The Best Business Travel Credit Cards for Digital Nomads

Last Updated: 1/8/24 | January 8th, 2023

One of the best parts about running a business is the cool business travel credit cards you get access to. These cards tend to have a lot better points-earning abilities and perks than consumer cards. I’ve been running this website for eleven years and have tried a lot of cards during that time.

I’m often asked by other bloggers, creators, and entrepreneurs which business travel credit card is the best.

Well, first, let me say, there is no “best.”

Every business is different, and everyone has different needs. For example, I love the Amex Platinum card’s Delta lounge perk since I fly Delta a lot. (The Centurion Lounges are wonderful too.) Similarly, I love the Delta card because the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) bonus helps me maintain my status. But if you aren’t a Delta flier, then that card doesn’t make sense for you. I also use Chase Ink a lot because their Ultimate Rewards points transfer to a lot of airlines I want to fly. But maybe you like to fly other airlines.

Everyone is different. I have friends who live by American Airlines card, Citi Cards, American Express, and so forth. We’re all different.

So ask yourself, “What is my goal?”

Are you interested in loyalty to a brand, free rewards, or avoiding fees? Do you want to milk the rewards and bonus system to get free flights, or do you just want a card that won’t charge you a fee for using it at that restaurant in Brazil? Is elite status the most important perk for you? Do you want points you can use like cash for anything?

Get the card that aligns with your goals.

But, while there is no one “best” card, there are some that are better than others. Here is my list of favorite travel-related business credit cards.
 

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card

This is my favorite all-around business card. The 1.5% cash back and the fact that there is no annual fee makes it unbeatable as a simple, straightforward biz card. It’s hassle-free, and the current cash-back welcome offer is awesome. When you get this card, you’ll get:

• $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• No annual fee

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This is one of the best cards out there, especially if you’re a Delta flyer or make a lot of large purchases. American Express is known for their perks. If you want quality customer care and lots of benefits, you’ve got to get this card. With this card, you can earn:

• 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months
• 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5x points per dollar on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year
• $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline
• Up to $400 in credit with Dell, $360 credit with Indeed, $150 credit with Adobe (enrollment required)
• Lounge access with the American Express Global Lounge Membership and Priority Pass membership
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Hilton Honors Gold status
• Up to $100 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check every 4 years
• $189 yearly CLEAR® Plus credit (subject to auto-renewal)
• No foreign transaction fees

Fees: $695, pay over time available. (Rates and Fees. Terms apply.).

While the annual fee is pretty high, it does come with a lot of travel benefits that I tend to use a lot. The added statement credits and lounge access make the card worth carrying for me.

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Capital One Spark Miles for Business

I like this card because you get two points on everything. It’s simple. So I use this for the non-bonus categories like paying vendors, restaurants, and whatever else doesn’t come with a bonus from Amex or Chase. Whatever I can’t get 3 points per dollar on them with, I use this card for. When you sign up, you get the following benefits:

• 50,000 miles when you spend $4,500 within the first three months
• 2x miles on every purchase
• 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One travel
• Points transfer to any of their 15+ travel partners
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• No foreign transaction fees
• $0 intro for the first year, $95 annually after that

Capital One Spark
 

American Express® Business Gold Card

This is a great card to earn extra points on your biggest business expenses, as you can get up to 4x points on the two categories where you business spends the most (up to $150,000 each year). I make sure to use this card when paying for purchases in my two largest spending categories. This card comes with a $295 yearly fee ($375 if application is received on or after 2/1/24). Rates & Fees; Terms Apply. With this card, you can earn:

• 70,000 points when you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months
• 4X points on the 2 categories (from 6 eligible categories) where your business spends the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year
• 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores (Enrollment required.)
• Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal)
• No foreign transaction fees

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Airline and Hotel Cards

What about airline and hotel cards? Well, you should get the card for the airline and/or hotel you’re loyal to because they come with free checked bags and preferred boarding and a few other perks. I tend not to use them for my everyday spending since you get better value per dollar spent with Chase or American Express.

I always get the cards for the bonus offer and then keep the cards for the everyday perks so I ensure I get free checked bags, priority boarding, and upgrade opportunities. Most fees are only $95 a year so it’s an easy business expense.

Here are my favorite business cards for various airlines and hotels along with some of their main perks:

card_name – Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Earn 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners as well as on local transit and commuting (including ride sharing). 6,000 point anniversary bonus.

card_name – Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Receive complimentary Hilton Honors(TM) Gold Status, 12X directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 6X at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants, 3X on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply. Rates and fees.

card_name – Earn three Free Night Awards after making $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months. (Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy(R) points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees.) Earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program, 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping, 2X on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. Rates & fees.

card_name – Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 per year. Earn 2x points on United purchases, dining, gas stations, transit, and office supply stores. 2 free United Club passes per year and free checked bag.

card_name – Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Earn 3x points on Delta purchases, 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per year), free checked bag, priority boarding, Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal. Terms apply. $250 annual fee.

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There are a lot of options for business cards, so you can always find something to meet your needs. I usually split my spending between a few cards and then shift my spending if I need to hit any bonus requirements. I have a Delta card for the pay-with-points option, a Marriott card because I stay there a lot, and Chase and American Express cards for everything else.

If you don’t want this many cards and want to keep things simple, stick to a hotel or airline card for the perks and then pick whatever one other card has the most perks you need and just use those!

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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.

For rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see rates and fees.

For rates and fees for the American Express® Business Gold Card, see rates and fees.

For rates and fess for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, see rates and fees.

For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum Business American Express Card, see rates and fees.