These rewards can help maximize real estate investments, since several credit cards will come with unique perks to help the real estate investor offset expenses or earn travel rewards-even offering cashback on renovations, staging, or property maintenance.
Here’s a deep dive into the best credit cards that accrue valuable points or cash back on real-estate-related spending.
Top Credit Cards for Real Estate Investment Rewards
1. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best For: Business expenses and high-value points
Benefits: This card offers 3X points on various business-related purchases, such as travel, shipping, and online advertising. The high-value points can be redeemed for travel or transferred to travel partners, giving investors flexibility. It includes a generous sign-up bonus and offers cell phone protection, which is ideal for on-the-go real estate professionals.
- Annual Fee: $95
2. American Express® Business Gold Card
Best For: Customizable rewards categories
Benefits: With 4X points on two selected spending categories (which change monthly based on spending), this card adapts well to variable real estate costs. Real estate investors can benefit from lounge access, purchase protection, and up to $300 in statement credits for advertising and shipping.
- Annual Fee: $295
3. Capital One Spark Cash for Business
Best For: Simple, high cashback on all purchases
Benefits: Offering unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, this card is easy to use and doesn’t require tracking different rewards categories. It’s perfect for real estate investors who want a straightforward cashback model, especially for bulk supply purchases or ongoing maintenance expenses.
- Annual Fee: $0
4. CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Best For: Frequent flyers and travel rewards
Benefits: This card is ideal for real estate investors who frequently travel, as it offers bonus miles with American Airlines. Cardholders also get free checked baggage, preferred boarding, and other travel perks that can save on transportation expenses to different properties.
- Annual Fee: $99, waived for the first year
5. Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card
Best For: Introductory APR and no annual fee
Benefits: The card offers a competitive introductory APR on purchases, making it a smart choice for financing property-related expenses. It also allows for multiple employee cards at no additional cost, which is helpful for real estate teams.
- Annual Fee: $0
6. Discover it® Business Credit Card
Best For: Cashback rewards with no annual fee
Benefits: The Discover it® Business Credit Card offers a straightforward cashback program with 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Additionally, Discover matches all the cash back earned at the end of the first year for new cardholders, effectively doubling your rewards. This feature is particularly beneficial for real estate investors who have significant expenses in their first year of using the card.
- Annual Fee: $0
Key Features:
- Cashback Match: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, making it an excellent option for maximizing rewards early on.
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy all the benefits without worrying about an annual cost.
- Expense Management Tools: Access to free employee cards and customizable spending controls helps manage team expenses effectively.
- Additional Perks: Includes free employee cards, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
Pros:
- Cashback rewards with no annual fee.
- Cashback match doubles your rewards in the first year.
- Simple and easy-to-understand rewards structure.
Cons:
- Limited rewards categories compared to other business credit cards.
- Cashback rate remains at 1.5% after the first year.
For more details, visit the Discover it® Business Credit Card.
7. U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
Best For: Low introductory APR and balance transfers
Benefits: The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is ideal for real estate investors looking to finance large purchases or manage existing credit card debt. It offers a 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 20 billing cycles, providing ample time to pay down balances without accruing interest.
- Annual Fee: $0
Key Features:
- 0% Introductory APR: Enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 20 billing cycles.
- No Annual Fee: Cost-effective option for investors.
- Employee Cards: Receive up to 8 additional employee cards at no extra cost.
- Expense Management Tools: Access to expense tracking and reporting tools to streamline financial management.
Pros:
- Extended 0% introductory APR period.
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Ability to transfer balances from high-interest cards.
Cons:
- Limited rewards program.
- High APR after the introductory period.
For more information, visit the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card.
8. Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®
Best For: Flexible cashback categories
Benefits: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® allows real estate investors to choose their 3% cashback categories each month from a list of six options, including office supplies, gas, and advertising. This flexibility helps tailor rewards to match your specific business expenses, maximizing cashback potential.
- Annual Fee: $0
Key Features:
- Customizable Cashback Categories: Choose from categories like gas, office supplies, travel, and more to earn 3% cash back.
- Cash Back Bonuses: Earn 2% cash back on dining purchases and 1% on all other purchases.
- Employee Cards: Add employee cards at no additional cost to earn rewards on team expenses.
- Purchase Protection: Includes extended warranty and purchase protection for added security.
Pros:
- Highly customizable rewards to fit varied business needs.
- No annual fee and competitive cashback rates.
- Easy to manage and redeem cashback rewards.
Cons:
- Requires active management to select the optimal cashback categories each month.
- Cashback rates may not be as high as some premium cards in specific categories.
Learn more about the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®.
9. CitiDouble Cash® Card
Best For: Simple and straightforward cashback
Benefits: The CitiDouble Cash® Card offers a no-frills cashback program with 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This straightforward approach is perfect for real estate investors who prefer simplicity over complex rewards structures.
- Annual Fee: $0
Key Features:
- Flat-Rate Cashback: Earn 2% cash back on every purchase, without the need to track categories.
- No Annual Fee: Keep more of your rewards with no yearly cost.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Redeem cashback as statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards.
- Purchase Protection: Includes protection against theft and damage for up to 60 days after purchase.
Pros:
- Simple and easy-to-understand rewards system.
- Consistent cashback on all purchases.
- No annual fee enhances overall rewards value.
Cons:
- No bonus categories to earn extra rewards.
- Limited additional perks compared to other business credit cards.
For more details, visit the CitiDouble Cash® Card.
10. American Express® Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
Best For: Earning Membership Rewards® points
Benefits: The American Express® Blue Business® Plus Credit Card is designed for real estate investors who want to earn Membership Rewards® points on their everyday business expenses. Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 spent each year, providing a valuable rewards rate for significant spending.
- Annual Fee: $0
Key Features:
- Membership Rewards® Points: Earn 2X points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1X points thereafter.
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy rewards without worrying about an annual cost.
- Expense Management Tools: Access to online tools for tracking and managing business expenses.
- Employee Cards: Add employee cards at no additional cost to increase your rewards potential.
Pros:
- Competitive points rate on significant business spending.
- No annual fee makes it a cost-effective rewards option.
- Flexible points redemption options, including travel, gift cards, and merchandise.
Cons:
- After $50,000 in spending, points earn rate drops to 1X.
- Limited additional perks compared to premium cards.
Discover more at the American Express® Blue Business® Plus Credit Card.
Conclusion: Best Credit Card Points for Real Estate Investments
Strategic use of credit card points can be the icing on the cake in a real estate investor’s financial portfolio by offsetting expenses, earning travel rewards, and giving cashback on essential business purchases.
It’s about selecting the right cards for the specific needs of your investment to receive much more valuable rewards and reinvest that savings into your next real estate investments.
Whether you like the simplicity of cashback, high-value travel points, or customization of rewards categories, there is a credit card for your needs to be found. Take a look at your options and make the most out of them today!
FAQs on Credit Card Points and Real Estate Investment
How do I determine the best credit card for real estate investment?
When selecting a credit card for investment in real estate, take into consideration your standard categories of spending, what type of rewards you want to get-cashback, points, or miles-and other benefits you might want to have, such as travel perks or expense-tracking benefits.
Can I Use Personal Credit Card Points for Business Investments in Real Estate?
You can always use your personal credit card points to cover business-related expenses, but it is always good to keep them separate.
How Do Credit Card Points And Cash Back Help In Saving On Real Estate Investment Expenses?
It’s amazing how many real estate investment expenses you can offset using credit card points and cashback: from traveling to see properties to renovation materials and marketing expenses-the list goes on and on.
Do certain credit card fees lead to watch-outs when using rewards for real estate?
Yes, watch out for annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and balance transfer fees. Some cards have fabulous rewards, but the high fees eat into those overall benefits. You really do need to figure out whether the rewards you accrue will outweigh the costs that come with the card.
Which is better in relation to real estate investments, travel rewards or cashback?
The best option is going to depend on specific business needs. If you travel frequently for property management or acquisitions, rewards earned through travel can be really valuable in the form of flights, hotel stays, and other travel perks.
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