In today’s digital age, advertising has become an integral part of any successful business strategy. From social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to search engines like Google and Bing, businesses are constantly seeking new ways to promote their products and services. However, with the increasing costs of advertising, it’s crucial to find ways to maximize your return on investment. One effective way to do this is by using the right credit card for your advertising purchases.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best credit cards for advertising purchases in 2024, their features, rewards, and how to choose the one that best suits your business needs.
Why Use a Credit Card for Advertising Purchases?
Using a credit card for advertising purchases can provide several benefits, including:
- Earning Rewards: Many credit cards offer bonus rewards for advertising purchases, allowing you to earn cash back, points, or miles that can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or statement credits.
- Tracking Expenses: By using a dedicated credit card for advertising purchases, you can easily track and categorize your spending, making it easier to manage your advertising budget.
- Financing Options: Some credit cards offer 0% introductory APR periods, allowing you to finance your advertising expenses interest-free for a limited time.
- Fraud Protection: Most credit cards offer fraud protection, ensuring that you’re not held responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Building Credit: Responsible use of a credit card for advertising purchases can help build your business credit history, making it easier to secure financing or credit in the future.
READ ALSO: Best 0% APR Business Credit Cards for 2024: Maximizing Your Interest-Free Period
Best Credit Cards for Advertising Purchases in 2024
American Express® Business Gold Card
American Express Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card is an excellent choice for businesses that spend heavily on advertising, particularly in the digital space. With this card, you can earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year (then 1X).
One of the eligible categories is “U.S. purchases for advertising in select media,” which includes online advertising platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and more. If advertising is one of your top two spending categories, you’ll earn a whopping 8% back (based on The Points Guy’s valuation of 2 cents per Membership Rewards point).
Other benefits of the American Express® Business Gold Card include:
- Earn 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
- Up to $20 in statement credits monthly for eligible purchases at select U.S. merchants (enrollment required)
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees apply)
The card does come with a $295 annual fee, but the potential rewards earned from advertising purchases can easily offset this cost.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card from Chase is another excellent option for businesses that spend heavily on advertising, particularly on social media and search engines. With this card, you can earn 3X Ultimate Rewards® points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
If you maximize the $150,000 spending limit in the advertising category, you’ll earn a staggering 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal or transferred to one of Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
Other benefits of the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card include:
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Cell phone protection (up to $600 per claim)
- Primary auto rental collision damage waiver
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
The card has a $95 annual fee, which is relatively low considering the potential rewards you can earn.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Amex Blue Business Cash Card
If your business prefers cash back over points or miles, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is an excellent choice for advertising purchases. With this card, you’ll earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases, up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%).
While the card doesn’t offer bonus rewards specifically for advertising purchases, the 2% cash back rate applies to all eligible purchases, including advertising on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and more.
Other benefits of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card include:
- No annual fee (rates and fees apply)
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable rate applies)
- Expanded Buying Power for making purchases beyond your credit limit (terms apply)
- Amex Offers for statement credits or bonus points at select merchants (enrollment required)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Amex Business Platinum Card
For businesses with high advertising spend, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express is worth considering. While it doesn’t offer bonus rewards specifically for advertising purchases, it does provide 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases over $5,000 (up to $2 million per calendar year).
If your business frequently makes large advertising buys, this could be an excellent way to rack up Membership Rewards points quickly.
Other benefits of the Amex Business Platinum Card include:
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
- Complimentary Gold Elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees apply)
The card does have a steep $695 annual fee, but the potential rewards and benefits can easily offset this cost for businesses with high advertising spend.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited
If you prefer a straightforward cash back rewards program without complex bonus categories, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card from Chase is an excellent choice for advertising purchases. With this card, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no limits or category restrictions.
While the rewards rate isn’t as high as some of the other cards on this list, the simplicity and flexibility of the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card make it an attractive option for businesses that want to earn cash back on all their advertising purchases, regardless of the platform or medium.
Other benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card include:
- No annual fee
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable rate applies)
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- Primary auto rental collision damage waiver
- Purchase protection
Maximizing Rewards on Advertising Purchases
To maximize your rewards on advertising purchases, it’s essential to understand the specific categories and merchants that qualify for bonus rewards with your chosen credit card. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your advertising credit card:
- Review the credit card’s terms and conditions: Before making any advertising purchases, review the credit card’s terms and conditions to ensure that the specific platforms or media you’re using qualify for bonus rewards.
- Track your spending: Keep a close eye on your advertising expenses to ensure that you’re meeting any spending thresholds or limits for bonus rewards.
- Consider your overall spending patterns: While it’s important to maximize rewards on advertising purchases, don’t overlook other spending categories. Choose a credit card that aligns with your overall business spending patterns to maximize rewards across multiple categories.
- Take advantage of welcome bonuses: Many credit cards offer lucrative welcome bonuses for meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of account opening. If you have a significant advertising budget, consider timing your card application and meeting the spending requirement through your advertising purchases.
- Combine credit cards: If your advertising spend exceeds the bonus category limits of a single credit card, consider using a combination of cards to maximize your rewards across different platforms or media.
Conclusion
In today’s competitive business landscape, effective advertising strategies are crucial for success. By using the right credit card for your advertising purchases, you can not only earn valuable rewards but also gain better control over your advertising budget and expenses.
The credit cards highlighted in this guide, such as the American Express® Business Gold Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, offer a range of rewards and benefits tailored to different business needs and advertising spend patterns.
Remember to carefully evaluate your advertising platforms, spend volume, rewards currency preference, overall business spending patterns, and desired additional benefits when choosing the best credit card for your advertising purchases. Additionally, be sure to maximize your rewards by understanding the specific categories and merchants that qualify for bonus rewards, tracking your spending, and taking advantage of welcome bonuses and strategic card combinations.
By incorporating the right credit card strategy into your advertising efforts, you can not only enhance your business’s visibility and reach but also enjoy the added benefits of valuable rewards and efficient expense management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of advertising purchases qualify for bonus rewards?
The types of advertising purchases that qualify for bonus rewards can vary depending on the credit card issuer and the specific card. Generally, credit cards like the American Express® Business Gold Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offer bonus rewards for online advertising purchases made through platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Twitter Ads, and more. Some cards may also offer bonus rewards for television, radio, and print advertising purchases.
Can I use a personal credit card for business advertising purchases?
While you can technically use a personal credit card for business advertising purchases, it’s generally not recommended. Business credit cards are specifically designed to cater to the needs of businesses, offering rewards categories and benefits tailored to common business expenses like advertising.
Using a business credit card for advertising purchases also helps separate your personal and business finances, making it easier to track expenses and manage your advertising budget. Additionally, many business credit cards offer additional liability protection and enhanced fraud protection, which can be beneficial for larger advertising spends.
How do I determine which credit card is best for my advertising purchases?
To determine the best credit card for your advertising purchases, consider the following factors:
- a) Advertising platforms or media used: Evaluate which platforms or media you primarily use for advertising, such as social media, search engines, television, radio, or print.
- b) Advertising spend volume: Consider your monthly or annual advertising budget to ensure that you can meet any spending thresholds or limits for bonus rewards.
- c) Rewards currency preference: Decide whether you prefer earning cash back, points, or miles for your advertising purchases.
- d) Overall business spending patterns: Look for a credit card that not only rewards advertising purchases but also aligns with your overall business spending patterns across other categories like travel, office supplies, or shipping.
- e) Additional benefits: Consider other benefits offered by the credit card, such as welcome bonuses, statement credits, travel protections, or access to lounges or hotel elite status.
Can I use multiple credit cards for advertising purchases?
Yes, you can use multiple credit cards for advertising purchases, especially if your advertising spend exceeds the bonus category limits of a single card. By strategically using different cards for different advertising platforms or media, you can maximize your rewards across various categories.
However, it’s important to keep track of your spending and ensure you’re meeting any minimum spending requirements or thresholds for bonus rewards on each card.
How do I redeem rewards earned from advertising purchases?
The redemption process for rewards earned from advertising purchases will depend on the specific credit card and rewards currency. Generally, cash back rewards can be redeemed as statement credits or bank account deposits, while points or miles can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits.
Some credit cards may also offer the option to transfer points or miles to airline or hotel loyalty programs, potentially increasing their redemption value. Familiarize yourself with the redemption options and processes for your chosen credit card to ensure you’re maximizing the value of your rewards.
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