Best Credit Card for Sales Reps in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Capital One Spark Cash Plus

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Capital One Spark Miles for Business

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Sales Reps

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When your sales team is racking up expenses on the road, selecting the best credit card is crucial for streamlining expense management and maximizing returns on company spending.

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A common misstep is chasing high rewards rates in categories where your team rarely spends, such as personal travel instead of business-centric expenses like gas and dining. Furthermore, overlooking crucial details like hefty annual fees, foreign transaction charges for international travel, and poor integration with accounting software can ultimately cost more than the rewards are worth.

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Key Factors

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• Rewards Structure: Look for cards that offer high cash back or points in categories where your team spends the most, such as dining, gas, and travel.
• Annual Fees: Evaluate whether the card's annual fee is justified by the rewards and benefits it provides for your business spending.
• Welcome Offers: A generous introductory bonus can provide significant upfront value, but be sure to meet the spending requirements to earn it.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: If your sales team travels abroad, choose a card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges on international purchases.
• Expense Management Features: Prioritize cards that offer robust tools for tracking expenses, setting spending limits, and integrating with your accounting software.
• Travel Benefits: Perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and rental car coverage can enhance your team's comfort and provide valuable cost savings.
• APR and Interest Charges: While it's best to pay the balance in full each month, a lower APR provides a more affordable cushion if you need to carry a balance.
• Card Acceptance: Ensure the card is widely accepted, especially in the regions your team frequents, to avoid payment issues.

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What to Watch Out For

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Don't get dazzled by flashy rewards without checking the fine print for spending caps and category restrictions that might not fit your team's actual expenses. It's also easy to overlook how quickly high annual fees or foreign transaction charges can cancel out the value of your points. A less obvious but equally frustrating pitfall is choosing a card that doesn't play well with your accounting software, creating a mountain of manual expense reports.

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Decision Flow

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Navigating the credit card landscape can be simplified by starting with your team's primary needs. Use this decision flow to pinpoint the card type that best aligns with your spending patterns and business priorities.

• If you want to maximize rewards on everyday sales expenses... look for a card that offers high bonus rates on dining, gas, and general travel. These cards are designed to reward the most common spending categories for a team on the move. For example, some business cards offer elevated points on the first large chunk of combined business purchases each year, making them a strong contender for consistent, high-volume spending.
• If your team travels frequently and values comfort... prioritize a premium travel card. While these often come with a significant annual fee, the benefits can offer outsized value. Look for perks like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and elite status with hotel or rental car partners. For instance, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, the first $300 spent on travel annually is reimbursed via the $300 Annual Travel Credit; points are earned on travel purchases after that credit is used. Other cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, offer extensive lounge access and various travel credits (Terms Apply). These benefits can directly improve travel experiences and reduce ancillary costs.
• If you prefer straightforward value without tracking categories... a flat-rate cash-back business card is your best bet. These cards offer a simple, fixed percentage back on every purchase, regardless of the category. This approach eliminates the need to manage spending caps or bonus tiers, providing predictable returns that are easy to reconcile.
• If your sales reps often travel abroad... a card with no foreign transaction fees is non-negotiable. These fees, typically around 3% of each purchase, can add up quickly on international trips. Most premium travel cards waive this fee, but it's a crucial feature to confirm before choosing.
• If you're focused on minimizing costs and have modest spending... start by exploring no-annual-fee business credit cards. While they may lack the rich rewards and premium perks of their pricier counterparts, they provide a functional tool for expense tracking and building business credit without an upfront investment.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Maximize Your Return with Sales Reps

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To get the most out of every dollar you spend, here are a few strategies to keep in mind when shopping with sales reps:

• Stack your rewards: Use a rewards-earning credit card through a shopping portal or app to double-dip on earnings from both your card issuer and the portal.
• Choose the right card for the purchase: Select a card that offers elevated rewards in the specific spending category of your purchase to maximize your return.
• Hit your welcome offer: Time large purchases to help you meet the minimum spending requirement for a lucrative new cardmember welcome offer.
• Redeem wisely: Aim to redeem your points for high-value options, such as transferring them to airline or hotel partners, rather than settling for lower-value cash back or merchandise.
• Activate card-linked offers: Before you shop, check your card issuer’s app for targeted offers that provide extra statement credits or bonus points at specific retailers.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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This free app automatically selects the best card for every purchase, helping users earn up to $750 more per year by maximizing rewards and unlocking hidden perks. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond the main reward structures, consider if a store-specific card makes sense for your spending habits, especially if you frequently purchase from a particular retailer for supplies or travel needs. However, no matter which card you choose, disciplined financial management is paramount. It's crucial to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that can quickly erase the value of any rewards you've earned. This principle extends to other forms of financing as well; carefully manage any Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans alongside your credit card debt to maintain a healthy financial picture. Ultimately, a credit card should be a tool for convenience and rewards, not a pathway to unmanageable debt.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What features are most important for a sales rep's credit card?

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Sales reps should prioritize cards with high rewards on travel and dining, as these are common expense categories. Also, look for benefits like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and streamlined expense tracking tools to make life on the road easier.

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Should I get a business credit card or a personal credit card?

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A business credit card is often the better choice as it helps keep professional expenses separate from personal spending, simplifying accounting and tax time. These cards may also offer higher spending limits and rewards tailored to business purchases.

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How can a credit card help with expense reporting?

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Many credit cards offer digital tools that automatically categorize spending and allow you to attach notes or receipts to transactions. This creates a clear record, making it much easier to generate accurate expense reports for company reimbursement.

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