As a business owner, your responsibilities are many. Often, there’s little time to be analyzing which credit card would earn the best rewards for each of your ongoing expenses. The process can be exacerbated by the fact that a single business card alone may not be adequate to reward all of your expenses and provide the benefits your business can actually utilize.
We’re probably not going to solve this issue quickly but we can give you some immediate direction when it comes to a few common business expenditures. Our focus today is on which business credit cards are best for internet, cable, and phone service expenses.
Earning rewards for these service expenses can result in bottom-line value that can either be used to offset business expenses or fund that annual family vacation. Plus, if you select the right business credit card, you could receive additional valuable protections and benefits.
In our article today we’ll cover which business credit cards we recommend for the highest earnings on telecommunications and the additional reasons you might want to consider each specific card.
If internet, cable, and phone services are some of your highest business expenses, you will find our comparison helpful.
The Best Business Credit Cards for Internet, Cable & Phone Services — Overview
Every business can benefit from a business credit card that earns rewards on its greatest expenses. If your business spends a lot in the telecommunication categories, you’ll want a card that rewards those specific expenses.
Let’s look at a few cards that do just that.
1. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Top Pick)
When it comes to earning rewards for your business internet, cable, and phone service purchases, the Ink Business Preferred card checks all the boxes. But those aren’t the only purchases that earn big with the card.
Let’s take a look at all the bonus earning categories on the Ink Business Preferred and some additional reasons you’d want to consider the card.
Best For | Additional Earnings |
Internet, cable, phone services — 3x points per dollar spent, up to $150,000 per account year for all 3x category purchases |
- 3x points per dollar spent on travel purchases
- 3x points per dollar on shipping
- 3x points per dollar on advertising on social media and search engines
- 1 point per dollar, all other purchases
|
Additional Reasons To Consider the Card
We like the Ink Business Preferred card because, in addition to elevated earnings on common business expenses, the card offers flexible redemption options and valuable travel and shopping benefits/protections.
Here are our top additional reasons to consider the card:
- Lower annual fee
- Earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on common business purchases
- Redeem points for travel at 1.25 cents per point
- Transfer points to airline partners for potentially greater value
- $1,000 in cell phone protection coverage
- Primary car rental insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection and extended warranty shopping protections
The Ink Business Preferred card comes with great benefits and earns flexible rewards that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners. To learn more about the best way to redeem Ultimate Rewards for the best value, you’ll want to review our article with our top redemption ideas.
Bottom Line: If your business spends a lot on telecom, rewards will accumulate quickly with 3x earnings on the Ink Business Preferred card. Plus, if your business spends on travel, shipping, and advertising, those categories will also receive elevated earning levels.
2. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Small businesses can still earn big, too, especially when you’re earning 5% cash-back on your internet, cable, and phone services. With also earning 5% cash-back at office supply stores, it won’t be difficult to maximize the earnings on the Ink Business Cash card.
Best For | Additional Earnings |
Internet, cable, phone services — 5% cash-back, up to $25,000 total per card account year for all 5% cash-back category purchases |
- 5% cash-back for office supply store purchases
- 2% cash-back at restaurants and gas stations up to $25,000 in purchases per account year
- 1% cash-back for all other purchases
|
Additional Reasons To Consider the Card
- No annual fee
- Cash-back is earned as valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to premium Chase cards and redeemed for potentially greater value
- Primary car rental insurance
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
Hot Tip: Torn between the Ink Business Preferred card and the Ink Business Cash card? We can help with that. Check out our detailed comparison of the Ink Business Preferred card and the Ink Business Cash card for all the information you need to decide.
3. CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
If your airline of choice is American Airlines and your business spends a lot on cable and phone services, you may want to consider this American-branded credit card. If you receive your internet via a cable or satellite provider, those merchants can also qualify for elevated earnings.
In addition to receiving 2 miles per dollar on these purchases, you’ll enjoy the perk of a free checked bag and preferred boarding when traveling on American Airlines.
Best For | Additional Earnings |
Telecommunications, cable, and satellite providers — 2 miles per dollar spent |
- 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines and at gas stations and car rental merchants
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
|
Additional Reasons To Consider the Card
- First-year annual fee waived
- Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding on American Airlines
- $99 companion ticket after spending $30,000 in a card account year
- 25% inflight purchase savings
Bottom Line: Airline frequent flyer miles may not be as flexible as points or cash-back, but if you travel frequently on American, the CitiBusiness Platinum Select card could be a consideration as earnings can still offset your travel expenses.
4. Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
If your business spends heavily on telecommunications or computer services, and you have a strong banking relationship with Bank of America, you could potentially earn 75% more in rewards on your choice of business spending categories.
Here’s how the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card earns cash-back.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services.
- Earn 2% cash back on dining purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
Preferred Rewards for Business members who reach the Platinum Honors tier with Bank of America receive 75% additional cash-back, or 5.25% on their chosen 3% category, with 3.5% on dining and 1.75% on all other purchases.
With these perks, it’s easy to see why the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card is one of the best Mastercards for points and rewards.
If your small business has a variety of expenses, including internet, cable, and phone services, you can earn rewards on every purchase with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, which is one of Amex’s business credit cards.
There’s no bonus category structure to memorize or complicated redemption options. Simply use your card on eligible purchases and earn 2% cash-back (up to $50,000 per year; 1% thereafter). Cash-back earned is automatically credited to your statement — it’s that easy.
Best For | Earnings |
All purchases up to a maximum of $50,000 in spending per calendar year | 2% cash-back on all purchases up to $50,000, then 1% cash-back |
Additional Reasons To Consider the Card
- No-cost employee cards (see rates and fees)
- Secondary car rental coverage
- Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty shopping protections
6. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Like the Amex Blue Business Cash card, the Amex Blue Business Plus card has a simplified earning structure, however, the card earns Membership Rewards points versus cash-back.
While earning 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases, up to $50,000 in purchases per year (1x thereafter), you’ll receive the same benefits and protections as the Amex Blue Business Cash card.
Best For | Earnings |
Earning Membership Rewards points on every purchase, including internet, cable, and phone services | 2x Membership Rewards points on every purchase up to $50,000, then 1% |
Additional Reasons To Consider the Card
- No-cost employee cards
- Flat rate earnings on every purchase
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from card opening (regular APR, as indicated in the table above, applies after the introductory period; see rates and fees)
- Travel and shopping benefits and protections
Hot Tip: To learn more about the value of flexible Membership Rewards points, how to earn lots of points, and the best ways to redeem those points, be sure to check out our articles.
7. Capital One Spark Cash for Business
The Capital One Spark Cash card makes earning simple and easy. Plus, it doesn’t matter how much your business spends as earnings are unlimited.
With straightforward cash-back, you could realize significant value when spending on the card.
Best For | Earnings |
Every purchase your business makes — unlimited | 2% cash-back on every purchase |
Additional Reasons To Consider the Card
To learn more about the best Capital One business credit cards, check out our article with a detailed comparison.
The 7 Best Business Credit Cards for Internet, Cable & Phone Services — Summary
With all the business credit cards available, few focus on rewarding the combination of internet, cable, and phone services.
If your business spends a lot in these categories, perhaps you’d appreciate a comparison of the cards we’ve mentioned in this article as they relate to earning rewards.
Here’s how the cards stack up specifically on telecom purchases and additional earning categories.
Card | Earnings |
Amex Blue Business Cash card |
- 2% cash-back on all purchases, up to $50,000 in purchases per card account year. Earn 1% thereafter.
|
Amex Blue Business Plus card |
- 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on everyday business purchases, up to $50,000 in purchases per year. Earn 1x thereafter.
|
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash card |
- 3% cash-back on your choice of 1 category that includes wireless and telecommunications, computer services, business consulting services, purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, TV, or travel
- 2% cash-back on dining
- 1% cash-back on all other purchases
|
Capital One Spark Cash card |
- 2% cash-back on unlimited purchases
|
CitiBusiness Platinum Select card |
- 2 miles per dollar spent with cable/satellite providers, telecommunications providers, American Airlines, at gas stations, and car rental merchants — no limit on earnings
|
Ink Business Cash card |
- 5% cash-back on internet, cable, phone service, and office supply stores, up to $25,000 in purchases per card account year
- 2% cash-back at restaurants and gas stations, up to $25,000 in purchases per card account year
|
Ink Business Preferred card |
- 3x Ultimate Rewards points on internet, cable, phone service, shipping, travel, and advertising, up to $150,000 per card account year
|
Bottom Line: When it comes to rewarding telecom services specifically, the Ink Business Preferred card stands out as a winner.
Final Thoughts
Although the Ink Business Preferred card excels when it comes to earnings on internet, cable, and phone services, you could have other business expenses or priorities that make another business credit card a better choice.
A business that spends a lot on non-bonus categories such as equipment acquisition or raw materials might consider a business card with unlimited flat rate earnings such as a 2% cash-back card.
While every business owner, big or small, can benefit from a business rewards credit card, it’s important to match your highest spending categories with the rewards earning structure of the card you select.
If your business requires you to travel extensively, for example, you may want a travel rewards card that earns big on travel purchases, provides luxury travel benefits, and allows flexible travel redemptions.
Also, consider that it may take more than a single business credit card to provide the best earnings on your highest categories of spending and to deliver all the benefits that are a priority to you.
The information regarding the Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
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