Business travel is an essential part of many companies, but managing expenses and maximizing rewards can be a challenge. Choosing the right credit card can significantly streamline this process, providing valuable benefits like travel rewards, airport lounge access, and travel insurance, ultimately saving your company money and enhancing the travel experience. This guide explores the best credit cards for business travel in 2024, helping you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Comprehensive Table of Business Travel Credit Cards
| Card Name | Key Benefits | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | High rewards on travel and business-related purchases: Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. Redemption flexibility: Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to partner airlines and hotels. Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses. Primary auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage for damage due to collision or theft for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad. | $95 |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Extensive travel benefits: Access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass Select membership, and more. Hotel perks: Automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels: Earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. 35% Airline Bonus: Get 35% of your points back when you use Pay with Points for all or part of an eligible flight booked on amextravel.com. Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $500 per covered trip for reasonable additional expenses if a covered trip is delayed for more than 6 hours. | $695 |
| Capital One Venture X Business | Generous rewards: Earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases. Premium travel perks: Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. $300 annual travel credit: Automatically receive a $300 statement credit each year for bookings through Capital One Travel. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: Statement credit for application fees, up to $100. Cell phone protection: Protection against damage or theft for cell phones. | $395 |
| United Club℠ Business Card | United Club membership: Access to United Club lounges worldwide. 2x miles on United purchases: Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases. Premier Access travel services: Priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding, and baggage handling when flying United. Free first checked bag: For the cardholder and one companion on United flights. Trip Delay Reimbursement: Reimbursement for expenses if your trip is delayed. | $450 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | Delta Sky Club access: Unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs and access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Boost: Earn 1 MQD for each $20 of purchases made on your card. Complimentary upgrades: Potential for complimentary upgrades on Delta flights. First checked bag free: For the cardholder and up to eight companions on Delta flights. Trip Delay Insurance: Up to $500 per covered trip for reasonable additional expenses if a covered trip is delayed for more than 6 hours. | $650 |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
This card is a strong all-around choice for businesses that spend heavily on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and social media advertising. The 3x points per dollar spent in these categories, up to $150,000 annually, offer significant earning potential. The points are highly valuable due to the flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards, including travel, cash back, gift cards, and transfers to airline and hotel partners. The trip cancellation/interruption insurance provides peace of mind in case of unforeseen travel disruptions, while the primary auto rental collision damage waiver can save you money on rental car insurance.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
This card is designed for frequent business travelers who value premium perks and luxury experiences. The extensive travel benefits, including access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass Select membership, make airport layovers more comfortable and productive. The automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy provides valuable perks like upgrades and free breakfast. Earning 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel is a major advantage. The 35% airline bonus when using Pay with Points further enhances the value of your points. Finally, the Trip Delay Insurance provides coverage for unexpected delays.
Capital One Venture X Business
The Capital One Venture X Business card offers a straightforward and generous rewards program, along with valuable travel perks. Earning 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel makes it easy to accumulate rewards quickly. The $300 annual travel credit effectively offsets a portion of the annual fee. Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges provides a comfortable travel experience. The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit saves you money and time at the airport. The inclusion of cell phone protection is a unique and valuable benefit.
United Club℠ Business Card
This card is ideal for businesses whose employees frequently fly United Airlines. The United Club membership provides access to United Club lounges worldwide, offering a quiet and comfortable space to work or relax before flights. Earning 2x miles on United purchases accelerates your mileage accumulation. Premier Access travel services provide priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding, and baggage handling, making the travel experience smoother. The free first checked bag for the cardholder and one companion can save significant money on baggage fees. Finally, the Trip Delay Reimbursement covers certain expenses if your travel plans are disrupted.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This card is tailored for businesses that primarily fly Delta Air Lines. The Delta Sky Club access provides a comfortable and convenient airport experience. The Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Boost helps you accelerate your path to Delta Medallion status. The potential for complimentary upgrades on Delta flights is a valuable perk. The first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions can save a substantial amount on baggage fees. Like other premium travel cards, it also offers Trip Delay Insurance to cover unexpected delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for earning travel rewards?
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® is a great option for earning rewards on a variety of business expenses, while the Business Platinum Card® from American Express excels for flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
Which credit card offers the best airport lounge access?
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provides access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and Priority Pass Select lounges. The Capital One Venture X Business also offers Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass access.
What is the best way to redeem travel rewards points?
This depends on your travel preferences, but transferring points to airline and hotel partners often provides the best value for premium travel experiences. Alternatively, using points to book travel through the card's travel portal can be convenient.
Does my business need travel insurance if I use a travel credit card?
While many travel credit cards offer some form of travel insurance, it's important to review the coverage details and consider whether additional comprehensive travel insurance is needed for your specific business travel needs.
What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a business travel credit card?
The most important factor is aligning the card's benefits and rewards structure with your business's spending habits and travel patterns. Consider which categories you spend the most in and which travel perks you value most.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card for business travel can provide significant benefits, including valuable travel rewards, premium travel perks, and travel insurance. By carefully considering your business's spending habits and travel patterns, you can select a card that aligns with your needs and helps you maximize your travel budget. Evaluate the Chase Ink Business Preferred, Business Platinum Card from American Express, Capital One Venture X Business, United Club Business Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card based on your specific needs.