Why Consider Using a Business Credit Card for Advertising Expenses
When you’re determining your small business marketing plan, advertising often has its own line in your budget. You might decide to buy ads on social media platforms, spend on paid search ads, or buy traditional advertising. Using a credit card for advertising expenses offers a way to earn back on what you’re already spending.
Many small business credit cards provide cardholders perks like a rewards program. Some cards have bonus points or cash back only on select categories — and advertising is included in the cards we discuss below. Others have a flat rewards rate across all your business purchases, which includes advertising. Imagine using a cash back card for your advertising dollars and then receiving a statement credit for a percentage of your spending. It really can be that easy.
Additionally, some business credit cards offer a sign-up bonus or welcome offer on account opening. You usually have to make enough qualifying purchases within a few months of card membership to get the welcome bonus, but you may already be spending that amount anyway. This strategy allows you to get money back on what you’re already spending. Other cards offer bonus miles or a cash bonus on your account anniversary year. Not to mention, many business credit cards for travel also offer travel rewards. All of these benefits can add up over time.
Because credit cards are revolving, so they don’t need to be paid off immediately, using them can increase your business’s access to cash flow. With many of these cards, you’ll pay no annual fee and may even get a low or 0% introductory APR (annual percentage rate) up to your credit limit, which can be especially helpful for avoiding interest using balance transfers.
If you’re wondering about using personal credit cards vs. business credit cards for advertising expenses, know that some business credit cards may help you build business credit. Personal credit cards can’t offer that advantage. Not all business credit cards will do this, though, so check Nav’s list of cards that may help build your business credit before applying.
What qualifies as advertising expenses on business credit cards
What counts as a qualifying purchase depends on the credit card you’re applying for. Some cards have a flat rewards rate, so every business purchase should be an eligible purchase (including advertising). Others have a specific advertising category and only certain advertising expenses will receive membership rewards points.
This is where a merchant category code (MCC) comes in: Each expense you make is categorized using a four-digit merchant category code that tells the credit card provider how to categorize it (e.g. transportation, groceries, office supplies). Citi provides a useful breakdown of general MCC codes used by payment processors like Visa and Mastercard.
Business services are classified using MCC 7300 to 7999, and most advertising services will fall under code 7311. However, not all advertising expenses are always covered — some cards only cover digital marketing while others will also cover traditional advertising. We recommend clarifying before you apply and also making a small purchase to make sure your credit card provider classifies the expense as a rewarded category before you spend a lot.
How to determine which credit card rewards are most important to your business
Small business owners have a lot of choices to make, so we’re here to make it easy to select a rewards credit card for your advertising spending. How do you choose a business credit card? We highlight the recommended steps below.
1. Choose your ideal rewards type
Decide whether you would prefer cash back rewards, points, or miles. Each of these rewards offers pros and cons. If you want to receive a monthly statement credit at the end of your billing cycle to be used toward other business expenses, consider cash back. Points can be redeemed for things like gift cards or travel purchases but you’ll have to understand how many points make up a dollar. Miles may work well for a frequent business traveler to use toward airfare, hotels, or car rentals. The card may also give discounts on perks like TSA Precheck or Global Entry, or access to airport lounges, which can make business travel much easier.
Also, consider whether the card offers purchase protection or an extended warranty on items you buy as an added benefit.
2. Line up the right bonus categories
You’ll then want to look at all the rewards categories — aside from advertising purchases — that a credit card offers and determine whether it matches up with your business spending. Some credit cards have specific rewards categories and others apply a flat rewards rate to every purchase — which may be lower but is simpler to keep track of.
Some common rewards spending categories include:
- Advertising
- Gas stations
- Office supply stores
- Cell phone or internet service
- Restaurants
- Shipping
- Travel
Pick the card (or cards) with rewards that make sense for what you’re already buying for your business.
3. Look at fees
Check to see whether there is an annual fee. Many business credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, but the rewards rate may counterbalance the annual fee and make the card worth it. Also look into interest rates and APR to make sure yours wouldn’t be too high and whether or not there’s an intro APR offer. If you travel, try to find a card without a foreign transaction fee for using the card overseas, and make sure the spending limit will work for your business. Make sure additional employee cards or corporate cards are free as well, if that’s a concern for you.
4. Check cardholder requirements
Any type of business entity can apply for a business credit card — even sole proprietors. However, each credit card issuer has different requirements for who’s eligible for their cards. Typically, personal credit score and credit history are the biggest factors in determining who qualifies, so make sure yours is high enough.
5. Apply
All that’s left is to apply. Make sure to gather all your necessary documents before starting the application. Credit card applications are usually fully digital, and you’ll often find out within a few minutes whether you were accepted.
Best Business Credit Cards for Overall Advertising Expenses
When you’re looking to earn rewards on advertising expenses overall, you can go in two directions: Choose a credit card that targets advertising spending or choose a card with one rewards rate across the board. For a card that will definitely cover all your advertising expenses, a flat rate rewards card might be the best option.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is one card with a standard rewards rate across all purchases, including advertising. Get an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening for a $0 annual fee. Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
One of the highest cash back rates available for small business cards.
Pros
- Attractive intro financing offer
- High rates of cash back for business spending
- No annual fee.
Cons
- No rewards bonus for initial spending
- Foreign transaction fees.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Best business cards for digital marketing
Digital marketing is important to most small businesses’ growth, and the best business credit cards for online advertising can help get the most out of every dollar. You can look for a card that offers a rewards program that targets online marketing specifically or gives rewards on all spending.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
With the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you’ll earn rewards on social media and search engine advertising expenses. Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn. There’s also a welcome offer: New Cardmember Offer! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You’ll access your rewards through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card costs $95 annually. See .
All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Pros
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Cons
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Best business cards for Facebook (Meta) ads
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck with your Facebook ad spending, there are several credit cards that can help you do that.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
The BILL Divvy Corporate Card offers rewards based on your payments: Up to 7% points, based on payment settings. It’s a charge card rather than a credit card, so you don’t pay interest. All charges made on this charge card are due and payable when you receive your periodic statement. It may be a good option for anyone new to credit, especially with the $0 annual fee.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
Eligibility based more on revenue, requires full repayments monthly.
Pros
- Free and flexible expense management platform
- No annual fee.
Cons
- No early spend bonus and lower rewards than other cards
- Must pay off all balances in full each month.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Best business credit cards for Google Ad Spend
When you’re looking for a card that will reward you for purchasing Google ads, you can either find one with a rewards program that includes social media advertising or a card with a flat rate rewards program across all spending.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is also a good fit for Google ad spend because you’ll earn rewards on social media ads. Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn. There’s also a welcome offer: New Cardmember Offer! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You’ll access your rewards through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card costs $95 annually. See .
All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Pros
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Cons
- All information about the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Nav
- This card is not currently available through Nav
- To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Best business credit cards for traditional advertising
Traditional advertising means you’re marketing on a platform that isn’t online, like radio, television, or billboards. Here are some of the best cards you can use for those purchases.
American Express® Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card gives you excellent rewards on the categories you spend the most in: Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. So, if you have a large advertising budget, this card could work in your favor. There’s also a welcome offer: Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.* The annual fee is high at $375 but the rewards may make it worth it. See .
High annual fee, best for large purchases in consistent categories.
Pros
- This card has a great rewards program and offers flexibility compared to true charge cards.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Only 1x rewards outside of your top categories.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
The The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is also a good option for traditional advertising spending. Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Also, access an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening for a $0 annual fee. See the American Express Terms, Rates, and Fees.
One of the highest cash back rates available for small business cards.
Pros
- Attractive intro financing offer
- High rates of cash back for business spending
- No annual fee.
Cons
- No rewards bonus for initial spending
- Foreign transaction fees.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Build your foundation with Nav Prime
Options for new businesses are often limited. The first years focus on building your profile and progressing.
Tiffany Verbeck
Digital Marketing Copywriter, Nav
Tiffany Verbeck is a Digital Marketing Copywriter for Nav. She uses the skills she learned from her master’s degree in writing to provide guidance to small businesses trying to navigate the ins-and-outs of financing. Previously, she ran a writing business for three years, and her work has appeared on sites like Business Insider, VaroWorth, and Mission Lane.