Great business credit cards in New Zealand

Running a business comes with plenty of expenses, from travel to supplier payments, and the right credit card can provide a flexible option to pay for those expenses. Business credit cards can help you smooth out cash flow, track spending in one place, and even earn rewards for the purchases you already make.

Below, we look at business credit cards in New Zealand to help you find a good mix of low fees, flexible limits, and useful features for your business.

3 great business credit and charge cards available in New Zealand

No. 1: American Express® Gold Business Card

When it comes to overall value and rewards potential, the Amex Gold Business Card is a strong choice.

With the Card you’ll earn 2 Membership Rewards® points per $1 spent¹ on eligible purchases, roughly double what you’ll get from the next-best business rewards Card. That offer applies until 31 August 2026 at which point the rate reverts to 1 point per $1 — still among the highest earn rates in NZ.

New Card Members can also earn 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when approved and spend $1,000 within the first two months². New American Express Card Members only. You must enrol in the Membership Rewards programme on your Card application to earn points; annual Card fee and annual Membership Rewards fee apply. T&C’s apply.

As a charge Card, the Amex Gold Business Card gives up to 50 days of cash-flow flexibility³ instead of revolving credit, which can be useful for smoothing out supplier payments.

Read our full review of the Amex Gold Business Card or see how it compares with other NZ business credit cards.

Other pros

• Complimentary Travel Insurance²: Pay for your full fare return airline tickets using your Card and you’ll get complimentary overseas Travel Insurance for your trip. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).
• Business trip completion cover²: If you’re unable to continue a business trip because of a serious injury or illness, and another employee is required to complete it, their expenses will be covered up to $20,000. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (including age limits).
• Transport accident cover²: If you have a serious accident while travelling, you may be eligible for certain benefits. Some conditions and age limits apply⁴. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (including age limits).
• Online Account management: Check your latest transactions, view or download your current statement, and export data directly to MYOB, Quicken, or Excel.
• End-of-year summaries: Make tracking business expenses easier with a complimentary year-end summary of all your charges.

Key Card details

• • Annual fee: $95 (+ $50 Membership Rewards fee)
  • Employee Card fee: $70 each per year³

Learn more or apply

No. 2: BNZ Advantage Visa Business

If you prefer a traditional credit Card with Visa acceptance, the BNZ Advantage Visa Business is a good option.

You’ll earn 2 BNZ Rewards points per $1 spent, which can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, or merchandise through the BNZ Rewards Store.

The Card has a $100 annual fee ($50 every 6 months) and a purchase interest rate of 18.95%, with up to 50 days interest-free when the balance is paid in full.

While it lacks the bonus and broader rewards potential of the American Express Gold Business Card, decent earn rate and acceptance still make it a good option for everyday business spending.

Note that this is a personal liability Card designed for a business owner’s use, which means that the Cardholder (rather than a business) is responsible for the credit.

Other pros

• Rewards flexibility: Cash back or redemption via BNZ Rewards partners and both are possible through the card.
• Travel Insurance: Get up to 35 days international Travel Insurance when you pay for travel tickets on your card.
• Apple Pay enabled: Pay securely with your phone, watch or other Apple Pay-enabled device.

Cons

• Annual fee: The Card comes with an annual fee of $100.
• No bonus: There are no bonus points on sign up.
• Interest rate: The purchase interest rate of 18.95% is higher than several other available options.

Key Card details

• Annual fee: $100 ($50 half-yearly)
• Rewards earn rate: 2 BNZ Rewards points per $1 spent
• Purchase rate: 18.95%
• Interest-free days: Up to 50 days

No. 3: Kiwibank Business Low Rate Visa

If keeping costs down is your priority, the Kiwibank Business Low Rate Visa offers one of the most affordable ways to access credit for your business.

With a low purchase interest rate of 12.50% it’s a good option for businesses that sometimes carry a balance from month to month. While it doesn’t offer rewards or travel perks, the savings on interest and fees can easily outweigh those benefits for cost-conscious users.

With the card you’ll get up to 55 days interest-free on purchases when the balance is paid in full. The card integrates with accounting tools like Xero and MYOB, and additional employee cards can be issued for authorised users.

Other pros

• Low interest rate: The Kiwibank Business Low Rate Visa has the lowest interest rate of any NZ business credit card.
• Affordable account fee: The card includes a fee of $6.25 per quarter, which equates to just $25 per year.
• Accounting software integration: Integrates with Xero and MYOB for easier expense tracking.

Cons

• No rewards: No rewards or bonus points.
• Lacking Travel Insurance: No Travel Insurance or premium perks.

Key Card details

• Interest rate: 12.50%
• Annual fee: $25
• Interest-free period: Up to 55 days

How we chose these cards

Our top picks were selected based on:

• Reward value and flexibility
• Interest rates and fees
• Extra features such as Travel Insurance or accounting integrations

How business cards work

Business cards are designed for businesses that want to make purchases on credit while keeping personal expenses separate.

They function much like personal cards but with business-focused benefits:

• Employee cards: Several business cards offer additional employee cards (typically with an additional cost) with individual limits.
• Rewards and benefits: Earn rewards on business purchases. Note: enrolment is required for some rewards programs.

Frequently asked questions

What is a great business card option in NZ?

The American Express Gold Business Card currently offers a great mix of rewards, flexibility, and features for New Zealand businesses. It earns 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent (although that offer is limited until August 2026), includes Travel Insurance and gives new Card Members 50,000 Bonus Points after meeting the initial spend requirement¹ — Terms and Conditions apply — see more above or visit the Amex website.

If you prefer a Visa card with broader acceptance, the BNZ Advantage Visa Business is a versatile all-rounder. For businesses that sometimes carry a balance, the Kiwibank Business Low Rate Visa keeps interest costs down at just 12.50%.

Do business credit cards affect personal credit scores?

They can, depending on how the Account is set up. If you’re a sole trader or you’ve given a personal guarantee, your card activity may appear on your personal credit file. Missed payments can therefore impact your score.

For companies with limited liability, only the business’s credit profile is affected unless you’ve personally guaranteed the card. To protect your record, pay balances in full and on time.

Can I use a business credit card for personal expenses?

Technically it’s possible to use a business credit card for personal expenses, but it’s generally not a smart move. Many credit card companies, such as American Express, make it clear that their business cards should only be used for business expenses.

Business credit cards are intended for company-related purchases so mixing personal and business spending can lead to some accounting and tax issues. For example, it can make it harder to track business expenses, reconcile statements, and claim GST or tax deductions correctly.

Several card issuers in New Zealand state in their terms and conditions that business cards should be used only for business purposes, so using the card for your personal spending would be a breach of those terms. In some cases it might affect liability for the debt if the Account is in the company’s name.

If you occasionally need to make a personal purchase, it’s best to keep clear records and reimburse the company to maintain accurate financial separation.

Related guides

• Best Airpoints credit cards
• Cashback credit cards
• Business loans in NZ

American Express® Gold Business Card Terms and Conditions

1. Offer only available to new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $1,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first two (2) months from the Card approval date. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other Card product issued by American Express International (NZ), Inc in the preceding 18-month period are ineligible for this offer. 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s Account 8–10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Programme available at americanexpress.com/en-nz/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. The American Express Gold Business Card has a standard annual fee of $95 and an annual Membership Rewards fee of $50. You must enrol in the Membership Rewards programme on your Card application to be eligible for this bonus points offer.
2. For full details of the insurance cover, including terms, conditions and exclusions, please refer to the Insurance Terms and Conditions. Please be sure to read the Insurance Terms and Conditions carefully and be aware of its various terms, conditions and exclusions.
3. American Express approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. This offer is only available to those who reside in New Zealand. Employee Card Members must be over 18 years of age. Prior to 1 August 2023, the Business, the Primary Card Member and each Employee Card Member are jointly and severally liable for all Employee Card spending. On and from 1 August 2023, American Express will be making changes to the Terms and Conditions of American Express Business Card products in New Zealand which will include the removal of the liability of Employee Card Members for charges incurred on their Employee Card. Each employee is entitled to only one (1) Employee Card.