By Diana Arizaleta (Senior Consultant)
In recent years, a noticeable shift has emerged in the world of credit cards. We are seeing more and more issuers launching or revamping premium commercial card offerings. There are lots of examples to pick from. Chase’s Sapphire Reserve for Business in the U.S. and Axis Bank’s MyBiz card in India are just a couple, and they signal a broader trend - premium propositions are gaining ground in the commercial card space, creating both opportunities and questions for schemes, issuers, corporates, SMEs, and end-users.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening.
Business cards: Benefits focused on T&E and services
Premium business cards - typically aimed at SMEs - are the most visible part of the premium commercial card landscape. Inspired by consumer offerings, these cards often come bundled with curated travel and entertainment (T&E) perks such as lounge access, travel insurance, purchase protections, and cashback or rewards programs.
Additional benefits often include discounts on essential business services like CRM software, co-working spaces, car rental, digital advertising tools, and e-commerce platforms. Programs such as Mastercard Business Savings and Visa Savings Edge automatically apply discounts or cashback on eligible purchases across categories like office supplies, business software, travel, and even dining.
Interestingly, there’s generally less emphasis on credit limits in this segment. Instead, the appeal lies in the perks e.g. interest-free repayment windows, rewards programs, and bundled services.
Corporate cards: Prioritising efficiency and control
The corporate segment is a different world. Fewer issuers operate here, and those that do - such as HSBC in the U.S. and Singapore, or BSF in Saudi Arabia - tend to prioritise efficiency, compliance, and spend visibility over perks.
Premium corporate cards in these markets focus on features like:
In this space, the buyer is typically the treasury or finance function, not the cardholder. Rewards and benefits aimed at individuals are a lower priority. That’s why premium corporate cards remain relatively rare - most large organisations still view them primarily as a tool for compliance and cost control.
Geography plays a key role in how premium commercial card products are positioned. In the US and UK, T&E perks dominate, while in Europe and many emerging markets, issuers lean more toward cash-flow management tools, insurance bundles, and cashback.
This variation reflects the local payment infrastructure, SME behaviour, and cultural perceptions of value. In markets where premium consumer cards are popular, demand for equivalent business propositions tends to be stronger. Likewise, where commercial cards are already commonly used for T&E, it’s easier for issuers to layer on premium services.
In the SME space, the answer is straightforward. The business owner or key decision-makers often use the card themselves, so any points, perks, or rebates benefit them directly. This creates a powerful loyalty mechanism in a competitive segment.
In larger corporates, things are more nuanced. Some organisations pool rewards for use on travel budgets or procurement. Others allow employees to redeem points personally. The choice depends on the issuer and the corporate’s internal policy.
These programs can be complex. Some corporates even build custom card stacks that combine credit cards, premium credit cards, virtual cards, and purchasing cards.
This raises an important strategic question: Are premium corporate products meant to motivate individual cardholders, or to deliver broader business value? And is there a middle ground?
Premium commercial cards are gaining traction, especially in the SME segment, but it’s early days in the corporate world. As issuers look to differentiate in an increasingly crowded market, real success will hinge on understanding what businesses actually need.
The competitive edge won’t come from flashy design or concierge access. It will come from delivering operational and financial value - especially in areas like spend visibility, integration, and efficiency.
The next phase of B2B payments will reward those who design with nuance, localise products for specific market conditions, and serve both the business and the individual user. Understanding those needs through customer, market, and competitor insight will be essential, and KAE can help. If you’d like to chat about how - just get in touch.