Regardless of the scale of your organization, a enterprise bank card generally is a helpful instrument that can assist you earn rewards and handle bills. However not all enterprise bank cards are created equal.
Completely different enterprise playing cards are finest suited to several types of enterprise homeowners and entrepreneurs. What’s most dear to a freelancer will doubtless be completely different than what’s most dear to a retail retailer proprietor.
Freelancers in search of a bank card ought to contemplate their enterprise spending habits and general objectives. For instance, after I used to do freelance graphic design work, I did not have a ton of bills in only one class. I wasn’t spending an amazing quantity on enterprise bills usually.
In my case, a flat-rate card with no annual payment would have been the only option. After all, freelancers who spend extra persistently in concentrated classes corresponding to workplace provides, web and cellphone providers might doubtlessly discover extra worth in playing cards that earn excessive rewards in these spending classes.
So, conserving all that in thoughts, listed here are just a few of our high picks for freelancers seeking to maximize their bills.
Overview of the very best bank cards for freelancers
Evaluating the very best bank cards for freelancers
| Card | Welcome supply | Rewards | Annual payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Blue Enterprise® Plus Credit score Card from American Categorical | Earn 15,000 factors after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases on the cardboard inside your first three months of card membership. | 2 factors per greenback on the primary $50,000 spent in purchases per calendar 12 months
1 level per greenback on every thing else |
$0 (see charges and costs) |
| Financial institution of America® Enterprise Benefit Personalized Money Rewards Mastercard® bank card | $300 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days | 3% within the class of your alternative (six class choices; $50,000 annual cap on mixed rewards spending for all bonus classes)
2% on eating ($50,000 annual cap on mixed rewards spending for all bonus classes, then 1% thereafter) 1% on every thing else |
$0 |
| Capital One Spark Miles for Enterprise | 50,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,500 within the first three months of account opening | 5 miles per greenback on inns and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Journey
2 miles per greenback on all purchases |
$95, waived the primary 12 months (see charges and costs) |
| Ink Enterprise Money Credit score Card | Earn as much as $750: Earn $350 bonus money again after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months and a further $400 when spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening. | 5% on workplace provide shops and web, cable and cellphone providers ($25,000 annual cap on mixed rewards spending for all bonus classes)
2% on gasoline stations and eating places ($25,000 annual cap on mixed rewards spending for all bonus classes) 1% on every thing else |
$0 |
| Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card | 120,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | 3 factors per greenback on the primary $150,000 in mixed spending on journey, delivery, web, cable and cellphone providers and promoting made with social media websites and engines like google
1 level per greenback on every thing else |
$95 |
| Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card | $750 bonus money again after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening | Limitless 1.5% money again on each enterprise buy | $0 |
| The American Categorical Blue Enterprise Money™ Card | Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 in purchases in your card in your first three months. | 2% money again on all eligible purchases on as much as $50,000 per calendar 12 months (then 1%) | $0 (see charges and costs) |
| The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical | Earn 150,000 factors after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first three months of card membership | 5 factors per greenback on airfare and pay as you go resort rooms booked by way of AmexTravel.com
1.5 factors per greenback on eligible purchases in choose enterprise classes and eligible purchases of $5,000 or extra; on as much as $2 million of those purchases per calendar 12 months 1 level per greenback on every thing else Phrases apply |
$695 (see charges and costs) |
Greatest playing cards for freelancers
The Blue Enterprise® Plus Credit score Card from American Categorical
Annual payment: $0 (see charges and costs)
Welcome supply: Earn 15,000 factors after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases on the cardboard inside your first three months of card membership.
Rewards: Earn 2 factors per greenback on the primary $50,000 spent yearly, then 1 level per greenback.
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Why we prefer it for freelancers: You probably have a smaller annual price range and also you’re in search of a solution to earn Membership Rewards factors on enterprise bills, the Blue Enterprise Plus is a good possibility. It is easy and highly effective and has no annual payment — an ideal trio for the budding freelancer. With the Blue Enterprise Plus, you may have full entry to Amex Membership Rewards switch companions, which is uncommon for no-annual-fee bank cards(see charges and costs). And there is not any payment for added worker playing cards both.
Learn our full evaluate of the Blue Enterprise Plus.
Apply right here: Blue Enterprise Plus Credit score Card from American Categorical
Financial institution of America Enterprise Benefit Personalized Money Rewards bank card
Annual payment: $0
Signal-up bonus: $300 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days.
Rewards: Earn 3% again within the class of your alternative and a pair of% on eating ($50,000 cap on annual rewards spending).
Why we prefer it for freelancers: Freelancer bills can fluctuate from individual to individual and month to month. The power to decide on the class you may earn 3% money again on is a good characteristic you will not discover on many bank cards — enterprise or private. Every month, you can select between the next classes:
- Fuel stations
- Workplace provide shops
- Journey
- TV/telecom and wi-fi providers
- Laptop providers
- Enterprise consulting providers
So, to illustrate in a traditional 12 months you journey regularly — however you are not going anyplace proper now, for no matter purpose. You’ll be able to simply swap your class of option to TV/telecom and wi-fi providers — and when journey is again on the desk, you may swap it again.
As well as, you may all the time get 2% on eating along with your 3% class of alternative. It is not the finest cash-back possibility for bigger companies since there is a $50,000 annual cap on bonus spending. Nevertheless, it could be good for lower-budget freelancers seeking to maximize purchases.
Learn our full evaluate of the Personalized Money Rewards.
Apply right here: Financial institution of America Enterprise Benefit Personalized Money Rewards bank card
Capital One Spark Miles for Enterprise
Annual payment: $95, waived the primary 12 months (see charges and costs)
Signal-up bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards: 2 miles per greenback on all purchases.
Why we prefer it for freelancers: The Capital One Spark Miles combines the very best of a journey rewards card with the very best of a flat-rate cash-back card — all for a low annual payment that is even waived the primary 12 months.
You will earn a limiteless 2 miles per greenback on all purchases. Whilst you can entry Capital One’s 15-plus switch companions, you too can redeem your miles at a set worth for journey purchases in your bank card assertion.
This card will be fairly profitable for many who know methods to maximize Capital One miles in the long run.
Learn our full evaluate of the Spark Miles for Enterprise.
Apply now: Capital One Spark Miles for Enterprise
Ink Enterprise Money Credit score Card
Annual payment: $0
Signal-up bonus: Earn as much as $750: earn $350 bonus money again after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months and a further $400 when spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.
Rewards: Earn 5% again on workplace provide retailer purchases and web, cable and cellphone providers; get 2% on gasoline stations and eating places ($25,000 cap on mixed bonus class spending annually).
Why we prefer it for freelancers: The true benefit of this card is that every one the money again — together with the sign-up bonus — comes within the type of factors. You’ll be able to redeem these factors for money again at a set worth of 1 cent every, however you will get much more worth for them if in case you have a Chase Final Rewards card that comes with an annual payment (such because the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card or Ink Enterprise Most well-liked® Card).
You’ll be able to mix your earnings in a single account by pairing your card with certainly one of these different playing cards. It will can help you get a bonus when redeeming your factors by way of the journey portal, and you’ll even switch your factors to associate airways and inns.
Learn our full evaluate of the Ink Enterprise Money.
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Money Credit score Card
Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card
Annual payment: $95
Signal-up bonus: 120,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Rewards: Earn 3 factors per greenback on the primary $150,000 spent yearly on delivery, social media or internet advertising, journey, web, cable and cellphone providers.
Why we prefer it for freelancers: A variety of freelancers can make the most of this card’s wonderful bonus classes. Do you promote your companies by way of social media advertisements? Does your freelance work require delivery merchandise? Are you consistently on the go to fulfill shoppers across the nation or overseas? All of those classes will earn 3 factors per greenback with this card.
Chase Final Rewards factors are price 2.05 cents every based mostly on TPG’s August 2024 valuations, which implies 3 factors per greenback spent equals an over 6% return on these bonus classes. The Ink Most well-liked has a $95 annual payment, although small companies with a number of staff can request limitless worker playing cards at no further value.
The one vital draw back to the cardboard is that it’s important to spend $8,000 within the first three months to earn the welcome bonus. Whereas that is probably not inconceivable for some freelancers, others could not have the price range to spend a median of $2,667 month-to-month on bills.
Learn our full evaluate of the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked.
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card
Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card
Annual payment: $0
Signal-up bonus: $750 bonus money again after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening.
Rewards: Limitless 1.5% money again on each enterprise buy.
Why we prefer it for freelancers: It is all about flexibility with this card — with no annual payment. You’ll be able to redeem rewards for money again, present playing cards, journey and extra by way of the Chase Final Rewards portal.
For a no-annual-fee card, it comes with sturdy journey and buy protections, together with auto rental collision harm waiver, journey and emergency help, roadside dispatch, buy safety and prolonged guarantee.
And similar to the Ink Enterprise Money card, you may successfully convert your cash-back rewards into full Final Rewards factors by pairing it with a higher-end card just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Learn our full evaluate of the Ink Enterprise Limitless.
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card
The American Categorical Blue Enterprise Money™ Card
Annual payment: $0 (see charges and costs)
Welcome supply: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 in purchases in your first three months.
Rewards: Earn 2% money again on all eligible purchases on as much as $50,000 per calendar 12 months (then 1%).
Why we prefer it for freelancers: Enterprise homeowners can simply observe bills and earn 2% money again on as much as $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar 12 months, which is doable for many freelancers. When you move that threshold, you may nonetheless earn 1% money again on all eligible purchases, and the money again you earn is mechanically credited to your assertion.
As well as, the cardboard’s expanded shopping for energy characteristic means that you can exceed your spending restrict with no over-limit charges or penalties. The easy rewards system, with no rotating classes to trace and no annual payment, makes this an excellent card for on a regular basis enterprise use.
Learn our full evaluate of the Blue Enterprise Money.
Apply now: American Categorical Blue Enterprise Money Card
The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical
Annual payment: $695 (see charges and costs)
Welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 factors after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first three months of card membership.
Rewards: Earn 5 factors per greenback on airfare and pay as you go resort rooms on AmexTravel.com and 1.5 factors per greenback factors on eligible purchases in choose enterprise classes and eligible purchases of $5,000 or extra; on as much as $2 million of those purchases per calendar 12 months.
Why we prefer it for freelancers: In case your freelance enterprise usually requires a variety of business-related journey or frequent massive purchases, this might be an excellent card for you. The 150,000 factors earned from the welcome supply are price $3,000, based mostly on TPG’s August 2024 valuations, to not point out all the bonus factors you may earn when you maximize your spending on particular business-related purchases.
Along with the bonus factors, this card comes with an unbelievable lineup of advantages. You will get a number of wonderful journey perks, corresponding to unprecedented lounge entry, complimentary elite standing with two resort manufacturers and a 35% bonus on award flights booked by way of Amex (as much as 1 million factors per calendar 12 months). Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
Just like the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked, this card is probably not finest suited to freelancers with smaller budgets. You will should spend $20,000 within the first three months to get the welcome bonus, and the cardboard’s massive annual payment is just price it once you journey regularly sufficient to make the most of the advantages and bonus classes.
Learn our full evaluate of the Amex Enterprise Platinum.
Apply right here: The Enterprise Platinum Card from American Categorical
How and why to use for a enterprise card
Opposite to well-liked perception, you do not want a brick-and-mortar enterprise to qualify for a enterprise bank card. You generally do not even want a enterprise tax ID to use for a small-business bank card.
First, be certain to examine your private credit score rating earlier than making use of. Enterprise bank card purposes are additionally barely completely different from private bank card purposes. You will be requested to your private info and enterprise particulars, such because the authorized enterprise title, handle, cellphone quantity, tax identification quantity, annual enterprise income and years in enterprise.
Do not have a tax identification quantity? You’ll be able to simply apply for an Worker Identification Quantity (EIN) with the IRS, or you may usually use your social safety quantity in case you are a sole proprietor.
Why use a enterprise bank card?
Apart from business-specific bonus classes and different advantages that can assist you maximize your small-business purchases, a enterprise bank card makes it simpler to maintain private and enterprise bills separate. For freelancers particularly, you should observe your small business bills for tax season.
Many purchases made for enterprise causes are tax deductible, however you may want documentation of these bills — together with receipts. The place a bigger enterprise could make use of an accountant who can deal with that side, you may in all probability do it your self when you’re a one-person freelancer.
Utilizing a devoted enterprise bank card for all of your freelance bills makes it a lot simpler to trace and separate these purchases come tax season.
Associated: What occurs when you put private bills on a enterprise bank card?
Backside line
Whether or not you are a longtime freelancer or simply beginning, having a enterprise bank card to your bills is extraordinarily useful to maintain your books so as. It’s also possible to earn helpful factors, miles or money again in your spending.
And with many profitable presents out there to new candidates, now might be a good time so as to add one of many above playing cards to your pockets.
Associated: 10 issues to your small-business bank card technique
For charges and costs of the Amex Enterprise Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Blue Enterprise Plus Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Blue Enterprise Money Card, click on right here.
