As a window treatment business owner, you’re always looking for ways to maximize profits and streamline operations. One often overlooked tool in your financial arsenal is the cashback credit card. When used strategically, these cards can provide significant benefits to your business, from reducing expenses to funding marketing initiatives. In this post, I’ll share insights on how to make the most of cashback credit cards for your window treatment company.
Understanding Cashback Credit Cards for Business
Before we dive into strategies, let’s quickly review what cashback credit cards offer. These cards typically provide a percentage of your spending back as a reward, which can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits, or other perks.
Choosing the Right Card for Your Window Treatment Business
When selecting a cashback card, consider the following:
- Reward rates on common expenses (e.g., supplies, advertising)
- Annual fees vs. potential rewards
- Additional perks like travel insurance or extended warranties
- Ease of use and redemption options
Top Cashback Credit Cards for Your Window Treatment Business
To help you get started, here are some of the best cashback credit cards for businesses in the US:
Entry-Level Cards (No Annual Fee):
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard®
- No Annual Fee
- Customize your rewards with 3% cash back in a select category, up to $50,000 annually.
- Enjoy 2% returns on restaurant spending, sharing the same $50,000 limit
- Receive 1% cashback on all remaining transactions
- New cardholders can earn a $300 digital account credit by spending $3,000 within the first quarter
- Benefit from interest-free purchases during the initial 9 billing periods
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
- No Annual Fee
- Claim $750 reward after $6,000 expenditure within initial 180 days
- Treble returns (3%) for fuel, electric vehicle power-ups, workplace essentials, mobile plans, and eateries
- Amplified 5% payback on advance travel arrangements via proprietary booking platform
- Standard 1% reimbursement on remaining qualified purchases
- Everlasting incentives plus annual $100 reimbursement for ongoing business software subscriptions like accounting tools
Discover it® Business Card
- No Annual Fee
- Ideal for businesses with diverse spending patterns that don’t align with specific categories
- Earn 1.5% cashback on every purchase, with Discover matching your first year’s rewards, effectively doubling your return to 3% – a significant boost for startups with high initial expenses
- Offer complementary cards to employees with tailored spending limits; all accrued rewards consolidate in the primary account – perfect for companies with frequent staff expenditures like client meetings, fuel, or travel costs
- Benefit from 0% APR on purchases for the initial 12-month period, followed by a variable APR ranging from 12.99% to 20.99%
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- No Annual Fee
- $900 welcome bonus after meeting $6,000 spending threshold in initial quarter
- Flat 1.5% return on all company expenditures
- Versatile reward redemption via Chase Ultimate Rewards® platform
- Complimentary additional cards with customizable limits for staff
- Fraud protection ensures you’re not liable for unauthorized transactions
- Enjoy a full year of interest-free financing on new purchases with a 0% introductory APR.
MaxRewards Credit Card App
- No Annual Fee
- Ideal for managing multiple credit cards and optimizing rewards from diverse spending patterns
- Provides personalized recommendations on which card to use for each purchase, maximizing rewards based on individual spending habits.
- Comprehensive Rewards Tracking
- Track points, miles, and cashback from major issuers (e.g., Amex, Chase, Citi) in one app.
- Monitor expiration dates and program changes to stay up-to-date and avoid losing rewards.
- Secure Link and Monitoring
- Securely link credit cards with bank-level 256-bit encryption, plus two-factor authentication for extra protection.
- Consolidated view of spending across categories (e.g., dining, gas) for optimized financial decisions.
- Convenient
- Redemption Options
- Redeem rewards through the app for select programs, simplifying the process while keeping all rewards accessible.
Higher-Tier Cards:
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Generous rewards: Receive 2% cashback on every transaction, with a 5% boost on travel bookings via Capital One’s platform.
- Yearly charge: $150, waived with $150,000+ annual spending.
- Welcome offer: Secure a $2,000 bonus after $30,000 expenditure in initial 90 days—an $800 increase from previous promotions.
- Continuous incentive: Gain an extra $2,000 for each $500,000 spent within the first year, without upper limits.
- Complimentary additional cards: Issue employee cards at no cost, accruing 2% cashback on their transactions.
- International-friendly: Zero fees on overseas purchases, benefiting global business operations.
Ideal for high-volume spenders: Substantial cashback potential for businesses with significant cash flow.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Welcome bonus: 150,000 Membership Rewards® points when spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of enrollment.
- Quintuple points on flights and prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com; single point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
- Enhanced earning: 1.5X points on select business categories and large purchases over $5,000, capped at $2 million annually. Highest applicable bonus applied per transaction.
- Access over $1,000 in statement credits for various business expenses in the first year. Enrollment required for specific benefits.
- Annual $200 airline incidental fee credit with a selected qualifying carrier.
- Yearly $199 credit towards CLEAR® Plus Membership, subject to auto-renewal.
Enjoy exclusive airport retreats with the American Express Global Lounge Collection®. As of March 2023, cardholders have complimentary entry to over 1,400 lounges in more than 140 countries, offering unparalleled global coverage compared to other credit card issuers.
Premium card with $695 annual fee.
American Express® Business Gold Card
- Annual membership cost: $375
- 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.
- $150,000 annual limit on 4X points earnings, reverting to 1X thereafter
- Triple points for flights and prepaid accommodations booked via amextravel.com
- Standard 1X points on all other eligible transactions
- New cardholders can earn a substantial 100,000 Membership Rewards® points bonus. This reward is unlocked by making $15,000 in qualifying purchases within the initial three-month period after acquiring the Business Gold Card.
- Enjoy interest-free financing on purchases for the first half-year after opening your account.
When choosing between these cards, consider your business’s spending patterns and credit profile. For example, if you frequently purchase supplies, a card with high rewards on office supply stores might be beneficial. Remember, cards with higher rewards often come with annual fees, so ensure the benefits outweigh the costs for your specific business needs.
Strategies to Maximize Cashback Rewards
- Use Your Card for All Business Expenses: From purchasing materials to paying for digital marketing services, use your cashback card for every possible business expense to earn rewards on all your spending.
- Take Advantage of Bonus Categories: Many cards offer higher cashback rates in specific categories. If you frequently buy office supplies or advertise online, look for cards that offer bonus rewards in these areas.
- Time Large Purchases with Promotional Periods: Some cards offer increased cashback rates during certain periods. Plan major purchases to coincide with these promotions.
- Pay Vendors with Your Card: If possible, pay your vendors and suppliers with your cashback card. This can significantly increase your rewards, especially for large orders.
- Leverage Sign-Up Bonuses: Many business credit cards offer substantial sign-up bonuses that can provide a significant boost to your rewards if you meet the spending requirements.
- Stack Rewards Programs: Combine your credit card rewards with other loyalty programs. If you’re purchasing supplies from a retailer with its own rewards program, you can earn points from both.
Putting Cashback to Work in Your Window Treatment Business
Now that you’re maximizing your rewards, here’s how to use them effectively:
- Reinvest in Marketing: Use your cashback to fund marketing initiatives, such as boosting social media posts or investing in SEO for better visibility.
- Offset Business Expenses: Apply your cashback rewards directly to your statement to reduce overall business expenses.
- Invest in Employee Training: Fund employee training programs to improve skills in areas like installation techniques or customer service.
- Upgrade Equipment: Save your cashback by investing in new tools or technology that can improve efficiency and service quality.
- Build an Emergency Fund: Having a financial cushion is crucial. Your cashback rewards can contribute to this safety net.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use personal cashback credit cards for my window treatment business?
While it’s possible, it’s generally better to keep personal and business expenses separate. Business credit cards often offer rewards more tailored to business spending and help with expense tracking.
2. How often should I redeem my cashback rewards?
This depends on your card’s policies and business needs. Some experts recommend redeeming regularly to avoid potential changes in redemption values, while others suggest saving for larger expenses.
3. Are there any tax implications for using cashback rewards in my business?
Cashback rewards are generally not considered taxable income. However, they may reduce your deductible expenses if used to offset business costs. Always consult with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Harnessing the Power of Cashback for Your Window Treatment Success
By strategically using cashback credit cards, you can create an additional revenue stream for your window treatment business. From funding marketing efforts to investing in new product lines, these rewards can significantly contribute to your bottom line. Start implementing these strategies today, and watch your rewards – and your business – grow.
Ready to take your window treatment business to the next level with cashback rewards? Contact Window Treatment Marketing Pros today for personalized advice on integrating credit card rewards into your financial strategy.
