7 business credit card perks you never knew existed
Jason Steele
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There are a lot of great reasons to use a business credit card. Credit cards are the safest way to pay for business expenses. You can often earn valuable rewards for your spending in the form of points, miles, and cash back.
They are also convenient; it can be easier for you and your employees to make purchases with a business card than it is to use other forms of payment. And of course, business credit cards can serve as a short term financing option to smooth out cash flow.
But one of the less well known benefits of a business credit card include cardholder perks. While you may be familiar with cash back or travel rewards, there are other cardholder benefits you may be missing.
And, in case you’re wondering, new businesses can often take advantage of business credit cards too. Most of these cards ask for a Social Security number and check personal credit. (Good to excellent personal credit scores are often required.)
Here are 7 business credit card perks you may be missing out on, and where to get them. (When you review these offers, keep in mind additional terms and conditions apply. Read the fine print to make you understand the benefit.)
1. Cell phone protection
Call phones are expensive and so is cell phone insurance. You may be able to save money with credit cards by using their cell phone coverage for theft or damage. Coverage is as high as $1000 per claim with a deductible and a specific number of claims per month. (It may even cover employees listed on your credit card bill.)
You need to pay your monthly bill with the card that offers that coverage, but if you do the coverage will generally be automatic.
Here are three of the best business credit cards that include this benefit:
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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
All information about the Ink Business Preferred® 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 Nav’s credit card page.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This is the top-of-the-line Delta SkyMiles card for frequent business travelers who get the most benefits when flying on Delta. Boost your elite status, get access to airport lounges, and enjoy the luxury travel perks.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Attractive benefits for the frequent Delta flyer
- Offers a Delta SkyClub membership, a companion airfare certificate, and upgrade priority.
Cons
- High annual fee and limited ongoing rewards.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn elite status membership and premium perks for business travel.
Pros
- Access to multiple airport business lounges, $200 annual airline fee credits, elite status with hotel and rental car programs, and strong purchase protection policies
- This card also earns points in Amex’s excellent Membership Rewards program.
Cons
- This card has a steep annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
2. Elite status with hotels
Premium business travel reward cards have many well-known perks, but many cardmembers don’t realize they may also be eligible for elite status with several hotels. Enrollment required.
Elite status may get you free upgrades on hotel rooms, along with other perks like free breakfast, or a free beverage and snack when you check into your hotel. You may even be able to share status with a certain number of employees.
Make sure you sign up for these hotel rewards programs and check whether status is automatic or if you need to opt-in.
Here are 5 of the best credit cards offering this benefit:
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn elite status membership and premium perks for business travel.
Pros
- Access to multiple airport business lounges, $200 annual airline fee credits, elite status with hotel and rental car programs, and strong purchase protection policies
- This card also earns points in Amex’s excellent Membership Rewards program.
Cons
- This card has a steep annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
A great card for the frequent business traveler who enjoys staying at Hilton properties. This card comes with a Hilton rewards status which allows you to enjoy travel perks from room upgrades to bonus points to earn free nights.
Pros
- Generous welcome offer and reward bonus structure.
Cons
- Higher interest rate and an annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
A good option for racking up hotel points. Comes with membership, travel, and airport perks.
Pros
- Earn valuable points with Marriott Bonvoy Hotels and other popular spending categories
- Free Night Awards each year.
Cons
- Marriott Bonvoy points are most valuable when you understand how to use them.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
3. Priority Airline Upgrades
Cobranded airline credit cards offer a variety of benefits such as free checked bags or priority boarding. A few offer the opportunity to get seat upgrades—including first class seats.
There are several ways these programs work but generally you’ll have higher priority for upgraded airline seats compared to others that do not hold the card. Another options is that the cardholder with status (and a companion) may be eligible for an upgrade on a reward ticket. You generally need to have achieved elite status with the airline to qualify, but these cards can also help you earn elite status faster with your business spending.
Here are three business credit cards offering upgrade airline seat benefits:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This is the top-of-the-line Delta SkyMiles card for frequent business travelers who get the most benefits when flying on Delta. Boost your elite status, get access to airport lounges, and enjoy the luxury travel perks.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Attractive benefits for the frequent Delta flyer
- Offers a Delta SkyClub membership, a companion airfare certificate, and upgrade priority.
Cons
- High annual fee and limited ongoing rewards.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
4. Premier status for rental cars
Get premier status with specific car rental agencies, which may offer complimentary car-class upgrades, guaranteed car availability, the ability to skip the rental counter and more. Again, you’ll need to enroll in the car rental company’s loyalty program.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn elite status membership and premium perks for business travel.
Pros
- Access to multiple airport business lounges, $200 annual airline fee credits, elite status with hotel and rental car programs, and strong purchase protection policies
- This card also earns points in Amex’s excellent Membership Rewards program.
Cons
- This card has a steep annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
5. Airline companion certificate
With a companion certificate, you’ll be able to take a companion on a flight with you for free, or for a relatively low flat fee. (Either way, you will have to pay government taxes and fees.) Use it for a friend or family member to accompany you on a vacation, or an employee to accompany you on a business trip.
Note that there may be spending requirements, and it’s generally use it or lose it. If you don’t renew the card and don’t use the certificate, you will likely forfeit it.
Here are five business cards offering this benefit:
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines flyers earn travel perks and build business credit.
Pros
- Provides great benefits with American Airlines and increased rewards on gas, telco and cable.
Cons
- Limited rewards on spending outside of specific categories.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
A great card for business travelers who are loyal Delta flyers. Generous welcome offer and access to next-level travel perks for you and your employees.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Perks when flying with Delta
- Makes it easier to earn Medallion elite status.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles are not worth as much as other airline miles.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This is the top-of-the-line Delta SkyMiles card for frequent business travelers who get the most benefits when flying on Delta. Boost your elite status, get access to airport lounges, and enjoy the luxury travel perks.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Attractive benefits for the frequent Delta flyer
- Offers a Delta SkyClub membership, a companion airfare certificate, and upgrade priority.
Cons
- High annual fee and limited ongoing rewards.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
6. Free delivery
Several business credit cards offer a free DoorDash DashPass (normally $9.99 a month). Some personal credit cards offer complementary InstaCart+ membership and InstaCart credits.
Note that these offers may extend for a specific period of time (for example, 12 months) and you will need to have an account with the delivery service, activate the offer, and then use the credit card with the benefit to pay for your order.
7. Extended Warranty Coverage
Extended warranty coverage applies to purchases you’ve made with your business credit card. On cards that offer it, you’ll get a year — or sometimes more — added to a warranty of three (or five) years or less.
So if you buy some office furniture with a two-year warranty and something breaks six months after that warranty expires, you can submit a claim to your credit card’s benefits administrator.
Again, there are some limitations as far as what items and claims are covered, so knowing your coverage is important.
Quite a few business credit cards offer this benefit. (For example, it’s available on all Capital One Spark business cards, and many American Express business cards.)
Here are several top cards that offer this benefit:
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
A great business card for flexible spending and travel rewards points.
Pros
- Competitive intro APR offer and rewards rate
- No annual fee
- For a limited time, earn Membership Rewards® points on initial spending.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
A great card for the frequent business traveler who enjoys staying at Hilton properties. This card comes with a Hilton rewards status which allows you to enjoy travel perks from room upgrades to bonus points to earn free nights.
Pros
- Generous welcome offer and reward bonus structure.
Cons
- Higher interest rate and an annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn elite status membership and premium perks for business travel.
Pros
- Access to multiple airport business lounges, $200 annual airline fee credits, elite status with hotel and rental car programs, and strong purchase protection policies
- This card also earns points in Amex’s excellent Membership Rewards program.
Cons
- This card has a steep annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
American Express® Business Gold Card
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
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
A great card for business travelers who are loyal Delta flyers. Generous welcome offer and access to next-level travel perks for you and your employees.
Pros
- Amazing limited time offer! Perks when flying with Delta
- Makes it easier to earn Medallion elite status.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles are not worth as much as other airline miles.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The bottom line
Many business credit cards are good for a lot more than just a way for business owners to get a little more time to pay for business purchases or earn rewards. As you compare credit cards for your business, it’s important to view them holistically rather than focusing on just one or two features.
Make sure you compare the cost of the annual fee and interest you’ll pay (if you carry balances) with the benefits you earn to ensure you’re getting good value from your card.
As you consider a card’s perks along with its rewards program, it’ll give you a better idea of just how much value you can squeeze out of the card. Focus on perks that you’ll feasibly be able to use and that meet your business needs.
While you may not choose a small business credit card just for these often unknown perks, you certainly don’t want to overlook them either.
*All information about the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card from Barclay’s, United Business Card, United Club Business Card, AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card , Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card have been collected independently by Nav. These cards are not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
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Jason Steele
As one of the nation's leading experts in credit cards award travel, Jason Steele has been published in over 100 outlets. His articles are regularly syndicated to Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money, and other mainstream outlets. Jason is also the founder of CardCon, which is the annual conference for credit card and consumer credit media.