Is a business travel rewards credit card right for you?

Business credit cards can be a useful tool to help support your company’s growth. They offer convenience when it comes to spending and provide a way to keep your business and personal expenses separate. But some cards come with added features and benefits—like travel rewards. These rewards can be particularly helpful if you travel for work, providing opportunities like earning bonus miles and gaining access to seamless booking platforms.

Learn more about how business travel rewards credit cards work and how a travel card might speak to your company’s needs.

What you’ll learn:

• Business travel rewards credit cards offer travel-specific benefits to cardholders.
• Some common benefits included with business travel rewards credit cards are miles that can be earned on everyday purchases, access to airport lounges, travel credits and more.
• When comparing business travel rewards credit cards, it can be helpful to review card-specific benefits, determine your spending habits as a business owner and research the terms and conditions.

Business travel rewards credit cards are specifically designed with travel in mind. You’ll typically earn miles or points with every card purchase to then redeem for future travel expenses. Some cards offer elevated travel experiences or statement credits that can be used toward programs like TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. And depending on the card issuer, you may also have access to additional card perks like flexible spending limits and free employee cards. 

While terms and conditions vary by card issuer, business travel rewards cards usually allow you to earn a certain number of points or miles based on how much you spend. Then, you can redeem your rewards for things like hotels, flights and more. For example, if you use your card to purchase company equipment, you may earn enough miles for a free flight on your next business trip.

Business travel rewards cards can support business growth by allowing you to optimize your spending. If you’re already paying for certain expenses, why not save on travel costs at the same time? 

Business travel rewards cards offer a variety of benefits. While they can differ by card issuer, here are some common perks to look for: 

• Unlimited miles: Some business travel rewards cards offer unlimited miles that can be earned on every business expense you make.
• Bonus miles: You may be able to earn bonus points or miles for hitting certain spending thresholds or as an annual credit.
• Travel credit: With some cards, you may receive a travel credit—sometimes as a one-time credit and sometimes recurring—that can be used toward travel-related expenses.
• Miles transfer partners: Business travel rewards credit card issuers may let you transfer your earned miles to airline or hotel loyalty programs to maximize your benefits.
• Welcome offers: Depending on the card, you may receive a welcome offer or sign-up bonus—typically in the form of a statement credit or as bonus rewards.
• Additional travel benefits: Certain business travel rewards cards offer other benefits to card holders, like access to certain airport lounges or statement credits that can be used toward TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.

In addition to these travel-specific benefits, there are other advantages to having a business travel rewards credit card. For example, all Capital One business travel rewards cards come with features such as:

• Automatic payments: By setting up AutoPay on your account, you won’t have to worry about making on-time payments each month.
• Fraud liability: If your card is lost or stolen, you can expect an emergency replacement card—plus an advance, if needed.
• Year-end summaries: At the end of the year, you can receive a summary with a breakdown of your spending, which can help with budgeting and planning for taxes.
• Employee cards: You can get free employee cards to track expenses. Plus, you can set customized spending limits on each card.
• Access to Capital One Travel: You can use Capital One Travel to find the most competitive prices on hotels and use the price prediction feature to find the best time to book a flight. Plus, you can earn extra rewards when you book hotels and rental cars through this service. 

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re searching for the best business travel rewards card for your needs:

Business travel cards come with different reward redemption options and structures. For example, some offer rewards in the form of airline miles, while others offer points that can be used toward hotels. Some credit cards—like Capital One’s Venture X Business—offer a flexible rewards structure, which means you can redeem miles on flights, hotels, vacation rentals and more, with no restrictions or blackout dates.

When you’re looking for a business travel rewards credit card, it can be helpful to understand the terms attached to the card you’re applying for. You may want to consider things like the interest rate and whether the card has an annual fee before you make your decision. 

Determining how much your business spends each month can give you a better idea of which card makes the most sense to apply for. For example, certain welcome bonuses have spending thresholds that must be met before you can earn your reward. Or if your spending needs fluctuate, you might look into a card with no preset spending limit.

Most business travel rewards cards have credit score requirements. If your business doesn’t have an established business credit score yet, your personal credit score may be used when determining eligibility.

Deciding which business travel rewards credit card works best for you depends on a variety of factors. Understanding your travel needs—for both business and personal travel—can help you narrow down your choices. And reviewing the specifics of the travel card you’re applying for can help you make the most of your credit card.

If you’re interested in a card that has business-grade benefits combined with elevated travel experiences, compare Capital One’s business travel rewards credit cards today.