This article details the best business credit cards in Canada. To see the best business credit cards in the United States, click here.

Looking for a credit card for your business? The research process for finding the best business credit cards in Canada can be a bit like one of those logic problems where the farmer plants a tree in a field, but you have to figure out how many apples are in the barn and which farmer owns a cow. (Don’t panic, we’re here to help. And we promise: There’s no quiz at the end.)

With higher limits than personal credit cards, business credit cards help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) free up cash flow by delaying payment on day-to-day expenses until a set point each month. For the average business trying to make ends meet on operational cash flow alone, this is a fairly significant benefit.

Business credit cards also help build a business credit history and they streamline expense tracking. Depending on your business, the rewards programs can also provide added perks. But, how do you know which credit card is the right one for your business?

What are the best business credit cards in Canada?

At ForwardAI, we wanted to know, too. So, we started by visiting the three review pages that topped our search results for the best business credit cards in Canada:

• GreedyRates — Best Business Credit Cards in Canada in 2018
• Ratehub — Best Business Credit Cards in Canada
• RedFlagDeals — Business Credit Cards

We also asked our CEO, Nick Chandi for his thoughts on choosing the best business credit card. He said:

“Best is subjective. There’s no single make or break variable. Some business owners may want travel rewards. Others, like myself, prefer cash back. It’s a matter of what’s best for each business.”

(We knew you’d pick the money, Nick.)

 

Read more: The 10 best businesses for cash flow.

 

The top three business credit card brands in Canada

After comparing the tables from each of the sites above, we found that brand-wise, the top three business credit card in Canada are American Express®, Mastercard® and Visa®. In most cases, American Express offers its cards directly, while Mastercard and Visa are available through several Canadian banks.

How do the best business credit cards in Canada compare against each other?

The best ways to show a comparison is to create a table, which is exactly what we did. We took the best business credit cards in Canada from each of the top comparison sites and compiled them into this table.

Table: The best business credit cards in Canada

Our table comparing the best business credit cards in Canada is organized alphabetically by brand. It includes links to each brand’s or issuer’s main website as well as links to details for each individual card.

There’s a lot to compare and consider when choosing a credit card for your business. This is why we’ve also created a checklist with questions to ask and variables to consider. You’ll find it right below the table.

 

 

Read More: What’s a Business Credit Report?

 

Choosing the best business credit card

When you visit the comparison sites and the credit card sites themselves, you’ll find that you get bits and pieces of information on the best business credit cards in Canada.

Once you identify your best choices, contact the credit card company and get answers to all your questions. Make sure you know exactly what you’re committing to and if it’s the right fit for your business.

Getting your questions answered will also give you a chance to experience the provider’s level of customer service. And — as a final step — don’t forget to do the math.

While we’ve found some of the best business credit cards in Canada, what really matters is finding the one that’s best for your business.

Checklist: Choosing a business credit card in Canada

According to the Forbes Coaches Council, asking questions represents a growth mindset. And, seriously, how else are you going ensure you understand exactly how your business credit card works? As promised, here’s our checklist:

 

Read More: A real-life cash flow case study.

 

Do you need a business charge card or credit card?

While a charge card has no pre-set limit, it won’t let you carry a balance from one month to the next and the interest for unpaid balances is high.  Purchases are reviewed based on your spending and payment patterns. (It’s not a blank cheque.)

A credit card has a set limit, but it also gives you the flexibility to carry a balance when needed. However, you’ll pay interest on the outstanding amount.

Note: If you already know that you’re likely to carry a balance, consider the interest rate you’ll be paying. This might either lower or outweigh the value of the rewards.

Will you need employee cards?

All of the cards listed offer employee cards. The difference is whether or not there’s a fee for each card. Another question to ask is if the employee cards include misuse protection.

The information for the American Express® AIR MILES® Gold Card made specific note of this exclusion. There’s always a reason for this kind of thing. It doesn’t hurt to ask why.

Do you want a rewards program?

Air miles, cash back and reward points are the main choices available. If you don’t want a reward program at all, the CIBC Bizline® VISA® is your card.

It’s hard to beat cash as a reward. Just make sure you understand how the program works and if there are annual maximums for your main and employee accounts.

If travel is a regular requirement, air miles might be a good fit. Some providers will let you roll over your miles into other travel programs, so check if this is a possibility.

If simple reward points are your gig, make sure you know when and where you can redeem them If you have company vehicles, a few of the MasterCard® options had alliances with specific gas stations.

If you’re considering a cash back program, find out if you have to use a specific gas station or if any gas purchase qualifies as a business purchase.

Is there an annual fee?

Each of the top three brands of the best business credit cards in Canada has cards with and without annual fees. Find out if these fees ever increase and, if so, has this happened recently in the pasts few years?

Both BMO® Rewards® and AIR MILES® Business Mastercards® wave the annual fee for the first year through introductory offers.

Among the cards listed, there’s no clear correlation between the annual fee and the interest rate or reward program

One thing to consider — in most instances, your annual credit card fee can be claimed as a business tax deduction. Interest fees can be claimed as well, but why pay extra when you don’t need to? It’s a cost-benefit sort of thing.

What’s the interest rate?

Make sure you know and understand what interest rate you’ll pay. Verify if there are different rates for specific activities, like cash advances or late payments.

If you’re given an introductory rate, find out how long this rate will be valid and when it’ll change. Ask how often the rates change and how you’ll be notified of rate increases.

Where is your business credit card accepted or not accepted?

One of the main benefits of having a business credit card is so that you can charge all of your expenses to the same account. If your business makes regular purchases from retailers or wholesalers, make sure the brand of business card you choose is accepted at those establishments.

What information do you need to apply?

According to Ratehub, you’ll need to provide proof that your business is valid business through documents including your articles of incorporation, business license, tax assessments or financial statements.

 

Read More: Separating Business and Personal Finances.

 

How long is the application process?

If you’re applying for your business credit card in anticipation of making a large purchase or using it to boost cash flow, you need to know the timeline. All the business credit card sites promote a quick approval process. But, as you know all too well, there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution.

The final step: Doing the math

You asked your questions, you’ve got all the variables. Now you need to do the math to determine which of the best business credit cards in Canada is best for you. This example from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) shows you how it’s done. (Note: It also assumes you don’t use your card again until the balance is paid.)

Step 1 — Calculate your average owing balance or for simplicity, pick a rounded number and estimate. For this example, we’ll use $4,000.

Step 2 — Take your top credit card choices and run the numbers.

Example # 1 — Comparing business credit cards based on interest rates

In this example, we’ll pick two basic credit cards with no rewards programs. All we’ll look at is interest. While one card has a fee and the other doesn’t, the difference in interest rates is enough to offset any discussion of an annual fee.

Card # 1 — CIBC bizline^® VISA^® Card — no annual fee or rewards

$4,000 X 14.99% = $599.60 in interest

(At the time of publishing this article, the CIBC prime rate is 3.7%. If you add 13%, you get 16.7%. As that’s a worst-case scenario, we picked the lowest interest rate on our table 14.99% for estimation.)

Card # 2 — RBC VISA^® Business Card — $12 annual fee, no rewards

$4,000 X 19.99% = $799.60 in interest, even without the fee.

$799.60 + $12 = $811.60 with the fee.

The winner — CIBC bizline^® VISA^® Card based on interest rates alone.

Example #2— Factoring in rewards, annual fees and welcome offers  

In this example, we’ve picked two BMO® Mastercards® — each with the same interest rate. Because of this, the value of the rewards programs and the annual fee will be the determining factors. Additionally, both cards have welcome offers, which are also taken into consideration.

Card # 1 — BMO^® AIR MILES^® Business Mastercard^® — $120 annual fee | rewards miles program

$4,000 X 19.99% = $799.60 in interest

Miles = 1 for every $10

Using their calculator, if you spent $4,000 each month, in a year you’d earn 7,800 points. This is enough for a trip from Yellowknife to Maui or a high-end coffee maker. (With the welcome offer, you get $3,000 miles, so maybe you can get a milk frother to go with the coffee maker or fly from Vancouver to Maui.)

During the first year with no annual fee: $799.60 in interest

After the first year with an annual fee: $799.60 + $120 annual fee = $919.60 in interest and fees

Card # 2 — BMO^® CashBack^® Business Mastercard^® — No annual fee | cash back program

$4,000 X 19.99% = $799.60 in interest

Cash back = 1.5% on eligible purchases (6.0% for the first 4 months), 1.75% at Shell® and .75% on other purchases

($3,000 X 6.0%) + ($500 X 1.75%) + ($500 X .75%) = $180 + $8.75 + $3.75 = $57.50 cash back

(After the 6.0% intro offer expires, the rate resets to 1.5%, which equals $45 when you have $3,000 in eligible purchases.)

During the welcome offer: $799.60 – $192.50 = $607.10

After the welcome offer expires: $799.60 – $55.50 = $744.10

The winner — BMO^® CashBack^® Business Mastercard^® hands down — even when the annual fee is waived for a year on the other card.

(Now we really know where Nick was coming from in choosing cash back.)

Our Pick: The Best Business Credit Card in Canada

Our verdict is [insert drumroll]… the BMO® CashBack Business Mastercard®. Of all the reward formats, cash is the most universal. After all, a dollar equals a dollar. Point-based rewards have to be redeemed at specific locations and saving up miles is its own ball of wax.

Of the three cash back cards on our list, this one beat out the others because it had the highest rate of return — 1.5% on eligible purchases. It had the best welcome offer along with no annual fee (ever) and it’s the only cash back card with a 25-day grace period (perfect for those months when your cash flow doesn’t flow quite as expected).

Purchases and expenses are only part of your cash flow story

While a business credit card is a tool that can help you control how you track purchases and when you pay for expenses, it’s really just one piece in the puzzle.

A credit card statement only tells you what you’ve spent, it doesn’t give you any information on when you’ve been paid. A cash flow forecast puts all the pieces together by looking at all the aspects of your business that affect the money flowing in and out of your business.

Businesses live and die by cash flow. This is why ForwardAI is dedicated to creating tools that help businesses take charge of their cash flow and focus on growth and financial health.

Are you a QuickBooks Online user? Get started managing your cash flow today.

Want to get better loans for your business? Forwardly helps you showcase your business potential in seconds, so you can get more cash and pay less interest. Sign up now for free.

This information does not replace the expertise that comes from working with an accountant, bookkeeper or financial professional. It is also not an advertisement or endorsement for any of the banks or credit cards name. The credit card details are valid as of the publishing of this post.

 

Image: GraphicStock.