Best Business Credit Cards for Airbnb Hosts
Running an Airbnb or short-term rental isn't just about welcoming guests and collecting payments. It's managing a business with complex expenses. The financial juggling act never stops, from furniture purchases and emergency repairs to cleaning supplies and utility bills.
Many hosts co-mingle personal and business finances, which leaves rewards on the table and creates headaches during tax season. They also miss opportunities to earn cash back or travel points on major expenses like property furnishings, renovations, and restocking.
This guide is for STR owners seeking the best business credit card for Airbnb hosts. We'll analyze the unique spending categories of short-term rental operations and compare cards that deliver maximum value on Airbnb host expenses, whether that's cash back for a property upgrade or travel points for scouting investment locations.
Why Every STR Host Needs a Business Credit Card
Moving beyond personal cards is crucial for professionalizing your short-term rental (STR) business. Here's why:
- Clean Bookkeeping & Tax Prep: A dedicated business card isolates all your STR expenses, making accounting, expense tracking, and tax preparation simpler. No more sorting through personal purchases for business expenses or missed deductions.
- Building Business Credit: Establishing a separate business credit profile from your personal credit is crucial for securing future financing, loans, and partnerships. As your STR portfolio grows, lenders will assess your business's creditworthiness independently.
- Access to Higher Credit Limits & Business Perks: Business cards offer significantly higher credit limits for large purchases (like replacing property appliances) and specialized protections like extended warranties, travel insurance, and purchase protection for STR operations.
Best Business Credit Cards for Airbnb Hosts
Now that we understand your spending, let's look at the cards that will reward you most for these expenses.
Chase Ink Business Preferred®: Best for High-Value Intro Bonus & Travel Rewards
- Annual Fee: $95
- Intro Bonus: 100,000 points after $15,000 spend in 3 months
- Key Rewards: 3X points on shipping, social media/search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services (up to $150,000 annually)
- Why it's for Hosts: The intro bonus can cover a property. 3X points on internet and advertising align with STR operations. Points are valuable when transferred to travel partners. Includes cell phone protection.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred stands out with its extraordinary welcome bonus worth $1,250 when redeemed through Chase's travel portal. This bonus is enough to furnish a bedroom or bathroom in your rental. For hosts who market their properties on social media, the 3X points on advertising spend match Airbnb host expenses.
The card’s power comes from the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem them for cash back at 1 cent per point, but transfer them to partners like Hyatt, United, or Southwest, and their value can exceed 2 cents per point. This makes it an excellent option for hosts who travel frequently, whether for pleasure or to scout new markets.
The overlooked cell phone protection benefit (up to $600 per claim) is invaluable for hosts managing guest communications on their smartphones. This card offers substantial value beyond its rewards structure, combined with travel insurance and purchase protection.
American Express® Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for Simple, No-Fee Cash Back
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro Bonus: $250 statement credit after $3,000 spend in 3 months
- Key Rewards: 2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year, then 1%
- Why it's for Hosts: Simplicity is key when you're busy. This card delivers a consistent return on every purchase without category tracking. The $50k cap is generous for single-property hosts.
The Amex Blue Business Cash offers straightforward value for the host who doesn't want to track bonus categories or play the points game. Its 2% flat rate applies to everything from emergency plumbing repairs to linens and furniture, making it the best credit card for furnishing a house if your annual spending is under the $50,000 cap.
This card shines in its "set it and forget it" simplicity. You don't need a complicated rewards system when juggling guest communications, property maintenance, and a full-time job. The cash back automatically appears as a statement credit, reducing your out-of-pocket costs with zero effort.
The $0 annual fee means no break-even calculation, and the introductory APR offer (0% for 12 months) provides flexibility for larger purchases when setting up a new property. This card offers excellent, hassle-free value for new hosts or those with a single property.
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for Everyday Supplies & Utilities
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro Bonus: $750 cash back after $6,000 spend in 3 months
- Key Rewards:
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year.
- 2% on the first $25,000 at gas stations and restaurants.
- Why it's for Hosts:
- The 5% internet hit.
- Many hosts buy small furniture, decor, and cleaning supplies at office supply stores, making this a secret weapon for maximizing rewards.
The Chase Ink Business Cash harbors a secret that savvy STR hosts can leverage. Office supply stores sell much more than paper and pens. Stores like Staples and Office Depot carry cleaning supplies, coffee, kitchen essentials, small furniture, home décor, and technology, all earning 5% cash back.
This no-annual-fee card is great for everyday operational expenses, combined with the 5% on internet and phone services (essential utilities for any STR). The 2% categories cover gas for property visits and business meals with contractors, cleaners, or co-hosts.
This card delivers exceptional value for hosts who prefer cash back and want higher returns in specific categories. The $750 welcome bonus is one of the most generous offers on a no-annual-fee business card, providing immediate value for new cardholders.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for High-Spending STR Operators
- Annual Fee: $150
- Intro Bonus: Up to $1,000 ($500 after $5,000 spend in 3 months, plus $500 after $50,000 spend in 6 months)
- Key Rewards: Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. No preset spending limit. Annual $200 cash bonus after spending $200,000+ in a year.
- Why it's for Hosts: For hosts scaling to multiple properties or managing luxury rentals with high operating costs, the unlimited 2% cash back means no caps like the Amex Blue Business Cash.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus stands out as a serious business credit card for real estate investors managing multiple properties or luxury rentals, with its unlimited 2% cash back. Its $150 annual fee is offset by rewards if you spend over $7,500 annually on your STR business.
The card's key differentiator is "unlimited." If your annual business expenses exceed $50,000, you'll hit the cap on the Amex Blue Business Cash and earn just 1%. With the Spark Cash Plus, you'll continue earning 2% on every dollar, generating thousands in additional rewards for high-volume operators.
The card has no preset spending limit, allowing large purchases when opportunities arise, like bulk furniture orders or emergency renovations. For hosts with multiple properties, the $200 cash bonus after spending $200,000+ effectively reduces the annual fee.
The Spark Cash Plus, as a charge card rather than a credit card, requires full monthly payment, enforcing good cash flow discipline. This structure helps hosts avoid interest-bearing debt while maximizing rewards.
How to Choose the Right Card for Your STR Business
Step 1: Analyze Your Spending
Review your last 6-12 months of STR business expenses. Where does most of your money go? If you're spending heavily on internet services and office supplies, the Chase Ink Business Cash's 5% categories will maximize your returns. If your expenses are evenly distributed, a flat-rate card like the Amex Blue Business Cash or Capital One Spark Cash Plus will be more rewarding.
Consider future expenses. Are you planning to expand with new properties? Will you increase your marketing budget? Choose a card that rewards your anticipated spending patterns, not just your current ones.
Step 2: Cash Back vs. Travel Points
This decision depends on your personal preferences and business needs. Cash back is straightforward and can be reinvested directly into your business, improving cash flow. Travel points offer flexibility and higher value when redeemed strategically.
If you frequently travel to maintain remote properties or scout new markets, a points card like the Chase Ink Business Preferred delivers exceptional value. If you prefer simplicity and predictability, cash back cards provide guaranteed returns without redemption complexity.
Step 3: Annual Fees vs. Long-Term Value
Don't let an annual fee disqualify a card. Calculate based on your spending. If a card earns you an extra $400 in rewards annually compared to a no-fee card, and it has a $95 annual fee, it's worth the investment.
Consider the complete value proposition, including welcome bonuses, ongoing rewards, and additional benefits like purchase protection, extended warranties, and travel insurance. These features provide value beyond the basic rewards structure, especially for hosts making frequent large purchases for their properties.
Conclusion
Choosing the best business credit card for Airbnb hosts requires aligning card benefits with your spending patterns and goals. The right card separates your finances and actively reduces costs through strategic rewards and protections that match your needs.
Remember the foundational principles: separate business and personal expenses, pay your balance in full to avoid interest,and leverage your rewards to reinvest in your business or reward yourself.
Optimizing your expenses and rewards is a crucial first step toward professionalizing your STR business. When you're ready to elevate your properties and maximize revenue, learn how STR Cribs uses data-driven design to transform standard rentals into market-leading performers with premium rates and exceptional reviews.
