What is a business credit card?
A business credit card is a revolving credit facility issued to an individual — not a company — who personally guarantees the debt. This distinction matters more than most comparison pages acknowledge: if your business fails to pay, you are personally liable, regardless of your company structure. Of the 587 reader questions submitted to this page since 2013, 7% raise personal liability or director guarantees — a figure our editorial team considers dangerously low given how consequential this feature is. The card may carry your business name, but the legal obligation sits with you personally.
Beyond liability, business cards differ from personal cards in three practical ways: higher credit limits (typically $10,000–$100,000+), employee card facilities (some free, some charged per card), and integration with accounting software like Xero and MYOB. Whether these features justify the typically higher annual fees depends entirely on your actual spend volume — a threshold we calculate explicitly in the scoring table below.
The Monthly Scoop: July 2026's Business Credit Cards Update
The RBA held the cash rate steady at 4.35% at its June 2026 meeting — a pause after three consecutive rises earlier in the year. For business owners carrying balances or managing cashflow on a business credit card, that means rates aren't coming down anytime soon. The next RBA meeting is 11 August, with economists split on whether further hikes are likely before any cut — CBA's economists don't see relief until May 2027 at the earliest.
In this environment, choosing the right business card comes down to one question: are you paying off in full each month, or carrying a balance? If you pay in full, a strong points earn rate — particularly through American Express — can deliver real value on business spend. If you're sometimes rolling over, the interest rate on your card matters more than any reward, and a low-rate option like the NAB Low Rate Business card becomes significantly harder to ignore.
American Express continues to dominate the rewards end of the market, holding three of the top five spots by points value on this page. Qantas Business Rewards points earned through Amex are currently valued among the most flexible in the market — transferable to 11 airline and hotel partners — giving business owners a hedge against any single program devaluation.
Editor's Pick-of-the-Bunch: Best Business Credit Cards for July 2026
TheAmerican Express Business Gold Plus Cardearns1.5 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent with no earn cap, with points transferable to 11 airline and hotel partners. At $395 p.a. it's the best-value all-rounder for businesses that want flexibility without locking into a single loyalty program. ✗ Not right for: businesses that redeem primarily for merchandise or gift cards — MR flexibility only adds value if you use transfer partners.
TheAmerican Express Qantas Business Rewards Cardearnsup to 4 Qantas Points per $1on Qantas products and 1.25 pts/$1 on general spend, with up to 99 employee cards at no extra cost. The best choice for Qantas-loyal businesses with staff spending. ✗ Not right for: businesses spending under ~$36k/year — at 1.25pts/$1 and 2.47¢/pt, the $450 fee only breaks even at around $36,000 of general spend.
TheNAB Low Rate Business Cardcarriesno annual fee in the first year(then $60 p.a.) with a low ongoing purchase rate — the right call for businesses managing cashflow who don't want to pay for points they may never redeem. ✗ Not right for: businesses that consistently pay in full each month — if you never carry a balance, a low rate saves nothing, and you’re leaving real points earn on the table.
⭐ Points vs. rate: know which camp you're in:Business credit card rewards only make financial sense if you're paying your balance in full each month. If you're carrying a balance even occasionally, the interest cost at 20%+ p.a. will erase the value of any points earned. Be honest about your cashflow before choosing a card.
T&Cs apply for all card offers so check our review, the PDS and TMD for details.
What is a business credit card?
A business credit card is different to a personal credit card (the one you’d use to buy the family TV) because it’s tied to your business or company rather than your own finances.
They come with business-style perks and keep your finances separate, but they actually offer tons more value for business owners.:
- Earning rewards points or even cashback on purchases and paying bills
- Managing cashflow during seasonal ups and downs
- Employees can have their own card, keeping transactions in one place — American Express offers up to 99 employee cards at no extra cost on their business range, while most bank-issued cards charge an additional card fee
- Keeping your finances separate, and tax time easier — 6% of reader questions specifically ask about GST tracking and accounting software integration (Xero, MYOB). Most cards work with accounting software via bank feeds, but few are purpose-built for it
No matter how old or new, or how big or small your company is (it could be just you on the payroll — 22% of reader questions on this page come from sole traders asking if they qualify, and the answer is almost always yes), a business credit card can help squeeze more mileage out of your expenses, and streamline your business.
Why would you get a business credit card?
Business credit cards are a handy tool for simplifying your expenses, earning rewards and benefitting from extras. Here are some of the benefits:
- Control your cashflow year-round.By paying for larger expenses over time you can manage your cash in and out more evenly over the year. Or, you can take advantage of interest free days and pay the balance off each month to keep on top of your expenses and pocket the rewards you’ve earned.
- Separate business and personal finances.You can keep track of business purchases, transportation, supplies, sales and other necessities separate from your personal expenses. It makes life so much easier at tax time and simplifies your account management.
- Give your employees their own card.Your employees can be issued with cards (with caps to control their spending) to pay for fuel and other expenses. All your outgoing transactions are logged in one account.
- Business tools and features.Depending on the card you could be offered a number of handy business tools. You might be able to access easy exporting of data to accounting software like MYOB and Xero, and business budgeting apps. Your card might include travel features like insurances, airport lounge access, complimentary flights or discounts with partnering businesses.
- Earn rewards on business spending.You could earn rewards points on your business expenses paid for on your card. These can be redeemed for flights, accommodation, merchandise and services. Just remember to check the review and card T&Cs because conditions and points caps may apply. There are a range of points programs, from Qantas Frequent Flyer points to flexible bank programs like Amex Membership Rewards.
- Get a big rewards hit with introductory offers.Many lenders offer bonus rewards points when you sign up, which can go a long way towards flights, merchandise and gift cards – all of which boost your business’s cashflow. You’ll usually need to hit a minimum spend within a certain timeframe to unlock the bonus rewards points.
A snapshot of available business credit card features
- ✓
Bonus introductory Rewards Points on approval of application - ✓
Accounts Manager to help you get the most from your card - ✓
Travel and baggage insurance - ✓
Free airport lounge access - ✓
Memberships with hotel and dining partners - ✓
Complimentary subscriptions to affiliate apps - ✓
Extra points earned by spending at partnering business - ✓
24/7 concierge service
Important!
All credit cards are different, so check our review of the card and the card’s PDS and TMD before you apply to make sure you understand what your credit card offers.
Earning rewards on your business costs
Choosing a business credit card that earns points can help save your business money, or offer luxury perks that make travel easier. Here are two important things to know:
Cards earn points in different programs.Depending on the card, you might be enrolled in a frequent flyer program like Qantas or Velocity (Virgin Airlines) or a bank program, like Amex Membership Rewards, NAB Rewards or Westpac Altitude Rewards. You may have the option to transfer your points to other airlines programs,or from a bank program to a frequent flyer program.
Points are not equal between programs.All programs have their own points “value”, and that value can vary even between the item being purchased. For example, you’ll likely get more value using your points for flights than for gift cards. But, you can use some simple formulas to calculate the value of a program’s points.
How to work out the value of rewards points
Divide the item’s retail value or dollar cost by the number of points you’d need to redeem to get it. This will give you the value of the points for that redemption in that program.
- Example 1:Using the example of a one-night stay at The Darling at the Star in Sydney, you would divide $348 by 53,000 Qantas Points, to get 0.006. That means each Qantas Point in this redemption is worth $0.006, so for each 1,000 Qantas Points redeemed, you get $6 value.
- Example 2:Meanwhile, with the $100 Budget car hire gift card, redeemable for 18,010 Qantas Points, each Qantas Point is valued at $0.005. So, for each 1,000 Qantas Points redeemed here, you get $5 value.
How does the value of points spent on flights compare to physical goods?
I said earlier that flights and travel are often the best bang for your buck. To show you why, here is an example of different redemption options for Qantas Points:
Based on a redemption of 1,000 Qantas Points:
- 🔖
Products and gift cards typically offer $3–$6 value, - 🔖
Car rental and hotels typically offer $6–$8 value, - 🔖
Charity donations typically offer $8–$9 value, - ✈️
Economy flights typically offer $15–$20 value, - ✈️
Premium economy flights typically offer $20–$25 value, - ✈️
Business class flights typically offer $35–$50 value, - ✈️
First class flights and upgrades typically offer $40–$60 value.
As you can see, your best value comes from flights: up to $60 per point for flights compared to a maximum of $9 per point for merchandise.
Are you eligible for a business credit card?
Business cards will almost always require that your business has an ABN or ACN to apply. So, you’re eligible even if you’re a sole trader or freelancer — and this surprises many applicants. A full 22% of the 587 reader questions submitted to this page since 2013 ask whether sole traders can apply; the answer is almost always yes with a valid ABN. There may be other requirements such as annual revenue.
In Australia, you might need to earn at least $75,000 and be eligible for GST to apply. You’ll need to show proof of income, and you may also need to have owned the business for at least 6 to 12 months.
To give you an idea of what other factors providers may look at when you apply for a business card, here are the eligibility requirements of American Express beyond the income criteria.
Among other things, you'll probably need to:
- Be over 18 years of age,
- Be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident,
- Have a good credit history and no payment defaults,
- Have a valid ABN registered for GST.
Meanwhile, NAB has the following requirements regarding eligibility for its business cards.
Applicants must:
- Be a sole trader, a business partnership with no more than two individual partners, a company with five or less directors, or a trustee of an eligible trust. Joint borrowers who are not partnerships, or partnerships where one or more partner is a company are not eligible to apply.
- Be at least 18 years old and hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
- Be registered for GST, and have a turnover of at least $75,000 per year.
- Have been in operation for at least 12 months, and have a valid ABN.
- Have a business and residential address in Australia.
- Intend to use the card where the purpose is wholly or predominately for business purposes.
- Have all ATO payments and loan repayments up to date.
Now you know the basics or what to look for and the differences between card types, let's dive into the potential benefits for your business.
What’s the difference between a business charge card and a business credit card?
The practical difference matters more for Amex customers than anyone else — Amex operates both structures in Australia, and the distinction affects how you manage cashflow. A credit card has a set credit limit and allows you to carry a balance month-to-month (paying interest if you do). A charge card has no preset spending limit and requires full payment each month — there is no revolving credit, and no interest, because the balance cannot be carried. The Amex Platinum Business Card on this page is a charge card. The Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card is a credit card. Both earn points, but only the credit card gives you the option to spread payments — at a cost. Our reader data suggests this distinction is underappreciated: none of the 587 questions submitted to this page explicitly asked about charge card structure, suggesting most applicants don’t check before applying.
What about corporate credit cards?
Corporate cards are a different product entirely, and most SME owners don’t qualify. They’re issued to large companies (typically $10M+ annual revenue) with direct bank relationships — the company, not an individual, is the legal cardholder. This means no personal guarantee, which is the fundamental structural difference from every card on this page. Of the 587 questions submitted here since 2013, not one asked about corporate card eligibility, which suggests the audience skews firmly toward SMEs, sole traders and small company directors — exactly the segment where personal liability is unavoidable and the card choice on this page is relevant.
What To Look For In A Business Credit Card
The key to choosing a business credit card is to find the card that matches your needs, your spending and repayment habits, and your budget. The worst mistake you can make is to pay a high annual fee for extras you won’t use. 30% of reader questions on this page ask about annual fees and whether they’re worth it — which tells us most business owners are fee-conscious, not points-obsessed.
So, let’s start with some things to consider before you dive into any applications.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Credit Card
Take a moment to reflect on your spending habits and financial goals to help narrow down the perfect card:
What 587 reader questions reveal about business credit card decisions in Australia
Based on reader questions submitted to this page since March 2013 and categorised by our editorial team, the breakdown shows business owners and sole traders arrive with very different priorities than generic comparison content assumes.
Source: CCAU editorial analysis of 587 comments submitted to this page, March 2013 to July 2026. Categories assigned by editorial team. This breakdown is not available on other Australian comparison sites.
CCAU Business Card Score: How cards on this page rank
Because 55% of reader questions focus on points, the scoring reflects that priority. Five criteria across five cards — earn rate, annual fee, employee card policy, points flexibility, and earn caps. Each scored 1–5, total out of 25. Updated when card terms change.
| Card | Earn rate pts per $1 |
Annual fee lower = better |
Employee cards free = better |
Points flex versatility |
Earn caps uncapped = better |
Total /25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Gold PlusBest overall | 4 1.5 pts/$1 |
3 $395 p.a. |
4 Free supp. |
5 10+ partners |
5 Uncapped |
21 |
| Amex Qantas BusinessBest Qantas | 5 Up to 4/$1 |
2 $450 p.a. |
5 99 free |
3 Qantas only |
4 Uncapped |
19 |
| NAB Rewards Business Sig. | 3 1.25 pts/$1 |
4 $175 p.a. |
3 Paid add-ons |
4 NAB Rewards |
5 Uncapped |
19 |
| ANZ Business Black | 4 1.5 pts/$1* |
3 $375 p.a. |
3 Paid add-ons |
4 ANZ Rewards |
3 Capped $10k |
17 |
| NAB Low Rate Business | 1 No earn |
5 $0 yr1/$60 |
3 Basic |
1 No program |
1 No earn |
11 |
What each card is actually worth: CCAU points valuation applied to business spend
Raw points numbers are hard to compare. UsingCCAU's own points valuation methodology— which values Qantas points at2.47¢ eachbased on flight redemptions across 7 benchmark routes — we can convert earn rates into real dollar value per $100 of business spend.
Why our valuation (2.47¢/pt) is higher than AFF and Point Hacks (~1.6¢): Independent benchmarks like Australian Frequent Flyer and Point Hacks blend flight, merchandise, gift card and hotel redemptions together — categories where points are worth significantly less. CCAU measures flight redemptions only across 10 real routes, which is where Qantas points deliver their highest verifiable value. Our methodology is deliberately conservative on route selection (economy and business class, not first) and explicitly excludes merchandise redemptions where points routinely return under 0.5¢/pt. The 7 routes: SYD→MEL economy ($179, 1.86¢/pt), SYD→AKL economy ($380, 1.50¢/pt), MEL→DPS economy ($560, 1.98¢/pt), SYD→SIN business ($4,200, 4.77¢/pt), SYD→HND economy ($1,100, 2.15¢/pt), SYD→LHR economy ($1,580, 1.57¢/pt), SYD→LHR business ($9,500, 5.36¢/pt). Simple average across all 7 is 2.74¢/pt. We apply a trimmed mean — removing the highest (SYD→LHR business, 5.36¢) and lowest (SYD→AKL, 1.50¢) outliers — to get the final 2.47¢/pt. This is a standard statistical technique for removing outlier distortion from a small dataset. Full methodology here.
1.25 pts/$1 general spend$3.09
1 pt/$1 on eligible spend$2.47
0.75 pts/$1 on eligible spend$1.85
1.5 MR pts/$1 → Qantas at 2:1$1.85+
Value per $100 spent. QFF valuation: 2.47¢/pt (CCAU methodology, flight redemptions). Amex MR→Qantas converts at 2:1; Gold Plus value is higher if transferred to other partners.
| Card | Annual fee | Points value at $50k/yr spend | Net value after fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Gold Plus MR flexibility: 10+ transfer partners |
$395 | $925 (Qantas path) — higher via premium partners | $530+ |
| Amex Qantas Business | $450 | $1,545 | $1,095 |
| NAB Qantas Business Sig. | $295 | $1,235 | $940 |
| ANZ Qantas Business | $375 | $925 | $550 |
Calculations: CCAU Frequent Flyer Points Valuation Methodology (2.47¢ per Qantas Frequent Flyer point, flight redemptions only, 7 benchmark routes). Assumes $50,000 annual business spend, all on eligible purchases. Actual value varies by redemption. Earn rates are for general spend; bonus category rates apply on specific merchants. Verify current earn rates before applying.
Real questions from business owners who visited this page
These are actual questions submitted by readers. We use them to answer the scenarios most comparison sites don't address.
"I personally accumulate Qantas Points and would like to continue to build my personal Qantas Frequent Flyers account with my business spends. My business approx spends $1.2M yearly on materials, vehicle regos and other business expenses."— Stoy, April 2022
What the maths actually says: At 1.25 Qantas pts per $1 (Amex Qantas Business general earn rate) on $1.2M annual spend, that's 1,500,000 Qantas points per year. Using CCAU's flight valuation of 2.47¢/pt, those points are worth $37,050 in flight value — minus the $450 annual fee, a net $36,600 return. That's a 3% effective rebate on business spend, purely in Qantas points. Note: some spend categories (government, ATO) earn at reduced rates — verify with Amex before assuming the full 1.25pts/$1 across all categories.
"I'm looking for a business credit card that will have only the company name on the card so it's not tied to me personally. I currently have the Amex Business Explorer and they told me they cannot remove my name from my card."— Kristy, August 2022
This is a common misunderstanding about how Australian business credit cards work. Unlike a corporate card issued by your employer, personal business cards (including all Amex business cards) are issued to an individual who personally guarantees the debt. Your name will always appear because you are legally the cardholder — the business name is secondary. If you want a card where the company, not you personally, holds liability, you need a true corporate card product, which typically requires company revenue above $10M and a direct bank relationship. For most SMEs and sole traders, personal liability is unavoidable.
"I'm looking for a credit card which will allow me to fund the expansion of my start-up franchise business. I need to roll over debt month to month, charge low interest and have uncapped spending. I need to fund $400k each month."— Penny, June 2022
A business credit card is probably not the right tool for $400k monthly funding. The best low-rate business card on this page (NAB Low Rate Business) has a standard credit limit well below $400k, and rolling $400k at even 13% p.a. would cost $52,000/year in interest. For this level of working capital, a business line of credit or invoice financing is more appropriate. A business credit card makes sense for day-to-day expenses you can pay in full — not as a primary funding mechanism for expansion capital.
"I have started a new business with 4 directors. We don't have 12 months worth of trading records. Is there a credit card that doesn't need this?"— Natasha, February 2022
Yes — some cards are more new-business friendly than others. Amex business cards are often cited as more accessible for newer businesses, sometimes approving applicants with 3–6 months of trading history if personal income and credit history are strong. NAB's business cards generally require 12 months of business banking. For a 4-director company, each director applying individually (as a personal guarantor) may improve approval odds compared to applying as a new entity. The key metric lenders assess is personal credit history and income of the guarantor, not just business trading history.
"If I order the Qantas American Express card for my business and employees... what happens if we can't use American Express as certain shops?"— Kellie, May 2022
Amex acceptance in Australia is around 95% of card-accepting merchants, but the 5% that don't accept it includes some high-frequency business spend categories — certain fuel stations, some trade suppliers, and government payment portals. For business owners with predictable spend at these merchants, this is a real issue. The practical workaround: use Amex for everyday spend where it's accepted, and keep a low-fee Visa or Mastercard for the gaps. Many Amex business cardholders do exactly this — the points earn on Amex typically outweighs the cost of holding a backup card.
Questions above are from real readers who submitted comments to this page. First names used with date of submission. Answers reflect CCAU editorial analysis — verify current card terms before applying.
Frequently asked questions
A note on personal liability — the most underasked question on this page.Only 7% of the 587 reader questions submitted since 2013 ask about personal guarantees, yet this is one of the most consequential differences between card types. Most Australian business credit cards require the primary cardholder to personally guarantee the debt. If your business can't pay, your personal assets are exposed. This is worth understanding before you apply — especially for sole traders and small business directors.
Consider these questions before you apply.
Is there a cost for extra cardholders?
Some business credit cards allow extra cardholders, typically between one and 99. Whether there is a cost on top of the annual fee depends on the card; for example, the Amex Platinum Business card allows up 99 employee cards for free, while others might include two free cards and then a cost per cardholder (per year) after that.
How do I know if the annual fee is worthwhile?
You’ll need to determine if the cost of the annual fee makes the rewards points and perks worthwhile. While some business credit cards have fairly small annual fees, others might be in the thousands. Calculate the cost of the card against the amount you expect to use the card for each year, and any points you’ll likely earn to calculate the value of the card.
Annual fees on business credit cards may also be tax-deductible. That’s a question for your accountant before you apply.
Who is liable for the card?
Unlike personal credit cards, which place sole liability on the primary cardholder, business cards may offer a choice of liability structures. Joint liability can allow business owners to share liability, while with business liability, the business is held liable.
Can I claim the annual fees on a business credit card as a tax deduction?
Businesses can usually claim the annual fee on a credit card, but always check with your tax accountant first to make sure. There are other benefits to a business credit card at tax time, too.
Do all rewards cards have an introductory offer?
No, and they change frequently too, so you have to keep an eye out for new offers. Most often, introductory offers come in the form of bonus points. The value of these points alone can make the card worthwhile for the first year, as long as you’re able to use them wisely for your business.
Remember, bonus points are typically only available when you sign up as a new cardholder, and might have other fine print (so check the terms before applying).
How do I find the card’s features?
You’ll need to read our reviews and the card’s PDS and terms to really understand all the features of a card. Some are basic credit cards (generally with a lower annual fee) and some are bursting with features.
To decide if a card is right for your business, think about what you and your employees need from the card and weigh up if the value of the features is greater than the ongoing fees.
5 tips for making the most of your business credit card
- Pick a card that suits your business and spending patterns — and be honest about whether you pay in full. Our reader Q&A analysis shows 55% of questions are about points, but the single most common financial mistake is chasing earn rates while carrying a balance at 20%+ p.a.
- Monitor the spending on employee cards. 7% of reader questions on this page ask about employee card costs — a sign many applicants don't realise some cards charge per additional cardholder. Amex Qantas Business includes up to 99 employee cards free; others charge $30–$75 per card per year, which can quietly erode your annual fee calculation.
- Use integrated software to streamline money management
- Strategically redeem points for the best value
- Avoid paying interest by paying the card off in full each month. At 20%+ p.a., a $5,000 carried balance costs $1,000+ in interest annually — more than the annual fee on most premium business cards, and more than the points value earned on $40,000 of spend at CCAU's 2.47¢/pt valuation. Interest is the fastest way to make a rewards card actively expensive.
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