Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses | August 2026

Q: What is the best credit card for an SME?

For the majority of SMEs, the American Express® Business Gold Card is our top recommendation thanks to its welcome bonus (up to 70,000 points) and its multiplier on general expenses.For businesses with expenses concentrated in gas, meals, and office supplies, the Scotia Momentum Visa for Business Card offers 3% cash back and a 25-day grace period.

Q: What are the criteria for obtaining a business card in Canada?

Standard criteria for SMEs:- Registered business number (NEQ in Quebec, federal BN).; - Personal credit score of 700+ for the owner.; - Personal guarantee from the owner (almost always required for SMBs).; - For American Express® Business cards, no minimum business income is required for simple structures.; A self-employed worker (T2125) can obtain a business card without incorporation; income reported to the CRA then serves as the basis for qualification.

Q: How many additional cards can be issued for employees?

This varies by card:- American Express® Business Cards: typically include several free additional cards, ideal for distributing among employees.; - Scotia Momentum® Visa Business Card: $29 per additional card.; - Scotiabank Visa Infinite Business Cards: vary by tier, sometimes up to 10 employee cards.; Detailed expense reports and limit control per card are major advantages of business cards.

Q: Is the grace period longer on a business card?

Yes, generally. American Express® Business cards offer a grace period of up to 55 days without interest, which is significantly longer than the standard 21 days of a personal card. The Scotia Momentum Visa for Business Card offers 25 days, and the Scotia® Home Hardware PRO Business Visa* Card offers 21 days. This extended period optimizes cash flow by delaying payment to suppliers.

Q: How do you separate personal and business expenses with a card?

A dedicated business card is essential for proper separation:- Simplified accounting: direct integration with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, or other software.; - Automated year-end reports with predefined categories.; - Tax compliance: makes filing GST/QST returns easier and supports your case in a CRA audit.; - Protection of your personal credit file: business debt does not appear (or barely appears) on your personal report.;

Q: Are there cards for SMEs without annual fees?

Yes, several options exist:- American Express® Business Card with no annual fee.; - Scotiabank No-Fee Visa Business Card.; - National Bank Business Mastercard®.; However, the best SME cards (Business Gold, Business Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Business) have annual fees that are quickly offset by welcome bonuses and multipliers on recurring expenses.

Q: Which business expenses earn the most in rewards or points?

Categories typically rewarded on SME cards:- Gas and service stations: 3% with the Scotia Momentum Visa Business Card, 3 points per dollar with the Aeroplan Business card.; - Office supplies: 3% with the Scotia Momentum Visa Business Card, 3 points per dollar with the Business Gold card.; - Restaurants / business meals: 3% with Scotia Momentum Visa, 3 Aeroplan points with the Aeroplan Business card.; - Business travel: higher multipliers with the Aeroplan Business and Marriott Bonvoy Business cards.; - Telecom and shipping: 3x with the Aeroplan Business card.;

The best credit cards for small businesses - August 2026

Travel rewards

Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Earn up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the American Express Business Platinum Card:

80,000 Membership Rewards points for $15,000 net purchases within the first 3 months of membership
40,000 additional points if you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after enrollment

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

Transfer your points to airline partners: Aeroplan Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
Transfer your points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
Redeem your points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
And more!

120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a Statement credit, and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

120,000 Aeroplan points
120,000 Avios
120,000 Flying Blue Miles
144,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:

Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
$200 Annual travel credit
$100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
Access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program
Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year

With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.

Last but not least, Business Platinum Card^® from American Express offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

American Express^® Business Gold Rewards Card^®

Earn a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Membership Rewards^® points with the American Express^® Business Gold Rewards Card^®

50,000 Membership Rewards^® points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first three months of Cardmembership.
20,000 additional points after spending $30,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.

Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points in each calendar quarter when you spend $20,000 or more.

With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.

You can then use your points in many ways:

Statement credit for travel purchases
Statement credit for all purchases
Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.).
Book your flight with American Express Travel at a special rate

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:

70,000 points Aeroplan
70,000 Avios
70,000 Flying Blue Miles
84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

Alternatively, 70,000 Membership Rewards points can also represent a value of $700 for travel or for any purchase charged to the Card.

Also, as a cardmember, you get many advantages such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.

Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Hotel points

Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card

The Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card is the best credit card for the self-employed, professionals and small business owners who travel.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points:

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $10,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 30,000 Points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This exceptional offer ends on September 22, 2026.

It’s a card we recommend you keep, because each year at renewal, you’ll get an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points, plus 15 Elite nights per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar for all your spending at Marriott Bonvoy establishments, and you can earn 3 points per dollar for :

Gas
Dining
Travel

And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Aeroplan

American Express^® Aeroplan^®* Business Reserve Card

With this welcome offer for the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card, you can earn up to 90,000 Aeroplan points:

Earn 65,000 Aeroplan points after making $10,500 in purchases in the first three months.
Earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,500 in the 13th month.

With this Card, you earn 3X the points on purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations. And 2X the points on hotels and car rentals. Everywhere else, you will earn 1.25X the points.

With this Card, you benefit from many Air Canada travel benefits such as access to Maple Leaf lounges in North America for you and one guest, priority check-in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling.

Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada^®* flights.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Cash Back

Scotia Momentum^® for business Visa* Card

The Scotia Momentum for business Visa Card is one of the best cash back options for business owners in Canada.

Welcome offer: earn 5% cash back on your first $6,500 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months.

You can earn up to 3% cash back on your business expenses:

3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, restaurants, office supply stores, and electric vehicle charging stations
2% cash back on eligible shipping services and accounting or bookkeeping services, as well as on eligible recurring bill payments
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Also note that you can use your cash back at any time (the cash back balance must be at least $25).

What’s more, you currently benefit from an introductory rate of 2.99% on balance transfers for the first six months.

With the Scotia Momentum for business Visa Card, you also benefit from protections for your purchases:

Purchase Protection
Extended warranty

The card also offers practical financial management tools for your business:

Detailed expense reports
Flexible payment options
Interest-free grace period of up to 25 days
Access to online statements
Possibility of adding additional cards for your employees ($29 per card)

Scotia^® Home Hardware PRO Visa* Business Card

With the Scotia Home Hardware PRO Visa* Business Card, you can earn up to 7,500 bonus Scene+ points in the first year (that’s up to $75 in rewards) by making at least $1,500 in purchases at Home Hardware within the first 3 months of membership.

With this card, you earn 1 Scene+ point for every dollar of eligible business purchases at Home Hardware, redeemable for business rewards such as business travel, home renovations, entertainment, groceries, gift cards, technology or statement credits.

With the Scotia^® Home Hardware PRO Visa* Business Card, you benefit from a 21-day interest-free grace period on new purchases, savings on purchases with Visa SavingsEdge, and up to 25% off AVIS and Budget car rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Credit Cards

Here are frequently asked questions in the Milesopedia community about credit cards for small businesses (SMEs) and self-employed workers in Canada.

What is the best credit card for an SME?

For the majority of SMEs, the American Express^® Business Gold Card is our top recommendation thanks to its welcome bonus (up to 70,000 points) and its multiplier on general expenses.

For businesses with expenses concentrated in gas, meals, and office supplies, the Scotia Momentum Visa for Business Card offers 3% cash back and a 25-day grace period.

What are the criteria for obtaining a business card in Canada?

Standard criteria for SMEs:

Registered business number (NEQ in Quebec, federal BN).
Personal credit score of 700+ for the owner.
Personal guarantee from the owner (almost always required for SMBs).
For American Express^® Business cards, no minimum business income is required for simple structures.

A self-employed worker (T2125) can obtain a business card without incorporation; income reported to the CRA then serves as the basis for qualification.

How many additional cards can be issued for employees?

This varies by card:

American Express^® Business Cards: typically include several free additional cards, ideal for distributing among employees.
Scotia Momentum^® Visa Business Card: $29 per additional card.
Scotiabank Visa Infinite Business Cards: vary by tier, sometimes up to 10 employee cards.

Detailed expense reports and limit control per card are major advantages of business cards.

Is the grace period longer on a business card?

Yes, generally. American Express^® Business cards offer a grace period of up to 55 days without interest, which is significantly longer than the standard 21 days of a personal card.

The Scotia Momentum Visa for Business Card offers 25 days, and the Scotia^® Home Hardware PRO Business Visa* Card offers 21 days. This extended period optimizes cash flow by delaying payment to suppliers.

How do you separate personal and business expenses with a card?

A dedicated business card is essential for proper separation:

Simplified accounting: direct integration with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, or other software.
Automated year-end reports with predefined categories.
Tax compliance: makes filing GST/QST returns easier and supports your case in a CRA audit.
Protection of your personal credit file: business debt does not appear (or barely appears) on your personal report.

Are there cards for SMEs without annual fees?

Yes, several options exist:

American Express^® Business Card with no annual fee.
Scotiabank No-Fee Visa Business Card.
National Bank Business Mastercard^®.

However, the best SME cards (Business Gold, Business Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Business) have annual fees that are quickly offset by welcome bonuses and multipliers on recurring expenses.

Which business expenses earn the most in rewards or points?

Categories typically rewarded on SME cards:

Gas and service stations: 3% with the Scotia Momentum Visa Business Card, 3 points per dollar with the Aeroplan Business card.
Office supplies: 3% with the Scotia Momentum Visa Business Card, 3 points per dollar with the Business Gold card.
Restaurants / business meals: 3% with Scotia Momentum Visa, 3 Aeroplan points with the Aeroplan Business card.
Business travel: higher multipliers with the Aeroplan Business and Marriott Bonvoy Business cards.
Telecom and shipping: 3x with the Aeroplan Business card.