You've Got Wanderlust

Are you looking for the best business credit card for travel?

I know there are a billion options for credit cards out there (trust me, I’m an international traveler, turned international multi-preneur…I’ve looked)!  So I’ll save you some trouble and help point you in the direction to help you maximize your points and minimize your fees if you travel a lot for business or own an international business, like I do!  I have the best credit card for travel on the market for my business needs!  Here’s the breakdown:

Best Business Credit Card for Travel

The Chase Ink family of credit cards are hands down the best group of cards for business owners, and I particularly prefer the Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card (see what I did there?).  This card is especially for those of you who are often on the move, and ultra-highly recommended if you own an international business and/or travel a lot for business whether domestically or internationally.

The Pros of the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

1. Excellent Business Credit Card Sign Up Bonus Offer

If you have high spending anyways, and are likely to spend $8,000 or more in the first 3 months, you’ll be able to reap the rewards of the sign up bonus which equates to $1,000 cash back!  You could also choose to use the rewards points toward travel where they’re worth 25% more for cardholders: $1,250!  I’m a travel agent, so I tend to stick to the cash back and use my insider skills to make that cash back work magic!

2. Avoid Late Fees with same-day auto payments

While some banks take a few days notice to set up a payment to your outside accounts, if you have a Chase business checking or Chase business savings account, you can schedule automatic payments even as late as the same day to make sure you’re never late with payments. This will help you avoid getting smacked with high interest rates and/or late fees!

3.  Earn 3x the Points on common business expenses

When you spend on any of the following categories, you earn 3x the points for every $1 spent (up to $150,000 per year!): 

• shipping, 
• advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, 
• internet, cable and phone services, and – of course – 
• TRAVEL!

4. 1:1 Travel Points with Airline Programs

You can transfer your points 1:1 for travel with airline partner companies:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards®
• Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
• United MileagePlus®
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

5. 1:1 Travel Points with Hotel Programs

You can transfer your points 1:1 for travel with hotel partner companies:

• IHG® One Rewards Club
• Marriott Bonvoy®
• World of Hyatt

6. NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES!

As someone who lives and works internationally, if you already do or will be traveling internationally this is a HUGE money-saver for you!  Most credit cards charge really high fees for international use – so you can save hundreds of dollars when you use this for international travel or purchases abroad!

7. Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance

Make sure you book with your Chase Business Ink credit card!

8. Roadside Dispatch

For help if you run into trouble on the road!

9. Cell Phone Protection

I know a lot of you work from your phones, and if you are prone to break yours day one when your dog jumps up and knocks it out of your pocket, like me…this can be a huge help!

10.  Purchase Protection

This is important whether you travel or not – it covers damage OR theft for up to 3 months from the purchase date!

11.  Extended Warranty Protection

You can extend some warranties by up to a year!

12.   Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

You can decline coverage with the rental company for theft and collision damages both domestically and abroad when renting a vehicle when booking your rental with this card!

The Cons of the Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

1.  There may be other cards with a more accessible sign up bonus

If you won’t hit the bonus spend of $8,000 in 3 months, you may prefer to get a card with a bonus you can achieve!

2.  There is an Annual Fee

There is a $95 annual fee (but, in case it helps to see the bigger perspective, the cash back alone pays the annual fee off for me, multiple times over)!

3.  Lower Interest Rates Elsewhere

The interest rate ranges are fairly typical, but you may be able to find options with lower interest rates if you shop around (though they likely won’t provide the same number or level of rewards).

4. Restrictions May Apply!

As with ALL credit card rewards programs, please make sure you read the fine print about how the program works, be sure to use the card that the coverage if offered on, review the limitations on coverage, AND be sure to file any claim(s) correctly and on time per their requirements to make sure you’re covered!

Summary of the Best Credit Card for Business Travel

I’ve been a Chase Ink Business client for a few years now and can absolutely recommend it from the standpoint of an international business owner AND as an international business traveler!  While there are some advantages for Chase Business Checking and Chase Business Savings account customers with this card, there are plenty more attractive reasons to use the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card for your business! Not only does Chase Ink Business Preferred credit card sign up bonus reward you 12.5% back on the initial spending requirement, but the year-round card benefits are unrivalled for business travelers from what I’ve found on the market!  If you’re in the market for the best business credit card for travel or the best business credit card for international travel, take a look at the Chase Ink Business Preferred option and let me know what you think!