6 of the best business travel credit cards for companies

For many companies with employees who travel, keeping tabs on the cost of lodging, transportation, and per diem expenses can be a logistical challenge, often leading to time-consuming administrative work and potential errors. That’s why many businesses provide their staff with a company credit card. It simplifies accounting by keeping business travel costs separate and under control with spending caps and also gives finance teams greater visibility into spending patterns.

But with so many options out there, each with different perks, rewards, and annual fees, how do you know which is the best business travel credit card for your organization? 

In this guide, we’ll tell you what you need to know. 

What is a business travel credit card, and how does it work?

A credit card designated for business travel expenses functions similarly to a personal one but extends a line of credit to specifically cover costs related to business trips. 

Employees can use the card on official business trips to pay for flights, hotels, or meals, eliminating the need to use personal funds. This setup gives the company real-time insight into travel spending, streamlining expense management and increasing transparency. It also makes things easier for employees, who no longer have to save receipts, complete forms, or wait for reimbursements.

Business credit cards often offer travel-specific benefits, such as frequent flier discounts, reward points, and reduced or waived foreign transaction fees. Users can also unlock additional perks like airport lounge access or earn extra points after meeting certain spending thresholds. Some company cards also offer additional consumer protection features, providing coverage against theft or unauthorized charges.

3 types of business travel credit cards

When choosing a business travel credit card, companies should assess where and how they spend most of their budget to maximize reward benefits, as travel cards generally fall into three categories:

1. General-purpose business travel credit cards

These cards are ideal for companies with diverse travel needs. They offer flexibility by providing points for a variety of spending categories, giving travelers more opportunities to earn and redeem rewards.

2. Airline-specific business travel credit cards

For companies that frequently fly with the same carrier, airline-branded credit cards are a smart choice. Cards like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve from American Express, the United Business Card, or Southwest Rapid Rewards from Chase let employees earn points on every flight. These cards also offer valuable perks, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, or annual companion passes. Premium versions may come with higher annual fees but deliver added benefits, including access to airport lounges and discounts at select hotels and car rental companies.

3. Hotel-specific business travel credit cards

Hotel credit cards are co-branded with hotel loyalty programs. Cardholders earn points for eligible expenses when booking stays directly with affiliated hotels or charging incidentals to their room. These points can be redeemed for significant rewards, such as free room upgrades, complimentary wifi, or airport lounge access. Companies that book directly with hotels or via a travel management platform like Engine often receive special rates, which, over time, may offset the cost of card enrollment fees.

6 of the best business travel credit cards for your company

1. American Express Blue Business Plus Card

The Blue Business Plus offers a straightforward approach to earning points, making it a flexible choice for everyday expenses.

• Annual fee: None.
• Welcome incentives: 15,000 bonus Membership Reward^® points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
• Travel rewards: 2X points per dollar on the first $50,000 in business expenses annually, followed by 1X points per dollar. Members also earn 1X points on all other purchases.
• Travel perks: Users can transfer points to 19 airline and hotel loyalty programs, with opportunities for bonus value. They also enjoy extended warranty coverage, rental car insurance, and purchase protection.
  

2. Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Many consider the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card the best business credit card for airline reward points, thanks to its generous earning potential.

• Annual fee: $95.
• Welcome incentives: 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months, equivalent to $900 cash back or $1,125 toward Chase Travel℠ bookings.
• Travel rewards: 3X points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent annually in select categories, then 1X points on all other purchases.  
• Travel perks: Members using points to book travel arrangements through Chase Travel^SM receive a 25% increase in reward value. Cardholders can transfer points to airline and hotel partners for further savings. The card also includes travel insurance, car rental coverage, and purchase protection. 

3. American Express Business Gold Card

Arguably the best-known business credit card, the AMEX Gold Card offers flexible rewards tailored to business spending patterns.

• Annual fee: $375
• Welcome incentives: Receive 100,000 Membership Reward^® after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within three months.
• Travel rewards: 4X points per dollar on the company’s top two eligible spending categories each month, up to $150,000 per year, and 1X points per dollar on all other purchases.
• Travel perks: Cardholders can access expense management tools and coverage for baggage, trip delays, and car rental loss or damage.
  

4. Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Card is ideal for frequent flyers looking to maximize points and premium perks. 

• Annual fee: $550
• Welcome incentives: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
• Travel rewards: Cardholders earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel^SM after the initial $300 spent annually.
• Travel perks: Members receive complimentary airport lounge access, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee statement credit, and free rideshare membership.

5. American Express Business Platinum Card

The AMEX Business Platinum Card is loaded with premium perks, making it a favorite credit card for frequent travelers.

• Annual fee: $695
• Welcome incentives: Earn 150,000 Membership Reward^® after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months.
• Travel rewards: Cardholders earn 5X points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, 1.5X points on select business expenses, and 1X points on all other purchases. 
• Travel perks: Cardholders enjoy access to the global lounge collection, including the Centurion Lounge, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^® fee statement credit, a $200 annual airline credit to cover incidental travel fees like checked luggage, and elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors reward programs.
  

6. Capital One Spark Cash Plus for Business

The Spark Cash Plus for Business is perfect for companies that prefer cash back over airline miles. 

• Annual fee: $150, refunded with annual spending of $150,000.
• Welcome incentives: $2,000 cash back after spending $30,000 in the first three months.
• Travel rewards: Earn 5% cashback on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2% cashback on all other purchases.
• Travel perks: Cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees or fraud liability and receive free roadside assistance for rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 

How to choose the best business travel credit card for your company

Selecting the best business credit card for travel rewards, discounts, and perks involves several key considerations. With the right membership, a company can maximize points and benefits, ultimately reducing travel expenses.

Before signing up, review the following factors:

1. Enrollment incentives

Many travel cards offer sign-up bonuses to attract new members. Companies should evaluate their typical travel costs to determine if they can meet the spending threshold to qualify. Common incentives include:

• Bonus travel points and credits
• Gift cards
• Statement credits or refunds on qualifying purchases made during the first 3–12 months  
• Additional points for exceeding a specified amount on travel-related expenses during the first year

2. Rewards program

Companies should examine the rewards program to determine whether their spending patterns align with the rewards structure. 

For example, if employees frequently fly with one airline, signing up for a business credit card with air miles for that carrier could significantly reduce travel costs. However, a general-purpose card may offer more flexibility, allowing rewards to go toward car rentals, hotels, or business expenses like wireless services. The goal is to choose a rewards program that delivers maximum value, whether through frequent flier miles, hotel points, cash back, or a combination.

3. Benefits and perks versus annual fee

Weigh the value of perks, such as free checked luggage, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits, and lounge access, against the annual fee. The card should only be considered if the financial benefits clearly outweigh the cost. Accounting teams should run a cost-benefit analysis to ensure the card delivers real savings.

4. Employee preferences and usage

Consulting with staff helps provide insight into which benefits are most useful. If perks like free foreign transaction fees or rental car insurance go unused, consider a card with a rewards structure that better suits employees' needs. Ensuring the card aligns with travel habits maximizes the overall value to the company.

Manage your company’s business travel with Engine

Finding the best credit card for business travelers helps companies manage expenses, track costs, and achieve significant savings. But even with the right card, handling all the logistics can still be a challenge.

That’s where Engine comes in. Engine is a robust business travel platform that simplifies planning by booking flights, accommodations, car rentals, and more—all from a single user-friendly dashboard. It also optimizes your credit card’s membership rewards and travel perks to maximize savings. 

With Engine, there are no contracts, agent fees, or minimum spending—just streamlined corporate travel planning.