The best business credit cards for ad spend in October 2025

Business advertising expenses represent a significant portion of many companies' budgets, yet most firms treat these payments as simple transactions rather than opportunities for financial optimization. Strategic use of the right credit card can transform routine advertising purchases into three distinct advantages.

Turning expenses into rewards

Most businesses see no added value when paying for online advertising with cash or debit. However, a company spending $50,000 annually on Google and Facebook ads could earn $2,500 in cash back or travel rewards with a card that offers 5% back on advertising purchases.

Over time, those rewards add up. A specialized business card can help companies with sizable marketing budgets recoup 2%-5% of their annual ad spend, which can be reinvested into future campaigns or used to offset travel costs for conferences and client meetings.

Improved cash flow management

Credit cards function as short-term financing tools for marketing expenses. High limit business cards allow companies to launch major advertising campaigns without immediately depleting their bank accounts. The billing cycle provides a buffer of several weeks between when ads are purchased and when payment is due.

This timing flexibility becomes critical when sales revenue lags behind marketing investments. A high-limit card acts as a financial buffer, enabling businesses to handle large campaigns or seasonal spikes in advertising spend while waiting for returns to materialize. The key is paying the statement balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that would negate any rewards earned.

Expense tracking and perks

Using a dedicated card for advertising simplifies accounting. All advertising transactions appear on one monthly statement, making it easier to calculate return on investment for marketing spend and prepare tax filings. Many business cards integrate with financial software and offer spend management software that reduces manual bookkeeping work.

Premium cards often include benefits that extend beyond rewards. Travel insurance, airport lounge access, and discounts on business services provide additional value, particularly for teams that travel a lot or companies that can capitalize on any partner benefits. While these perks are not directly tied to advertising spend, they can help offset annual fees on premium cards.

In short, the right credit card turns advertising from a pure cost center into an opportunity for rewards and better cash management. The next step is figuring out which card best fits your company’s advertising needs. That requires looking at a few key factors.

Not all businesses have the same advertising profile, so the optimal credit card for one company might not suit another. When evaluating credit cards for advertising spend, businesses should consider several critical factors.

Where you advertise

Different cards reward different advertising platforms. Some cards focus exclusively on digital advertising, such as social media and search engines, while others include traditional media like television and radio in their bonus categories.

Cards vary significantly in how they define advertising for bonus rewards. Some limit bonuses to specific platforms like Google and Facebook, while others take a broader approach, offering bonus points for both online and offline advertising channels, including television, radio, and podcast sponsorships. Newer financial technology companies like Brex offer cards designed specifically for businesses that advertise primarily through digital channels.

The key is matching your card to your actual spending patterns. A company that invests heavily in LinkedIn ads and Google search campaigns may want a different card than one that buys billboard space and radio spots.

Annual advertising budget size

Many top business cards cap their bonus rewards at specific spending thresholds. Premium cards commonly limit their elevated rewards rates to the first $150,000 in eligible spending per year across certain categories, including advertising. After reaching this cap, the earning rate typically drops to one point, or one cent per dollar.

For businesses with advertising budgets well below these limits, a single high-rewards card will maximize returns. Companies spending several hundred thousand dollars annually on advertising face a different calculation. They might need multiple cards to maintain high reward rates beyond the initial caps, or they might find better value in a flat-rate cash back card with no spending limits.

A business spending $300,000 annually on advertising, for example, would earn bonus rewards on only half that amount with most premium cards. In such cases, an unlimited 2% cash back card might generate more total rewards despite the lower percentage rate.

Card annual fees vs. reward value

Business reward cards range from no-annual-fee options to premium cards costing several hundred dollars per year. Some premium cards charge $375 or more annually. While welcome bonuses often offset this cost in the first year, businesses must ensure ongoing rewards justify the recurring expense.

Again, the math is important. If a card with a $375 annual fee earns an extra 2% in rewards compared to a no-fee alternative, you would need to spend at least $18,750 on bonus categories to break even on the fee alone. For businesses with substantial advertising budgets, the math often favors premium cards. For those with modest spending, no fee business credit cards might provide better net value even with lower reward rates.

Other business spending needs

Consider whether this card will be used exclusively for advertising or for multiple business expense categories. Many companies have significant costs in areas like travel, software subscriptions, office supplies, and inventory.

If advertising represents just one portion of your business expenses, a card offering balanced rewards across spending categories might deliver superior overall value. Some cards provide 2% back on all purchases up to certain annual limits, while others offer unlimited cash back on every purchase.

For businesses where advertising dominates the expense profile, a specialized card that maximizes rewards in that category makes more sense, even if other purchases earn only base rewards. The optimal choice depends on your complete spending picture, not just your advertising budget.

Based on the above criteria, here are four highly rated business cards that excel at rewarding advertising expenditures. Each card has a unique set of perks and limitations, so the best fit will depend on your company’s specific needs.

1. Brex Card

Brex is a fintech corporate card tailored to venture-backed startups and rapidly growing companies. Its basic plan has no annual fee and is known for its founder-friendly policies and integrated spend management software. Brex doesn’t rely on personal credit scores; instead, it underwrites based on your company’s financials (such as cash balance and investors). This makes it especially attractive to startup founders looking to preserve personal credit while scaling ad campaigns. Brex’s rewards and perks are also designed with tech and marketing businesses in mind.

Key details

• Annual fee: $0
• Personal guarantee requirement: None
• Typical spending limit: 10-20x higher than traditional business credit cards
• Minimum credit score: N/A
• APR: N/A, charge card

Key features

• High spending capacity: Brex provides credit limits significantly higher than traditional small-business cards, often 10–20x higher, since limits are based on your company’s cash flow and funding rather than a fixed cap. This generous capacity is ideal for startups running large ad campaigns, as you’re less likely to max out the card during a big marketing push.
• Founder-friendly policies (no personal guarantee): Brex does not require founders to personally guarantee the debt. Approval and credit line are based on the business’s financial health, not your FICO score. This means no personal liability and no impact on the founder’s credit report, a major plus for entrepreneurs. Brex’s data-driven underwriting allows quicker approvals tailored to startups’ needs.
• Robust rewards program: Brex offers a rich point-based rewards scheme geared to common startup expenses. You can earn up to 7x points on categories like rideshare and travel, 4x on prepaid travel booked through Brex, 3x on restaurants, and 2× on recurring software, among others. (All other spend earns 1x.) Notably, Brex allows you to redeem points for business-oriented rewards. Beyond cash back or travel, you can even get discounted billboards to promote your brand. This unique “brand-building” redemption option lets marketing teams reinvest rewards into campaigns. Brex also partners with vendors to give cardholders valuable discounts. For example, perks include AWS credits and special offers for tools like Slack, which directly benefit companies with large ad budgets.
• Integrated expense management tools: Unlike a typical credit card, Brex is also a software platform for spend management. The card integrates with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, offers automatic receipt matching and expense categorization, and lets you issue unlimited virtual cards with custom limits for different employees or campaigns. You can set departmental or project-based budgets and get real-time tracking of expenses. These features mean a marketing team can give each ad platform (Google, Facebook, etc.) its own virtual card and closely monitor spending in real time, with live Slack/text notifications on transactions. Brex essentially eliminates tedious expense reports, a huge time-saver for a lean startup team.
• Built for large ad spend management: Brex’s platform is particularly useful for handling significant ad spend. You can assign specific cards or budgets to advertising campaigns and enforce spend limits by channel or team, which provides granular control over marketing expenditures. The card’s high limit and lack of preset cap means you can scale up Facebook or Google Ads quickly when a campaign is performing well, without stopping to request a credit line increase. In short, Brex is purpose-built for startups that need to dynamically manage and analyze their advertising spend across channels. The most popular ad platforms for Brex cardholders are Facebook, Google, TikTok, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Apple.
• Issue physical and virtual cards: With Brex, your team gets the payment flexibility they need with both physical and virtual card options. Physical cards work for on-site purchases at hardware stores, while virtual corporate cards handle online ad buys and other vendor payments. Set strict spending limits on virtual cards for one-time or recurring purchases, keeping every transaction within policy.
• Automated expense reporting: Stop tracking down expense receipts and manually matching transactions. Brex automatically generates receipts and matches them to expenses, while Brex AI reviews expenses to approve routine in-policy purchases and flag unusual activity. This automated expense reporting saves hours of administrative work each week.
• Custom embedded spend controls: Each employee credit card comes with customizable controls that prevent out-of-policy spending before it happens. Brex enables you to set limits by categories, vendors, transaction amounts, or other parameters that match your company policies. Project managers can have different rules than office staff, reflecting their actual needs.

Why companies choose to use Brex for ad spend

Brex is strong for advertising spend, not because it pays the very highest points on ad purchases, but because it lets marketing teams scale and control large, multi‑platform budgets with founder‑friendly underwriting, high limits, granular controls (down to vendor and Merchant Category Code), tight accounting integrations, and a rare ability to redeem points directly into out‑of‑home ad campaigns. If your priority is operational control and runway, Brex fits the bill.

2. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred is a go-to rewards card for smaller companies with a decent amount of online advertising and travel spend that want high returns without a premium price tag. It offers 3x points on major business categories, which includes Facebook, Google, and other ad buys. This card is best suited for smaller businesses that consistently spend in its bonus areas; however, companies with ad budgets over $150K/year or those seeking luxury travel perks may find its rewards cap and feature set limiting.

Key details

• Annual fee: $95
• Personal guarantee requirement: Yes, you are personally responsible for any business debt if the business cannot pay it back
• Typical spending limit: $5,000
• Minimum credit score: 670+
• APR: 20.24%-26.24% (variable APR)

Key features

• Earn 3 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising purchases (up to $150,000 in combined annual spend), as well as travel, shipping, and select telecom services.
• Points can be cashed out or transferred to airline and hotel partners for outsized travel value.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free employee cards are available

Drawbacks

• The 3x rewards rate is limited to $150,000 in combined bonus-category spending per year. Outside of that, ad spend earns just 1x.
• It charges a $95 annual fee, an added cost that eats into rewards if your advertising or travel spend is modest.
• Unlike some premium cards, it doesn’t include airport lounge access, travel credits, or other luxury benefits. The value is mainly in the points earnings.
• Purchases outside the defined bonus categories only earn 1 point per dollar, so general overhead or ad payments not coded as social/search ads see relatively low rewards.

3. Chase Ink Business Premier® Credit Card

The Ink Business Premier is Chase’s answer for small businesses with around $10,000 in spend per month that want straightforward cash back rather than travel points. Businesses that prioritize straightforward cash returns over travel benefits may consider this card for their needs, while those seeking point transfers or travel perks would need to consider other options. It does not include the travel benefits or point flexibility found in other premium business cards, making it a specialized tool for cash back accumulation only.

Key details

• Annual fee: $195
• Personal guarantee requirement: Yes, you are personally responsible for any business debt if the business cannot pay it back
• Typical spending limit: $10,000
• Minimum credit score: 670+
• APR: 18.49% to 26.49% (variable)

Key features

• 2% cash back on all purchases with no categories or caps
• It features no preset spending limit (with a pay-in-full structure)
• Welcome offer of $1,000 cash back after $10,000 in spend (within 3 months).
• Includes valuable Visa Signature business protections, such as primary rental car insurance and purchase protection.

Drawbacks

• The card charges a hefty $195 annual fee. Moreover, the rewards it earns are not transferable to Chase’s travel partners or to other Chase Ultimate Rewards accounts. You're essentially locked into cash back or Chase’s fixed-value redemption options.
• Unlike Chase’s points-based cards, there’s no way to get more than face value for your rewards (each point is worth a cent). This simplicity is a double-edged sword. It forgoes the potentially higher value that point transfers or travel redemptions can yield.
• The Ink Business Premier functions similarly to a charge card with no preset limit, meaning the full balance generally must be paid each month. There’s no introductory 0% APR period or low-interest cushion for financing large ad purchases over time, so ample cash flow is a must.
• Outside of its high cash-back earning rate, the card offers little in travel perks or expense management tools. Companies seeking airport lounge access, airline credits, or software integrations will not find those here. This product is primarily about cash rebates on spend.

4. Capital One Spark Cash Plus

The Spark Cash Plus is a business cash back card that provides a 2% return on all purchases. It focuses exclusively on cash back rewards without offering travel benefits, bonus categories, or promotional financing options. The card's value proposition depends on a business's spending volume and whether it can meet the requirements for its annual fee waiver. Companies evaluating this card would need to calculate whether their spending patterns and the 2% return offset the annual fee. Businesses seeking travel rewards, varied earning categories, or financing options would need to explore other products.

Key details

• Annual fee: $150
• Personal guarantee requirement: Typically yes. Capital One notes that most business cards require a personal guarantee (product‑agnostic policy guidance).
• Typical spending limit: No preset spending limit; capacity adapts to spending behavior, payment history, and credit profile.
• Minimum credit score: 670+
• APR: None (pay‑in‑full card). No APR; late fee 2.99% of the outstanding statement balance if not paid in full.

Key features

• Unlimited 2% cash back on all business purchases, with no caps or category restrictions.
• The $150 annual fee is waived in any year you spend $200,000 or more.
• $2,000 one-time cash bonus after you spend $30,000 within the first 3 months.
• $0 annual fee for the account.

Drawbacks

• The card’s $150 annual fee applies every year you don’t hit the steep $200K spend waiver. Smaller businesses with lighter ad budgets might find this cost high relative to their rewards earned.
• This card lacks ancillary benefits like travel insurance, lounge access, or redemption boosts. Businesses seeking perks beyond a flat reward rate (for example, travel point transfers or concierge services) won’t find them here.
• While the potential sign-up bonus is large, the spending requirement (e.g. $30,000 in 3 months for the initial bonus) is far above what many small businesses can comfortably spend. It essentially targets companies with sizable budgets; others may not be able to unlock the full advertised bonus value.

Maximizing rewards on advertising spend requires a systematic approach that begins with understanding your spending patterns and ends with strategic reward redemption. The following steps will help businesses extract maximum value from their advertising purchases while avoiding common pitfalls that reduce returns.

Step 1: Calculate your annual advertising budget

Begin by tracking total advertising expenses across all platforms over the past 12 months. Include Facebook ad spend, Google Ads, LinkedIn advertising, TikTok campaigns, Amazon advertising, and any other online ads. Monthly advertising spend typically fluctuates, so annual calculations provide better card selection guidance.

Create a checklist including:

• Social media advertising (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok)
• Search engine marketing (Google Ads, Bing Ads)
• Professional platforms (LinkedIn ads)
• Ecommerce advertising (Amazon, eBay)
• Other online advertising platforms

Document whether your business spends under $50,000, $50,000-$150,000, or over $150,000 annually, as this determines the optimal card selection strategy.

Step 2: Select the right card based on spending level

For businesses spending under $150,000 annually on advertising, compare cards offering 4X rewards points versus those providing 3X points on advertising purchases. Cards with higher reward multipliers typically provide better returns despite higher annual fees, but calculate your specific scenario using point redemption preferences.

Businesses exceeding $150,000 in annual advertising spend should prioritize cards with uncapped earning rates. While high annual fees require justification, unlimited bonus earning potential makes these cards ideal for agencies and high-volume advertisers.

Technology-focused business cards like Brex have emerged as alternatives for startups and digital companies, offering rewards structures tailored to modern advertising channels without traditional spending caps.

For simple cash back preference without complex point redemption, flat-rate cards offering 2 percent back on all purchases including advertising spend provide straightforward value, with no foreign transaction fees for international campaigns.

Step 3: Optimize usage and track rewards

Set up automatic payments for major advertising platforms to ensure consistent payments while earning maximum rewards. Monitor monthly statements to verify these advertising purchases are coded correctly for bonus categories. Some international or smaller platforms may not qualify for bonus rewards.

Integrate credit card expenses with business accounting software for streamlined expense tracking. Track reward accumulation monthly and plan redemptions strategically. Transfer points to airline partners for travel rewards or redeem for cash back to reinvest in advertising campaigns.

Understanding what not to do is as important as knowing the right strategies when using credit cards for advertising expenses. These common mistakes can cost businesses thousands of dollars in lost rewards and unnecessary fees each year.

Mistake 1: Ignoring annual spending caps

Many businesses choose high-reward cards without considering $150,000 annual caps. Exceeding caps means earning only 1X points on additional spend, dramatically reducing returns. Calculate total advertising spend before selecting cards with spending limits.

Mistake 2: Paying annual fees without reaching break-even

High annual fee cards require substantial spending to justify costs. Premium cards need approximately $15,000 in bonus category spending to break even against no-fee alternatives. Track spending quarterly to ensure fee justification.

Mistake 3: Missing category requirements

Some cards restrict bonus earning to US-based advertising or specific merchant categories. International Facebook ad spend or certain smaller platforms may not qualify. Verify platform eligibility before relying on bonus earning rates.

Smart expense management is the key to getting the most value from your corporate credit card program. Here are four proven strategies that help businesses maintain control while maximizing efficiency.

Establish clear corporate card policies and controls

Start by creating comprehensive policies that govern your corporate card program. Your corporate credit card policy should outline who qualifies for a card, required approvals, and consequences for misuse. Include clear guidelines about card cancellation when employees leave and specific rules for card security. The most effective policies also address liability, dispute procedures, and spending restrictions. Remember — well-documented policies protect both your business and employees by eliminating confusion and establishing accountability.

Implement smart approval workflows

Design approval processes that balance control with efficiency. Set up multi-level approval systems based on amount thresholds, business expense categories, or employee roles. For instance, routine office supplies might need no pre-approval, while large purchases require manager sign-off. Create automated workflows that notify approvers instantly and allow quick reviews through mobile apps. This keeps business moving while maintaining oversight.

Leverage automated expense tracking

Modern corporate card programs offer powerful automation tools that can help keep track of receipts and eliminate manual expense management. Take advantage of features like automated receipt capture, real-time transaction categorization, and direct accounting software integration. This not only saves time but also reduces errors and provides better visibility into spending patterns. When employees can simply snap photos of receipts that automatically match to transactions, you'll see higher compliance rates and faster month-end closes.

Monitor and review regularly

Don't wait for problems to arise — establish a routine review process for all card activity. Regular monitoring helps you spot unusual patterns, identify opportunities for negotiating with vendors, and ensure policy compliance. Schedule monthly reviews of departmental spending, track category trends, and look for ways to optimize your program. These reviews also help identify where policies might need adjustment or where additional training could be beneficial.

Let's explore how different teams across your organization can leverage corporate cards to streamline their specific spending needs. From marketing campaigns to event management, understanding these real-world applications helps you maximize the value of your corporate card program.

Digital advertising and marketing expenses

Marketing teams in every industry have transformed how they manage campaign spending with corporate cards. These cards enable real-time budget adjustments across platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, and LinkedIn, while automatically tracking ROI for each campaign. Marketing managers particularly value the ability to scale spending instantly during high-performing campaigns without getting caught in traditional purchase approval delays.

Business travel and entertainment

Corporate cards have revolutionized travel management solutions by combining booking flexibility with automated expense tracking. When employees travel, their corporate cards automatically categorize flights, hotels, and meals while providing access to airport lounges and travel insurance. This seamless integration of travel booking and expense management means teams can focus on their business objectives rather than keeping track of business expenses.

Software and subscription management

Modern businesses rely on dozens or even hundreds of software subscriptions, making corporate cards essential for efficient SaaS management. IT departments can track all software spending in one place, instantly identifying unused subscriptions and managing renewal dates. The real-time visibility helps companies optimize their software costs while ensuring teams have access to the tools they need.

Equipment and supplies

Managing office and equipment purchases becomes significantly more efficient with corporate cards. Teams can make pre-approved purchases without lengthy approval processes, while maintaining strict spending controls and vendor relationships. The automated tracking and categorization ensures perfect visibility into supply chain costs and helps identify opportunities for vendor consolidation.

Event and conference management

Corporate cards streamline the complex financial aspects of event management, from vendor deposits to on-site expenses. Event managers can track costs in real-time against budgets, while maintaining flexibility for last-minute changes or emergency expenses. The detailed transaction data helps with post-event analysis and future planning.

It’s clear from just a few common use cases that corporate cards can improve spend management across every department of your organization. By implementing the right corporate card program, your teams can focus on driving business results rather than wrestling with expense management.

Choosing the right credit card for advertising spend isn't about finding a perfect solution. It's about matching your company's specific spending patterns and business needs to the card that delivers maximum value. Whether that means prioritizing high reward rates, unlimited earning potential, or simplified expense management depends on your advertising budget and operational priorities.

The fundamental principle remains constant across all business types. Every dollar spent on advertising should work harder than simply buying impressions or clicks. Strategic credit card selection transforms these necessary expenses into rewards, improved cash flow, and better financial tracking. Companies that ignore this opportunity essentially donate thousands of dollars annually to their payment processors instead of capturing that value for themselves.

Brex stands out for businesses that need more than just rewards from their advertising spend. Brex combines high credit limits based on company cash flow with granular spending controls and real-time expense tracking. Marketing teams can issue virtual cards for each advertising platform, set specific budgets, and monitor performance without drowning in expense reports. The lack of personal guarantee requirements and founder-friendly underwriting makes it particularly valuable for startups scaling their advertising quickly. Plus, the ability to redeem points directly for billboards means your rewards can immediately fuel more growth.

Your advertising dollars are already working to grow your business. Make them work even harder. Apply for a Brex card today and turn your next campaign launch into rewards that fuel future growth.

By combining powerful controls with expense management automation and real-time visibility, corporate credit cards eliminate many of the headaches traditionally associated with business spending. The right corporate card program can help your company scale efficiently while maintaining control over expenses.

Brex offers a comprehensive solution that goes beyond traditional corporate cards. With built-in expense management tools, global payments capabilities, and seamless startup banking features, you get everything you need to manage your business finances in one place. Plus, Brex's rewards program is specifically designed for modern businesses, offering multipliers on common expenses like software subscriptions and travel.

Transform the way you do business with Brex, the corporate card built for modern companies. In just minutes, you'll have instant access to virtual cards and powerful spending tools - no personal guarantee required. Watch your rewards stack up while our real-time tracking gives you complete visibility into every dollar spent. Thousands of innovative companies are already saving time and money with streamlined expense management. Join them today and discover what your business can achieve with Brex. Sign up now and put your company's financial future in motion.