The great thing about credit card travel reward programs is they often provide more value than cash back credit cards. Over time, your everyday business expenses build up rewards on credit cards that can be used to cover airline flights, hotel rooms, and other traveling perks that surpass the cash back value you might earn from your credit card.
Choosing The Best Rewards Card For Your Business
A business credit card is the easiest way to keep track of business expenses, and earn rewards. The best travel card for your business depends on how frequently members of your organization travels, as well as your daily business expenses. As long as you’re a responsible credit card user, travel rewards cards will save you money.
Credit card rewards are usually broken down by:
Earning rewards: how many points or miles you’ll get and for what kinds of purchases
Redeeming rewards: how you can redeem points to pay for travel expenses and how much value you get per point for different redemption methods
Travel Credit Cards Come In Several Types
General travel credit cards if you:
– Travel often
– Don’t prefer a particular airline or stay with a particular hotel brand
– Plan to learn about and take advantage of the benefits
– Will use the card enough to make any annual fees worthwhile
Airline credit cards for:
– A favorite airline
– Want the ability to check in bags for free
– WiFi access
– Entry to airport lounges
Hotel credit cards if you:
– Stay in hotels frequently
– Have a preferred hotel chain
– Like room upgrades and late check outs
– Plan to use the card enough to combat the annual fees
What Makes a Great Travel Rewards Card?
Before applying for a credit card, it’s crucial to consider the benefits of the rewards compared to the annual fee. Travel credit cards should only be used by small business owners who travel frequently enough to rack up points that’ll make having the card worthwhile. There are a few things to consider before apply for a new business travel credit card:
1. Determine Your Travel Goals
What are you looking to accomplish with your business travel credit card? Are you looking to save money by collecting enough airline miles to book a free plane ticket, or would you prefer your hotel to be paid for on your next business trip? By identifying how you want to use the rewards, you can narrow down which cards provide the best return on your business expenses.
Matching your expenses with the right rewards card will allow you to earn more points for spending in specific categories. With the Chase Ink Business Preferred card, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on combined purchases of:
– Travel
– Shipping
– Internet, cable, and phone services
– Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
2. Consider The Sign-Up Bonus & Terms
Several rewards credit cards come with signup bonuses, or introductory bonuses. The bonuses offered provide an excellent additional value to the travel card rewards. Many times, bonus miles or points are added to the card if you spend a certain amount of money within a few months of opening the card. These sign-up bonuses may earn you enough points for more than one free flight or hotel stay.
Take caution to avoid becoming fixated on the signup bonus possibility, and always make sure you only spend what you can afford to pay off by the end of the month. If you have a small business or are a freelancer, use the travel card for expenses you typically have throughout the month. Never overspend for the sake of earning bonus points.
When it comes to the terms of the credit card, be aware of the possible annual fees, which can range from $50 to more than $500. Cards with annual fees typically earn you more points and offer more benefits. For instance, the American Express Business Platinum card is an ideal travel business credit card.
Your business earns 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels through the American Express Travel website, as well as earning one point for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. You’ll also get access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓. However, the card has an annual fee of $450. So, this card is catered to users who travel often and responsibly enough to have the card’s rewards and benefits pay for the annual fee.
3. How to Maximize Your Earning Potential
Financially savvy business owners focus on establishing the creditworthiness of their businesses. Using most business travel credit cards will send positive card activity to the business credit reporting bureaus, improving your credit profile. With a strong business credit profile, your business will be in the position to get the best rates, terms, and credit limits.
Having an available line of credit allows for flexible capital to expand, cover day to day expenses, purchase inventory, and preserve the cash you have on hand for business transactions. The best cards for your business will offer points for the types of purchases you make the most.
If you don’t think you travel enough to offset having annual fees, there are plenty of business credit cards that don’t have any. The Chase Ink Business Cash card is likely to be the most rewarding for the most small businesses. You’ll earn $500 bonus cash back on the first $3,000 spent in the first 3 months, with no annual fees.
Conclusion
If you’re a small business owner in the market for a better credit card, there are many options available for every type of small business. Research, research, research! Finding the right business travel credit card for you will get you more for the money you spend. Learning to use travel rewards as a business tool is an easy way to become credit savvy and increase your business’ funding potential.