Million Mile Secrets reader Andrew commented:
Can blogging count as a small business to apply for business credit cards?
Emily and I love the sign-up bonuses we’ve gotten from our business cards. I recently applied for the American Express Simply Cash business card. We use business cards to keep our personal and business expenses separate.
Blogging Counts as a Small Business
Business cards are an easy way to get extra miles and points. And Andrew can qualify for a business card even if it’s a start-up business or a blog. Note: Your blog can be considered a business IF you intend to make a profit from it in the future. If you have absolutely NO intention of EVER making a profit, then your blog may be considered a hobby.That said, there are many ways to make money on a blog by selling ebooks, having affiliate links, selling ads, and linking to products on Amazon.
Business cards have less impact on Andrew’s personal credit score because the business card credit line and spending are usually NOT reported to the personal credit bureaus, unless he doesn’t pay his bills.
4 Top Business Cards
Andrew should consider applying for 1 of these business cards. These business cards offer the best sign-up bonuses, points and miles earning, and overall perks. Because these cards are offered by 4 different banks, Andrew could get 4 of these business cards.
1. Chase Ink Bold and Chase Ink Plus
Update: The Chase Ink Bold card is no longer available for new sign-ups.Link: Chase Ink Plus card
Link: My review of the Chase Ink Plus card
Link: Chase Ink Bold card
Link: My review of the Chase Ink Bold card
Andrew can get a sign-up bonus of 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in the 1st 3 months on the Chase Ink Bold and Chase Ink Plus cards. Note that there is currently a better offer for 70,000 points in Chase branches!
They earn Chase Ultimate Reward points which can be transferred to select airlines and hotels including:
- British Airways
- Korean Air
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Hyatt Hotels
- IHG Hotels
- Marriott Hotels
- Ritz-Carlton Hotels
- Flying Blue
Andrew also gets:
- 5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent at office supply stores, phone bills, internet, and cable TV (up to $50,000 a year)
- 2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent at gas stations and hotels
- NO foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee (waived the 1st year)
Andrew can earn a lot of Chase Ultimate Rewards points with these cards, especially if he’s a Big Spender!
I like these cards for the sign-up bonuses, no foreign transaction fees, and 5X points for paying cable and internet. Andrew gets a lot flexibility being able to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to select airlines and hotels.
The Chase Ink Bold and Chase Ink Plus are issued by Chase bank. Here’s how to fill out a Chase business card application.
2. Citi American Airlines Business Card
Link: CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
Andrew can get a 50,000 American Airlines mile sign-up bonus on the Citi American business card after spending $3,000 within 3 months.
Andrew can redeem American Airlines miles to fly to many destinations including Asia on Cathay Pacific.
Andrew gets:
- Free 1st checked bag for himself and up to 4 travel companions
- Preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on American Airlines tickets
- $95 annual fee (waived the 1st year)
50,000 American Airlines miles can get him 2 round-trip domestic tickets or ~1 round-trip ticket to Hawaii!
But I actually prefer spending money on the Starwood Business card (#3) to earn American Airlines miles!
Here’s how to fill out a Citi business card application.
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.3. Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card From American Express
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card
Link: My review of how to use Starwood points
Andrew can get 25,000 Starwood points after spending $5,000 in the 1st 6 months on the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card From American Express. He’ll earn Starwood hotel points, which he can use for hotel nights or airline tickets.
Andrew gets:
- 2 Starwood points per $1 spent at Starwood hotels
- 1 Starwood point per $1 spent on everything else
- $65 annual fee (waived the 1st year)
- Terms and conditions apply
Andrew can transfer Starwood hotel points to 31 airlines including American Airlines. He’ll get a bonus of 5,000 points for every 20,000 Starwood points he transfers.
So he’ll earn 1.25 American Airlines miles per $1 spent (if he transfers 20,000 Starwood points to America Airlines) on the Starwood business card. Andrew can use American Airlines miles to fly to Paris.
But the Starwood business card charges foreign transaction fees, so Andrew shouldn’t use it outside the US. Instead he should use Chase Ink Bold or Chase Ink Plus cards instead.
4. US Bank Club Carlson Business Card
Link: US Bank Club Carlson Business Card
Andrew can get 85,000 Club Carlson points after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months from the Club Carlson business card.
He can use Club Carlson points at Club Carlson hotels such as:
Andrew gets:
- Free night when using Club Carlson points for 2 or more consecutive nights at the same hotel
- Free Club Carlson Gold Elite status as long as he has the card
- 40,000 Club Carlson points each card anniversary
- $60 annual fee NOT waived for the 1st year
- 3% currency fee when you use it outside the US
Bottom Line
Andrew can get business cards if he has a blog.
Business cards are an easy way to get extra miles and points. And Andrew can qualify for a business card even if it’s a start-up business or a blog.Andrew’s personal credit score won’t be affected much by business cards because the business card credit line and spending are usually NOT reported to the personal credit bureaus, unless he doesn’t pay his bills.