Score Every Biz Credit Card: Why Relay Beat Chase 8.2 to 7.4

Key Takeaways

• The Relay Visa® Credit Card won our editorial score with an 8.2 out of 10, primarily due to zero annual fees and its tight integration with sub-accounts for profit first budgeting.
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited scored a 7.4 because its 1.5% flat rate now trails competitors like Capital One Spark or Relay that offer 2% back on all purchases.
• Businesses with high advertising or shipping spend should avoid flat-rate cards and look for tiered categories that offer 3x to 4x points, even if they carry a $95 annual fee.
• Always verify if a card requires a personal guarantee, as this impacts your personal credit score according to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) guidelines.

Say you spend $12,000 a month on inventory and marketing (plus fuel) for a market design firm. If you use a basic bank card at 1% back, you earn $120. If you switch to a 2% flat-rate card, you clear $240. Over a year, that $1,440 difference pays for a new commercial mower or two months of business rent. We spent the last quarter scoring every major business card on the market, and the gap between the winners and the household names is wider than you think.

Relay took this one 8.2 to 7.4 against Chase, and it comes down to sub-accounts. Most owners are tired of the single-bucket banking model where every expense hits one main account, making it impossible to see what's left for taxes. Relay allows you to issue cards tied to specific digital envelopes. It's a workflow win that big banks haven't matched. (Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up through our links.)

The Numbers That Drove Our Scores

We didn't just look at the shiny sign-up bonuses. We looked at the price floor and the reward ceiling.

• Relay Visa®: 8.2/10. Zero annual fee. Up to 1.5% to 2% cash back depending on tier. The winner for teams who need 20+ employee cards without a fee per user.
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited: 7.4/10. Zero annual fee. 1.5% flat cash back. It's reliable, but the lack of a 2% option in the no-fee tier makes it a runner-up. See our Chase Ink Business Preferred: Cash Back vs. Points Math for the full breakdown.
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus: 7.9/10. $150 annual fee. 2% flat cash back. This is for the high-spender. If you spend over $15,000 a month, the extra 0.5% back pays for the fee in two months.
• American Express® Business Gold: 7.7/10. $375 annual fee. 4x points on top categories. Great for ad spend, but the high fee and complex point valuations hurt its general utility score.

Why the Obvious Choice Lost

Most owners default to the bank where they have their checking account. That's usually a mistake. Large national banks often rely on your laziness to keep you at a 1% or 1.5% reward rate. When we compared the math, a solo business using a 2% card instead of a 1% card effectively gives themselves a 1% discount on every single business expense.

We also looked at the 'hidden' costs of borrowing.

gov/releases/h15/) tracks the prime rate, which influences your card's APR. While we recommend paying in full every month to avoid the 20%+ interest trap, the challenger cards often had more transparent terms for 'buy now, pay later' features than the legacy big-box banks. You can Open a High-Yield Business Account Before Rates Shift to pair with these cards and maximize your float.

Which Card Should You Actually Pick?

Is there a specific spend level where a fee-based card is better? Yes. If you spend more than $19,000 annually on a 2% card with a $95 fee, you outperform a 1.5% no-fee card. If your spend is lower than $1,500 a month, stick to the no-fee options like Relay or Chase Ink Unlimited. Don't pay for a 'status' card if the math doesn't clear the fee.

What if I have a 10-person team? Avoid cards that charge per-employee card fees. Relay and Square are leading here because they treat employee cards as a software feature, not a profit center. Legacy banks still try to bake in $5 to $10 monthly fees for 'premium' card management, which is a waste of your margin.

If you're currently getting 1% back, you're leaving money on the table for no reason. Which card is currently sitting in your wallet, and do you know its exact reward percentage?

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📋 Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Laws and regulations change frequently, and the information presented may not reflect the most current legal developments. Always consult with a qualified professional (CPA, attorney, financial advisor) before making business decisions based on this content. MyBizNerd may receive compensation through affiliate links, but this never influences our recommendations.

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