Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If your small business charges thousands of dollars monthly in expenses, you should have no problem meeting the monster spending requirements needed to qualify for the best business card bonuses.
But if your budget for office supplies, travel and other business expenses is more modest, you can still find a new business credit card with a decent bonus — and a more moderate spending requirement to boot. What’s more, many of these cards won’t hit you with a high annual fee. Some are even free.
We’ve rounded up our best picks for small-business credit cards that offer good bonuses with a spending requirement of $3,000 or less. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to own a formal business to qualify for these cards. If you have a side hustle or sell items on eBay to earn extra cash, you may be able to qualify for a small-business credit card as a sole proprietor by simply using your Social Security number on the application.
Here are our top picks.
Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card
Welcome offer: Get 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
This card has a $70 annual fee and offers 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Air purchases, 2 miles per dollar on 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases and 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
Cardholders also receive a free checked bag, priority boarding and 20% back on all Alaska inflight purchases when flying on Alaska. This is a great card to have if you live in or frequent the Pacific Northwest.
Apply here: Alaska Airlines Business Visa
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Welcome offer: Get a $300 statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
This card has no annual fee and earns 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas stations & EV charging stations, office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services, 2% cash back on dining purchases (on up to the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% after that) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Apply here: Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 online bonus points after you make at least 3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
THE POINTS GUY
This card has no annual fee and earns unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases, with the ability to earn up to 2.62 points per dollar spent if you are a Preferred Rewards for Business member.
Apply here: Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Welcome offer: Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
This card has no annual fee and earns unlimited 1.5% cash back per dollar spent on purchases, with the ability to earn up to 2.62% cash back per dollar spent if you are a Preferred Rewards for Business member.
Apply here: Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
This card has a $99 annual fee and earns 10 points per dollar on IHG hotels and resorts, 5 points per dollar on travel, gas stations, social media, search engine advertising, and office supply stores and dining (including takeout and eligible delivery) and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Cardholders also get an anniversary-free night certificate and the fourth-night-free award stays perk.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
This card has a $99 annual fee and earns 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners and local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Cardholders also receive 6,000 bonus points on each cardmember anniversary, two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year and 25% back on all inflight purchases.
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Bottom Line
You’re probably not going to earn a premium welcome bonus without shelling out some serious cash, but it might not make sense for you to stretch your business budget just to score a bunch of miles or points. These low-spending requirement cards are right for someone looking to enjoy some rewards without breaking the bank.