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Being a landlord is a classic way to earn recurring income. The best credit cards for rental properties let you earn bonus points for repairs, capital improvements, and recurring expenses. Even if you aren’t a landlord, these cards can earn you major rewards on purchases. From small expenses to large purchases that require discount financing, we can help you find the best business card.
TIP: If you are looking for a credit card to use on rent payments and earn rewards look at the Bilt World Elite Mastercard®.
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.
The Best Credit Cards for Rental Properties
Here is a preview of some of the best credit cards for rental properties. Note that many of the cards on this list are also some of the best small business credit cards.
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Capital One Spark Cash for Business
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Related: The Best Citi Business Credit Cards
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card – One of the Best Chase Business Credit Cards for Rental Properties
As your rental property expenses may ebb and flow, using one of the best business credit cards with no annual fee can be your best option.
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns 1.5% back on all purchases. If your current credit card only earns 1% on landlord expenses, you now earn 50% more points.
Your points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash, travel, and gift cards. But if you also own the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can pool your points. Your points are worth more in your Preferred account. Each point is worth 1.25 cents each when booking award travel through Chase.
Plus, you can also transfer them at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, and Hyatt.
New Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card cardholders can earn a $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
It is also one of the best Chase business credit cards
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card – No Annual Fee
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has one of the highest cash back rates for a no annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
Cardholders earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
It also comes with Expanded Buying Power which gives cardholders the ability to spend beyond their credit limit. Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express, and other factors.
Bonus Option: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
You might also consider getting The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express if you prefer travel rewards. Get 2x Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 spent on everyday business purchases per year (then 1x point per dollar thereafter).
Points are worth 1 cent when redeemed for award flights on AmexTravel.com or select retail gift cards. You can also transfer them to the American Express Membership Rewards airline and hotel partners like Delta, Emirates, and British Airways.
This is one of the best American Express business cards.
Cardholders can also enjoy more flexibility to use their card for more purchases and rewards when buying above their credit limit. The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express, and other factors.
The Blue Business Plus also doesn’t have an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
If you want more details, check out our review of the Amex Blue Business Credit Cards.
Capital One Spark Cash for Business – Unlimited Cash Back
The information for the Capital One Spark Cash for Business has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
One of the best credit cards for rental properties might be the Capital One Spark Cash for Business. You earn an unlimited 2% back on every purchase. The annual fee is $0 the first year, then $95 after that. You should be a frequent spender to offset this fee.
Your rewards are redeemable for cash statement credits.
If you prefer travel rewards, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business earns 2x miles on every purchase. Your miles can be redeemed for travel statement credits, booking upcoming travel, or transfer to the Capital One airline partners. You also get a fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck as the primary cardholder.
If you don’t want an annual fee, the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business and the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business earn unlimited 1.5% back (with the Cash Select) or 1.5x miles (with the Miles Select).
Related: Capital One Spark Business Credit Cards
Ink Business Cash Credit Card – Best Tiered Rewards
Some landlords own the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card to earn 5% cash back on rental property expenses. It’s a no-annual-fee Chase business credit card that earns 5%, 2%, or 1% back on purchases. At first glance, this isn’t the best credit card for rental property.
Office supply stores and internet, phone, and cable services earn 5% back (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases). Gas stations and restaurants earn 2% back on the first $25,000 spent. All remaining purchases earn 1% back.
You can buy gift cards to home improvement stores at office supply stores to get 5% back. Then you pay for your hardware store purchases with those gift cards. For many people, this extra step isn’t worth it unless you love earning Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. Getting 2% back at gas stations is also nice if you own properties in nearby towns.
New Ink Business Cash® Credit Card cardholders can earn a $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Since there is no annual fee, it makes this a good secondary credit card.
Related: How To Avoid Vacation Rental Scams
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card – Hotel Rewards
You can also turn your rental property purchases into travel rewards.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card cardholders can receive 1 Free Night Award annually after their Card renewal month. Plus, they can earn an additional Free Night Award after spending $60k in purchases on their Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Certain hotels have resort fees.
You also earn up to 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on purchases:
- 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, and wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. providers as well as U.S. purchases for shipping
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
Off-peak award nights start at 5,000 points per night. Your landlord purchases help you get free rewards nights more often.
Plus, receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when booking directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Limited time offer! New Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card cardholders can earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after using their new Card to make $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. This offer ends on 11/01/2023.
Other Marriott Bonvoy benefits include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Premium on-property internet access
- 15 elite night credits
The annual fee is $125, but there are no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
Summary: The best credit cards for rental properties
In conclusion, the best credit cards for rental properties can help you earn rewards on purchases. A flat-rate rewards card is better for most people because tiered rewards don’t always align with landlord purchases. From there, decide if you want to redeem points for cash or travel rewards.
Related Articles:
- Best Credit Cards For Groceries? Up to 6% Cash Back
- The Best Limited-Time Credit Card Offers
- How Hard Is It To Get A Business Credit Card?
For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please click here.
And For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, please click here.
Every time I apply for a business credit card, the company mails it to my rental property (which is out of state). Is there a way to have it mailed to my home address instead?
Yes, you should be able to make your mailing address your residence.