- If you don’t make your minimum monthly payment each month, you could lose the 0% APR promotion and interest will start accruing on your balance.
- Business balance transfer credit cards typically charge a balance transfer fee, which is often between 3% and 5% of the transfer amount.
High credit limit
Business credit cards typically have higher credit limits than personal credit cards, with some offering tens of thousands of dollars in available credit, or even upwards of $100,000.
Having a high credit limit can give you the flexibility to make the purchases you need. And most business credit cards offer a grace period between the statement and due dates, during which you won’t incur interest charges. As long as you pay your balance in full during that time, which is often a few weeks, you won’t pay any interest.
Accounting tools
Several business credit cards offer various accounting tools that can help you streamline your accounting and give you more time to focus on building your business. With American Express business credit cards, for instance, you’ll get a perk called Spend Manager, which allows you to add receipts and notes to your transactions through your online account.
Many cards also offer direct import to QuickBooks and other accounting software, cutting down on manual data entry.
Travel benefits
If growing your business may require that you spend more time traveling to events, conferences, and meetings with clients, the right credit card can help make that happen. In addition to points and miles that can help you score free flights and hotel stays, some cards provide perks that can take things one step further.
For example, business hotel credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy BusinessTM American Express® Card offer a free anniversary night that you can use to cover the cost of a night at a participating hotel.
With some business airline credit cards, including the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®, you’ll get free checked bags and other money-saving perks. Some even offer an annual discount on companion airfare.
The point is that many business travel credit cards offer benefits that can cut the cost of a trip significantly, making it easier to do the travel you need to grow your business.
Business credit history
Business credit card issuers typically report your account activity to the commercial credit bureaus, helping you establish a credit history for your business.
With enough history established, you’ll have an easier time getting approved for inexpensive financing that can give you the funds you need to really take things to the next level.
The bottom line
While rewards get the bulk of attention with business credit cards, they’re not the only way you can get value out of using one regularly. These perks and others likely won’t be the one thing your business is missing, but they can help put you in a better position to grow your business this summer.
This article was originally written on May 15, 2019 and updated on March 26, 2020.
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