A business credit card can be your ally if you own a small business in the US. Not only do you get a line of credit to meet your business expenses without putting up any collateral, many business credit cards offer a rewards program whereby you can earn cash back or rewards points on your spending. This year, I have noticed that some cards are also offering 0% introductory APR on purchases, which lets you make large purchases with your business credit card without having to pay any interest during the first few months – a bonus to your cash flow. Another benefit to small business credit cards is that many of them let you get free additional cards (each with adjustable limits) for your trusted employees. This way, you can delegate business spending, and also save your staff from the hassle of claim forms.

Personally, what I find most useful is the new online cash management and invoicing tool launched by Chase in November 2011 for their small business credit cards. To help you decide which is the best business credit card to get, I have listed below some of the best card offers that are currently available in the market:

Ink Bold with Ultimate Rewards – 50,000 Bonus Points. This charge card issued by JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), allows you to earn up to 10 points per dollar spent when you make purchases through Ultimate Rewards, 5 points per dollar spent on up to $50,000 worth of office supplies, wireless and cable services, 2 points per dollar when making airline purchases through Ultimate Rewards and 1 point for every other dollar you spend on your card. There is no limit to the points you can earn and points never expire. Enjoy free airport lounge membership for one year with Priority Pass. Limited time signing bonus: Earn 50,000 points: 25,000 when you make your first purchase and 25,000 after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months. $95 annual fee is waived during the first year.

Read our review of Chase Ink here.

New Ink Cash Business – Earn up to $250 Bonus Cash Back. This card, issued by JPMorgan Chase, is the best business credit card for cash rebates. You can earn up to 10 points per dollar when making purchases online at Chase Rewards Plus. Every year, for the first $25,000 you spend on office supplies, telecom services and cable services you will earn 5% cash back, for the first $25,000 you spend on dining and gas you’ll earn 2% cash back and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Enjoy 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. Additional cards for employees are free. Sign-up bonus for Chase Ink Cash: Earn $100 cash back when you make your first purchase and $150 after spending $5,000 during the first 3 months. No annual fee.

Read our review of Chase Ink here.

SimplyCash Business Card from American Express OPEN. This American Express business card is a credit card that lets you earn 5% cash back on wireless services and office supply purchases, 3% cash back on gasoline and 1% cash back on other purchases. There is no limit to the cash back you can earn. Through the OPEN Savings program, you can get 3% to 10% discount when you purchase from Hertz, FedEx, OfficeMax, etc, using your American Express SimplyCash Card. 0% introductory APR on purchases for 6, 9 or 12 months depending on your business’ credit score. No annual fee. This is the best no-fee American Express business credit card.

Read our review of SimplyCash Card here.

Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN. This American Express (NYSE:AXP) business card lets you earn 5 points on shipping and advertising during the first 3 months of card membership, 3 points on airfare, 2 points on gas, shipping and advertising, and 1 point for every other dollar you spend on your card. Points never expire and are you can earn an unlimited amount. You can redeem your points for office supplies, gift cards, travel, and so on. With OPEN Savings, you will save from 3% to 10% on purchases made at Hertz, FedEx, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and more. $175 annual fee is waived the first year.

Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express. This official Delta card for business owners rewards you with 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 in the first 3 months of card membership, and another 5,000 bonus miles if you add two employees as additional cardholders during the first year. Earn 2 miles for every dollar you spend on Northwest and Delta flights, and 1 mile for every dollar you spend on all other purchases. Miles never expire. When booking Delta airline tickets with this Delta Business credit card, the first bag checked in is free of charge per person, up to 9 people. Each year you renew your card, you’ll earn a $99 Companion Certificate. $95 annual fee is waived the first year.

Read our review of Delta Business Credit Card here.

Ink – Classic Business – 25,000 Bonus Points. With this Chase-issued card, you get to earn 5 points when purchasing office supplies, wireless and telephone services, 2 points for every dollar you spend on fuel and dining, and 1 point on all other purchases. Earn up to 10 points per dollar spent when making purchases through Ultimate Rewards. Points never expire and there’s no limit to the amount you can earn. Enjoy 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months. Additional cards for employees are free of charge. Sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 points after signing up and spending $5,000 in the first three months. No annual fee.

Read our review of Chase Ink here.

Business Platinum Card from American Express OPEN. This is a high-end charge card that allows you to earn up to $200 of airline credit for fees and lets you access more than 600 airport clubs and lounges for free worldwide. Its concierge service will help you make reservations, book tickets, purchase gifts, and many others. With its Business Platinum Car Rental Program, you can enroll for free in national car rentals such as Avis Preferred, Hertz #1 Gold Club and Emerald Club. This American Express Business Platinum Card lets you earn 20% bonus for travel when redeeming your points with Membership Rewards. Signing Bonus: Receive 25,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. $450 annual fee.

Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express. This official Starwood business credit card is designed for those who like staying at the Starwood chain of hotels and resorts (including Sheraton, Le Meridien, Westin, St Regis, etc). It gives you 10,000 points after you make your first purchase, and another 15,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months. Earn up to 5 points per dollar spent on Starwood purchases, and 1 point for every dollar spent on anything else. Save up to 10% when making purchases at Hertz, FedEx, Marriott, OfficeMax and more. Points can be redeemed for free stays and upgrades in Sheraton hotels, free flights, and can even be transferred to your frequent flyer account. Get one free night at Sheraton hotels for every two nights you book when making an advance reservation. $65 annual fee is waived the first year.

Read our review of Starwood Business Credit Card here.

The Plum Card from American Express OPEN. This charge card offers flexibility when paying your balance at the end of the month. You will get a 1.5% discount when you make your payment in full during the last 10 days before your statement closing day. However, if you choose to pay 10% of your balance on time, you won’t have to pay any interest fees for the next two months as long as you pay off the balance in full during that time. The American Express Plum Card lets you save up to 20% when making purchases at FedEx, Hertz, and many other retailers. $185 annual fee is waived the first year.

Read our review of American Express Plum Card here.

Business Credit Card Tips

If you own a small business, we recommend that you carry more than one business credit card so as to maximize the potential of each one for the overall benefit of the business. For example, you can consider having one card with 0% APR offer or a low interest rate for carrying balances, and a second card for expenditures that you will repay fully at the end of each month.

This strategy allows you to make full use of the cash back or rewards features of your small business credit card, and you can earn up to 5% cash rebates on business-related spending, such as office supplies or gas.

Over the long-term, business credit cards can help your small business build a credit history with business credit bureaus so that your business will have a credit history of its own, instead of being linked to your personal credit history.