Best Freelancer Credit Cards 2025
Karl says: “Freelancers, independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs need credit cards that offer flexibility and straightforward rewards. The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card provides unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a 0% intro APR for 12 months. The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card earns 2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year, and the Capital One Spark Cash Select offers unlimited 1.5% cash back with no annual fee, making it ideal for managing variable income and expenses.”
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Key offer
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an excellent choice for freelancers, seeking a straightforward and rewarding credit card with protections for shopping and for business travel.
Key benefits Include:
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• Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases, no categories to track or limits on earnings. This simplicity allows you to rack up on points while you focus on growing your business without managing complex reward categories.
• 0% Introductory APR for 12 Months on Purchases. This is particularly beneficial for financing initial business investments or managing variable income streams common among freelancers.
Welcome offer
Earn $750 cash back in the form of 75,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a versatile business credit card that offers unlimited cash back on all purchases. This card is a great choice for businesses that want a simple and straightforward rewards structure without any spending categories to track. With its unlimited cash back feature, the card allows businesses to earn rewards on every business expense, helping to maximize savings and improve cash flow. Additionally, the card offers valuable business benefits such as employee cards, expense management tools, and fraud protection, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking for convenience and security. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited card is a smart option for businesses seeking a hassle-free rewards program and essential business features.
Card Rewards
Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases.
Premium Benefits
• Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases, no categories to track or limits on earnings. This simplicity allows you to focus on growing your business without managing complex reward structures.
• 0% Introductory APR for 12 Months on Purchases
• This feature is particularly beneficial for financing initial business investments or managing variable income streams common among freelancers.
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• No Annual Fee: Maximize your earnings without worrying about an annual cost.
• Employee Cards at No Additional Cost: If you expand your operations, you can issue additional cards to employees, set individual spending limits, and earn rewards faster.
• Flexible Redemption Options: Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, providing flexibility in how you utilize your earned rewards.
• Purchase Protection: Eligible purchases are covered against damage or theft for up to 120 days, with coverage up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. This protection adds security to your business investments.
• Extended Warranty: Extends U.S. manufacturer warranties by an additional year on eligible purchases, enhancing the value of your business equipment investments.
• Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: When renting a car for business purposes and paying with this card, receive primary coverage against theft and damage, eliminating the need for additional insurance.
Minimum Qualifications
• A personal credit score of 700 or higher is generally needed for approval
• You can apply again for this card under a different business, even though you have it already.
• You can get the card again under the same business if enough time has passed, usually 24 months, but statistics show that 12 months is also enough.
• Chase follows the 5/24 rule, meaning they may deny you if you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any issuer, in the past 24 months .
Key offer
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a great option for freelancers, independent contractors, and solo entrepreneurs looking for simple rewards and flexibility.
Key benefits Include:
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• 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. You earn cash back without needing to track categories, which is perfect when you’re focused on running your own business.
• 0% Introductory APR for 12 Months on Purchases. This helps cover big startup costs or manage inconsistent income without worrying about interest.
Welcome offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
Annual fee
$0
Disclosure: The Cards Guy partners with credit card issuers to provide information on their products. We may earn commissions from these issuers. The content on this page is independent and has not been provided, reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the companies mentioned. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. American Express is a The Cards Guy advertiser.
Card Rewards
• Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year
• Earn 1% cash back on purchases after reaching the $50,000 yearly cap
• Cash back is automatically applied as a statement credit to your account
Premium Benefits
• 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%
• 0% Introductory APR for 12 Months on purchases
• No Annual Fee: Keep costs down while you earn rewards
• Expanded Buying Power: You can go over your credit limit with no set limit, based on your card use and payment habits
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage when you pay for a rental car with the card
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• Purchase Protection: Covers eligible purchases for up to 90 days against accidental damage or theft
• Extended Warranty: Adds up to one extra year to warranties of 5 years or less
• Employee Cards at No Additional Cost: Add users and set limits while earning rewards on their spending
• Expense Management Tools: Includes online statements, alerts, and account manager access.
• Vendor Pay by Bill.com Integration: Use your card to pay vendors and bills through Bill.com while earning rewards
• Year-End Summary: Get a detailed breakdown of your spending to help with budgeting and taxes
Minimum Qualifications
• A personal credit score of 700 or higher is recommended for approval
• You must be a business owner or partner or similar
• You may be asked to show enough income proof (personal or business) to make payments
• Additional documentation like recent bank statements or tax returns will usually help in most cases
• A credit pull is unlikely if you already have an Amex card in good standing
Key offer
The Capital One Spark Cash Select is a strong pick for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs who want simple cash back and no annual fee.
Key benefits Include:
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• Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase. There are no categories to track, so you earn flat rewards on everything you spend, which is ideal when your expenses change month to month.
• No Annual Fee. You get solid rewards without paying to hold the card, which makes it great for keeping overhead low.
Welcome offer
$500 Cash Back once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Best for New Freelancers
Card Rewards
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Premium Benefits
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Purchase Protection: Covers eligible items against damage or theft for a limited time
• Extended Warranty Protection: Adds extended warranty coverage on eligible purchases
• Year-end summaries to help organize business expenses and simplify taxes
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• Card is compatible with apps like QuickBooks, Excel, and other accounting software
• Access to Capital One Travel for booking flights, hotels, and rental cars, with the ability to pay using rewards, your card, or a combination of both
• Security alerts via text, email, or phone if Capital One detects suspicious activity on your account• Option of getting virtual card numbers for safer online purchases to keep your payment details secure
• Ability to designate an account manager to handle purchases, payments, and review transactions
• Roadside assistance services available during auto-related emergencies, such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
Minimum Qualifications
• A personal credit score of 740 or higher is generally needed for approval
• You must be a business owner, officer, or partner
• You may need to show proof of enough income (personal or business) to cover monthly payments
• Having a separate business bank account or financial records may higher your chance for an approval
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• Recent inquiries in the last 3–6 months may result in a denial even with massive credit scores
• Since Capital One pulls all 3 credit bureaus, you unofficially have an option to freeze either Experian or Equifax if they have too many inquiries — it will then pull from TransUnion and one other bureau. You must keep 2 bureaus unfrozen to be approved.
Pro Tips
- Time application with large project expenses to hit welcome bonus
- Use for all non-category spending
- Pair with category bonus cards for maximum rewards
Approval Requirements
We evaluate based on:
- Credit score requirements
- Business history needs
- Income documentation
- Personal guarantee terms
Card Combination Strategy
- Primary Card:
- Flat-rate cash back for most expenses
- Category Card: For high-spend areas
0% APR Card: For large project expenses