Ultimate Guide: Best Business Credit Cards for High Advertising Spend in 2025 (Ranked)

Most “best business card” guides ignore one crucial use case: performance marketers dropping serious money into Facebook, Google, and TikTok ads.

If you spend $10k to $100k+ monthly, you don’t care about rotating categories—you care about scaling profitably. The right credit card can earn you tens of thousands in rewards per year, just from the ad budget you're already spending.

In this guide, we rank the best business credit cards for online advertising in 2025, focusing on:

• Social media and search engine ad bonuses
• Point value and transfer flexibility
• Breakeven math based on real-world reward value
• No-fluff decision-making frameworks

🔑 Quick Answer: Best Cards for Online Ad Spend (2025)

🧮 How We Calculated Points Value

To keep things consistent and realistic for most business owners, we use conservative baseline values that reflect common, repeatable redemptions:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valued at ~1.5¢ per point, based on typical redemptions through travel partners like World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan, and United, or via Chase’s Pay Yourself Back® feature when available.
• American Express Membership Rewards points are also valued at ~1.5¢ per point, assuming redemptions through airline transfer partners such as ANA, Aeroplan, or Air France.
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns 2% direct cashback, so no point valuation applies.

While it’s possible to get higher value through premium cabin flights or special redemptions, this guide uses baseline figures that most small businesses can reasonably achieve without advanced points strategies.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  Rates & fees.
 

1. Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ – Best for High, Uncapped Spend

Why it wins:

If your ad spend is scaling past $150k per year, this is the only mainstream card offering uncapped 3× on online ads. Pair that with Chase’s 1.5¢/point baseline (through transfer partners or Pay Yourself Back®), and you’re earning 4.5¢ per $1 on spend you’re already doing.
 

Quick Facts:

• 3x points on social media and search engine advertising
• Points worth ~1.5¢ with transfers or Pay Yourself Back
• up to $300 annual travel credit + airport lounge access + hotel perks
• At a minimum, if you use the travel credit, the effective net fee: $795 – $300 = $495
• Breakeven: $495 ÷ 4.5% = ~$11,000 in ad spend

Best for: Agencies, eCom brands, SaaS marketers spending $10k+/mo

Watch out for: High annual fee; benefits require travel to fully realize.

2. American Express® Business Gold Card – Best ROI Below $150k Spend

Why it’s here:

For ad budgets under $150k per year, Amex Business Gold has the highest % return: 4x points in your top two categories (ads is one of them), capped at $150k annually. That’s a 6% effective return based on a 1.5¢/point valuation. Rates & fees.
 

Quick Facts:

• Earn 4x on your top 2 categories monthly (includes U.S. media ads)
  • Cap: 4x only applies to $150,000 in combined spend annually, then earn 1x thereafter
• Annual fee: $375
• Breakeven: $375 ÷ 6% = ~$6,250 ad spend

Best for: Startups and ad buyers with spend under ~$12.5k/month

Watch out for: Earn only 1x points beyond the $150k cap; U.S.-only advertising spend; point redemptions not as user-friendly unless you understand transfer partners.

3. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – Best Entry Point

Why it punches above its weight:

At just $95/year, the Ink Preferred earns the same 3x on ads as the Sapphire Reserve for Business, but with a cap: $150k/year. It’s a great low-cost option for ad buyers who value transfer flexibility, especially if you don’t need travel perks.
 

Quick Facts:

• Earn 3x on social media & search engine ads (up to $150k/year, then 1x thereafter)
• Points worth ~1.75¢ or potentially more when transferred to travel partners
• Cell phone protection, 1:1 transfers, rental coverage
• Breakeven: $95 ÷ (3 × 1.75%) = ~$1,810 in ad spend

Best for: Solo founders or small teams who want high returns at low cost

Watch out for: Once you pass $150k in ad spend, returns flatline at 1x.

4. Capital One Spark Cash Plus – Simple, Flat 2%

Why it’s here:

If you want simplicity or your accountant hates point transfers, Spark Cash Plus gets the job done. Flat 2% on everything, including ads. And the $150 annual fee is waived if you spend $200k+.
 

Quick Facts:

• Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases
• Annual fee: $150 (waived at $200k annual spend)
• Breakeven: $150 ÷ 2% = ~$7,500 in spend (year 1)

Best for: Businesses that don’t want to deal with points or redemption complexity

Watch out for: No travel perks or transfer partners = lower long-term upside. 

Pro-tip: If you have a Capital One Spark Miles for Business or Venture-family card, you can convert the cash back into Capital One Miles for even more value when redeeming for travel.

What is the best credit card for Facebook and Google Ads in 2025?

For large budgets, the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offers uncapped 3x points on online advertising, worth ~4.5% back. For spend under $150,000/year, the American Express® Business Gold Card offers 4x points (up to 6% return). Budget users may prefer the Ink Business Preferred, and flat cashback users can opt for the Capital One Spark Cash Plus.

FAQ

Does Facebook ad spend count toward bonus categories?
Yes, both Chase and Amex treat social media advertising (including Facebook/Instagram) as eligible for bonus multipliers on their business cards.

What’s the best card for unlimited ad spend?

The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ earns uncapped 3x points on online advertising.
 

Which cards have a cap for ad spend bonuses?

The Amex Business Gold and Ink Preferred cap at $150,000/year for bonus earning.
 

Can I earn points on TikTok or LinkedIn ads?

Yes, as long as the transaction is categorized under social media advertising by the issuer.

Final Takeaway

When you're spending tens (or hundreds) of thousands per year on ads, your credit card becomes a hidden profit center. Choose based on your ad budget ceiling, redemption habits, and tolerance for complexity:

• Scale spenders: Sapphire Reserve for Business
• Mid-size budgets: Amex Business Gold
• Low-fee optimizers: Ink Business Preferred
• Keep-it-simple users: Spark Cash Plus
   

💡 Your ad budget isn’t just a business expense — it’s a rewards engine. Pick the right card, clear the breakeven, and turn every $1 spent into future growth, free travel, or cash in the bank.