First National Bank Business Edition Visa card with Business Category Rewards review

First National Bank Business Edition Visa card with Business Category Rewards review

Updated: September 10, 2020
Updated: September 10, 2020
Ratings Policy
Business Rating:
2.7 rating
2.7 rating
2.7 / 5
Rewards Value2.2
Annual Percentage Rate3.6
Rewards Flexibility3.1
Features3.0
Issuer Customer Experience4.1

In a Nutshell:

With a generous earning scheme in several popular business categories, the Business Edition Visa Card with Business Category Rewards from First National Bank is one of the better no-annual-fee rewards credit cards.

Rewards Rate

  • 5:1 on qualifying business expenses
  • 2:1 on gas and dining
  • 1:1 on general purchases
Excellent

Sign-up Bonus
None

Poor

Annual Fee
$0

Excellent

Average Yearly Rewards Value ($4,000 monthly spend)
$763

Average

APR
14.99-21.99%

Average

Pros

  • No blackout dates
  • Wide range of redemption options
  • High $25,000 spending limit on 5% and 2% bonus categories (separate for each category)

Cons

  • Points expire in 3 years
  • 16,000 point minimum to redeem for travel
  • Can only redeem travel through issuer website
Very Good

First National Bank of Omaha Customer Service Ratings

  • J.D. Power 2020 customer satisfaction rating: 847 (no issuers in this category ranked higher)
  • 24/7 customer service?: Yes
  • Online chat available?: No
  • Google Play Store mobile app rating: 3.1/5
  • Apple Store mobile app rating: 2.8/5
Excellent

Other Notable Features: Shopping discounts with Visa SavingsEdge, expense management reports, identity-theft protection, travel and emergency assistance, purchase security, extended protection, lost luggage insurance

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While the Business Edition Visa with Business Category Rewards from First National doesn’t have  a sign-up bonus or lengthy introductory APR, it has an unusually high bonus award rate in categories that are important to a business owner, such as computer and office supplies, office furniture, advertising, and more. However, the APR is on the high side, starting at 14.99 percent.

High cash back rate

The card achieves a higher rewards rate than most business cards by offering bonus points on a wide variety of items that are especially applicable to a business. You get five points per dollar on eligible business expenses, including but not limited to computer purchases, computer services, telecommunications, utilities, office supplies and office furniture. A yearly spending limit of $25,000 applies to the 5 percent category, but it is a comparatively high limit that gives you plenty of room to rack up bonus points. You can also earn two points per dollar on gas and restaurant purchases, with a separate yearly spending limit of $25,000. You get one point per dollar on all other expenses.

Short expiration date on points

On the downside, you need to spend those points pretty quickly. While the card offers a wide range of rewards options and sets the redemption threshold low at 2,500 points for a $25 statement credit, the points on the Business Edition Visa Card with Business Category Rewards come with a three-year expiration date. Most business card rewards programs offer a longer lifetime for their points, and a few come with no expiration date at all.

Higher-than-average APR

The card comes with a fairly high APR that makes it less than optimal for managing cash flow. The variable APR on the card starts at a high 14.99 percent and ranges up to 21.99 percent. If you anticipate carrying a large balance on a regular basis, you will find more affordable cards. There are a few cards with APRs that start well below 10 percent.

Introductory APR comes with a high fee

If you need a short period to consolidate debt or finance a big-ticket item, the six-month zero percent introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases can give you a much-needed respite. However, the introductory period is short, and the 4 percent balance transfer fee is too steep to make the balance transfer an attractive proposition.

Useful business tools

The First National Bank of Omaha business tools include free management reports that might go a little further than tools from other credit cards. Not only do they help you track expenses, but they can also find you potential tax deductions. So, you can more easily file taxes and predict future expenses.

Why get the Business Edition Visa with Business Category Rewards?

  • You want to maximize rewards earnings thanks to the generous rewards scheme for bonus categories.
  • You want to use the zero percent introductory APR for balance transfers or purchases.

How to use the Business Edition Visa with Business Category Rewards:

  • Avoid redeeming awards on merchandise or any other options that don’t give you the full redemption rate ($1 = 100 points).
  • Avoid using the card abroad due to the 3 percent foreign-transaction fee.

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