Best Travel Credit Cards for Business Owners in 2025
Best business travel credit cards for 2025. Compare airline miles, hotel points, lounge access, and which premium cards deliver most value.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Business Owners in 2025
Business travel isn't optional—it's how deals get done. Flights, hotels, rental cars, client dinners. Thousands of dollars flowing through your credit cards every year.
Without the right card, that's dead spending. With the right card, it's points for future trips, lounge access during delays, and perks that make travel less miserable.
Here are the best travel cards for business owners who actually travel.
Quick Picks: Best Business Travel Cards
Best Overall
Chase Ink Business Preferred - $95 annual fee, 3x on travel/shipping/ads
Best for Heavy Travelers
Amex Business Platinum - $695 annual fee, extensive lounge access, travel credits
Best No Annual Fee
Chase Ink Business Unlimited - $0, 1.5x on everything, transfers to travel partners
Best for Flights
Amex Business Gold - $375, 4x on airfare (among top 2 categories)
Best for Hotels
World of Hyatt Business - $199, excellent Hyatt redemption value
Top Travel Cards Compared
| Card | Annual Fee | Travel Earning | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Preferred | $95 | 3x travel | Strong bonus categories |
| Amex Business Platinum | $695 | 5x flights (Amex Travel) | Lounge access, credits |
| Amex Business Gold | $375 | 4x airfare | Category flexibility |
| Capital One Venture X Business | $395 | 2x everything, 10x hotels/cars | Lounges, portal |
| World of Hyatt Business | $199 | 4x Hyatt, 2x travel | Best hotel value |
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Best for: Business owners wanting strong value without premium price
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 100,000 points after $15K/3 months |
| Travel Earning | 3x on travel (first $150K/year) |
| Other 3x Categories | Shipping, advertising, internet/cable/phone |
| Point Transfer | 1:1 to Chase partners (United, Hyatt, etc.) |
| Travel Protections | Trip cancellation, lost luggage |
Why It Works
The math: $30,000 annual travel spend × 3x = 90,000 points Value: 90,000 × 1.5¢ (Hyatt transfer) = $1,350 Net value after fee: $1,255
Best For
- Moderate to heavy business travelers
- Those who also spend on shipping, advertising
- Business owners wanting Chase transfer partners
- Those seeking strong value without $500+ fees
Amex Business Platinum
Best for: Road warriors who want premium perks
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $695 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 150,000 points after $20K/3 months |
| Flight Earning | 5x on flights booked through Amex Travel or direct |
| Large Purchase Bonus | 1.5x on single purchases $5K+ |
| Credits | $200 airline, $200 hotel, $189 CLEAR, more |
| Lounge Access | Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Clubs |
Why It Works
The credits:
- $200 airline fee credit
- $200 hotel credit (2 × $100)
- $189 CLEAR credit
- $120 wireless credit
- Dell credits ($200)
- Total: $900+ in credits (more than covers $695 fee)
The access:
- Centurion Lounges (best US lounges)
- Priority Pass lounges (1,300+ worldwide)
- Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta)
- Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold status
Best For
- Heavy travelers (20+ trips/year)
- Those who fly through major hubs (Centurion locations)
- Business owners who'll use all credits
- Premium experience seekers
Amex Business Gold
Best for: Flexible category bonuses including travel
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $375 |
| Top Earning | 4x on top 2 categories each month |
| 4x Categories | Airfare, advertising, gas, shipping, restaurants, tech |
| Point Transfer | 1:1 to 21+ airline/hotel partners |
| Monthly Credit | $10 at select partners |
Why It Works
Category flexibility: If airfare is in your top 2 spending categories, you earn 4x automatically. No category selection needed.
Example: $40,000/year on airfare + restaurants × 4x = 160,000 points Value: 160,000 × 1.5¢ = $2,400
Best For
- Variable spending patterns
- Heavy advertising + travel spenders
- Those who want 4x without tracking
- Amex Membership Rewards loyalists
Capital One Venture X Business
Best for: Simple earning with strong perks
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $395 |
| Base Earning | 2x miles on all purchases |
| Bonus Earning | 10x on hotels/cars via portal |
| Travel Credit | $300 annual travel credit |
| Lounge Access | Priority Pass, Capital One Lounges |
| Anniversary Bonus | 10,000 miles annually |
Why It Works
Net cost calculation:
- $395 fee
- -$300 travel credit = $95 effective fee
- -10,000 miles ($100 value) = -$5 net cost
You're paid to have this card if you use the credits.
Best For
- Those wanting simple 2x everywhere
- Travel portal bookers
- Those who value lounge access
- Business owners avoiding category tracking
World of Hyatt Business
Best for: Maximizing hotel value
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $199 |
| Hyatt Earning | 4x at Hyatt properties |
| Bonus Category | 2x on travel, dining, fitness |
| Base Earning | 1x on everything else |
| Elite Nights | 5 elite nights toward status |
| Free Night | 1 night up to 15K points annually |
Why It Works
Hyatt point value: Consistently 1.5-2.5¢ per point (best in industry)
Free night: Worth $200-400 at most Hyatt properties
Elite perks: 5 nights count toward Globalist status
Best For
- Frequent Hyatt guests
- Those chasing Hyatt Globalist status
- Anyone who values premium hotel redemptions
- Business travelers in Hyatt markets
Airline Co-Branded Cards
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 |
| Delta Earning | 3x on Delta, 1.5x on everything |
| Perks | Companion certificate, Sky Club access, status boost |
| Best For | Delta loyalists, hub city residents |
United Business Card
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $99 |
| United Earning | 2x on United, dining, gas |
| Perks | Free checked bags, priority boarding |
| Best For | Frequent United flyers |
Southwest Business Cards
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $99-$199 |
| Southwest Earning | 3x on Southwest, 2x on other travel |
| Perks | Points count toward Companion Pass |
| Best For | Domestic travelers, Companion Pass pursuers |
Choosing Your Travel Card
Decision Matrix
| If You... | Get This Card |
|---|---|
| Travel 5-10 trips/year | Ink Business Preferred |
| Travel 15+ trips/year | Amex Business Platinum |
| Want simplicity | Venture X Business |
| Stay at Hyatt | World of Hyatt Business |
| Fly one airline | That airline's business card |
| Want lowest fee | Ink Business Unlimited |
By Annual Travel Spend
| Annual Travel Spend | Best Card |
|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | Ink Business Unlimited |
| $10,000-$25,000 | Ink Business Preferred |
| $25,000-$50,000 | Amex Business Gold |
| $50,000+ | Amex Business Platinum |
By Priority
| Your Priority | Best Card |
|---|---|
| Maximum points | Amex Business Gold (4x) |
| Lounge access | Amex Business Platinum |
| Hotel value | World of Hyatt Business |
| Flexibility | Capital One Venture X |
| Low fees | Ink Business Preferred |
Stacking Travel Cards
The Power Combo
Amex Business Platinum + Chase Ink Preferred
- Platinum: Lounge access, 5x flights, travel credits
- Preferred: 3x shipping/ads, Hyatt/United transfers
Combined coverage: Premium travel experience plus strong earning across categories.
The Value Combo
Ink Business Preferred + World of Hyatt Business
- Preferred: 3x travel, transfers to partners
- Hyatt: 4x at hotels, free night certificate
Combined coverage: Strong earning plus exceptional hotel redemption value.
Your Business Travel Card Plan
If You Travel Occasionally (5-10 trips/year)
Get: Chase Ink Business Preferred
- Low $95 fee
- 3x on travel still meaningful
- Strong sign-up bonus
- Useful non-travel categories
If You Travel Frequently (15+ trips/year)
Get: Amex Business Platinum
- Credits offset fee
- Lounge access saves sanity
- Premium perks for road warriors
- 5x on flights adds up
If You're Starting Out
Get: Ink Business Unlimited
- No annual fee
- 1.5x on everything
- Still transfers to partners
- Upgrade path when ready
Next Steps
Business travel spending is an opportunity. The right card transforms necessary expenses into future trips, comfortable lounges, and meaningful perks.
Match your travel card to your actual travel patterns. A $695 card is wrong if you fly twice a year. A $95 card leaves value on the table if you're constantly on the road.
Find your fit. Apply. Start earning.
Need help choosing your travel card stack? Freedom Consulting helps business owners maximize travel rewards. Book a free consultation to optimize your travel spending.
Related: Chase Ink Business Cards | American Express Business Cards
Disclaimer: Card terms change. Verify current offers before applying. Travel perks depend on card tier and usage.
Continue Learning
This article is part of our Business Cashback Mastery: The Complete Guide to 2-5% Back on Everything guide series.
Related articles in this series:
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