As a small business owner, freelancer, or side-hustler, you’re constantly spending to grow your business.
You might be using your personal credit card, or perhaps a basic business card, and earning a modest 1% back on everything. It feels good to separate your finances, but you can’t help but wonder if you’re leaving a significant amount of rewards on the table.
The truth is, you are.
Your biggest business expenses—from marketing to software—are a goldmine for earning rewards, and a basic flat-rate card is only scratching the surface.
This guide will show you how to move beyond basic office supply purchases and turn your business costs into a powerful engine for earning points that can be redeemed for travel, cash, or other valuable perks.
The Big Three Business Expenses (and the Cards That Love Them)
The key to maximizing business rewards is to align your card’s bonus categories with your business’s top expenses. Here are three of the most common and rewarding categories:
1. Digital Advertising & Marketing
If you run a business that relies on online advertising, your monthly spend on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram can be immense.
- The right card: Look for a card that offers a bonus on digital advertising. The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a prime example, offering 3x points on the first $150,000 spent annually in a few key categories, including online advertising. This means a $10,000 monthly ad spend could earn you 30,000 points, which is a significant step toward a free flight or hotel stay.
Travel & Commute
For consultants, real estate agents, or anyone who travels frequently for work, your travel costs are a massive opportunity.
- The right card: A premium business travel card can provide huge returns and valuable perks. Cards like the Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer a high earn rate on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel, along with a suite of travel benefits like airport lounge access and hotel elite status. This not only earns you points but also makes business travel more comfortable and productive.
3. Software, Cloud Services & Shipping
Many modern businesses run on software subscriptions, cloud services, and shipping. These recurring expenses can add up quickly and, with the right card, can generate a steady stream of rewards.
- The right card: The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card also provides 3x points on categories like internet, cable, and phone services, as well as shipping purchases. If your business is an e-commerce store with high shipping costs, this bonus category alone can be a game-changer.
The “Big Purchase” Strategy
Beyond your recurring expenses, business ownership often involves large, one-time purchases—think new office equipment, a big inventory order, or an annual software subscription. These expenses are the perfect opportunity to earn a massive welcome bonus.
- How it works: Apply for a new business card with a high welcome bonus. For instance, a card might offer 100,000 points after you spend $10,000 in the first three months. By timing your large purchase to coincide with this spending requirement, you can easily meet the threshold and instantly earn a huge influx of points. This single strategy can be enough to fund an entire vacation.
Jordan’s Insight: “When I launched my business, the initial expenses for my website, branding, and software subscriptions felt overwhelming. But by putting them on a new business card with a welcome bonus, I was able to use the points I earned to book flights for a trip to visit family. It showed me how my business could fuel both my professional and personal goals.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing Personal and Business Spending: The single most important rule is to keep a dedicated business credit card for all your business-related expenses. This simplifies accounting, makes tax time easier, and provides a clear audit trail for the IRS.
- Carrying a Balance: Business credit card interest rates can be high. The value of any rewards you earn will be completely erased by interest if you don’t pay your balance in full every month. Only charge what you can afford to pay off.
- Ignoring the Spending Cap: Some bonus categories, like those on the Chase Ink Business Preferred®, have an annual cap. Be aware of these limits, so you know when to switch to a different card once you’ve maxed out a bonus category.
Your business is an investment, and with a strategic approach, your business expenses can also be an investment in your personal life.
By identifying your biggest spending categories, choosing the right business credit card to match those habits, and paying your balance in full, you can start earning rewards that will take you places you’ve only dreamed of.
Start by reviewing your spending over the last three months to see where your money is going, then choose a card that rewards you for those expenses.
WalletAware shares education, not individualized financial advice. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying.