The best business credit cards for travel in 2024

How business credit cards work for travel

There are two main types of business credit cards for travel, rewards-focused business cards and corporate cards for employee travel.

Both of these types of cards have expense management tools for tracking and controlling spending. So, transactions are automatically recorded and categorized appropriately.

Let’s go over each kind. 

Rewards-focused business cards

Rewards-focused business cards focus on giving the user rewards and bonuses for general business spending. In other words, these perks come with many expenses, not just travel expenses. The points can be redeemed for travel or other perks.

Corporate cards for employee travel

On the other hand, corporate travel cards are specifically designed to cater to employee travel-related expenses. In other words, certain travel expenses, such as staying at a hotel chain or using ride-hailing apps, come with bigger rewards. 

These cards offer travel-specific perks, such as airport lounge access, airline miles, and travel insurance. They also have higher credit limits to accommodate larger travel expenses.

Choosing the right card

Both options have their pros and cons. 

The question is: What does your business need at this juncture? 

You could always add another card down the line as your business grows. So, what is your biggest need at this stage?

Do you want to earn rewards on all types of spending? 

If you are, a rewards-focused business card could be the right choice. Consider how often you travel. If you and your team don’t travel frequently, you may get more out of a rewards-focused card.

Or, do you want to prioritize travel-related expense management and travel perks? 

If that’s the case, a corporate travel credit card may be the better choice because of the types of benefits offered and the points systems related to travel expenses (such as three times more points for airfare with affiliated airlines, for instance).

The best corporate credit cards for business travel

Now that you know what type of card is best for your business, let’s review the best corporate credit cards for business travel. 

Rho Corporate Card

Best for: Businesses aiming to accelerate month-end close and set customizable spend rules for travel

Rewards rate: Up to 1.25% cash back on all purchases

Annual fee: $0

APR: 0% (as it is a charge card)

Key benefits:

• Customizable corporate card experience
• Seamless controls (e.g. set spend limits, merchant restrictions, and approvals)
• Easy reconciliation with automated accounting
• Scalable credit limit

Benefits of Rho's Navan integration:

Through Navan Connect, travel, and other spending policies can be embedded directly within Rho, relieving the employee burden of paying for travel out of pocket—and providing finance leaders with the assurance that every purchase is controlled before it’s made.

Through the integration, users can:

• Generate unlimited Rho Corporate Cards with customizable pre-spend rules that keep non-compliant swipes from processing
• Configure Navan expense rules that enforce your company spending policy and flag out-of-policy transactions so finance teams can prevent wasteful spending and fraud
• Handle expense reimbursements and manage an employee travel booking
• Accelerate month-end close by streamlining bank statements and credit card transaction reconciliation.

“The combo of Rho and Navan simplifies my team’s vendor management, expense reporting, and analytics. They’re an excellent resource for businesses of our size, offering competitive cost-saving in travel booking and spend management.”— Allen Wang, VP of Finance at Locally

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Best for: Businesses looking for travel rewards without a high annual fee

Rewards rate: 1x-3x points

Annual fee: $95

APR: 20.49% to 26.49%

Key benefits:

• Sign-up bonus (90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening)

Travel-specific perks:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel
• Travel insurance protections (auto rental coverage, travel and emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance)

American Express Business Gold Card

Best for: Businesses looking for points with flexible and interchangeable bonus categories

Rewards rate: 1x-4x points

Annual fee: $295

APR: 0.0% intro for first 6 months, then 18.74% to 27.74%

Key benefits:

• Earn 1x-4x points on all purchases
• 4X points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually
• Up to $240 annual credit ($20 monthly) for eligible stores/services
• $155 Walmart membership credit

Travel-specific perks:

• Ability to choose 4x points in two categories including airfare, restaurants, and U.S. gas stations
• Possibility to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners through the American Express Membership Rewards program

Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash Card

Best for: Businesses who don’t want to pay an annual fee, seeking 0.0% intro APR for the first year, along with cash rewards

Rewards rate: 2% on business purchases

Annual fee: $0

APR: 0.0% intro for first 12 months, then 17.74% to 25.74%

Key benefits:

• $500 cash back after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
• Unlimited 2% cash rewards

Travel-specific perks:

• Priority Pass membership enrollment, but per-visit fee applies
• Flexibility to redeem your rewards for travel

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express 

Best for: Business owners who want rewards on all purchases without tracking categories

Rewards rate: 2x points

Annual fee: $0

APR: 0.0% intro for first 12 months, then 17.74% to 25.74%

Key benefits:

• No bonus categories to track, all purchases earn 2X points up to $50,000 per calendar year
• Ability to spend above your credit limit
• Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

Travel-specific perks:

• Points can be transferred to 20+ airline and hotel partners
• Redeem points for travel through Amex Travel
• No foreign transaction fees

The best points and rewards credit cards for business travel

Now, if you’ve decided to look for travel-specific business credit cards, these are viable choices for your business.

Capital One Venture X Business

Best for: Businesses seeking a mix of high rewards and travel perks

Rewards rate: 2x-10x points

Annual fee: $395

APR: 21.24% to 29.24%

Key benefits:

• High rewards earning

Travel-specific perks:

• $300 annual travel credit
• Airport access to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Anniversary bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel)
• Primary rental car coverage
• Trip cancellation/interruption and travel accident insurance
• No foreign transaction fees

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Best for: Business owners and teams who travel frequently and want premium travel benefits

Rewards rate: 1x-5x points

Annual fee: $695

APR: 18.49% to 26.49%

Key benefits:

• No pre-set spending limit
• Up to $1,000 in statement credits per year
• Employee cards with customizable spending limits
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash annually
• Access to Global Dining Access by Resy

Travel-specific perks:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit
• Trip delay, cancellation/interruption, and car rental insurance
• Access to American Express Global Lounge Collection, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status, Fine Hotels + Resorts Program, and The Hotel Collection

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard

Best for: Business owners who want to earn basic travel rewards without an annual fee

Rewards rate: 1.5x points on all purchases

Annual fee: $0

APR: 0.0% intro for first 9 billing cycles, then 18.24% to 28.24%

Key benefits:

• Potential for up to 75% rewards bonus through Preferred Rewards for Business

Travel-specific perks:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Travel accident insurance
• Auto rental insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card

Best for: Business owners and teams who frequently fly Delta and value premium travel benefits

Rewards rate: 1x-3x points

Annual fee: $550

APR: 20.49% to 29.49%

Key benefits:

• Premium travel perks and miles associated with Delta

Travel-specific perks:

• 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (Delta’s elite status program) after spending $30,000 in purchases up to four times per year
• No foreign transaction fees
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Access to Delta Sky Club (plus two one-time guest passes) and The Centurion Lounge (when flying Delta)
• Annual Companion Certificate upon renewal
• On Delta flights: First checked bag free, priority boarding, and 20% back on in-flight purchases
• Trip delay, cancellation/interruption, car rental, and baggage insurance

Advantages and disadvantages of using business travel cards

When choosing a credit card, consider your needs and what you want to get out of the card. 

Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using a business travel credit card. Depending on the type of card, the benefits and drawbacks will vary, but here are some general guidelines. 

Benefits:

Typical benefits of using a business travel credit card include:

• Cashback benefits and travel rewards programs (e.g., airport lounge access, travel insurance, and elite status with hotels/airlines)
• Enhanced financial control and management
• Automated expense tracking
• Real-time visibility into employee spending

Drawbacks:

Drawbacks from using a business travel credit card typically include:

• High membership fees (some on this list are close to $700 annually)
• Higher APRs compared to non-rewards cards
• Often require good to excellent credit scores (670+) to qualify
• May require implementation of clear policies and employee training
• May require additional resources to manage and review expenses

Practical tips for startups choosing a travel card

Start by identifying your business’s biggest pain points regarding travel. If, for instance, tracking expenses and setting spending limits on your team’s budget is a main concern, then you might consider the Rho corporate card as you can set seamless controls (e.g., set spend limits, merchant restrictions, and approvals) and automated accounting. 

Evaluate whether a co-branded card with a specific airline or hotel chain aligns with your frequent travel routes and preferences. For instance, if you fly Delta often, then a co-branded Delta card, such as the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card, could be a good fit. 

However, ensure that your startup can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement within the specified timeframe without overextending its finances. You could time your application strategically and apply for a new card before a period of planned higher spending to help your startup meet the minimum spend requirement more easily.

If perks and points are your main objective, prioritize cards that offer higher rewards rates on categories where your startup spends the most, such as travel, dining, or office supplies. And, consider the travel perks that would benefit your business most, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, or airport lounge access, making it easier for your employees to work or rest while they go through the airport.

Carefully weigh the annual fee against the potential value of the card's benefits and rewards. While premium cards may offer more perks, a lower-fee card might be more suitable for startups with limited travel budgets. 

Lastly, opt for a card with no foreign transaction fees if your startup travels internationally often. This can lead to significant savings on overseas purchases and travel expenses.

Wrap up: Rho and Navan can help you take control of travel spend

A travel corporate card can be a great solution for businesses that travel frequently.

Ultimately, deciding which card is best for your startup depends on your business’s priorities and needs. As you weigh the pros and cons of the best corporate card for travel, consider the Rho corporate card, integrated with a travel platform to save time and money and designed to accelerate month-end close and set customizable pre-spend rules.

With it, you can ensure that all spend that happens during travel remains compliant and earn 1.25% cashback on eligible purchases in the process.

Apply now to start enjoying the benefits of Rho Corporate Credit Cards today.

Isabel Peña Alfaro is a guest contributor. The views expressed are hers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rho.

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