The 7 top corporate business cards in the US compared by fees and features

When your business first starts, reimbursing expenses and tracking expenditures can seem straightforward. 

However, as spending and workflows scale, smart tools like corporate cards do the heavy lifting – tracking spend, simplifying reimbursements, and helping you grow without losing control. In fact, 56% of businesses use cards for financing to make business spending easier.¹ Cards may include a rewards program, card controls, and expense management features, but not all corporate cards are equal. Explore key features, costs, and popular US corporate card options below.

What is a corporate card?

A corporate card is a business debit or credit card that allows employees to make purchases on behalf of the company. The card is issued in the company’s name and is tied to the business’s financials, not the employee’s personal credit.

While traditionally used by larger enterprises, many modern corporate card solutions are available to startups and small businesses. These cards often have features tailored to business needs, such as spend controls, real-time tracking, and centralized expense management.

There are typically two types of corporate cards:

• Corporate credit cards: Allow businesses to borrow funds from a pre-approved credit line, with repayment due based on billing cycles.

• Corporate debit cards: Pull funds directly from the company’s bank account with each transaction, without borrowing.

A corporate card can be a flexible tool for companies of all sizes to simplify employee spending and financial management.

How do corporate cards work?

Corporate cards help businesses give employees a controlled and straightforward way to buy goods or services and manage expenses. Here's a simplified breakdown of how they typically work:

• Issuance: The company applies for corporate cards from a financial institution. Once approved, the company can issue these cards to employees who need them for business-related expenses.

• Spending: Employees use the corporate cards to make purchases for business purposes, such as travel, meals, or office supplies. The company can pre-approve spending limits and allowable purchase categories to control expenses.

• Tracking: Each transaction made with a corporate card is recorded, making it easy for the company to track spending in real time. This helps monitor expenses and ensure compliance with company policies.

• Reconciliation: At the end of the billing cycle, the company receives a consolidated statement that includes all employee-made transactions. This statement can be reconciled with the company's accounting system to ensure accuracy.

• Payment: The company pays the card issuer the total amount employees spend during the billing cycle. This is usually done through a single payment, simplifying the process compared to reimbursing individual employees.

• Expense reporting: Employees may still need to submit expense reports, but the process is streamlined because the transactions are already recorded. Modern platforms like Airwallex reduce administrative burden with advanced expense management features.

• Rewards and benefits: Some corporate cards have perks that can offset your spending and provide additional incentives. For example, Airwallex offers up to 1.5% cashback on your business spend. Other corporate cards may offer rewards points or airline miles. 

Corporate cards provide a convenient way for employees to make necessary purchases, manage expenses more effectively, and improve cash flow. This function is particularly critical as an organization’s recurring monthly expenses grow. 

7 top corporate cards in the US

To save you time, we've compiled a list of our top corporate card picks and their key details below, including:​

• Airwallex Corporate Cards are multi-currency debit cards built for global businesses that need real-time spend control, integrated expense management, and reduced FX fees across international transactions.

• Amazon Business Prime American Express is a corporate card tailored to Amazon Prime members, which is ideal for businesses that make many Amazon-related purchases.

• American Express Business Gold is a business card known for its flexible rewards program, designed for companies with high monthly spend.

• Brex Card is a corporate card built for venture-backed US startups. It offers tech-forward tools but is limited in availability for sole proprietors or smaller businesses.

• Capital On Tap Business Credit Card is a business credit card designed for small businesses looking for straightforward cashback and basic expense tools.

• Chase Ink Business Premier Card is a corporate card for high-spending businesses that want simple, flat-rate cashback and integration with the Chase platform.

• Ramp Card is a corporate card designed for fast-growing startups prioritizing automation, real-time spend control, and built-in expense management.

Airwallex Corporate Cards

While most traditional banks offer corporate cards, they often fall short of supporting your global financial operations. Airwallex Business Accounts are built for scale, letting you hold and spend in 23+ currencies directly from your account. By using held balances, you reduce FX risk and can often avoid international transaction fees entirely.

Every Business Account includes free access to our Corporate Debit Cards – physical and virtual cards that let your team pay for international expenses and travel using your existing balances. That means no lines of credit, no surprise APRs – just smarter global spending that helps you stay on budget. Airwallex customers can earn up to 1.5% cashback on qualifying US-based card transactions. 

With integrated Expense Management, you can track your team’s cross-border payments in real time to keep tabs on your cash position. You can also set spending limits and restrict merchant types to avoid unexpected overspending and remain compliant with corporate spending policies. 

Airwallex Business Debit Cards are ideal for US businesses growing internationally and small US businesses that want better control over their budgets. Expense Management and Bill Pay organize spending and oversight all in one place. 

Amazon Business Prime American Express

Amazon has expanded into the business card space by partnering with American Express, offering the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. Designed for US businesses that frequently purchase from Amazon and its affiliated services, the card provides a choice between 5% back or 90-day payment terms on eligible purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market – up to $120,000 annually with an eligible Prime membership. Beyond that, cardholders earn 2% back at US restaurants, gas stations, and wireless service providers, and 1% back on other eligible purchases.

There’s no annual fee, foreign transaction fee, or fee for additional employee cards. However, the card operates in US dollars only, and it doesn't support multi-currency balances or spending in held foreign currencies, so businesses with regular international transactions may still be exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. 

Unlike platforms like Airwallex, which allow users to hold and spend in multiple currencies directly from one account, the Amazon Business Amex card is best suited for US-based spending and Amazon-centric operations.

American Express Business Gold

American Express is renowned for its premium offerings, and the Business Gold card is no exception. Cardholders can earn one membership reward point per dollar on most purchases. You can earn two points per dollar for select categories like airfare, travel, and advertising. These points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, though the redemption value may vary. For example, travel and gift cards often offer better value per point compared to statement credits.³

The Business Gold Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a viable option for international travel and online purchases. However, its best rewards rates apply only to US purchases in select categories, and it lacks multi-currency wallet support. If you need to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad, be aware that the card may charge a cash advance fee of $3 or 2% of the withdrawal amount, whichever is higher. Additionally, ATM operators may charge their own fees, which can add to the cost.

While the card offers valuable rewards for businesses, these fees should be considered if your business frequently engages in international transactions or cash withdrawals.

Brex

Brex is marketed as a fee-free option for startups. It has no annual or explicit foreign transaction fees and supports unlimited virtual cards. You can earn up to 8x points in select categories like rideshare, travel, and dining – a strong value for companies that spend heavily in those areas.

To access Brex’s premium features – such as spend controls, expense automation, and ERP integrations – businesses must enroll in Brex Empower, which starts at $49/month. This subscription model may be less ideal for teams primarily seeking basic spend management without extra cost.

Brex supports multi-currency spending but does not allow you to hold or receive foreign currency. However, international transactions are subject to a foreign exchange markup of up to 3%. Businesses with high cross-border spend or those seeking more transparent FX pricing and built-in global spend tools may want to compare other options.

Capital On Tap Business Card

Capital On Tap gives small businesses a simple, no-frills credit card: no annual fee, unlimited 1.5% cashback, and free employee cards. You can issue physical and virtual cards, set spend limits, and sync everything with tools like QuickBooks and Xero. Approval is fast, and you can start spending right away.

While it advertises no foreign transaction fees, international purchases come with a 3% FX markup, which can eat into your margins if you’re buying or spending abroad frequently. It’s also not ideal for businesses needing multi-currency support or more advanced, built-in expense management tools without additional costs. This card might feel limiting if you operate globally or require deeper controls.

Chase Ink Business Premier Card

The Chase Ink Business Premier is built for high-spending businesses that want straightforward cash back and robust purchasing power. You’ll earn 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% on everything else, making it a solid choice if your business regularly makes large transactions. It also comes with premium protections, including purchase and travel coverage, and integrates with Chase’s online banking platform for easy account management.

However, this card requires you to pay your balance in full every month, which may not work for businesses that prefer flexibility. It’s also US dollar only, with no multi-currency support – not ideal for companies with cross-border expenses. While you’ll get access to spending summaries, advanced controls, and real-time visibility tools are limited, especially compared to more modern spend platforms.

This plan is best for domestic businesses with high-volume spending who want predictable rewards and can afford to pay in full monthly.

Ramp

Ramp is geared toward US-based, VC-backed businesses and generally requires at least $25,000 in a business bank account to qualify.¹⁰ It may not be available to sole proprietors or smaller operations. With no annual fee, it combines 1.5% cash back on all purchases with built-in expense tracking, approval workflows, and software integrations. It’s an automation-friendly option for lean finance teams prioritizing simplicity and speed.

While Ramp supports international transactions and multi-currency payments, foreign spend is subject to FX markups of up to 3%, which can add costs for globally active teams.

Its features are particularly well-suited to tech-forward startups, though larger or more complex organizations may need additional customization or broader global capabilities to meet their needs.

How to compare and choose the top corporate cards in the US

Business needs vary by size, spending, and accounting processes, so take stock of your goals and needs as you compare card providers. While you shop for corporate cards, think about:

• Multi-currency support: Look for cards supporting multiple currencies so you can transact in different currencies without incurring foreign exchange or international transaction fees.

• Foreign exchange rates: Prioritize cards that offer low foreign exchange rates. This can result in significant savings, especially if you frequently transfer funds internationally. 

• Cashback and rewards: Look for additional benefits like cashback, air miles, or rewards points that can offset some of your spend.

• Spending habits: Determine who needs access to cards, what you’re spending on, and if you need multi-currency features for international transactions. 

• Spending controls: Choose cards with advanced expense management tools and accounting software integrations.

• Customer support: Evaluate the quality and availability of customer support for each card. Quality support can be crucial for resolving time-sensitive issues.

• Security features: To protect your business, consider the offered security features, such as fraud protection, chip-and-PIN technology, and virtual card capabilities.

How to apply for a corporate card

After you select your preferred card, you can apply online. The process can vary between providers, but it'll generally follow these steps:

• Research and compare options to determine what features are essential to your business, such as multi-currency support or low foreign transaction fees. 

• Confirm eligibility with the card provider based on business size, spending, and location. Some cards may be restricted to certain types of businesses.

• Gather business documents, including your business’s legal status, financial statements, and supplementary documents. 

• Apply online or in person by providing all the required information and submitting all the necessary documentation. 

Approval can take one to five business days, though most providers will send the card within a week. 

Corporate card alternatives for business finances

With relatively high eligibility requirements, corporate credit cards aren’t a fit for every business. Luckily, there are other corporate card alternatives such as: 

• Debit cards are ideal for businesses seeking better control over their spending while minimizing the risk of overspending.

• Business credit cards for mid- and small-sized businesses typically have lower credit and income requirements to get started, making them easier to qualify for.

• Prepaid cards allow businesses to purchase items using a preloaded balance, similar to debit cards, but without linking to your bank account.

• Business bank accounts can make managing finances easier, with many offering integrated card options for added convenience.

• Business loans are available for one-time expenses, offering larger balances without the added rewards typically found with credit cards. 

Most businesses use a mix of solutions to finance and manage their operations. 

Streamline your international business transactions

Corporate cards are tools to carry out business and work-related expenses without using your or your employees’ line of credit. They can also help you gain visibility of your business spending and allow you to put in customized card controls, such as setting spending limits, restricting merchants, or requiring approval for purchases. 

This convenience sometimes comes at a cost, particularly when spending across borders, once you factor in credit card interest rates, FX charges, and foreign transaction fees. Many traditional corporate cards prioritize legacy accounting integrations over modern, built-in expense controls – often because they were built for large enterprises using outdated systems, not fast-moving businesses that need real-time visibility and control.

Instead, consider alternatives like Airwallex Corporate Cards – physical and virtual cards for flexible international spending, without the hidden fees, and built-in, robust, easy-to-use expense management tools. Unlimited free employee debit cards are included with every Airwallex Business Account, which also gives you access to Global Accounts – local currency accounts with unique bank details that let you collect and hold payments in multi-currency wallets to avoid FX fees. 

Airwallex integrates with the accounting software you’re already using and offers built-in Expense Management and Bill Pay features so that you can manage all your financial operations in one place.

Sources

1. https://www.fedsmallbusiness.org/reports/survey/2024/2024-report-on-employer-firms 

2. https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Business-American-Express-Card/dp/B07984JN3L

3. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/business/business-credit-cards/american-express-business-gold-card-amex/65147/ 

4. https://www.brex.com 

5. https://www.capitalontap.com/en/guides/posts/business-credit-card-rates/ 

6. https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards/ink/premier? 

7. https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Business-American-Express-Card/dp/B07984JN3L

8. https://ramp.com/business-cards 

9. https://ramp.com/blog/chase-business-credit-card-application-status

10. https://support.ramp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043063133-Applying-and-signing-up-for-Ramp

Disclaimer: We wrote this article in Q2 2025. The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex wasn't able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only, and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected]