3. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – Best for Bonus Categories (Office, Gas, Phone)

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Why it’s great:

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a category king for many common freelance expenses. It offers a whopping 5% cash back on office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services (on up to $25,000 combined annually)​, plus 2% back on gas stations and restaurants (also $25k annual cap combined)​.

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If you’re a freelancer or gig worker who spends a lot on gas (rideshare drivers!) or has significant phone/internet bills or buys equipment at stores like Staples, this card can yield tremendous rewards. Even beyond those, it has a solid welcome bonus structure (currently up to $750 cash back with a tiered spending offer)​, and no annual fee.

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Freelance-friendly perks:

Earning 5% back on your phone and internet is almost like getting a discount on your essential business utilities. Also, consider office supplies broadly – if you purchase electronics or even furniture at an office supply store, those earn 5%. Many freelancers don’t think they have “office supply” spend, but even buying a new desk chair at Staples or printer ink qualifies.

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Gas at 2% is less than some personal gas cards, but given it’s on a business card, you might prefer to use this for simplicity if you already carry it for the 5% categories. Like its sibling Ink Unlimited, this card also includes primary rental car insurance for business rentals and purchase protection benefits. If you travel occasionally and dine out with clients, that 2% on restaurants is a nice plus.

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At a glance:

‍5% on office supplies & telecom; 2% on gas & dining; $0 annual fee – This is a powerhouse for specific expenses. A strategy: pair the Ink Cash with the Ink Unlimited – use Ink Cash for any 5% or 2% category spend, and Ink Unlimited’s 1.5% for all other spend (or an Amex Blue Business Cash at 2% for other spend). Many one-person businesses use this combo to net great returns on every dollar. For gig workers: even if you don’t have “office” spend, you definitely have phone and internet bills – why not get 5% back on those?

4. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – Best for Travel Rewards and Big Spenders

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Why it’s great:

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is Chase’s flagship small-business card with a travel rewards tilt. It offers 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend on travel, shipping, advertising (social media/search ads), and internet/phone services​. If your freelance work involves travel or online advertising (think Etsy sellers promoting listings, or consultants flying to conferences), the rewards can rack up fast.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are quite valuable – about 2 cents per point when maximized per TPG’s valuation​ – meaning that 3x points can equate to ~6% value return on those categories. There’s an annual fee of $95, but it’s modest considering the benefits. The card currently has one of the richest welcome bonuses on the market: 90,000 points after $8,000 spend in 3 months (that’s worth ~$1,800 toward travel if used smartly via Chase’s partners)​​.

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Freelance-friendly perks:

This card shines for those who want to convert business expenses into travel. For example, a freelance software developer who spends on web hosting and occasional airfare to meet clients can pool points for free flights or hotel stays. It also includes robust travel insurance protections – trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage (for both personal and business travel), and no foreign transaction fees (great if you’re a digital nomad working abroad).

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Another perk: you can get free employee cards, and points from all cards accumulate to the main account. If you have a side-hustle selling goods, the 3x on shipping costs (e.g., postal services, FedEx) will save money. Despite the annual fee, the value from the bonus and 3x categories easily outweighs it for many.

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At a glance:

‍3x points on travel, ads, shipping, phone/internet; $95 annual fee; huge bonus – This card is best for established freelancers or gig workers with higher expenses in its bonus areas, and those who are interested in travel rewards. If you’re just starting out or have very low expenses, you might choose a no-fee card first. But as soon as your business spend grows or you plan a big trip, the Ink Preferred is a game-changer.

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Many users pair it with the no-fee Ink cards: use Preferred for 3x categories and an Ink Unlimited for everything else. If you do that, you can even convert the Ink Unlimited’s cash back into more Chase points (since 1.5% back = 1.5 points, which you can transfer to Preferred and then to travel partners)​. That elevates your entire rewards strategy. Bottom line: for travel-loving freelancers, this is the card to beat.

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business – Best for Easy Approval & Unlimited 1.5–2%

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Why it’s great:

The Capital One Spark series is popular among small business owners for its straightforward rewards and relatively accessible underwriting. Spark Cash Select (there are a couple versions) typically offers 1.5% unlimited cash back with no annual fee (and often a 0% intro APR period), while another version offers 2% cash back with a $0 intro annual fee then $95 ongoing.

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For many freelancers, the no-fee 1.5% version is appealing if they want a simple, flat-reward card but perhaps don’t want a Chase or Amex for any reason. Capital One is known to approve applicants with slightly lower credit scores compared to Chase/Amex, so if you’re building credit, this could be a great pick. There’s usually a welcome bonus (e.g., $500 after $4,500 in 3 months – check current offer specifics).

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Freelance-friendly perks:

One big benefit – no foreign transaction fees on Spark cards. If you do any work or travel abroad, you can use it freely (whereas some no-annual-fee business cards like Amex Blue Business have foreign fees). Spark Cash also integrates nicely with tools like Excel or QuickBooks for download of transactions. Capital One also provides year-end summaries.

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They also allow you to download receipts and notes for each transaction via their app, which is good for record-keeping. While Spark doesn’t have a ton of flashy perks, it’s the reliability and ease-of-use that make it a contender. Also, Spark miles (the sister card) might be considered if you prefer points – but for most freelancers who want cashback, Spark Cash is straightforward.

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At a glance:

1.5% unlimited cash back (or 2% on $95 AF version); $0 annual fee option; typically has intro APR – This is the “workhorse” card. It’s not about bells and whistles; it’s about steady rewards and broad acceptance. Capital One reports to both personal and business credit bureaus for their business cards, which is a double-edged sword: it can help build your personal credit history of responsible usage (since it shows up, unlike other business cards), but it also means high utilization on it could affect your personal score. So, if you get this card, treat it like the others – pay in full. This card is best if you want simplicity or if you’re early in your credit journey and want a business card that’s easier to obtain.

Honorable Mention: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express – Best for Flexible Points

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We couldn’t resist adding one more option. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is similar to the Blue Business Cash, but instead of cash back it earns Membership Rewards points – 2X points on up to $50k/year. If you prefer points (which can be transferred to airline/hotel partners for potentially more value), the Blue Business Plus is fantastic with no annual fee (rates & fees). Many freelancers who travel use it to bank Amex points. Its value shines if you also have a personal Amex like Gold or Platinum, but even standalone it’s great.

How to Choose the Right Card for You

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With several great options on the table, here’s how to decide:

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• If you want simplicity and no fees: Start with a flat-rate card like Ink Business Unlimited or Spark Cash (1.5% on everything) or Blue Business Cash (2% on everything up to cap). You can’t go wrong with any of those for general use.

• If you have specific big expenses: Choose a card that pays extra for that. Lots of driving? Ink Business Cash for gas (2%) or a personal 5% gas card. Lots of advertising or travel? Ink Business Preferred for 3X points.

• If you plan to travel on points: Ink Business Preferred (Chase UR points) or Amex Blue Business Plus (Amex MR points) set you up with transferable points which can be more valuable than cash back when redeemed smartly.

• If your credit is just okay: Consider Spark Cash or possibly a secured business card (not listed above, as these five assume you have decent credit). Building up with a Spark or even using a personal card responsibly for a year can help you graduate to the above cards.

• No matter which you choose, ensure the card’s benefits align with your needs (no sense getting airport lounge access if you never travel, for example). And remember, you can have more than one card – many freelancers use 2-3 of these in combination to maximize rewards.

By now, you have a solid grasp of the top credit card options for your freelance or gig business. But managing multiple cards – and making sure you’re always using the best one for each purchase – can be time-consuming. That’s where Kudos comes in. Kudos is a smart tool that helps freelancers and gig workers maximize their credit card rewards effortlessly.

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Add it to your browser, and whenever you’re about to pay for something, Kudos will suggest the ideal card from your wallet to use (to get the most cash back or points). It’s like having a personal finance assistant. Plus, Kudos keeps all your card benefits in one place and can even alert you to better card offers that match your profile. As you step up your freelance finance game with one (or more) of these top credit cards, let Kudos streamline the process – so you can save money and time.

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Remember: the right card + the right tool = you keeping more of your hard-earned money!

FAQs

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Can I get these business credit cards as a freelancer without an LLC?
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Yes – all the cards listed are available to sole proprietors. On the application, you would select “Sole Proprietor” as the business type and use your own name as the legal business name. For Tax ID, you can use your Social Security number. As long as you have some form of income from self-employment (even a side gig), you’re eligible​.

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The bank might ask for an estimate of your business revenue – it’s okay if it’s not very high yet; provide a truthful estimate. What they care about more is your personal credit score and history, which you’ll also provide. We’ve included mainly business cards here; none require formal business registration.

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Do I have to use a business credit card for freelance expenses, or can I use a personal card?
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You can use personal cards, and many freelancers do, especially if they already have a great personal rewards card. However, there are advantages to business cards: higher credit lines (often), they don’t report utilization to personal credit bureaus​, and they have rewards geared to business spend (like the 5% on office/internet with Ink Cash). Also, separating expenses can be cleaner. Personal cards might have consumer protections (like extended 0% APR on purchases or consumer purchase protections) that some business cards lack – though the ones we listed actually have a lot of protections.

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It often comes down to how much spending you do. If it’s minimal, a good personal cashback card could suffice. If it’s substantial or growing, getting a business card is wiser. Some freelancers actually use both: they might put absolutely everything on a personal 2% cashback card for simplicity. But when they realize tax time is messy, they switch to a business card. With our top 5 list, since many have no annual fee, it could be worth getting one and testing it out for dedicated freelance purchases.

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Which of these cards is best for a gig worker like a delivery or rideshare driver?
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For gig drivers, Ink Business Cash is great because of 2% back on gas (and you can use the 5% on your phone bill)​. If you prefer not to worry about categories and you want to maximize gas specifically, consider pairing it with a personal card like Citi Custom Cash (which gives 5% on your top category each month, e.g., gas, up to $500 – not listed above but a trick some drivers use). Among the cards above, Blue Business Cash (2% on everything) or Ink Unlimited (1.5% on everything) are excellent if you have mixed expenses (maintenance, car washes, snacks for riders, etc.).

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Also, think about 0% APR: Spark Cash Select often has a 0% intro APR for 12 months – that could help if you need to finance a car repair. So the “best” depends on whether you value simplicity or maximizing certain spend. Many drivers love flat 2% back (Blue Business Cash) because gas, repairs, etc. all get rewarded. If you spend a ton on gas, you might also consider a specialized gas card. But from our list, start with Ink Cash or Blue Business Cash.

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Do these cards offer any special benefits for new businesses?
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Yes. Beyond rewards, some have benefits like free software trials or credits. For example, Amex Blue Business cards sometimes come with discounts on services like Microsoft 365 or Indeed hiring credits (promos vary). Chase Ink cards give you primary rental car insurance when renting for business, which is valuable if you travel (saves you buying insurance at the counter). Also, having a business card can help you build a business credit profile (Chase and Amex report to commercial credit bureaus) which could help if you ever need to take out a business loan or higher line of credit.

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And of course, the big welcome bonuses (like Ink Preferred’s 100k or so points) can effectively inject a lot of value into your business travel or cash flow once you meet the spend. All these “soft” benefits support new businesses by either cutting costs or providing safety nets. Lastly, issuers often have partnerships (Chase Ink, for instance, sometimes gives free DashPass for DoorDash or discounts on LinkedIn Ads, etc., which a freelancer might use). It’s worth checking the “Benefits” section of each card to see these extras.

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How do I redeem the rewards – as cash, points, what’s the best?
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For the cashback cards (Ink Unlimited, Ink Cash, Blue Business Cash, Spark Cash), redemption is straightforward: you can apply cashback as a statement credit, or sometimes direct deposit to your bank. We generally recommend statement credit because it directly offsets your expenses (essentially tax-free since it’s a rebate, not income). For points cards (Ink Preferred’s Ultimate Rewards, Amex’s Membership Rewards), you have options: you can convert to cash (Chase UR can be cashed out at 1 cent per point, so 100k = $1,000), or get more value by booking travel or transferring to airline/hotel partners. For example, those 90k Chase points could be transferred to United or Hyatt for potentially higher value (like business class flights or luxury hotel stays).

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If you’re not into travel redemptions, you can still use points to erase travel purchases or buy gift cards. Simpler: if travel isn’t your goal, focus on the cash back cards for simplicity. If you do take the occasional vacation or work trip, learning the points game for Ink Preferred can pay off. And remember, you can mix and match: e.g., use Ink Cash for 5% categories, then combine those rewards with Ink Preferred points and book a flight. It’s flexible. The best redemption is the one that aligns with your personal goals – many freelancers love cash back for its immediate impact on their bottom line, while others who left corporate life miss the travel perks, so points scratch that itch.