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Management may guide a business to big profits, but advertising is the growth engine that drives those profits, and shipping drops the product into your customer's lap. Advertising and shipping make up two of the biggest expenses for many businesses. Companies should seize any opportunity they can to maximize the points and cash back earned on advertising and shipping expenditures. And, luckily for business owners, there are small business credit cards that offer bonus rewards on precisely those categories.
Advertising has changed significantly over the last decade. The rise of online search engines, social media, CPC advertising, and big data, has pushed the majority of advertising spend away from traditional media such as TV, print, and radio, moving it online to sites like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, and LinkedIn. And credit card companies are responding.
However, credit card issuers have different definitions of what transactions will code as advertising or shipping for bonus categories. Card issuers also operate different earning structures to max the bonus categories out.
Here's everything you know about the best credit cards for advertising and shipping so you can earn the best return on your spending in these areas.
Page Contents
- Credit Cards That Earn Bonus Points on Advertising and Shipping
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- American Express® Business Gold Card
- SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- What Counts as an Advertising Purchase for Bonus Rewards?
- What Counts as a Shipping Purchase for Bonus Rewards?
- Final Thoughts
Credit Cards That Earn Bonus Points on Advertising and Shipping
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
The Ink Preferred comes with a gigantic signup bonus and well-thought-out bonus categories. The 90,000-point bonus could provide substantially more than $1,500 in value if transferred out to Chase’s travel partners and redeemed for high-value travel. The combination of social and search advertising with shipping, phone, and travel, should cover the majority of small business owners for bonus categories. It also offers the potential to earn nearly half a million Ultimate Rewards points if maxing out the bonus categories.
You'll earn 3x points on the first $150,000 of combined spending across business categories, and these include advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines as well as shipping purchases. Note that the spending cap applies to your cardholder year, not the calendar year, based on when you first opened the account.
If you maximize the bonus categories to the $150K cap, you’ll earn 450,000 Ultimate Rewards. Depending on how you use your points, that could be a return of 6% or more.
Related: Ink Preferred full review
American Express® Business Gold Card
- Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
- Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- *Terms Apply
- Rates & Fees
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
The Amex Business Gold card is a go-to card for small business owners wanting to benefit from advertising spend. However, the shipping category on this card was removed on January 31, 2024, so if this was one of your reasons for applying for or holding this card, you'll need to look at other options.
Cardholders earn 4x on their two top eligible spending categories each month, from among these categories:
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, and radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
Amex's definition of “advertising” on the Amex Business Gold is a touch broader than the Ink Preferred‘s, incorporating online, television, and radio advertising. However, the purchases must be made directly with a U.S. merchant.
The cap for all 4x bonus categories is $150,000 each year before purchases revert to earning 1 point per $1 spent. That's equivalent to the spending maximum on the Ink Preferred, and you don't need to pick a category. Whichever categories you spend the most in, those are your 4x categories for the month.
Related: Amex Business Gold full review
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
The SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express was closed to new applicants in July 2019. If you already have the card, it offers excellent value for advertising spend. Rather than earning rewards points like the two cards above, the Amex SimplyCash Plus is strictly a cash-back card. Bonus earnings are capped to the first $50,000 per calendar year on the combined category spend, which, although smaller than the other two cards, is fantastic for a card with no annual fee. Again, like the Amex Business Gold card, you can only select one of eight categories for receiving 3% cash back. The list includes:
- Airfare purchased directly from airlines
- Hotel rooms purchased directly from hotels
- Car rentals purchased from select car rental companies
- U.S. gas stations
- U.S. restaurants
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
- U.S. purchases for shipping
- U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers
Important to note with the Amex SimplyCash Plus is that it allows you to spend over your credit limit (within reason) without any penalty. This could be a handy feature if you have a big purchase to make that will stretch your credit limit — just be sure to pay that balance in full when due to avoid any interest charges.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
- Earn 2X points on rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 4X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners
- 2X points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and phone services
- 2X points per $1 spent on rideshare
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The Southwest Performance Business Card has two interesting features that deserve your attention. First, you'll earn 2x points per $1 spent on search engine advertising, though you will earn just 1x on shipping. Second, all spending on this card (as well as the 80,000-point welcome bonus) will count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. This two-for-one travel pass is valid for bringing someone on all of your Southwest flights for the remainder of the year in which you earn it, as well as the entire following calendar year.
If you travel for sales meetings, trade shows, or even just for fun, bringing a second person for free (just pay the taxes, often less than $10) could present a huge cost savings for your business. Other cardholder benefits include four Upgraded Boardings per year and 9,000 bonus points on each account anniversary.
Related: Southwest Performance Business Card full review
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 10/2024.
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
- NEW! Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1X points on other eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. shipping providers.
- 1.5X earning rates are subject to a cap of $2 million in purchases per calendar year.
With the Business Platinum Card, you'll get a slew of travel-related perks like lounge access and hotel elite status, but you'll also earn 1.5 points for each $1 spent in select business categories. Eligible categories include shipping providers, plus the 1.5x earnings also apply to any purchase of $5,000, no matter what category it's in. However, you'll only earn 1.5x on the first $2 million of purchases in these categories annually.
While other cards can provide a better return on shipping and advertising expenses, the Business Platinum Card offers benefits the others don't. That might sway your opinion.
Related: Business Platinum Card full review
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/16/25.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
- Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
- Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
- Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
- Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (annual cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases)
- 2X miles per dollar on eligible U.S. shipping purchases (annual cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases)
- 2X miles per dollar on eligible dining purchases
- 1X miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Those looking for a good credit card for advertising or shipping expenses without a hefty annual fee will like the Delta Gold Business Amex. It has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (Rates & Fees) and offers 2x miles on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and 2x on eligible U.S. shipping purchases (up to the first $50,000 spent in each category, then 1x earnings).
If maximized, you could earn 100,000 miles from advertising and 100,000 miles from shipping on this card each year before reverting to 1x earnings.
Related: Delta Gold Business Amex full review
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- WELCOME OFFER: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
- Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
- Terms apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping
- 2x Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
If you want to use your business spending to earn hotel points for free stays, the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is a great option. You'll earn 4x points for each dollar spent on U.S. purchases for shipping. However, you'll earn just 2x for advertising.
Beyond just earning points for free stays, the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and you'll receive a free night award (worth up to 35,000 points) automatically on each account anniversary. You can earn another free night award each year by spending $60,000 or more on your card.
What Counts as an Advertising Purchase for Bonus Rewards?
American Express
Amex defines the U.S. advertising category as follows:
“To earn additional rewards for advertising, purchases of online, television and radio advertising must be purchased in the U.S. directly from media providers in order to promote a business.
You will NOT earn additional rewards for direct mail services including list/lead generation.”
Chase
Chase defines this category as follows:
“Merchants in this category include social media websites and online search engines that advertise a business, brand, products or services. Advertising purchases that are not made directly from a social media website or online search engine merchant may not qualify; for example, advertising purchases made through a third party such as an ad agency or web designer offering related services. Also, purchases from social media websites or online search engines that are not for advertising will not qualify; for example, subscription or app purchases.”
What Counts as a Shipping Purchase for Bonus Rewards?
American Express
Amex defines the U.S. shipping category like this:
“To earn additional rewards for shipping, the purchase must be made at courier, postal, and freight shippers located in the U.S.
You will NOT earn additional rewards on shipping costs added to retail purchases (e.g., online or catalog purchases).
You will also NOT earn additional rewards for moving services, local trucking, and trash removal.”
Chase
Chase defines this category as follows:
“Merchants in this category specialize in mailing packages, hauling freight, and transporting goods or documents. Shipping merchants include couriers, postal and freight shipping companies, express shipping services and mailbox stores. Merchants who sell a wide variety of general goods but also ship items, including office supply stores that also mail packages will not be included in this category. The additional cost to ship something you buy, or using a third party (such as Amazon) for bulk warehousing and shipping will not qualify. Merchants that primarily sell boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap or other shipping supplies are also not included in this category. All trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s).”
Final Thoughts
All three cards have attractive features, and if you spend heavily on advertising and shipping, you may need to have them all on your radar. If the majority of advertising spend is online or you’ll spread an even mix of spending across different categories, the Ink Preferred comes out ahead on points earning potential.
If you're in a position to spend a significant amount on advertising, you might consider getting both cards to ensure you're getting the most out of every dollar you spend.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees), Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
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