When I first started getting into the world of travel rewards credit cards, I never imagined that I would be adding business credit cards to my portfolio.
I thought that business credit cards were only for large businesses and there was no way I could ever qualify for one.
I was wrong!
In this post, I’ll talk about why and how applying for travel rewards business credit cards is a great way to boost your points and miles earnings so you can travel for nearly free!
There’s also a very exciting limited-time welcome bonus offer for my favorite Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that I will cover later in the post.
What’s the benefit of getting a business credit card?
For me, the main benefit is more options for earning points!
Plus most business credit cards do not count towards my 5/24 status for Chase credit cards.
That’s because business credit cards will usually not show up or affect your personal credit report.
Although business credit cards may not impact your personal credit report, you’re still on the hook for all purchases made on these cards.
In this game of travel rewards credit cards, you’ll want to pay your statement balance in full and on time every single month.
Many business credit cards also come with some great perks as well.
Possible benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty, airport lounge access, free checked bags, priority boarding, hotel upgrades, and travel insurance.
Business credit cards can also have lucrative welcome bonuses giving you a huge boost in earnings for those expenses you were making anyway!
Who can apply for business credit cards?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to set up a “real” business to be eligible for a business credit card.
Meaning, you don’t need to have formed a limited liability company or have incorporated your business to qualify for business credit cards.
Basically, if you’re making money or intend to make money even as a side hustle, you likely will be eligible for a business credit card.
Here are some examples of eligible businesses:
- Blog
- Pet Sitting
- Baby Sitting
- Uber
- Freelancing
- Sell anything online
- and these are just a few examples
You can apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor using your legal name and social security number.
But you can also get a free EIN from the IRS online and use that to apply.
There is no revenue requirement, banks understand that you may need a business credit card for start-up costs.
So even if your revenue is $0, you may still be eligible.
Now, just because you are eligible does not guarantee that you will be approved. But it’s worth a shot!
Essentially, there’s no harm in applying for a business credit card.
Now, if you have a formally set up business like an LLC and haven’t applied for business credit cards – what are you waiting for?!
Need help choosing the right credit card for your travel goals?
Check out all of my credit card links here.
Can you put personal expenses on a business credit card?
I personally, use my business credit cards for all of my expenses.
The credit card issuing banks do not report your business credit card spending to the IRS so there are no tax implications when using business credit cards.
However, it is your responsibility to report accurate business expenses to the IRS.
Do not report personal expenses as a business expense. That is not ok.
As long as you’re being responsible with the credit card, you should be good to go!
What about annual fees?
Usually, the best travel rewards credit cards have annual fees. So don’t let this scare you!
Check out this post for why annual fees are almost always worth it!
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My Favorite Business Credit Cards
I love the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card!
Current welcome bonus offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning Rates: This credit card has no annual fee and unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
What’s great about the $750 bonus cash back is that it will deposited into your account as 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be combined with credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and transferred to travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
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What can you get with 75k bonus points?
If you’ve combined with a credit card that can transfer to travel partners, 75,000 bonus points can get you:
- 7 nights at a Hyatt Category 1 hotel on standard award nights
- 3 nights at a Hyatt Category 2 hotel on standard award nights
- 3 nights at a Hyatt Category A all-inclusive resort on standard award nights
- Fly a family of 4 round trip to Europe in economy.
- Close to flying 2 people in one way to Europe in business class.
That’s a lot of free travel from just one welcome bonus! Not bad!
Can you combine points?
Yes! I get a lot of questions about combining points and whether you can do it between business and personal credit cards.
When it comes to Chase Ultimate Rewards® the answer is ABSOLUTELY!
This is another reason why I just love Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Not only are the points easy to earn and redeem, but you can combine your points simply online!
These are all the Chase credit cards that I have and can combine points:
- Chase Freedom Flex®
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – transfers to travel partners
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® – transfers to travel partners (you can’t hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred at the same time)
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – transfers to travel partners
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card –
All information about Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
And if you have a P2 in the same household, you can combine points with them too!
My husband and I earned over 500,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points because of our P2 strategy.
Remember, there’s no such thing as applying for a credit card “jointly”. So even if you’re an authorized user on a credit card, you can get your own.
You and your P2 can get each card separately if eligible. This allows you to earn double the welcome bonus!
How to apply
Depending on the specific credit card you’ll likely need a FICO credit score of at least 700.
If it’s a Chase Business Credit Card then you need to be under 5/24.
Yes, indeed, a business credit card may not count towards 5/24, but you still need to be under 5/24 if you want the best chance to get approved.
Business info:
Authorizing Officer Title – I would put Owner
Legal Business Name: If you are applying as a sole proprietor use your legal name. Don’t be cute and add anything to your legal name to sound like a business.
It has to be your legal name. If you’re applying as an LLC you need to use the business name you registered the business under.
Tax ID – If applying as a sole proprietor use your social security number or an EIN if you have one, though it’s not required. If you have an LLC and applied for an EIN, use that.
Personal Info: This is your personal information, it’s okay that some of the information you already entered on the application is repeated in this section.
Need help choosing the right credit card for your travel goals?
Check out all of my credit card links here.
What if they require more information?
This is totally normal. Sometimes a credit card application will be put “in review”.
You will just provide them with the documentation they are asking for and wait for a decision.
Sometimes, they just need to confirm your identity.
I’m approved, now what?
Once you’re approved for your new business credit card it’s time to meet the minimum spend!
If you can’t meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome bonus then there is very little benefit to getting the credit card.
Make sure you have a plan!
Here are some tips:
Big Expense Coming up? If we have a big expense, that’s the most common reason that we get a new credit card. I mean, we’re spending the money anyway, so we might as well get some points!
Examples of Big Expenses that could work:
Medical Expenses – A lot of people don’t realize that it can make more sense to use a credit card to pay for their medical expenses rather than their HSA or FSA.
If possible, I would use my credit card to pay and then have my HSA or FSA reimburse me. That way, I’m earning points and using tax-free money to pay off the credit card!
Electronics: laptops, TVs, and office equipment.
Furniture and other home improvement items or projects.
Christmas Gifts or other special occasions.
Everyday Spending & bills – Most people don’t realize how much they actually spend within 3 months.
One trip to Costco could put a good dent into a minimum spending requirement.
Pay the dinner bill – I don’t care if they look at me funny, I always offer to put dining out on my credit card and have everyone else Zelle me.
Pay for someone else’s stuff – Of course, this only works if you trust the person to pay you back. I let my mom use my credit card for her expenses to help me hit a minimum spend.
Remember, strive to make every purchase you make count towards almost free travel. Paying with a debit card, an HYSA or an FSA is not going to be nearly as rewarding or give you as much protection.
And we always pay our statement balance on time and in full!
Are you ready to apply?
If you’re ready to apply for a business credit, I would highly recommend the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card for its 1.5% earning rate and lucrative welcome bonus.
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