How and When a Sam’s Business Credit Card is a Good Option for Your Business

It can be difficult to choose which business credit cards to use.  There are so many options, and they all have varying benefits.  It takes time and thought to figure out which ones will work best for your business and its needs.  Where does the Sam’s Business Credit Card fall on the spectrum of being good for your business?

The answer to that question is widely dependent on a number of variables.  The first is, do you shop at Sam’s?  The card offers a lot of great benefits, but most are brand specific.  If you do most of the shopping for your business at Sam’s, then you are good to go.  However, if you do not shop at Sam’s a great deal already, it is likely not the best option.

Another question to ask yourself is, are you trying to build business credit?  If so, there are other options that will work better.  The Sam’s business credit card only reports to the personal credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These include Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

It can also help to compare the Sam’s Business credit card to other business credit cards.  To do that, you first have to know exactly what you are getting when you get a Sam’s credit card.

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards.

What Does the Sam’s Business Credit Card Offer?

One of the biggest perks to the Sam’s Business credit card is the cash back.  You get 5% cash back on gas worldwide including at Sam’s Club.  This is capped at the first $6,000. After that you get 1%.  You also can earn 3% back on dining and travel and 1% on other purchases.

Another perk is that there is no annual fee, but you do have to have a membership to Sam’s Club.  The membership does have an annual fee.

There is a variable APR of 14.90% -22.90% and a 3% foreign technology fee.  The penalty APR goes up to 29.9% and is also variable. Late fees and returned payment fees are up to $39.99.

Here’s the thing, while the Sam’s Club card is probably not a bad thing to have if you shop at Sam’s often anyway, making the membership worth it, there are other options that work just as well or maybe even better depending on what you need.  There isn’t anything particularly fabulous about the rewards or interest rates with the Sam’s Club Business credit card.

What Are Some Alternatives to the Sam’s Business Credit Card?

There are hundreds of choices for business credit cards, and each one has its own pros and cons.  You have to do your own research to make the best decision for your business.  However, we have put together some information on some that we consider to be the best to get you started with your comparison to the Sam’s Business credit card.

Capital One® Quicksilver® Card

Take a look at the Capital One® Quicksilver® Card. It features flat-rate rewards of 1.5% on all purchases. There are no limits to the amount of cash back rewards that cardholders can attain. Also, the card has a $0 annual fee.

New cardholders have a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after opening the account. After that, they have a 14.74 — 24.74% (variable) APR. A cash bonus of $150 is available for those who make a minimum of $500 on purchases within 3 months of opening an account.

Also, cash back rewards do not expire for the life of the account, with no limit to how much you can earn. A cash bonus of $150 is offered to cardholders who make a minimum of $500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening.

Drawbacks include the increase in interest rate after 15 months and the flat rate for rewards.

JetBlue Plus Card

The JetBlue Plus Card also has a 0% introductory APR.  You can earn six points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, two points/dollar at eateries and grocery stores, and one point/dollar on all other purchases.

If you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days and pay the annual fee, you get 40,000 bonus points. New cardholders receive a 12 -month, 0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening.  After that, the variable APR on purchases and balance transfers is 17.99%, 21.99% or 26.99%, based on your credit score.  The annual fee is $99.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

The Capital One Spark Classic for Business offers decent cash-back rewards as well. The card earns an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.  You also get benefits including an auto rental collision damage waiver and purchase security.

The ongoing APR is 24.74% variable, with the penalty APR even higher at 31.15%. Also, there is no sign-up bonus.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Credit Card

Earn 3 points per dollar spent when you book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. You can get unlimited points and points never expire.

There is a 25,000-point sign-up bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 60 days of opening the account. The card has no annual fee and comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first nine months. After that, the card has a 13.24 — 23.24% variable APR. There is no introductory rate for balance transfers with this card, and bonus categories are limited.

Uber Visa Card

Did you know Uber has a credit card?  It’s the first ride-sharing service to offer such a thing.  The Uber Visa Card is in partnership with Visa and Barclays. It provides 4% back per dollar spent at restaurants, takeout and bars, including UberEATS. Also, get 3% back on hotel, airfare and vacation home rentals. You can even earn 2% back on online purchases.

This includes retailers and subscription services like Uber and Netflix. Cardholders earn 1% back on all other purchases. Each point has a value of 1 cent. You can redeem points for cash back, gift cards or Uber credits directly within the app.

By spending at least $500 in the initial 90 days, users can earn a $100 sign-up bonus. Cardholders spending at least $5,000 per year are eligible to receive a $50 credit toward online subscription services.

One major perk is if you pay your cellular phone bill with this card, you are insured up to $600 for cellphone damage or theft. Cardholders are also eligible for exclusive access to specific events and offers. Uber anticipates most of these offers to be available in major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and DC, so this benefit is more relevant if you live in or often visit these cities.

There is no foreign transaction fee, but there is also no introductory rate. The APR is a variable 16.99%, 22.74% or 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Cardholders with lower credit scores will be on the higher end of the range.

Also, there are restrictions on Uber credits. To redeem points as credits in the Uber app, accrue a minimum of 500 points, or $5. Cardholders can convert a maximum of 50,000 points, or $500, in a given day.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

You can’t truly do a comparison with Sam’s Business credit card without including the Costco counterpart.   The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi earns cash back with every purchase.

Get 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on eligible gas purchases annually (1% after that). Earn 3% cash back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases.  In addition, you can get 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee, but of course you must have a Costco membership.  There is no sign-up bonus.

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards.

United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

If you travel a lot and are interested in earning miles, look at the United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card. Earn 2 miles per dollar with United Airlines and at restaurants, gas stations and office supply stores. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar. There is a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus if you spend $3,000 in the first three months after account opening. Benefits include priority boarding, and a free first checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation.

In addition, you get two United Club passes annually. There are also upgrade options and other perks at hotels and resorts.

After the first year, the card has an annual fee of $95 and an APR of 17.99% — 24.99%, based on creditworthiness.

Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash ℠ Credit Card is also a viable option. Small businesses can earn cash back with every purchase. Spend $3,000 in the first three months from account opening and earn a $500 in bonus cash back. You can also earn additional cash back on business categories. So, these include office supply stores, telecommunications, gas stations and restaurants.

There is a $0 annual fee with a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Afterwards, the APR is a 15.24 – 21.24% variable.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

If your credit is just ok, Capital One Spark Classic for Business could be a good option. It has no annual fee, and there are even still cash-back rewards. The card earns an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. There is no annual fee.

There is no sign-up bonus, and the ongoing APR is 24.74% variable APR. The penalty APR is even higher at 31.15%.

Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card

If your credit is less than okay, consider the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card. It charges a $25 yearly fee per card. It also requires a minimum security deposit of $500 (up to $25,000) and it is intended to help cardholders establish or rebuild their credit.

You can choose between 1.5% per dollar in purchases with no limits, or earning one point for every dollar in purchases. You also earn 1,000 bonus points for every month your company makes $1,000 in purchases on the card.

In addition, you get your FICO score for free each month so you can watch as your score improves.  They also regularly review accounts, and it is possible to upgrade to an unsecured card as your score improves.

APR is the current prime rate plus 11.90%. There is no introductory APR period and no sign-up bonus. Balance transfers are not an option either.

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Credit Card

There are many factors to consider when determining which of these, or if some other card, is best for your business.  First, you have to take your credit score into account.  If your score isn’t very good, you will not have any many options.  Then, you need to consider what your goals are.  Do you want a card that earns lots of rewards, or do you want the best interest rate?

Lastly, consider your spending habits.  You need a card that will first, support your spending habits.  In addition, it would be nice if the perks offered reward your specific spending habits.

Is the Sam’s Business Credit Card Right for Your Business?

This is a fine card if you are already a Sam’s Club member.  The benefits are respectable, and the interest rates are comparable.  However, if you are not already a Sam’s Club member, it probably isn’t worth becoming one just to get this card.  There are a lot of other options available that are just as good, if not better, and that do not require a membership.  Look around and see what you can find that may better suit your needs.

Remember, if you are looking to build business credit, you will need to find business cards that report to the business credit reporting agencies.  These include Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business.  The Sam’s Business credit card definitely does not do this.

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