Which Business Credit Card Is Best for Traveling?

If you are a business owner, you, and your team, may have to travel to meet with clients, work on projects, attend industry events, or investigate new opportunities. Business travel can be challenging, not only because it is often expensive, but there are administrative and practical concerns that come with sending teams out to the field. In addition to managing expenses and reimbursements, there are times that Business travelers will have to deal with things like delayed flights, lost luggage, theft and even being stranded for periods of time due to weather or other disruptions.

Most credit card issuers understand these challenges. That is why they offer business credit cards that are designed to help owners such as yourself manage expenses and logistics. The question of which business card is best for your corporate travel program depends on the frequency of travel, the type of travel and the size of your team. Understanding these issues can help you select the best card for your company.

What Is a Business Credit Card?

Credit card issuers typically offer two types of credit cards: Consumer and business. A consumer credit card is designed for individuals who need a credit card for making everyday purchases. Business credit cards, on the other hand, are designed for doing business. Here are some features often found in business credit cards:

• Associated with business accounts and identity: Smart business owners keep company finances separate from their personal accounts. Having a business credit card associated with your business, not with your personal credit and banking records is a good way to protect your finances.
• Employee cards: As a business owner, you'll be able to get cards that you can give to your employees to use while they are on the road or doing business on your behalf. You'll usually be able

Traveling With a Business Credit Card

Business Credit Card Options

If you are a business owner, you, and your team, may have to travel to meet with clients, work on projects, attend industry events, or investigate new opportunities. Business travel can be challenging, not only because it is often expensive, but there are administrative and practical concerns that come with sending teams out to the field. In addition to managing expenses and reimbursements, there are times that Business travelers will have to deal with things like delayed flights, lost luggage, theft and even being stranded for periods of time due to weather or other disruptions.

Most credit card issuers understand these challenges. That is why they offer business credit cards that are designed to help owners such as yourself manage expenses and logistics. The question of which business card is best for your corporate travel program depends on the frequency of travel, the type of travel and the size of your team. Understanding these issues can help you select the best card for your company.

What Is a Business Credit Card?

Credit card issuers typically offer two types of credit cards: Consumer and business. A consumer credit card is designed for individuals who need a credit card for making everyday purchases. Business credit cards, on the other hand, are designed for doing business. Here are some features often found in business credit cards:

• Associated with business accounts and identity: Smart business owners keep company finances separate from their personal accounts. Having a business credit card associated with your business, not with your personal credit and banking records is a good way to protect your finances.
• Employee cards: As a business owner, you'll be able to get cards that you can give to your employees to use while they are on the road or doing business on your behalf. You'll usually be able to set balance limits so that you can control costs.
• Data compatibility: Online account management tools seamlessly integrate with many accounting, invoicing, and expense management software applications. This allows your accounting team to monitor and maintain accounts without having to take a lot of extra steps.
• Business perks: Business credit cards offer loyalty programs that allow you (or your employees) to earn travel or cashback with each purchase. Employees may also be able to access travel benefits, such as baggage protection, travel insurance, and 24/7 assistance hotlines, through their cards.

Choosing a Business Credit Card for Travel

If you or your employees frequently travel on business, you'll want to consider several things when choosing a good travel credit card:

Credit card terms: Ultimately, terms such as interest rates and fees determine whether a credit card is in your company's best interest. Read the fine print and don't get too distracted by loyalty points programs, travel perks, or even introductory offers. All of these can be undermined by high interest rates and annual fees.

Introductory offer: If the credit card terms are reasonable, it often pays to compare introductory offers. These include cashback offers, significant loyalty points or mileage offers, no annual fee for the first year and 0% APR for an introductory period.

Perks and loyalty programs:  Review the perks and loyalty programs associated with the card. If these are compatible with your business, consider applying.

Existing business relationships: If your business has a preferred supplier relationship with a hotel chain or airline, a co-branded business credit card can leverage your relationship. The same is true if you opt to get a card that is offered by your bank.

Business Credit Card Options

Below are some top picks for business credit cards suitable for company travel as selected by industry analysts:

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This American Express card is known for its extremely generous introductory offers, including 0% APR and high loyalty points rewards based on your first three months of spending. These can, initially, offset the high $695 a year card fee. Beyond that, loyalty points favor travel booked through American Express travel and also provide reimbursements on baggage fees and CLEAR. You can also receive a statement credit for certain business purchases, such as computers through Dell and Adobe software.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

This card from Chase has a generous introductory offer, extra bonus points on business and travel-related categories, and a very strong purchase protection policy that can come in handy if you use your card to purchase company equipment.

Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business

Introductory offer offers a generous travel miles bonus and miles earned on this Capital One card can be transferred to over 15 mileage programs, allowing you and your team to maximize mileage with most airline programs without having to switch preferred brands. The annual fee is $0 for the first year, and this card offers reimbursements for both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®

This card from Bank of America offers a generous sign-on bonus, 0% APR in your first year, and significant bonus points if your company has an account with Bank of America.

Final Word

Choosing the best business credit card for travel depends on a lot of factors, including the financial health of your business, the frequency of travel, travel destinations and the compatibility of the credit card with your own internal accounting systems. It pays to take some time to review cards, their terms as well as the level of perks and services offered.