Discover Financial Services yesterday announced the launch of their second credit card targeting the small business market, the Discover Business Miles Card. This new business credit card offers two miles per dollar on purchases of gas and travel (up to the first $5,000 in such purchases), and 1 point per dollar on most other purchases. It does restrict reward points to just .25 points per dollar when cardholders use Discover’s PurchaseChecks and on purchases at certain warehouse clubs. Earned miles can be used toward any travel purchase, using any means of purchasing, thus avoiding blackout dates or the need to use designated travel agents to book flights far in advance.

Discover is making the process easier by simply applying points toward purchases cardholders make with the Business Miles Card instead of having them save up points and then trying to find a free seat. In other words, as a cardholder you would use the Discover Business Miles Card to purchase travel, and then, assuming you have at least 5,000 miles accrued, the purchase could be partially or fully paid with your accrued miles, depending on whether you have enough miles to cover the full amount.

Discover launched its first business credit card last year, the Discover Business Card. That card focused on giving cash back on purchases, with an emphasis on purchases small businesses were more likely to make, such as office supplies and gas. One of the innovations of that card, which is also offered with the Business Miles Card, is the ability to use PurchaseChecks with vendors that do not accept credit cards. From the vendor’s perspective, they are being paid by check; from the business owner’s perspective, they are buying on credit.

Published 04/19/07 (Modified 04/20/12)