Question
I see a lot of discussions on personal credit cards, but has anyone evaluated which is the best business credit card?
I typically charge travel-related expenses and would want the best overall return, be it as cash or the highest worth of points when redeeming.
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The new SPG Business Amex is a nice card. That or the business Citi PremierPass (if you buy a lot of plane tickets) are probably what people will tell you.
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Welcome to Flyertalk.
I don't think you will find much difference between "personal" and "business" cards from a rewards perspective. ("Corporate" cards are another matter.)
Do you have specific requirements or preferences with regard to other features or benefits of a business card? For example will you have multiple users for whom you wish to establish separate spending limits? Will all the rewards go to you or do they need to be allocated among partners? If you will use the card to purchase inventory do your vendors accept American Express? Do you want to be able to download transaction data for reporting purposes?
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Sometimes the business cards have an additional benefit....for example, American Express has OPEN Savings. So, for travel, you earn normal points but also cash back (a credit to your account) for certain purchases. The purchases include Hertz rentals, Delta flights, Hyatt stays and Marriott stays. Being that I use this primarily for travel, the credit can add up. However, I am wondering if other cards don't give a larger benefit via bonus points or a better conversion rate on their points.
I don't purchase inventory - my business is more of a service business then goods.
All rewards go to me and, at most, there would be one additional card required.
Right now, downloading information is a bonus but not a necessity.
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Here is a good one
http://citi.bridgetrack.com/USC/06/Citibus/aa/upto25kbm/default.htm?ProspectID=E664A578ABCA44378B807C87CC3 3CF6F&sc=6VVZA3H6&m=DCAG000000W&B=M&app=UNSOL&langId=EN&siteId=BAO
but I prefer amex business accounts
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I see a lot of discussions on personal credit cards, but has anyone evaluated which is the best business credit card?
I typically charge travel-related expenses and would want the best overall return, be it as cash or the highest worth of points when redeeming.
There are some pretty sweet business cards that offer high rewards percentages (3-5%) in categories that are different than personal cards.
For example, the Advanta Platinum BusinessCard with Rewards MasterCard offers 5% cash back on computers, computer supplies, electronics, office supplies, gas, utilities, telecomm, and online advertising (e.g. Google Adwords).
There are other cards that add 5% on wireless phone costs, 3% on professional services (legal, accounting, tax), 3% at restaurants, 3% on building supplies and home improvement stores, etc.
As always, the best business card(s) for you will depend on how much you spend in the various categories. You can calculate expected rewards for some of the best business cards here: http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/?card_type=Business
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the Advanta Platinum BusinessCard with Rewards MasterCard offers 5% cash back on computers, computer supplies, electronics, office supplies, gas, utilities, telecomm, and online advertising
Cash Back rewards are earned based on the annual level of account purchases, excluding purchases in the Bonus categories, as follows: 0.75% on up to $10,000 in purchases; and 1.00% on purchases over $10,000.
Cash Back rewards are also earned on the Bonus categories of "gasoline and diesel fuel," "computers, computer supplies, electronics and office supplies," and "utilities and telecommunications." Cash Back rewards on Bonus category qualifying purchases are earned as follows: 1.00% on up to $20,000 in purchases; 2.00% on purchases between $20,001 and $30,000; 5.00% on purchases between $30,001 and $50,000; and 0.50% on purchases over $50,000.
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Cash Back rewards are earned based on the annual level of account purchases, excluding purchases in the Bonus categories, as follows: 0.75% on up to $10,000 in purchases; and 1.00% on purchases over $10,000.
Cash Back rewards are also earned on the Bonus categories of "gasoline and diesel fuel," "computers, computer supplies, electronics and office supplies," and "utilities and telecommunications." Cash Back rewards on Bonus category qualifying purchases are earned as follows: 1.00% on up to $20,000 in purchases; 2.00% on purchases between $20,001 and $30,000; 5.00% on purchases between $30,001 and $50,000; and 0.50% on purchases over $50,000.
Woe. Advanta changed the rewards structure on that card.
I've got a different version of the Advanta card. It says "ADVANTA PLATINUM BUSINESSCARD" on it. It doesn't have those tiers. It's 5% all the time in those categories. However, it is limited to $300 back per year as I recall.
However, I'm going to double-check the terms on my existing card now!
Thanks mia!
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Woe. Advanta changed the rewards structure on that card.
I've got a different version of the Advanta card. It says "ADVANTA PLATINUM BUSINESSCARD" on it. It doesn't have those tiers. It's 5% all the time in those categories. However, it is limited to $300 back per year as I recall.
However, I'm going to double-check the terms on my existing card now!
Thanks mia!
I did some research. The information available on Advanta's web site is very incomplete.
I called customer service and spoke to a CSR. He said that Advanta has 68 different cash back programs. Each one is identified by an integer in the range 1 through 68. I didn't confirm that all 68 of them are currently available to new accounts. The program I have is "Cash Back 50" (the 50th one in the 1-68 range). It pays 5% from the first dollar in the categories of "gasoline and diesel fuel", "computers, computer supplies, electronics, and office supplies", "utilities and telecommunications", and "online advertising services" and 1% on everything else. In the "Cash Back 50" program, you are limited to $25 cash back per billing cycle ($300 per year). So, if you spend up to $500 per month in those 5% categories, this is a good card to consider. That works out for my relatively low spending pretty well, but not perfectly (e.g. when occasionally purchasing computer equipment).
The tiered program that mia described is called "Cash Back 56". If you're a bigger spender in those categories, it can be a pretty good deal as it effectively yields 2.8% cash back on $50K in spending per year.
The Advanta "New Accounts" Number to call to get the scoop on the available programs and to sign up is 800-980-8982 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm EST).
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Thank you for the clarification. I receive a couple invitations from Advanata each month, the awards program does appear to be different each time, and in my opinion the advertising copy is deceptive. For example, this week the option was "6%" on the cardholder's choice of one transaction category, but in the terms and conditions it was tiered like the offer I copied from the website and should be represented as "up to 6%". I have never seen an offer from them that was not tiered or capped.
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1)Citi Premier Pass biz Office supply 3% (6% with flight points) $75/yr
2)AMEX Simply Platinum Office supply and dining 5%
3)Citi Professional regular or cash office supply and dining 3%(cap:10000TYP or $500)
4)Chase biz rabate 3% (cap $600)
5)AMEX Gold reward 1.5% reward (50k=7.5k points)
6)AMEX Platinum cash back 0-20k 0.5%,20k-120k (2.5%), Fedex, Kinko and ATT (Open Saving program) double cash back.
Do you have anything else?
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Thanks for all the great info!
Many of these cards seems to allow for direct cash back. The AmEx OPEN is both - you still get the points while getting credits back on certain purchases. Are the points not worth it? Is the concensus here saying that it's better to just get cash back?
Also, I have a friend also trying to decide, but they are interested in maximizing United miles for ticket redemption. Any thoughts on that angle?
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Thanks for all the great info!
Many of these cards seems to allow for direct cash back. The AmEx OPEN is both - you still get the points while getting credits back on certain purchases. Are the points not worth it? Is the concensus here saying that it's better to just get cash back?
Also, I have a friend also trying to decide, but they are interested in maximizing United miles for ticket redemption. Any thoughts on that angle?
For your friend United Airlines Signature visa card. There is a promo available now if he signs up he can get upto 25000 miles after spending $250. If I will find a link I will post it later
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Here is a link for United visa that offers 25000 bonus after first purchase.
http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=united_signature_25k _afw
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Thanks for all the great info!
Many of these cards seems to allow for direct cash back. The AmEx OPEN is both - you still get the points while getting credits back on certain purchases. Are the points not worth it? Is the concensus here saying that it's better to just get cash back?
Also, I have a friend also trying to decide, but they are interested in maximizing United miles for ticket redemption. Any thoughts on that angle?
It all boils down to math. Decide how much a frequent flyer mile is worth to you. (I value them at a little over a penny apiece.) Compare what you can earn in freqent flyer miles to what you can earn in cash back or other acceptable rewards and take the best deal. Use the calculator at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/
for help.
Personally, nowadays I prefer cash or cash-like points since it's universally applicable and I don't travel as much as I used to.
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Definately the SPG business amex.
You have the flexibility of SPG points, plus the numerous Amex benefits like open savings, etc.
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1)Citi Premier Pass biz Office supply 3% (6% with flight points) $75/yr
2)AMEX Simply Platinum Office supply and dining 5%
3)Citi Professional regular or cash office supply and dining 3%(cap:10000TYP or $500)
4)Chase biz rabate 3% (cap $600)
5)AMEX Gold reward 1.5% reward (50k=7.5k points)
6)AMEX Platinum cash back 0-20k 0.5%,20k-120k (2.5%), Fedex, Kinko and ATT (Open Saving program) double cash back.
Do you have anything else?
I believe the AMEX Platinum cash back card is no longer available.
I think AMEX SimplyCash pays 5% on wireless, gas, and office supplies (but not dining).
I'm pretty sure the Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate Visa and Chase Business Cash Rewards Visa are both uncapped.
BTW, the Chase Business Cash Rewards Visa is basically a 1.25% back card whenever you spend $2500 or more in a month.
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I believe the AMEX Platinum cash back card is no longer available.
Here is link:http://www133.americanexpress.com/osbn/landing/cardbenefits/pbcr001_main.asp
I think AMEX SimplyCash pays 5% on wireless, gas, and office supplies (but not dining).
Right, Thank you.
I'm pretty sure the Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate Visa and Chase Business Cash Rewards Visa are both uncapped.
3%'s cap is 720(UPS card 600).
One point will be earned for each dollar of net purchases. Two additional points will be earned for each dollar of net purchase made at retail establishments that classify their merchant location for Visa/MasterCard as a gas station, restaurant, hardware store, home improvement store or office supply store. Points are not earned on balance transfers, cash advances, any checks that access your account, overdraft protection advances, travelers checks, finance charges, or fees of any kind, including fees for products that protect or insure the balances of the cardmember's account. Maximum point accumulation for the additional two points earned on eligible net purchases is 4,000 points monthly. There is no maximum point accumulation for the one point earned for each dollar of net purchases. 5,000 accumulated points may be redeemed for a $50 check. Once enrolled, your rewards disclosure will be sent to you containing all program guidelines and benefits.
**You can earn the 3% rebate on a maximum of $20,000 of qualifying purchases per year at UPS, The UPS Store or UPS.com or retail establishments that classify their merchant locations as gas stations; restaurants or office supply stores. There is no maximum rebate amount for the 1% cash back level on net purchases. Certain restrictions and limitations apply. Full details, rules and regulation of the rebate program will be provided when you become a cardmember.
BTW, the Chase Business Cash Rewards Visa is basically a 1.25% back card whenever you spend $2500 or more in a month.
Household card everything 2%.
My question is: Which is better in Chase business card (Office supply).
Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate Visa, Chase Professional and UPS Business card capital. Because their office supply are all 3%.
I want to convert my UA chase to one biz card.Thank you.
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BTW, the Chase Business Cash Rewards Visa is basically a 1.25% back card whenever you spend $2500 or more in a month.
Household card everything 2%.
2% - Nice! Is that card by invitation only? (I seem to recall that it is and I can't find it on their web site.)
Thanks for the pointer to the AMEX Platinum Business Cash Rebate card. I'd tried navigating to it from AMEX's main page and couldn't get to it (not on the list), but it does show up in a search. Anyway, the reward structure is currently this:
Earn 1% on OPEN Savings Participants or 0.5% on all other purchases when your year-to-date spend is $0-$7,500
Earn 5% on OPEN Savings Participants or 2.5% on all other purchases when your year-to-date spend is $7,500.01-$15,000
Earn 2% on OPEN Savings Participants or 1% on all other purchases when your year-to-date spend is more than $15,000
My question is: Which is better in Chase business card (Office supply).
Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate Visa, Chase Professional and UPS Business card capital. Because their office supply are all 3%.
I want to convert my UA chase to one biz card.Thank you.
Well, since they're all 3% on office supplies, it would depend on how much you spend in the other categories.
Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate also pays 3% for restaurants, gas, building supply stores, home improvement stores, and hardware stores.
Chase Professional is just like the Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate.
The UPS Capital Business Card also pays 3% for restaurants and gas.
Citi Professional also pays 3% for restaurants, vehicle rentals, and gas.
If you're a big spender, limits could factor in as well.
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If you travel on DL then the best is without a doubt having both a gold and platinum business skymiles card by amex. That way you could maximize the points with the double and triple mile promotions and the supermarket, drugstore, gas, cellular and postal bonuses between the two cards and get 10k MQM's annually from the platinum, but wait that has now been increased so it is even a much greater deal.
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BTW, the Chase Business Cash Rewards Visa is basically a 1.25% back card whenever you spend $2500 or more in a month.
I should have said that it's a 1.8% back card if you spend *exactly* $2500 per month. If you spend more than $2500 per month, as you spend more, your effective earning rate asymptotically approaches 1.25% back.