Just like a passport and a business visa, a credit card is a must-have for business travel. The savvier you are at choosing a card that aligns with your spending habits, the more travel perks and rewards you can reap. After checking out multiple credit card reviews at NerdWallet, ValuePenguin, and TheSimpleDollar, we compiled a list of the three best credit cards for business travel based on the benefits and reviews.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ranks on the list of best credit cards for business travel due to its reward program, known as Chase Ultimate Rewards. Not only can you enjoy an increased reward point value and a 20 percent discount on travel bookings made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, but you can transfer your earned points to a variety of travel companies. Marriott, Hyatt, Virgin Atlantic, and Southwest Airlines were just a few brands on the list in 2017.
Biggest Perks:
- Reward rate range of 1.25 to 2.5 percent, with double points for booking through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- Sign-up bonus of 50,000 points, worth up to $625 for use on hotel or airfare booked through the portal
- Card provides concierge service, travel accident insurance, luggage protection, and trip interruption insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee of $95, waived the first year
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is another card hailed for its generous reward program. One of its greatest options is using the rewards toward what Capital One calls the “Purchase Eraser,” or paying down the balance due on travel-related charges that can include business travel expenses or even your usual train or bus fare. Getting cash back on your rewards cuts the reward value in half, but it’s still an option if desired.
Biggest Perks:
- Reward rate of 2 percent on all purchases when using reward points to pay down charges
- Sign-up bonus of 40,000 points if you spend $3,000 in first three months
- Card provides concierge service and roadside assistance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee of $59, waived the first year
Barclay Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard
The name alone secures this card on the list of best credit cards for business travel, and the card also comes with a host of other perks to back up its top-notch name. Again, you’re looking at a generous reward structure, one that provides 2 points for every $1 you spend, plus an additional 5 percent rebate when you use your points to pay off your travel costs. The points start to add up nicely if you’re a frequent traveler who spends at least $2,500 per month on business travel.
Biggest Perks:
- Reward rate of 2 percent across the board
- An additional 5 percent rebate when you use points to pay down travel costs
- Sign-up bonus of 50,000 points, worth $500 in statement credit toward travel purchases, if you spend $3,000 within first three months
- Card provides concierge service, travel accident insurance, luggage protection, and trip interruption insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee of $89, waived the first year
Since a credit card is already a must for business travel, you may as well choose one that gives you a lineup of perks along the way. You may be surprised how quickly those reward points or miles start to add up, resulting in notable savings you’d otherwise be missing. Feel free to contact us with any additional questions; Swift is always happy to help!
