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Finding the right cash-back card for your business can make a big difference in managing expenses and squeezing a little extra profit out.
But with so many options, the “best” business cash-back card really depends on your spending habits and how much effort you’re willing to invest in maximizing those rewards.
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Here, we’ll break down the three top choices: the Plum Card® from American Express, the Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card, and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus.
Each of these cards offers unique benefits, from cash back flexibility to payment terms and spending thresholds, so you can choose the card that best aligns with your business needs.
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The Plum Card® from American Express: Best for Payment Flexibility with Cash Back
The Plum Card® from American Express is an excellent choice for businesses that need flexible payment terms.
While it offers the lowest cash-back rate of the three cards and comes with a relatively high annual fee, its unique payment flexibility makes it a strong option for businesses that need a bit more runway.
1.5% Cash Back for Early Payments: You’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases if you pay your balance within 10 days of your statement closing date. While this rate is lower than other cards, it’s simple and consistent.
Extended Payment Terms: One standout feature is the Pum Cards 60 day interest free payment period, provided you pay at least the minimum due by the due date. This can be a lifesaver for businesses with variable cash flow, giving you extra time to cover expenses without incurring interest charges.
Annual Fee: At $250, the Plum Card had the highest annual fee of the three cards, but the payment flexibility can easily offset this cost if your business requires extended terms. †
Ideal For: Businesses that want the flexibility to delay payments without interest or those needing additional cash flow management options beyond cash back.
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Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card: Best for High Cash Back on Large Purchases
The Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card offers an impressive cash-back rate on large purchases, making it a standout option for businesses with frequent large expenses.
If your business often spends over $5,000 on a single purchase, this card could yield some of the highest cash-back earnings.
Cash Back Structure: The Ink Business Premier earns a solid 2% cash back on all purchases, with an impressive 2.5% cash back on single purchases of $5,000 or more. This structure is ideal for businesses with larger expenses, maximizing cash back on big ticket items.
High Cash Back Potential: With the potential for 2.5% cash back on major purchases, the Ink Business Premier offers the highest cashback rate of the three cards, but only if you’re making a substantial purchase over the $5,000 mark.
Annual Fee: The card has an annual fee of $195, which is justified by the high cash-back potential on large purchases. However, it’s best suited for businesses that can take full advantage of the 2.5% rate on big expenses.
Ideal For: Businesses that frequently make high-value purchases and want to maximize cash back on these expenses, especially for companies that purchase inventory, equipment, or other costly items regularly.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for Simple, Straightforward Cash Back
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is the most straightforward cash-back option among the three, with a flat cash-back rate that works well for businesses of all sizes.
Its ease of use and potential to waive the annual fee make it a popular choice for businesses that prefer simplicity
Flat 2% Cash Back: You’ll earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, with no special categories or spending minimums to track. This makes it the simplest of the three cards in terms of reward structure, ideal for businesses with varied spending.
Annual Fee with Waiver Potential: The Spark Cash Plus has an annual fee of $150, but this can be waived if you spend $150,000 annually. This adds an extra incentive to use the card regularly, especially if your business spending is high enough to offset the fee entirely.
Straightforward Rewards: Unlike the Ink Business Premier, there are no requirements to spend $5,000 on a single transaction to maximize your cashback, making it a low-effort, high-reward option for businesses with steady monthly expenses across multiple categories.
Ideal for: Businesses that want a simple, consistent cash-back rate without the need to monitor specific spending categories or large purchase requirements.
How to Choose the Best Business Cash Back Bard: Payment Flexibility, High Spending Rewards, or Consistency?
The best business cash-back card will depend on how you like to manage expenses and what you expect from your rewards. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
If you Need Payment Flexibility: The Plum Card® from American Express offers unique payment terms, allowing up to 60 days of interest-free payments if you pay the minimum due. It’s a great choice if your business benefits from cash flow flexibility than maximizing cashback rates.
If You Want the Highest Cash Back on Large Purchases: The Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card is the best option if your business spends $5,000 or more frequently. With 2.5% cash back on large purchases, it offers excellent rewards for big-ticket spending.
If you prefer a Simple, No Fuss Cash Back Rate: The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is the easiest to manage, with a flat 2% cash back rate and no spending minimums. It’s ideal if you value consistency and a straightforward rewards structure.
Maximize Cash Back with a Combined Strategy
If your business spending caries, you might find value in combining two of these cards.
For example, you could use the Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card for large purchases to earn 2.5% cash back while using the Capital One Spark Cash Plus for everyday expenses to maintain a consistent 2% cash back.
Alternatively, If cash flow flexibility is more important, pairing the Plum Card® from American Express with the Capital One Spark Cash Plus gives you both flexibility and straightforward cash back rewards, helping to manage cash flow while earning rewards.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right business cash-back card depends on how you prefer to manage rewards and expenses.
If you need payment flexibility, the Plum Card® from American Express offers unique extended terms † if you’re focused on high cash back for large purchases, the Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card is unbeatable.
For a consistent, no-effort option, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus provides a simple 2% cash-back structure.
In the end, all three cards offer valuable cash-back opportunities, so the choice is about matching the card to your business-specific needs and deciding how much effort you’re willing to put into maximizing your rewards.
† Better Than Points may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on BetterThanPoints.com are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. BetterThanPoints.com does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
