The best business credit cards in Canada for 2024
July 25, 2024
Business credit cards offer many benefits including rewards, expense management, travel protection, and insurance. Finding the best business credit card can be challenging, here are the top business credit cards in Canada to consider for your small business or corporation.
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Choosing the best business credit cards - FAQ
If you need any help comparison shopping, read our frequently asked questions below:
What is a business credit card?
Business credit cards generally operate just like personal credit cards, but enable you to take your business to the next level, pay for business expenses with ease and manage your business expenditures with clarity. Business credit cards make it easy to pay for all of your business expenses with one card, making accounting and bookkeeping easier. By having the right business credit card for your needs, you can ensure that you will have the funds you need for everyday business expenses, new projects and unexpected costs that may arise. Almost all of the terms and conditions that apply to a personal credit card also apply to a business credit card.
What are the advantages of using a business credit card?
Business credit cards offer business owners and operators the freedom to conduct business efficiently. Business credit cards typically have higher credit limits than personal credit cards, making it easier to manage your money flow, make major purchases and handle unexpected costs. Depending on the business credit card you choose, the potential rewards attached can also be tailored to your business. For example, if your employees travel a lot for work, you could choose a business credit card that allows employee spending to generate travel rewards for particular hotel chains or airlines, so future stays could be free. Here are some tips on getting a business credit card to fit your needs.
What is the best credit card for small businesses?
The American Express Business Edge Card should be any small business owner's credit card of choice and was ranked Ratehub’s Best Business Credit Card in 2023. This card offers a simple and flexible rewards program, with rewards earned on all purchases and no restrictions on how rewards can be redeemed. Here are some additional features you can expect with this card:
- Generous welcome offer: earn up to 67,000 welcome bonus Membership Rewards points.
- Healthy earn rate on everyday business spending and can help business owners streamline their expenses
- Access to exclusive business benefits, including travel insurance, purchase protection and savings on office supplies
- A maximum of 99 additional employee cards can be added to the primary cardholder account, which is considerably higher than other business credit cards
Who can qualify for a business credit card?
If you have a business or are a sole proprietor, you can apply for a business credit card. For many business credit cards, you will have to provide proof that your business exists, by providing supporting documents to your potential lender. Documents could include articles of incorporation, your business license, partnership agreement, tax assessments and/or financial statements. If you’re a sole proprietor who operates your business under your own name and is not incorporated, you can still qualify for certain business credit cards.
Can I get a business credit card with bad personal credit in Canada?
Obtaining a business credit card with bad personal credit in Canada can be challening, as many issuers consider an individuals personal credit history when evaluating business credit card applications. However, various banks offer secured and prepaid business credit cards. With this type of card, you will need to provide a cash deposit which typically will become your credit limit.
Business credit cards vs. personal credit cards
The difference between business and personal credit cards lies in features such as credit limits, rewards and interest terms. We compare the differences in the table below:
Business credit cards |
Personal credit cards |
|
Credit limits |
Business cards may offer higher credit limits to allow for frequent and high-volume purchases | Personal credit cards have lower credit limits |
---|---|---|
Rewards |
Business cards offer some of the same rewards as personal cards, such as travel rewards, but there may be business-specific perks such as higher points earnings on office supplies or the chance to put points back in your business | Personal credit cards offer rewards catered to individuals based on their shopping preferences, brand loyalty or financial needs. Points are earned on shopping, streaming, bill payments and travel, not on business expenses |
Interest |
Some business credit cards offer interest-free grace periods of up to 55 days | Personal credit cards usually offer 21 days from your last billing cycle to pay off your card in full |
Card users |
Business credit cards may allow you to add up to 100 additional users so you can give your employees' their own card. You may or may not be charged a one time fee for additional users, or be charged per additional card | Personal credit cards usually allow you to add a handful of additional users, sometimes for an added fee |
The best business credit cards in Canada by category
- Best rewards business credit card: American Express Business Edge Card
- Best no annual fee business credit card: BMO CashBack Business Mastercard
- Best business credit card for frequent travellers: American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
- Best premium travel business card: The Business Platinum Card from American Express®
- Best Aeroplan credit card for business: American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve credit card
- Best e-commerce business credit card: Loop credit card
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