The 5 Best Overlooked Gas Cards

by Cory Santos
What are the most overlooked gas cards that fly under the radar?

There are tens of thousands of credit card offers available in the United States and more than 1,000 issuers of all shapes and sizes. With so much variety, seeing the same four or five credit card offers on website after website can get frustrating. Instead of considering the usual suspects, you may be better off with a lesser-known rewards card that might actually suit you better. Below are our picks for the top often overlooked gas rewards credit cards.

At a Glance


Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature®
GM Business Card™
Alliant Cashback Visa Signature
Ollo Rewards Card

What Are the Most Overlooked and Under-the-Radar Gas Credit Cards?

Here are some of our favorite gas credit cards you might not have otherwise considered:

Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature® Card

Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature® Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Visa Processing Network
$69 Annual Fee

Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature® Card

  • 20.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 20.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.74% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature® Card is a dependable airline credit card ideal for those who primarily travel to and from major U.S. cities or whose international travels fall during the popular travel seasons.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • 3 points per $1 spent on Sun Country purchases
  • 2 points per $1 spent on gas & groceries
  • 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Regular Purchase APR: 20.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 20.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.74% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Annual Fee: $69
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $35
  • You primarily travel to and from major U.S. cities
  • You plan on visiting in Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean during peak travel season
  • You will spend $1,500 within the first 3 months and take advantage of the 35,000 sign up bonus points ($350 value)
  • You will spend $10,000 per year to take advantage of the 10,000 bonus points ($100 value)
Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature® Card

Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature® Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

When it comes to filling up your tank on your daily commute, the last thing that pops into your head for a credit card is the Sun Country Airlines® Visa Signature®. Despite that, the generous airline rewards card can help get you to your next vacation destination with every swipe as you head to work, home, or anywhere else on your commute.

The card, from FNBO, EARNS 3X points on Sun Country purchases, 2X on gas and groceries, and 1X on all other purchases and also provides a straightforward, no-nonsense sign-up bonus worth approximately $250 towards future travel. Even better, there are no blackout dates when booking award flights through Sun Country! And since Sun Country Airlines currently flies to over 80 destinations throughout the Caribbean, United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America, there are plenty of great places to visit.

Sun Country credit cardholders also enjoy 50% off seat selections and one bag for both them and a passenger traveling when on the same flight (a potential savings of $55 per person), free priority boarding (a $10 value), and one free premium drink. The only real downer is the $69 annual fee – but if you plan to fly often, this might be a great, under-the-radar gas card option to consider.

 

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Choosing an auto rewards card for gas purchases isn’t that under-the-radar, but when businesses choose an auto card, they can earn some serious rewards to help strengthen their bottom line and reserves. That said, the GM Business Card is an auto credit card from Marcus from Goldman Sachs whose earnings can only be applied towards purchasing or leasing a GM vehicle from a dealership.

The card earns 5% in Earnings on eligible GM dealership parts, accessories, or service purchases, 3% in Earnings on purchases at gas stations, restaurants, and office supply stores, and 1% on all other purchases. There’s the solid introductory bonus of  $750 in Bonus Earnings towards the purchase or lease of an eligible, new GM vehicle after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first five months, too.

All that sounds great – especially when you factor in the lack of many of the typical fees you see with business cards. That means there are no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, or cash advance fees. But the downside with the card is that it only offers one redemption choice: the lease or purchase of a GM vehicle.

If your company seeks to expand or replace its fleet, or even if you are a sole proprietor or freelancer looking for a new ride, the lucrative GM Business Card from Marcus might be for you.

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

  • 17.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 17.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 25.24% to 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card offers exceptional cash back rewards, premium travel perks, and no foreign transaction fees. The card also features no annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn up to 2.5% cash back with no categories to keep track of
  • Earn up to $250 in cash back per billing cycle
  • Use this card with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Regular Purchase APR: 17.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 17.24% to 27.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer
  • Cash Advance APR: 25.24% to 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Penalty APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $27
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $27
  • You have excellent credit
  • You plan to spend frequently with a credit card
  • You travel frequently
  • You qualify for an Alliant Credit Union membership
Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
​

Another perennially overlooked gas credit card is the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card from Alliant Credit Union. This card – which also featured prominently in our recent Best Overlooked Cash Back Credit Cards article – is a powerful cash back card for anyone serious about maximizing their rewards.

The impressive cash back card earns a dizzying 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases and 1.5% back on all purchases once you pass that $10,000 threshold. Receiving that 2.5% back requires an Alliant high rate checking account to maintain an average daily balance of $1,000 for the quarter before the billing statement in which the rewards are earned. Otherwise, you’ll earn a flat-rate 1.5% back on all purchases – still on par with the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®.

Joining Alliant Credit Union is easy, so there is no need to worry about confusing eligibility requirements. Beyond the typical eligibility to anyone who lives or works in one of the Illinois counties Alliant serves or who is family of current Alliant Credit Union members, the credit union also welcomes members of the Foster Care to Success (FC2S) organization.

The FC2S organization seeks to help those teens who are aging out of the foster care system and awards grants and scholarships for higher education and provides care packages, mentoring, and internships. Joining FC2S costs a one-time $5 fee – but don’t fret! Alliant will also pay the one-time $5 membership fee to FC2S on your behalf, meaning it’s easy (and free) to join Alliant Credit Union anywhere in the United States.

Ollo Rewards Card

Ollo Rewards Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Fair-Poor
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Fair / Poor
Mastercard Processing Network
$0 to $39 Annual Fee

Ollo Rewards Card

  • 23.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness Regular Purchase APR
  • 23.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness Balance Transfer APR
  • 23.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

Earning unlimited cash back has never been easier thanks to the Ollo Rewards Mastercard; earn more from every dollar you spend and save money even as you make everyday purchases. Cardholders will earn 2% cash back on gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases in addition to 1% back on everything else and no surprise fees or penalty APRs. This is how to build credit – the right way.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Low, competitive annual fee
  • Unlimited 2% cash back on gas station, grocery store and drugstore purchases. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees, no over the limit fees, no returned payment fees
  • Zero Fraud Liability
  • Regular Purchase APR: 23.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness
  • Balance Transfer APR: 23.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each Balance Transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 23.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each Cash Advance, whichever is greater
  • Annual Fee: $0 to $39
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You want a card with no surprise fees
  • You want Zero Fraud Liability
  • You are looking to build your credit score, or repair it, while earning up to 2% unlimited cash back
  • You want a card with 24/7 customer service and online account access
Ollo Rewards Card

Ollo Rewards Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

Having subprime or near-prime credit can make finding a rewards card offering more than 1% back on purchases daunting. The Ollo Rewards Card, however, provides enhanced, unlimited rewards on the type of everyday rewards covered here – including gas. Cardholders earn an unlimited 2% cash back on all gas station, grocery store, and drugstore purchases, plus 1% back on all other purchases. While the rewards redemption options are non-existent (you can use them to pay down your balances), they can help you save significant money on your monthly card bill with responsible use.

And responsible use is the name of the game with Ollo. Ollo credit cards are particularly beneficial for those with limited or fair credit histories, as they offer an opportunity to build or rebuild credit. These cards provide tools and resources for monitoring your credit score, fraud protection through Mastercard, and more.

There are downsides to Ollo. For starters, not everyone can apply. You must receive an invitation from Ollo with a reservation number and an access code to apply, meaning the card might be out of reach for many. Also, the card charges a variable annual fee depending on your credit score (fees range from $0 to $39 annually).

Those without a reservation code should check out the Aspire® Cashback Rewards Credit Card. This subprime rewards card features a higher variable annual fee but provides 3% back on gas, groceries, and utilities and 1% on everything else.

Overlooked Gas Card Honorable Mention

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

  • 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 12 months Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

Cardholders can earn up to 3X points on everyday purchases with the Wells Fargo AutographSM Card. The card, which features no annual fee and a year-long 0% intro APR period on purchases, earns 3X points on broad categories, including gas, transit, dining, streaming, and more.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Earn 3X points on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans
  • Earn 1X points on all other purchases
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months
  • Regular Purchase APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You already bank with Wells Fargo
  • You want a lucrative credit card without rotating categories
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a no annual fee rewards card that specializes in rewarding your everyday purchases, including gas. The card earns up to 3X points per $1 spent on purchases, with those 3X points coming in the following categories:

Dining Travel Gas
Transit Popular Streaming Services Phone Plans

All other purchases with the Autograph Visa Signature earn a single point per dollar spent on purchases (1X per $1 spent). There are no limits to the total number of reward points you can earn, with those points applying towards the Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards Program.  That program provides an extensive range of award options, including:

Travel You can use your Go Far Rewards points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more through the Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards Travel Center. Points are typically worth a single cent each for travel redemptions. Wells Fargo does not allow members to transfer points to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.
Statement credits You can redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit or a direct deposit into your Wells Fargo checking or savings account.
Gift cards Wells Fargo offers a wide selection of gift cards from various retailers and restaurants.
Merchandise You can use your points to purchase a variety of merchandise, including electronics, home goods, and more, from the Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards portal.
Donations If you’re feeling generous, you can donate your Go Far Rewards points to a select group of charitable organizations. Check the Wells Fargo website for an up-to-date list of charitable partners.
WF products Rewards apply to direct deposits to Wells Fargo banking accounts. If you have a Wells Fargo mortgage, home equity loan, or personal loan, you may be able to use your points to make payments towards your loan balance.

Beyond the lucrative rewards and lack of an annual fee, the Autograph Card also comes with a lengthy 0% intro APR period of 12 months on purchases, with a competitive, variable rate after that based on creditworthiness. Add on cell phone protection, no foreign transaction fees, and contactless payment and mobile wallet technology, and you have a great rewards card for your day-to-day life.

Check out more

Gas Rewards Credit Cards

Featured image by JirkaF from Pixabay

PayPal Enables Apple Pay Support for Credit Cards

by Cory Santos
PayPal Apple Pay Integration Added - PayPal Enables Apple Pay Support for its Credit and Debit Cards BestCards

PayPal has finally added Apple Pay support for its co-branded debit and credit cards. The move lets PayPal Cashback and PayPal Prepaid Mastercard members add their cards to Apple Pay for use on their iPads, iPhones, and Apple Watch devices.

PayPal Adds Apple Pay Support to Credit & Debit Cards

For some time, PayPal has avoided providing support for Apple’s Apple Pay mobile wallet to its PayPal credit and debit cards. However, the payments giant is finally rolling out Apple Pay support for its payment products.

The move towards Apple Pay support was expected and was first announced last year as part of a plan to provide broader support for Apple Pay online and Tap to Pay on iPhone for PayPal customers. The move lets PayPal-branded debit or credit cards be added to a cardholder’s Apple Wallet, streamlining ways to pay – and earn – rewards. The Venmo Visa Credit Card is also expected to add Apple Pay support to its credit card – a PayPal subsidiary.

PayPal currently offers a debit card and co-branded credit card for United States customers. The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard is a prepaid debit card option through NetSpend, while the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® is a cash back credit card from Synchrony. The company previously issued the PayPal Extras Mastercard®, although this card is no longer open to new applicants.

The move towards Apple Pay support is especially welcome for PayPal Cashback Mastercard cardholders. That card, which also has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, earns 3% back on PayPal purchases and 2% back on all other purchases. Adding the card to your Apple Wallet can really streamline these purchases and help extend the reach of the card beyond simply the Mastercard or PayPal payment networks – already incredibly robust.

How to Add PayPal Credit and Debit Cards to Apple Pay

Adding credit and debit cards to Apple Pay is a simple process. First, ensure you have your iPhone’s most recent version of the Wallet app. Next, open the Wallet app and perform the following steps to seamlessly add your credit or debit card:

How to add a credit or debit card to your iPhone:
① Open the Wallet app after downloading the latest version, then tap the "Add" button
② Select the "Debit or Credit Card" to add a new card to your Wallet
③ Select "Continue"
④ Follow the steps on the screen to add a new card
⑤ Finish adding your card by verifying your information with your bank or card issuer. This will vary by bank

You can add the card to your watch if you have a paired Apple Watch.

Related Article: Digital Wallets 101: How to Add a Credit Card to a Digital Wallet

Featured image by PayPal

How To Use Your Citi Card for Entertainment

by Jeannyn Gomez
How To Use Your Citi Card for Entertainment

During the beginning hits of the pandemic, we were all, for the most part, stuck at home. With the vaccines rolled out, slowly but surely, exploring and living life is back on the table, and entertainment is at the heart of it all. Citi Entertainment® can be the place to explore new experiences. Here’s how to use your Citi card for entertainment.

What Is Citi Entertainment®?

Citi Entertainment® is an online portal full of entertainment possibilities. Anyone with a Citi® credit card or Citibank® Debit Card can use the portal to gain special access to entertainment. On the website, you will find thousands of event sales, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year’s most anticipated concerts, sporting events, dining experiences, and more.

To gain special access while on the Citi Entertainment® website, cardholders will be asked to use the first six digits of their Citi® credit card or Citibank® Debit Card as a passcode to search for tickets. Search the site for happening events or artist concerts in a city near you and filter out whatever dates work for you.

If you’re not banking with Citibank yet, consider a Citi® credit card to access the exclusive experiences available on Citi Entertainment®. Citibank has plenty of credit cards to choose from that can fit whatever lifestyle you live. If you’re looking for a simple card that covers your basic needs, the Citi Simplicity® Card may be a credit card match for you.

The card has no late fees, no penalty rate, and no annual fee…ever. It’s also an excellent option for anyone seeking a balance transfer credit card, as it has a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer. Additionally, it has a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening. In the same vein, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offers similar benefits.

Citi Simplicity® Card Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro APR on purchases 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening
Intro APR on balance transfers 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer
Annual Fee No annual fee No annual fee

If your preferred style of credit card is a rewards card, you may want to consider a card like the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. It earns up to 4% cash back, it also includes travel perks – all for no annual fee. If you’re not a Costco shopper, there are other Citi rewards card like the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card which earns up to  5% cash back on purchases, or the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer which earns 2% cash back on every purchase.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Citi Custom Cash℠ Card Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

With the potential to earn cash back on your purchases, Citi Entertainment® exclusive access to events will accumulate you some credit card rewards. The Citi Entertainment® events are ever forever changing. Currently, some featured events include the 60th New York Film Festival, Usher My Way The Vegas Experience, Citi VIP Tickets to the Kelly Clarkson Show, and more.

In addition to the Citi Entertainment® portal, Citi is partnering with Booking.com to create a Citi Travel portal for Citi ThankYou Rewards credit cardholders. Learn more about the partnership here.

Related Article: New Citi Merchant Offers for Credit Cards

Featured image by Cesare Ferrari/Getty Images

Commonly Unknown Credit Card Perks

by Jeannyn Gomez
Commonly Unknown Credit Card Perks

Last updated on September 20th, 2023

Between cash back, reward points, and earned miles you may be blind-sighted at the fact that some credit cards have additional features not commonly bragged about. The truth is that those commonly unknown credit card perks can be your added peace of mind.

Obscure Credit Card Perks

Most of the commonly unknown credit card perks on our list are better suited for travel plans. However, some will grant you extra protections for your purchases. Keep an eye out for these commonly unknown credit card perks the next time you’re on the hunt for a new credit card.

Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance

Believe it or not, some credit cards offer insurance on canceled trips. When traveling anything can happen. Emergencies like sickness or weather conditions have the potential to completely cancel a planned trip. With trip cancellation and interruption insurance, cardholders can have some peace of mind if their non-refundable passenger fare gets canceled, because with this credit card perk you get reimbursed for your canceled or interrupted flight. The original purchase of your fare must be done with a said credit card to be covered. Always check with your credit card issuer for restrictions, limitations, and exclusions as these rules vary with different issuers.

Priority Boarding and Free Checked Bag

Most convenient for a smoother travel experience (and less pricey), there are credit cards that offer priority boarding and a free checked bag as benefits. Use a credit card with priority boarding perks and be among the first groups to board a flight. Conveniently board your plane and store your carry-ons in the overhead space without having to deal with making space for your bags. In addition, a free checked bag goes a long way to save money on an added expense.

Luggage Protection

Ever experiences the fear of losing your luggage while traveling? That is where the luggage protection credit card benefit works magic. While losing your luggage is not a happy moment, with luggage protection you can at least get reimbursed for valuables you may have been traveling with. Typically, this feature has a reimbursement limit dependent on the card issuer’s terms. Make sure to read through them to be in the know of how this card benefit works.

Airport Lounge Access

The airport lounge access may be the most popular on our list of commonly unknown credit card perks. Access to the perk typically includes access to the card issuers exclusive lounge, if any. Otherwise, the card issuer may include membership for services offered through companies like Priority Pass. If you’re not familiar with Priority Pass, understand that it is a membership for airport lounge access. Priority Pass has over 1,300 airport lounges ready to help travelers avoid crowds and help themselves to convenient amenities like wi-fi, lounge areas, showers, and more.

Auto Rental Insurance

Also known as auto rental collision damage waiver, this credit card perk can help cover the costs of insurance at the car rental counter. This credit card benefit can help you save money on your car rental. Learn everything you need to know about credit card rental car insurance here.

Extra Protection Credit Card Perks

We can’t leave these next three perks off our list. They too provide added protections with the use of your credit card.

Additional Protection Perks include:

  • Cell Phone Protections
  • Purchase Protection
  • Extended warranties

Related Article: Ultimate Guide to Retail and Store Credit Cards

Featured Image by Dean Drobot/Canva

What Are the Easiest Business Credit Cards to Get?

by Cory Santos
can you get a business credit card without great credit

Last updated on September 5th, 2023

Establishing and maintaining good credit is crucial for businesses to access capital, manage cash flow, and build financial credibility. However, businesses with no credit history or poor credit face challenges when seeking credit card products. Fortunately, quality options are available that are specifically designed to cater to these businesses. Here are the easiest business credit cards to get if you have bad or limited credit history:

At a Glance


First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard®
Revenued Business Card Visa®
Ramp Card
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Why Should Companies Build Credit?

Before jumping in, let’s quickly cover why it is important for businesses to build credit. Establishing strong credit allows you to obtain the capital your company needs to expand, purchase inventory, pay for travel, and conserve your available cash to cover your business costs. Here are a few more reasons why you should prioritize building business credit for your brand:

Keep personal and company finances separate Track business expenses Take advantage of business-centric perks not available with personal cards
Access more spending power Establish and build up business credit Provide employees with a way to pay for business expenses

Secured Business Cards

Secured business cards are an excellent starting point for businesses with no credit or bad credit. These cards require a security deposit that acts as collateral against the credit line. Here’s what you need to know about this unique type of business credit card:

Understanding Secured Business Cards
How to use secured business cards Secured business cards function similarly to traditional credit cards, but they require an upfront deposit. The deposit amount typically determines the credit limit. For example, if you deposit $1,000, your credit limit will likely be $1,000.
How to build credit By responsibly using a secured business card, you can begin building a positive credit history. Regularly making on-time payments and keeping credit utilization low are key factors in improving your credit score. Once your business credit score grows you will be able to apply for more lucrative business rewards cards.
How to move up to better offers After demonstrating responsible credit behavior for a certain period, some card issuers may offer the chance to upgrade to an unsecured credit card. This means you’ll receive your deposit back and transition to a card with a higher credit limit. You will also receive your deposit back when you close your secured credit card account and pay off any remaining balances.

Before applying for a secured business card, always make sure to consider all aspects of the card in question, including the minimum deposit required, the annual fee, APR, and rewards (if applicable). If you plan to provide your employees with their own cards, ensure the bank provides employee cards at no additional cost.

First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard®

First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard®
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Poor-No Credit Required
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Poor / No Credit Required
Mastercard Processing Network
$39 Annual Fee

First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard®

  • 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® offers companies the chance to build credit and advance to more lucrative rewards cards. From Missouri-based First Bank, the card features scalable credit, a fixed-rate APR, and a $39 annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Build credit with on-time payments
  • Reward yourself with interest earned on your security deposit
  • $39 annual fee
  • Regular Purchase APR: 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 27.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Annual Fee: $39
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: $35
  • Over Limit Penalty Fee: $39
  • Minimum Deposit Required: $2,200
  • You’re a business owner with little to no credit history
  • You would like a suite of online account management tools
  • You can afford the steep security deposit requirements
First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard®

First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard®

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

There aren’t many secured business cards on the market anymore, but the First Bank Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® is a good example of this type. The card requires a security deposit of at least $2,200 to open an account but provides a solid platform for building credit and moving on to more impressive offerings down the line. First Bank offers other business card products, meaning you may qualify for the bank’s 1.5% cash back business card with timely payments and good credit habits.

One nice feature of the Business Edition® Secured Mastercard® is that your security deposit earns interest, like a business savings account. That isn’t the same as cash back rewards, but it is still a great feature that can add an additional layer of appeal as your business credit grows.

Corporate Cards

Corporate credit cards are typically designed for established businesses, but options are available for businesses with no credit or bad credit. What separates corporate cards and business credit cards is the liability for the debt on the card.

With small business credit cards, the business owner is personally responsible for any debt accrued with card use – including debt on additional employee cards. Small business credit cards also directly affect the business owner’s credit. If small business credit cards are used irresponsibly, it will harm the business owner’s credit score.

In contrast, with a corporate credit card, debt or financial liability does not fall on the business owner. Instead, debt responsibility or liability rests on the business itself. For this reason, eligibility for corporate credit cards is much stricter for approval.

Revenued Business Card

Revenued Business Card
Apply Now Terms & Conditions
Poor-No Credit Required
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Poor / No Credit Required
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Revenued Business Card

  • See Terms* Regular Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Revenued Business Card combines the benefits of a business card with a Flex Line of capital. This combination means there are no hard credit checks to apply, with Flex Lines available in as little as 24 hours, with no hidden fees or annual fees.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • No annual fee and no draw fee
  • Includes flex line, similar to a line of credit and only pay for what you use
  • Access cash on demand with funds deposited straight into your bank account
  • Fast and easy application process – apply online and receive a funding decision in as little as an hour
  • Approvals based on your business revenue and not personal credit
  • As your revenue increases, spending limits also increase
  • Access to business credit tools – Revenued reports to D&B to help build your business credit
  • Access to a dedicated U.S-based account manager to help you make the most of being a Revenued card holder
  • Rated Excellent on Trustpilot with 600+ reviews
  • Regular Purchase APR: See Terms*
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: See Terms
  • You have a business with at least $10,000 or more in monthly deposits
  • You don’t want to use your personal cards for their business
  • You don’t want to pay any annual fees or draw fees
  • You’re looking for a simple solution to access business credit with a fast and easy application process
Revenued Business Card

Revenued Business Card

Terms & Conditions
Apply Now Terms & Conditions

The Revenued Business Card Visa® is a business card and Flex Line combination. Revenued’s revolutionary small business scoring system looks beyond personal credit. Instead, it looks at revenue to offer companies much more than their current personal credit card or business card would. Revenued believes all businesses should have access to capital, no matter their credit score.

Applying for Revenued is simple. Revenued doesn’t perform a hard pull on an applicant’s personal credit score, instead basing Flex Line limits on revenue – and not FICO score alone. Once you apply, you’ll receive a funding decision in as little as an hour and have access to your funds within 24 hours. There’s even a dedicated Account Manager to help you make the most of being a Revenued cardholder.

But Revenued is more than just a line of credit. The card also provides lucrative rewards, including a decent welcome offer. New accounts can receive $500 in cash back after spending $5,000 on the card in the first three months, and the card earns an unlimited 3% cash back on all purchases.

Ramp Card

Ramp Card
Apply Now Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good-Fair-Poor
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good / Fair / Poor
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Ramp Card

  • See Terms Regular Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Ramp Card is a corporate charge card that provides businesses far more than just purchasing power and cash back rewards. Companies enjoy access to up to 20X more capital, extended payment terms, and unparalleled software integrations to streamline finances – all for no annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
  • No fees – including foreign transaction, setup, or replacement fees
  • Use to shop at any retailer worldwide that accepts Visa cards
  • Add virtual cards to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay
  • Block or restrict spending to a specific vendor – for either a specific card or your entire company
  • Regular Purchase APR: See Terms
  • You struggle with expense reports, reimbursements, and receipts
  • You want a charge card without interest rates or fees
  • You want a corporate card that offers enforceable employee spending limits
  • You plan to issue multiple employee cards
  • You have at least $75,000 in your primary business bank account
  • You spend at least $10,000 per month on your cards
Ramp Card

Ramp Card

Terms & Conditions
Apply Now Terms & Conditions

Ramp is another funding option for businesses looking to boost their credit. The Ramp Card provides businesses with access to up to 20X more capital, extended payment terms, and unparalleled software integrations to streamline finances – all for no annual fee. In fact, Ramp does away with fees, meaning you won’t see an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and there’s no interest on purchases. Because Ramp is a charge card, companies must repay the full balance monthly.

The Ramp Card also provides quality cash back rewards, with cardholders earning a flat rate of 1.5% back on all purchases. Even better, Ramp also offers complimentary employee cards, so it’s even easier to spend – and earn rewards – no matter where your business takes you. Rewards are easily redeemable for statement credits through the Ramp interface: simply log in and request a statement credit.

Is the Ramp Card or Revenued Card right for your business? Here is a quick comparison of the two:

Ramp Card Revenued Business Card Visa® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Card
Welcome offer N/A Receive $500 in cash back after spending $5,000 on your card in the first 3 months N/A
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase Earn 3% cash back on every purchase Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Integrations Block or restrict spending to a specific vendor – for either a specific card or your entire company N/A QuickBooks
Fees No fees – including foreign transaction, setup, or replacement fees No fees or hard credit checks to apply $1,000 deposit

Traditional, Unsecured Business Cards

Finding a good business credit card with limited credit is tricky, but options are available. These cards are geared towards companies with bad credit to average credit and offer a straightforward platform to manage your business credit.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Good-Fair
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Good / Fair
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

  • 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

With 1% cash back for every purchase and no annual fee, the Spark® Classic from Capital One® credit card is a straightforward option that businesses can use to start building their credit. Free employee cards and numerous account management options are also beneficial features of the Spark® Classic from Capital One® for those with average credit that get approved.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
  • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen, and get real-time alerts of fraud attempts via text, email, or phone
  • Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Regular Purchase APR: 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance APR: 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Penalty APR: 34.4% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $39
  • You want to earn 1% cash back on all purchases, every day, without having to worry about complicated categories
  • You have average credit and want to boost your rating by displaying responsible spending habits
  • You do not want to pay annual fees or foreign transaction fees
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The Spark® Classic from Capital One® is a straightforward option that businesses can use to start building credit. This no annual fee business card earns unlimited 1% cash back for your business on every purchase, complimentary employee cards, and Visa® Business benefits, such as an auto rental collision damage waiver or travel and emergency assistance services.

Capital One has a great selection of business credit cards under the Spark brand, meaning the Classic version is a great way to build credit and graduate to more lucrative options from the bank, including the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business, which offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases – also with no annual fee.

Business Debit Cards

Prepaid debit cards can be an excellent tool for managing business expenses, providing convenient access to funds, and controlling spending. Debit cards also require no credit check or cash flow guarantees to open, making them a great idea for companies with limited credit history. When selecting a prepaid debit card for your business, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure it aligns with your specific needs.

Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard

Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Poor-No Credit Required
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Poor / No Credit Required
Mastercard Processing Network
$119.40 ($9.95 per month) Annual Fee

Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard

At a Glance

The Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard is a versatile prepaid card designed to give companies better control of their finances and accept mobile and online payments through the optional ProPay® account.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Accept Card Payments With ProPay®
  • Earn rebates with Mastercard Easy Savings®
  • Easily manage employee spending
  • Separate business expenses from personal expenses
  • No minimum balance
  • Annual Fee: $119.40 ($9.95 per month)
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3.5% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • You own or operate a small business looking for a convenient way to manage electronic payments
  • You want to keep your business and personal expenses organized
  • You want to earn rebates with Mastercard Easy Savings® on business expenses
Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard

Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard is a solid choice for companies looking for a simple prepaid card to manage their accounts. The card helps small companies separate personal and business expenses through a dedicated account. You can even set up subaccounts to give your employees spending power while also allowing your account managers to monitor and control subaccount spending.

The Netspend® Small Business Prepaid Mastercard lets cardholders take their business anywhere. Netspend® offers the option of ProPay®, which accepts payments through their website. You can add a dedicated “Buy It Now” button to your site and let ProPay® directly deposit all funds straight into your prepaid account.

Other Business Card Options

Here are a few more business card options for companies with limited or no credit history:


BILL Divvy Corporate Card
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
GM Business Card™

Tips for Building Business Credit

Building credit for a business is different from building credit as an individual. Here’s a quick guide to building credit for your company.

First things first. To build business credit, you need first to establish a clear separation between personal and business finances. Create a separate legal entity for your business, such as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). This separation shields personal assets from business liabilities, ensuring that credit activity is tied solely to the business.

Once you’ve created a company to separate your business and personal expenses, you can apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is a unique identifier the IRS provides to identify your business for tax purposes.

Once you have your EIN and have set up a separate business deposit account, you can begin to build credit by establishing trade lines. Contact vendors and suppliers who are willing to extend credit to your business. Start by requesting credit terms with local businesses or suppliers you regularly interact with. Building a positive payment history with these trade accounts is critical in establishing initial credit references for your business.

And once you do all that, you can start applying for business credit cards and further establishing a positive credit history. Here are a few helpful tricks for maintaining those good credit habits for small businesses:
① Don’t treat business credit like free money Credit cards can seem like free money to spend, especially when those purchases aren’t automatically deducted from your company’s bank account immediately. Because credit cards can seem like “invisible money”, you should always treat credit lines as you would you own physical funds. Only spend what you can afford to pay off either right away, or easily with a strict payment plan.
② Make more than just the minimum payment Making the minimum monthly payment due on your credit card can seem like a good idea, but it can result in quickly accumulating significant credit card balances. Always try to pay off the full balance owed every month.
③ Work with partners that report to credit bureaus Building credit requires working with partners who report credit and financial details to the major reporting bureaus. Some lenders, including SmartBiz and Fundbox, do not report to credit agencies and won’t build your business credit.
④ Monitor your credit reports Businesses have credit reports just like consumers. Business credit reports in the United States are typically generated by Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax.
⑤ Keep your information current When you monitor your business credit, always make sure to check if your company’s information is up to date. Check to ensure contact information is accurate, there are no unknown trade lines, or other incorrect information.

Check out more

Business Credit Cards

Featured image by StartupStockPhotos/ Pixabay

Are You a Freelancer? Consider a Small Business Credit Card

by Cory Santos
freelance-consider-a-small-business-credit-card

Last updated on January 30th, 2024

The life of the freelancer and solo entrepreneur is one of constant hustle. Whether it’s trying to land a deal or attempting to devise the next big thing, a little financial help is always welcome. Business credit cards are a great way to finance your freelance gigs while earning lucrative rewards. If you have a side hustle, why not apply for a business credit card to help manage your expenses? Here’s why freelancers should consider getting one:

Table of Contents

At a Glance

  • Many freelancers can benefit significantly from business credit cards, thanks to bigger and more business-centric rewards and accounting software designed to help manage expenses.
  • Because business rewards vary significantly, it is important to carefully examine the rates, fees, and bonus categories with each card you compare. 
  • Business credit card applications require greater transparency and information than consumer credit cards. Be prepared to do some legwork to ensure you qualify before applying.
  • Always opt for business cards without an annual fee if you cannot make up for it with your card’s benefits and rewards.

What Are the Benefits of a Business Credit Card?

Business credit cards offer a variety of perks when compared to personal credit cards:

Bigger sign-up bonuses Many business credit cards come with more significant signup bonuses than personal credit cards. Some of the best business cards offer bonuses of 100,000 points or more after meeting a minimum spending requirement.
Unique spending categories Business credit cards occasionally earn bonus points or miles for purchases in categories that personal cards don’t offer. Common bonus categories for business cards include office supplies, internet and telecommunications, advertising, shipping, and more. These categories may align better with your spending habits than other personal bonus categories.
Higher credit limits Most small business credit cards come with substantially higher limits than personal cards. According to Experian, the average credit limit for a personal card is about $30,000; for a small business credit card; however, the average credit limit is $56,000.
Expense and spend management tools Business cards come with a variety of business monitoring tools. These can help streamline your finances, track purchases, and even assist in writing off spending as a business expense.
Travel benefits Some business cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, include a signup bonus worth a free flight after you spend a certain amount within the first few months of card membership, and more.

Can a Freelancer Get a Business Credit Card? 

Most people assume you need a physical location or an LLC to qualify for a business card. This, however, isn’t true. You need a registered business, but the qualifications of a “business” are surprisingly broad.

If you are a freelancer, you sell your goods on eBay or Amazon, or even teach music to local children, for example, you may qualify for a business credit card. If you engage in any work where you earn money – without being an employee for someone else – you probably qualify as having a business.

When Does a Business Card Make Sense for Freelancers?

A business card can be a powerful tool for freelancers looking to maximize their rewards and extend their cash flow. With a business credit card, you gain access to a revolving line of credit that can help you
manage cash flow gaps and unexpected expenses. This flexibility allows you to seize upon opportunities when they pop up and invest in your business without raiding your personal savings. Whether you need to purchase new equipment, start a new social media marketing campaign to build your brand, or cover travel expenses for client meetings, a business card provides the necessary funds to keep your freelance business running smoothly.

Many business cards offer additional perks and benefits that can directly contribute to your professional growth and personal comfort. These benefits may include travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranties, or exclusive business-related discounts. Utilizing these exclusive features
can save time and money, allowing you to focus on what you do best – delivering exceptional freelance services to your clientele.

Let’s use an example to demonstrate how freelancers can benefit from business credit cards.

Sarah is a graphic designer looking to build her fledgling business. A business card could help Sarah invest in professional software and equipment. By leveraging the credit card’s cash back rewards, she could earn money while building her design portfolio and delivering high-quality work to her clients.

A freelance writer, John, could use his business credit card’s travel rewards to attend industry conferences and networking events. This would allow John the ability to expand his professional network, secure new clients, and ultimately increase his freelance income.

Pros & Cons of Business Cards for Freelancers

Pros Cons
Business credit cards help freelancers separate their personal and business expenses, making it easier to track and manage finance Some business credit cards may require a personal guarantee, putting the freelancer’s personal assets at risk if the business is unable to repay the debt.
Using a business card responsibly can help freelancers build a strong credit profile for their business, which can be beneficial when seeking financing or other business opportunities in the future. While rewards can be a benefit, managing and maximizing rewards programs can be time-consuming and may not always align with the freelancer’s business needs.
Business cards can provide freelancers with a financial buffer, allowing them to cover expenses during lean months or when awaiting client payments. Like other credit cards, business credit cards can lead to debt, causing financial strain and high-interest payments.
Business cards often come with expense tracking tools and reporting features, simplifying tax preparation and financial reporting for freelancers.

How to Apply for a Small Business Credit Card

If you fall into the category of freelancer, tutor, or any of the other types of businesses that you could operate by yourself, you will need to apply for a business card as a sole proprietor.

Typically, when applying for a business card as a sole proprietor, there isn’t much more information required than you’d expect to provide in a personal credit card application. There are, however, a few bits of information to be aware of:

Info Explained
① The legal name and contact address of your business Even if you don’t provide your personal information, you will need to provide all relevant contact information for your business, including the company’s legal name, any names your company is doing business under, and the mailing and phone contact information.
② Basic information about your business Most banks and lenders want to know some basic facts about your company. These facts include your industry type, the structure of your company and number of employees, and your annual revenue.
③ Tax ID number Most business card applications require a tax ID number, which is the number the IRS uses to designate your company when you file your taxes.

Many sole proprietorships have no employees – and never plan to hire additional help. Still, business credit card applications often ask for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is basically an SSN for a business – it is the same as a tax ID. If you are a freelancer, tutor, run an online shop, or run some other solo venture, chances are you won’t need your EIN or tax ID. The IRS stipulates that an EIN is only necessary for those companies that:

  • Have employees
  • Operate as a partnership or corporation
  • Withhold taxes on income (other than wages) paid to a non-resident alien
  • Have a Keogh plan
  • Are involved with trusts, estates, real estate mortgage investments, non-profits, farmer’s co-ops, or plan administrators.
④ Estimated monthly spend on the card Lenders want to ensure that your business’ finances aren’t stretched too thin, so expect to answer basic questions about how much you – and your employees – typically place on credit cards each month.
⑤ Personal credit history If you need to provide a personal guarantee, expect to provide all relevant credit information for the primary account holder. This information includes full legal name, home contact information (phone number, mailing address, e-mail), and your Social Security Number.

If none of these apply to your side hustle, congratulations – you will only need to provide your personal Social Security Number.

What Credit Score Do You Need?

Getting approved for a small business credit card generally requires a good credit score. If your personal FICO Score is 690 or above, you have a good shot at getting a small business card.

There are some secured business credit cards, but unless you are looking to establish a strong credit history for your company, they aren’t worth considering. The reason to avoid a small business secured card is that they require a much larger minimum deposit than regular secured cards – making them suitable for larger companies with a good deal of fluid capital.

What Are the Most Important Things to Look at Before Applying for a Business Credit Card as a Freelancer?

Business credit cards offer a ton of value for freelancers who plan on using them correctly – but what exactly should you keep an eye out for? Here are the most important things to look at when evaluating a new business credit card as a  freelancer:

Look for Options with No Annual Fee

One of the biggest considerations you should take into account is the card’s annual fee. Business cards often carry an annual fee of around $95 to $99 for a good travel rewards business card, thanks to the ability to issue multiple (usually free) employee credit cards and pool points within a single corporate account. Because of that, these co-branded business cards are usually not recommended for freelancers – unless their cash flow is significant enough to justify that yearly charge.

Proprietary rewards credit cards from banks like American Express, Capital One, and Chase are another option for freelancers who want rewards but prefer to avoid an annual fee. Cards with names like Chase Ink, Capital One Spark, and Wells Fargo Signify typically offer streamlined rewards, lucrative sign-up bonuses, and, most importantly, no annual fees.

Make Sure You Fully Understand the Rewards Categories

It’s essential to always read the terms & conditions of a credit card’s rewards program before applying – especially for business credit cards. Business credit card rewards are often entirely different from personal credit cards, with a heavier emphasis on categories like office supplies, utilities and services, advertising, software, and others.

Always compare the rewards of any business credit card with a comparable consumer credit card to see which card better suits your needs. For example, those who work from home might find significantly lesser value in a travel business card like the American Express Business Gold than the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash® The latter earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year. It also earns 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (and 1% back on everything else) – far more suited to a work-from-home freelancer.

Here is an example of what to look at with different types of business cards:


Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Capital One Spark® Cash Select
GM Business Card™
Issuer Chase Capital One (Marcus) Goldman Sachs
Annual fee $0 $0 $0
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year, 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, and 1% back on all other purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. Plus, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5% back in Earnings on eligible GM dealership parts, accessories, or service purchases, 3% in Earnings on purchases at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores, and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome offer value ~ $750 ~ $650 ~ $750
Intro APR 0% for 12 months on purchases N/A 0% for 12 months on purchases

Seek the Best Welcome Offers

Business credit cards are known for huge welcome and sign-up bonuses – savvy freelancers know this fact. These welcome bonuses require a much greater expenditure than you would expect from a personal credit card but also come with significantly larger bonuses for reaching those goals. Freelancers can benefit from these lofty sign-up bonuses if they have existing plans to use their new business cards to invest in hardware, software, or any other office and business upgrades you might be considering.

Business Controls to Help You Run Your Business

Just because you are a freelancer doesn’t mean you aren’t a business. After all, if you weren’t, the banks wouldn’t let you apply for a business credit card, right? And because of that, business cards make perfect sense to freelancers thanks to the impressive business controls and account management tools they provide.

Business cards come with a variety of business monitoring solutions. These can help streamline your finances, track purchases, and even assist in writing off spending as a business expense. Look for business cards with features like expense tracking, which can prove invaluable during tax time as it can help you streamline your business expenses and decrease your overall tax liabilities.

Conclusion

So, should you consider a small business credit card for your side gig? If you qualify, the answer may be “yes.”

As a freelancer without an LLC, applying for a business credit card can be a great way to separate your personal and business expenses, build your credit score, and take advantage of rewards and perks. However, it is important to consider the factors involved and take the necessary steps to ensure a successful application and responsible card use going forward.

The key takeaways to think about before applying for a business card are:

  • Can you meet the spending requirements for any signup bonuses?
  • Do the bonus categories fit into your spending habits better than a personal credit card?
  • Will you make use of the business management tools included with the card?
  • Do you plan to write off some of your purchases as a business expense?
  • Do you mind tying your credit score in with your business ventures?

You’ll know if a business credit card is right for you once you answer these questions. From there, check out our Business Credit Cards page to find the perfect one to fit your needs.

Related Article: 4 Top Business Cards You’ve Never Heard Of

 

7 Best Credit Cards For Home Improvements

by Jeannyn Gomez
7 Best Credit Cards For Home Improvements

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Get a fresh start on your home improvement projects by financing them with the right credit card. Choosing a credit card that fits your financial needs will hopefully benefit your pockets and your budget.

At a Glance


Bank of America® Customized Cash
Citi® Double Cash Card
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Best Credit Cards For Home Improvements

Home Improvement projects can get pricey, so having the right financial tools for them can make it a more enjoyable and affordable experience. Have a look at our picks for the seven best credit cards for home improvements this year.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 21.24% to 30.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 billing cycles from account opening date Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card boasts impressively flexible cash rewards on purchases in the category of your choice, on top of cash back for groceries and other everyday purchases. This card also offers an attractive introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers, making it a great all-around rewards card for those with dynamic purchase habits.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • 3% cash back on the category of your choice: gas, EV charging, phone, internet, and cable plans, select streaming, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement
  • Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases)
  • 1% on all other purchases
  • Introductory 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles from the date you open your account
  • Free FICO® Score reports updated monthly so you can monitor your credit score
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles from account opening date
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles on transfers made within 60 days from account opening date
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 21.24% to 30.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You want the flexibility to choose your cash back category from month to month
  • You’re looking for a generous rewards credit card with no annual fee
  • You plan to take advantage of the long introductory APR period with a significant purchase or balance transfer
  • You have a Bank of America checking or savings account and qualify for a Preferred Rewards membership
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
​

There is no way the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card would not make our list of best cards for home improvements. The Customized Cash Card is a rewards credit card that earns up to 3% cash back on a category of your choice. The 3% categories include things like gas and dining. But the category we are all here for is the home improvement category. Here’s a list of the 3% categories:

• Gas
• Online shopping
• Travel
• Dining
• Drug stores
• Home improvement

Use the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card to earn 3% cash back on your home improvement project purchases. The card also earns 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You can also take advantage of the 0% intro purchase APR for 18 months which can help save interest on your home improvement purchases. The card also features no annual fee.

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Apply Now Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good-Fair
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good / Fair
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

  • 14.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 14.99% to 29.99% Balance Transfer APR

At a Glance

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® offers no fees, low rates, cash back, and credit lines up to $25,000 in one unique package. The card provides the flexibility and predictability consumers need to pay down balances and get debt-free quickly.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Preferred account and making 3 debit card transactions*
  • 3% unlimited cash back on every purchase in Home, Health, and Auto categories
  • No annual fee
  • Enjoy Visa Signature benefits, like Roadside Dispatch, Price Protection, Extended Warranty and more
  • Shop smarter with Upgrade Shopping! Get exclusive savings at stores, restaurants, and more
  • No touch payments with contactless technology built in
  • See if you qualify in seconds with no impact to your credit score
  • Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Use your card anywhere Visa is accepted
  • Relax knowing that you are protected in case of unauthorized transactions with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy
  • Regular Purchase APR: 14.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 14.99% to 29.99%
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Up to 5%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: Up to 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: May apply
  • You struggle to pay off your credit card balances
  • You want to earn up to 3% cash back on purchases
  • You can reliably pay off your statement balances to earn cash back for your purchases
  • You have a desire to get debt-free quickly
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Terms & Conditions
Apply Now Terms & Conditions

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card is another credit card that may be what you need for your home improvement plans. Upgrade does rewards in a unique way. With Upgrade credit cards, cardholders earn cash back on payments. This means you will earn your cash back rewards when you pay back eligible purchases. The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card earns unlimited 3% cash back on home, auto, and health categories, plus 1% cash back on everything else.

The home rewards category is our focus for your home improvement plans. Home purchases earn 3% cash back on things like hardware, home supply, landscaping services, plumbing, A/C, etc. Some examples of merchants you can shop at for the home category include The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wayfair, and more. With the Upgrade Triple Cash card, you get the freedom that comes with an open-loop credit card, meaning you can use it anywhere the payment network is accepted.

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
$0 Annual Fee

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the most versatile cash back credit cards on the market today, thanks to impressive, flat-rate cash back, lucrative introductory 0% APR offers, and more. Cardholders earn 2% back on every eligible purchase: 1% back at the time of sale and an additional 1% back when they pay their statement balance. Cash back is redeemable for statement credits, direct deposits, checks, or converted as ThankYou® points.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You prefer earning cash back at a flat rate rather than in rotating categories
  • You’re looking to either consolidate existing balances or pay down a large purchase with no interest charges for an extended period of time
  • You like to have the flexibility of converting cash back into lucrative rewards points
  • You’re considering a credit card without an annual fee
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

Here comes the second open-loop credit card to make our list for financing home improvements. The Citi® Double Cash Card can earn you double cash back on all your home improvement purchases. The rewards card earns 2% cash back on all purchases. So, you’re not limited to only using the card for home improvements after your projects are complete.

Due to the credit cards’ 2% flat-rate cash back, you don’t have to worry about revolving categories. The card is easy to use and keeps track of its simple rewards system. Other features on the card include a 0% intro APR on balance transfer and no annual fee.

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Good
Mastercard Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

  • 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® offers 2% cash back, a simple redemption process, and more – all for no annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • No annual fee
  • Earn 2% cash back rewards on every purchase
  • Contactless payment compatibility
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.99%, 24.99%, or 31.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 4% of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99%
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: $30
  • You have good credit
  • You prefer cash back rewards as a statement credit
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
​

Another card that earns 2% cash back as a flat rate is the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®. If you’re looking for simple rewards for all your home improvement purchases, this credit card may be the one to fund your home improvements. Even more simple is the redemption process for your rewards. Cash back rewards for the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard can only be redeemed as statement credits. In addition, the credit card features a DoorDash DashPass membership, all for no annual fee.

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
$0 Annual Fee

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months on Purchases Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Citi Custom Cash? Card is a generous cash back credit card that offers up to 5% back on eligible purchases. The card, from Citi, does not charge an annual fee and rewards 5% back on the top spending category each month, with options including transit, travel, gas, groceries, dining, and more.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months on Purchases
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You want to earn 5% back but do’t want quarterly categories
  • You plan on spending $1,500 within the first 90 days
  • You have a large purchase in mind that you want to pay down over time
  • You plan on transferring an existing balance within the first four months
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The final card on our list is the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card. The card earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category. Like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, it features nine spend categories. The difference is that with Citi Custom Cash, you don’t pick a monthly spending category. Instead, the card will automatically earn you cash back on your highest spend category each billing cycle.

Spend Categories:

Dining Fitness clubs Grocery stores
Drugstores Gas stations Home improvement stores
Travel & transit (select) Live entertainment Streaming service (select)

One of the categories is for home improvement stores making it a convenient credit card for minor home improvement projects. We say minor because the 5% bonus cash back categories have a $500 spend limit every billing period. Any rewards earned after the $500 threshold will earn 1% cash back, with no caps. All other purchases also earn 1% cash back.

Other Options

Lowe’s Advantage Card

Get Special Savings & More
  • 6 Months special financing
  • 84 Fixed monthly payments with reduced APR
☆ 5% Off
☆ Limited-time Offers Available
☆ No Annual Fee
Visit Card Site

Terms & Conditions

It’s no surprise the Lowe’s Advantage Card has made our list of best credit cards for home improvements. Lowe’s is one of the largest home improvement retailers committed to helping homeowners, renters, and Pros improve their homes and businesses. The Lowe’s Advantage Card has three main benefit options to help fund your home improvement projects.

1. Get 5% off every day (on qualified purchases)
2. Six months of Special Financing (on qualified purchases)
3. 84 fixed monthly payments with reduced APR (on qualified purchases)

Furthermore, with the Lowe’s Advantage Card, there is no annual fee to worry about, so your budget can be focused on the materials you need. The financing options offered can be very convenient, especially for your larger home improvement projects. Lowe’s has a variety of services, materials, and tools for all your home improvement needs. If Lowe’s is your go-to home improvement store, the Lowe’s Advantage Card may be the right option for you.

The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card

The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card
Make Home Repairs, Updates, & Improvements
  • 6 Months Financing on purchases
  • Up to 24 Month Financing during special promotions
☆ 1 Year to Make Returns
☆ Zero Liability on Unauthorized Charges
☆ No Annual Fee
Visit Card Site

Terms & Conditions

The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card makes our list as the home improvement retail store is also one of the largest in North America. Get started on home repairs, updates, and improvements with The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card. The card benefits include the following:

• Six months of financing on purchases of $299 and up
• Up to 24 months of financing during special promotions
• 4X longer to make returns (1 Year).

Featured photo by andresr/ Getty Images Signature

4 Ways To Save Money On Groceries

by Jeannyn Gomez
4 Ways To Save Money On Groceries

Last updated on January 2nd, 2024

The prices of groceries skyrocketed due to inflation. Saving money on essential purchases can help you pinch pennies and lengthen the reach of your dollar. Check out these four ways to save money on groceries this year.

Ways To Save Money On Groceries This Year

If you want to save money on your grocery shopping, there are a few things to consider. To be the most successful at saving on groceries, you should shop with a plan, coupons, loyalty cards, and credit cards. Consider these four ways to save money on groceries the next time you find yourself with a bare refrigerator.

1. Shop With a Plan

Many times, going to the grocery store without a plan can lead to buying unnecessary food for your pantry. Think of it as shopping for groceries on an empty stomach. You’re bound to buy that family-sized bag of chips or a couple of quick-frozen meals that are most likely unhealthy to begin with. Make your dollar stretch by heading out to the grocery store with a plan. Consider these three main factors:

Have a Budget – If you don’t have a budget ready for your grocery shopping you are mostly likely to overspend. Have a budget and stick to it. This way, you only purchase the essentials and won’t have to worry about reaching for the more expensive or unnecessary items in the grocery store.

Make a Shopping List – When your grocery shopping strategy includes a budget, it is best to also prepare a shopping list. Make a list of your essential groceries to help better budget your spending. It also helps make a more efficient grocery shopping trip with no time wasted.

Do Not Rush – Carve out time for grocery shopping. Rushing at the grocery store doesn’t help when you’re trying to save money because it most likely means, you didn’t plan out your groceries and might end up spending above your desired budget. You might also opt to visit your closest grocery store which may not have the best prices. Plan your grocery store trip with time so that you can shop at stores with the best prices and deals.

2. Coupons

Using store coupons is an excellent way to stretch your dollars. If you have enough pantry space couponing can be an excellent option as you can often find “buy one, get one” coupons. Even if your pantry space is limited, finding coupons for the things you often shop for at grocery stores can be a big money saver. You can typically find digital coupons on the grocery store apps along with loyalty programs or cards. With that said, it leads us to our next point: Loyalty cards.

3. Get a Supermarket Loyalty Card

Supermarket chains tend to have loyalty programs for shoppers via an app or loyalty card. With supermarket loyalty programs you will commonly find additional deals and savings for your grocery shopping. With grocery store loyalty programs, you may also find you get discounts on various store items.

4. Use a Cash Back Credit Card

Lastly, use a cash back credit card to save money on groceries. A rewards credit card is one of the best ways to earn money back in return for your grocery purchases. For example, you can use your earned rewards to pay for your purchases. If you already have earned cash back from previous purchases, you can use it to redeem the money back as a credit, and use it to pay back your credit card balance. Therefore, you save money on your groceries.

More Rewards for Your Groceries

There are plenty of credit cards that earn cash back for grocery shopping like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card which earns 3% back on groceries – all for no annual fee. Consider credit card rotating categories and intro offers too. For example, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers 5% back on your highest spending category each billing period and includes a grocery store category. Cash back cards, like the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®, offer an introductory bonus offer after meeting a purchase requirement. You can use the cash back bonus for future grocery store purchases.

Credit Card Merchant Discounts

Furthermore, there are credit card discounts you may also be eligible for through credit card merchants. Card-linked offers are discounts (offered through your card issuer) for purchases made at a participating merchant store. Granted, your preferred grocery store may be a participating merchant. If so, you can benefit from saving money on groceries by using a card-linked deal. Activate your offers manually by logging into your account on the card issuer’s website or app, and selecting the offer you want to link.

Pros:
  • A credit card offers more security
  • Easy way to build credit
Cons:
  • Steep interest charges
  • May lead to overspending

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards for Groceries & Delivery Services

Featured image by Shotprime/Canva

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Cards Get Facelift

by Cory Santos
Bank of America Enhances Benefits for its Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Last updated on September 6th, 2023

Bank of America has made major changes to its Customized Cash Rewards cards. The new change, which takes effect immediately, includes the addition of new 3% cash back categories, including select utilities, streaming, and electric vehicle (EV) charging. Here’s everything you need to know about the newly refreshed Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Cards:

Customized Cash Rewards Cards Get Even More Rewarding

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card just got even more rewarding. The bank announced last week that its Customized Cash Rewards Visa credit cards now offer more ways for cardholders to earn cash back in a category of their choice, with the expansion of two of its most popular 3% cash back categories: gas and online shopping purchases.

Cardholders earn 3% cash back rewards in a category of their choice, plus 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in spending when combining the selected 3% category and grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter). All other purchases with the card earn 1% back with no cap on the total number of rewards earned. The 3% category can be switched once per month.

These are the current categories that cardholders can choose and earn 3% cash back from:

Dining Drug stores Gas EV charging stations
Home improvement Online shopping Travel Cable
Internet plans Phone plans Select streaming services

Maximize Rewards & Customize Your Cash Back

Bank of America says it saw a 44% growth in EV charging transactions during the year’s first half. Additionally, the bank says 65% of active Customized Cash Rewards cardholders have used their card to pay for cable, internet, streaming, and phone plans in the past year – more than 70% of this spending includes recurring charges.

This data inspired the bank to improve those bonus categories – especially so as inflation continues to hit the wallets of American families.

“We are constantly looking for ways to enhance our products to align with our clients’ needs and have observed growing demand for electric vehicle charging and streaming services,” said Jason Gaughan, Head of Consumer Credit Card Products at Bank of America. “We’re thrilled to introduce these new additions to our Customized Cash Rewards product and to offer our clients more ways to maximize rewards based on their own personal spending habits.”

Which Bank of America Cards are Eligible?

The changes apply to consumer and small business versions of the Customized Cash credit cards, including co-branded offerings from major university alumni associations. Here are some of the cards eligible for the 3% cash back upgrade:

Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Card Customized Cash Rewards Card Customized Cash Rewards Secured Customized Cash Rewards for Students
NYUAA Customized Cash Rewards Texas Exes Customized Cash Rewards University of Miami Customized Cash Rewards

Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. Bank of America issues co-branded alumni credit cards with dozens of colleges and universities.

Earn Even More with Preferred Rewards

As usual, select Bank of America banking customers can earn even more with their Bank of America credit cards. Preferred Rewards® members earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every Customized Cash Rewards card purchase – depending on their rewards tier – meaning 3% back in your selected choice category could increase up to 5.25% cash back.

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards for Groceries & Delivery Services

Featured image by Bank of America

New Wells Fargo Signify Business Cards Coming Soon

by Cory Santos
Wells Fargo Signify Business Mastercard credit cards to launch soon

Last updated on February 28th, 2024

There may soon be three new business credit cards from Wells Fargo. The bank will launch new business products under the “Signify” brand and utilize the Mastercard payment network. Here’s everything that’s currently known about Wells Fargo’s new Signify credit cards:

Details About the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cards

It appears that Wells Fargo is set to launch three new small business credit cards. Several landing pages indicate that the new cards are imminent and will feature a range of competitive perks, including unlimited rewards, free employee cards, spending controls, and Priority Pass Select membership.

The new business credit cards will allegedly be issued under the “Signify” name:

  • Signify Business Cash Mastercard®
  • Signify Business Essential Mastercard®
  • Signify Business Elite Mastercard®

Few other details are available, minus trademarks filed late last year and a designated Priority Pass landing page, which indicates the cards will offer a basic Priority Pass Select membership – likely to include either a handful of free visits or a discounted rate for lounge entry. The cards will likely include no-annual-fee and premium options, in addition to the typical perks that companies can expect from Wells Fargo:

Feature Explanation
Complimentary employee cards Wells Fargo provides free additional employee cards on all their business credit cards. These employee cards also include customizable spending controls and limits.
No foreign transaction fees Wells Fargo also waives foreign transaction fees with its cards – another great feature. Many credit cards charge a fee of around 3% of the transaction cost in U.S. dollars – an added expense that can quickly eat in to employee spending limits abroad.
Fraud protection Cardholders enjoy $0 Fraud Liability against fraudulent charges and fraud alerts thanks to Business for Mastercard protections.
Account management Business account managers can breathe easy thanks to personalized spending reports in the Business Credit Card Center of their online dashboard. These reports allow you to analyze spending by category, merchant, and more.

Signify Business Cash Details

While few details have emerged regarding the Signify business credit cards, some have. The new card will earn 2% cash back on all purchases, offer 12 months of 0% intro APR on purchases, and will come with a $500 cash back welcome bonus. That $500 cash bonus will require $5,000 in spending in the first three months.

Wells Fargo Hoping to Gain a Market Foothold

Despite these scant details, it appears Wells Fargo is looking to take on Chase and Capital One head-on in a highly competitive market. Chase offers its Ink business credit cards – including an unlimited cash back card, an up to 5% back card, and a versatile business travel card. For its part, Capital One issues a variety of small business credit cards under the Spark branding.

These products include basic options for fair credit scores, cash back and travel rewards cards, and premium pay-in-full (like a charge card) cards with unlimited rewards for the account, as well as complimentary employee cards for all.

Chase and Capital One account for a significant portion of the U.S. small business credit card market. Wells Fargo, on the other hand, it eager to push its way into a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry. Wells Fargo has been without a business credit card products for some time, with the bank significantly reducing its existing portfolio as it continues to roll out new, dynamic offers to compete with other national issuers.

This process has already seen the launch of the Wells Fargo Active Cash, Autograph, and Reflect personal credit cards. The bank also has successful co-branded cards with Choice Hotels, Dillard’s, and Bilt Rewards – the latter being the only card of its type to earn rewards on rent payments. Adding new business options is another step in this process of revitalizing an aged credit card portfolio.

Related Article: Shopify Enters the Fintech Space with Card Launch

Featured image by Wells Fargo/BestCards

EEEEEATSCON NY Returns for 2023

by Cory Santos
EEEEEATSCON NY 2023 is a two-day food experience built in the spirit of a music festival, but with restaurants as the headliners.

Last updated on September 6th, 2023

 Infatuation’s EEEEEATSCON, presented by Chase Sapphire, is back for 2023 in New York City at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. The popular alternative food festival will run from October 7 to 8 at Forest Hills Stadium. It will feature over 25 restaurants, live music, celebrity appearances, and more. Here are all the details of the 2023 EEEEEATSCON New York lineup:

Infatuation’s Hit Festival Returns with Chase Sapphire Benefits

The 2023 edition of EEEEATSCON New York takes place at the Forest Hills Stadium, 1 Tennis Pl, Forest Hills, NY. Tickets for the 2023 event are currently available for presale through today (August 24, 2023), with Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers who purchase pre-sale tickets enjoying early access to one of the summer’s hottest events. Here’s the link for the presale.

EEEEEATSCON New York arrives on the heels of the first-ever (and sold out!) EEEEEATSCON Chicago earlier this month (August 19 and 20) at The Salt Shed.

EEEEEATSCON NY Details

One of the great features of past EEEEEATSCON festivals has been the exceptional selection of food vendors – and 2023 is no different. Available fan-favorite dining choices include Burns Original BBQ (Houston, TX), 1-900-ICE-CREAM (Philadelphia, PA), The Fry Bread House (Phoenix, AZ), Tacos Los Cholos (Los Angeles, CA), Caracas Bakery, (Miami, FL), Mr. Tuna (Portland, ME), Dept of Culture, Lord’s, Potluck Club, Hawksmoor NYC, Ariari, Kru, Bobbi’s Italian Beef, Balkan StrEAT, Panzerotti Bites, Rowdy Rooster, Charles Pan Fried Chicken, Cait’s Key Lime, Aunts Et Uncles, Tompkins Square Bagels, Apotheke, Best Damn Cookies, Comfortland, Zhego, and more.

EEEEEATSCON NY will also feature an array of appearances and performances from Sarah Jessica Parker, The Kid Mero with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks, comedy performances from Hasan Minhaj & Friends stand-up hour, Ride Podcast Live with Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone, with more announcements to come.

Special Benefits for Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardmembers

As with other editions of EEEEEATSCON, EEEEEATSCON NY 2023 will feature exclusive benefits for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers at the event each day. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will have special access to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge. This unique in-event experience will offer cardmember-only perks, including a complimentary beverage from Apotheke, and more. Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can also sign up for an exclusive cocktail class with Apotheke through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

For more information on EEEEEATSCON New York, please visit the event’s dedicated events page.

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards for Groceries & Delivery Services

Featured image by EEEEEATSCON NY

Build Credit With Everyday Purchases – Here’s How

by Jeannyn Gomez
Build Credit With Everyday Purchases - Here's How

How To Build Credit With Everyday Purchases

Before we can get into what it takes to build credit with everyday purchases, there are some basics we must explain because building credit is all about the big picture first and fine details later. However, your everyday essential purchases can help grow your credit score through the responsible use of a credit card. But first, learn more about building credit and budgeting. Let’s get into it.

How Credit Building Works

Basic credit-building with a credit card starts with your usage or, better said, your credit utilization. A big part of maintaining excellent credit is keeping your balance low. The lower your balance, the better it looks to the credit bureaus because you’re not in large amounts of debt. So, use your credit card often but keep a low balance.

Related Article: Use These Credit Tips (and Credit Cards) to Quickly Build Your Credit Score

Next, and probably most importantly, pay your credit cards on time. Aim to pay off the balance statement in full each month to reflect responsible use of the card and to save yourself the cost of interest, late fees, or points off your credit score. If paying off the total monthly statement balance is unattainable, at the very least, pay the minimum amount.

Finally, once your credit improves, ask for a credit limit increase. After six months to a year, most credit cards will give you a credit increase if you have frequently used the credit card and made all your payments on time. An increased credit limit means you have higher purchasing power. It also means you gain a bit more wiggle room for whatever your estimated low balance budget is.

For example, if you’re trying to keep a low balance on a $500 credit limit, your low balance threshold should be at most $150 (30% of $500). If your credit limit increases to $1,000, your low balance threshold is $300 (30% of $1,000). Maintain a low balance on your credit card by using no more than 30% of your credit limit. Once your credit starts to improve, you’ll get better credit card offers with higher limits. But don’t get carried away and splurge just because you qualify for a higher credit line. Stay within your budget to assure responsible use of your credit card.

To summarize:

  1. Keep your balance low
  2. Pay on-time
  3. Pay off the total statement balance
  4. Increase your credit limit

If you don’t have a credit card, consider applying to credit cards that cater to subprime credit. There are many unsecured credit cards available to choose from. If those don’t work in your favor, you can opt for a secured credit card.

Related Article: The Best Secured Credit Cards for 2022

Don’t Forget To Budget

If you want to use everyday essential credit card purchases to increase your credit score, you must budget. There are many ways to budget. The point of budgeting is to get a better view of your finances to decide how to spend and save wisely. Make a quick budget by creating a list of all your expenses. Then calculate your total monthly income. Distribute your income accordingly between all your bills. The remainder should go towards savings and possibly some splurging.

When you budget, there is no mystery behind how much you can spend. It also gives a better understanding of how your finances are distributed throughout your bills and can help you create a successful plan to manage your money.

Build Credit With Everyday Essential Purchases

We have now gone through the basics of building credit with a credit card. Essentially, you should keep your statement balances low, make on-time monthly payments, aim to pay your statement balance in full, ask for a credit limit increase, and have a budget. Now, apply the credit-building tips to your everyday monthly purchases. Use your credit card for the essentials.

Utilities

Utilities are crucial to daily living and can include things like water, electricity, and gas. These essential services can typically get paid via credit card. So, why not use this recurring monthly bill to your advantage and build credit? If you have a budget set for utility bills, then using a credit card to pay them assures you can pay the statement balance in full every month.

You can also take it a step further and set up automatic payments. Make sure you do the math and keep your balance low. You don’t have to go overboard and charge all your utilities. But at the very least, use a credit card for the utility bill that makes more sense for your budget and your credit limit.

Rent

If you rent your home, there may be a shot at using a credit card to pay for it. However, not all landlords provide this option. If the option is available, there may be some credit card fees. The Bilt Mastercard, however, offers a workaround. With Bilt, cardholders earn points on rent with no transaction fee – all for no annual fee. With the Bilt Mastercard, even if your property only accepts checks, you can still pay with the credit card via the Bilt app, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Groceries

Humans must eat, which is why groceries are essential for the daily grind. Consider the allotted budget you have in place for groceries and use your credit card to make the purchase. Using a credit card to buy the things you need (like groceries) versus the wants makes the card purchase easier to manage. Another benefit is earning rewards for your purchases. If you qualify for a rewards credit card, you can rack up points or cash back for most purchases, including grocery shopping.

Related Article: The Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2022

Gas or Car Insurance

Getting around in a car means part of your budget must include gas and car insurance. Car insurance is a recurring monthly bill for most people, and adding it to a credit card can be the essential credit card purchase that builds your credit with responsible use, of course. Similarly, if you’re using a car for your daily commute, gas is a need. Luckily there are credit cards to reward cardholders for gas station purchases. You can find gas rewards credit cards here.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, building credit is simple. It won’t be done overnight, but it can be done one small step at a time. You can start by applying for a credit-builder credit card, then budget yourself accordingly. Make sure to keep your credit card balances low and make on-time payments. A couple of other things you should do is use credit bureau applications to monitor your credit score and credit history. Keep a vigilant eye on your credit and make sure to dispute any point hits you don’t recognize on your credit.

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