Founders don’t have time for fluff, so let’s start with the bottom line: The right business credit card isn’t just a payment method—it’s a 2-5% subsidy on your burn rate. Whether you are bootstrapping a SaaS product or scaling an e-commerce brand with heavy ad spend, the math of 2026 dictates that you cannot afford to use a debit card.
What is the best business credit card for startups?
For most startups in 2026, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is the undisputed winner. It combines a massive 100,000-point welcome offer, 3x points on essential startup categories (advertising, shipping, travel), and a low $95 annual fee. Most importantly, it grants access to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners like Hyatt and United, allowing founders to book business class travel for pennies on the dollar.
The “State of Play” in Jan 2026: The Brex & Capital One Shakeup
Before we dive into card specs, we need to address the elephant in the room. On January 22, 2026, news broke that Capital One is acquiring Brex. For years, Brex was the default “startup card” because it offered high limits with no personal guarantee.
While the deal won’t close until mid-2026, this creates uncertainty for founders who rely on Brex’s specific rewards structure. If you need stability right now, I am currently recommending Ramp as the safer “corporate card” alternative, or moving spend to traditional issuers like Chase and Amex who are aggressively targeting startups with improved software integrations.
1. Best Overall: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
If you only get one card for your business, this is it. The math is simply too strong to ignore. For a $95 annual fee, you unlock the highest earning potential for typical startup expenses.
The Numbers
- Welcome Bonus: 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in 3 months.
- Earning Rate: 3x points on the first $150,000 spent annually in combined categories: Shipping, Advertising (social media/search engines), Internet/Cable/Phone, and Travel.
- Redemption Value: ~2.0 cents per point (cpp) when transferred to partners.
Why It Wins
Most funded startups spend heavily on Google Ads, Meta Ads, or shipping. Maxing out the $150,000 cap yields 450,000 Chase points. Based on my valuations, that is roughly $9,000 in travel value for a $95 fee. Even if you just cash it out (which you shouldn’t), it’s $4,500.
Furthermore, this card anchors your “Chase Trifecta.” As we discuss in our Complete 2026 Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can combine points from no-fee cash back cards (like the Ink Cash) onto this card to unlock transfer partners.
2. Best for Heavy Ad Spend: Amex Business Gold Card
If your startup burns more than $150k/year on ads, the Chase Ink cap is a problem. Enter the American Express Business Gold. While the annual fee is steeper at $375, the uncapped potential (up to the card’s specific limits) and category flexibility are superior for scaling companies.
The Numbers
- Welcome Bonus: Often 70,000–100,000 points (Check for targeted offers).
- Earning Rate: 4x points on your top 2 spending categories each month (capped at $150k per year, then 1x).
- Top Categories: U.S. media advertising, U.S. electronics/software, U.S. restaurants.
The “Gotcha” & The Strategy
Many founders make the mistake of using this card for everything. Don’t. Use it only for your top two categories (likely Ads and Software) to trigger the 4x. The “Flexible Business Credit” offering up to $240 back annually ($20/month) at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores helps offset the annual fee, effectively bringing it down to $135 if you use the perks.
Is transferring Amex points worth it? Absolutely, especially if you leverage transfer bonuses. For a deeper look at maximizing these points, read our analysis on Transferring Amex Membership Rewards to Hilton—though for business class flights, you’ll likely want to stick to Air Canada Aeroplan or British Airways.
3. Best Corporate Card (No PG): Ramp
Startups with VC funding often cannot provide a Personal Guarantee (PG). This disqualifies you from most Chase or Amex cards. In 2026, Ramp is the superior choice over Brex for most lean startups.
Why Ramp?
- Universal 1.5% Cashback: No points games. You get 1.5% cash back on everything.
- Software Savings: Ramp’s real value is its software that identifies wasteful subscriptions and duplicate spend.
- Stability: With the Brex/Capital One acquisition news causing integration uncertainty, Ramp offers a stable, independent platform focused purely on cost-cutting.
Ramp is less of a “rewards play” and more of a “CFO in a box.” If your goal is to extend runway rather than fly first class, this is your card.
4. Best for Travel Perks: Capital One Venture X Business
The Capital One Venture X Business is a powerhouse. While the massive 400k bonus offer expired on January 19, 2026, the standard offer (usually 150k miles for $30k spend) is still one of the best on the market.
The Numbers
- Earning Rate: Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase. No categories to track.
- Annual Fee: $395.
- Credits: $300 annual travel credit + 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100) at anniversary.
Is It Worth It?
Do the math: $395 fee minus $300 credit minus $100 in points = Effective -$5 fee. You are essentially being paid $5 to hold this card. In exchange, you get Priority Pass Select access (including the excellent Capital One Lounges) and primary rental car insurance.
For a detailed breakdown of the transfer partners, check our Complete 2026 Guide to Capital One Miles.
⚠️ Warning: The “Authorizing Officer” Liability
With Chase, Amex, and Capital One, you (the founder) are usually the “Authorizing Officer.” This means you are personally liable if the business fails and defaults on the debt. This is a “Personal Guarantee.”
If you have raised Series A+ funding or have a complex board structure, you should likely avoid these cards and opt for Ramp or a corporate liability program to protect your personal assets. For more on how this impacts your credit report, see our guide on Hard vs. Soft Credit Inquiries.
The “Stacking” Strategy: How to Maximize Returns
Don’t just use one card. The most sophisticated startups use a “stack” to average 3-4% returns on spend.
- Ad Spend & Shipping: Chase Ink Preferred (3x) or Amex Biz Gold (4x).
- Travel: Amex Business Platinum (5x on flights via Amex Travel) or Venture X Business (10x on hotels via portal).
- Non-Category Spend: Amex Blue Business Plus (2x) or Venture X Business (2x).
- Employees: Ramp (Control limits easily) or Ink Unlimited (1.5x on everything).
Comparison Table
| Card Name | Best For | Earning Rate | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Preferred | Overall Value | 3x Travel/Ads (up to $150k) | $95 |
| Amex Business Gold | High Ad Spend | 4x Top 2 Cats (up to $150k) | $375 |
| Venture X Business | Perks & Flat Rate | 2x Everywhere | $395 |
| Ramp | No Personal Guarantee | 1.5% Cashback | $0 |
| Amex Blue Business Plus | No Annual Fee | 2x Everywhere (up to $50k) | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor?
Yes. You do not need an LLC or Corporation. You can apply using your Social Security Number (SSN) as your Tax ID and your own name as the business name. You simply need to be generating (or attempting to generate) profit.
Does applying for a business card hurt my personal credit score?
Most business cards (Amex, Chase, Capital One) will perform a hard pull on your personal credit when you apply, which may drop your score by 2-5 points temporarily. However, the usage (balances) generally does not report to your personal credit report unless you default, meaning high business utilization won’t hurt your personal score.
What is the 5/24 rule and does it apply to business cards?
Chase’s 5/24 rule states you won’t be approved if you’ve opened 5+ personal cards in the last 24 months. Crucially, most business cards (Chase, Amex, Citi) do not count towards your 5/24 count, but you must be under 5/24 to get approved for a Chase Ink card.
Is the Capital One Venture X Business bonus still 400,000 miles?
No. That limited-time offer expired on January 19, 2026. The current standard offer is typically 150,000 miles, which is still excellent value for a card that pays for itself via credits.
1 comment
This analysis of startups aligns with recent research in the field. Would love to see more data on this.
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