Barclays GM Business™ Mastercard® Review: Great Rewards for GM Loyalists
If your business spends big at GM, the GM Business™ Mastercard® could be your ticket to substantial savings, offering high rewards on GM purchases. But is it the right fit for your business needs?
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 100,000 bonus points |
| Rewards Rate | 3x-7x Business Card Points |
| Intro APR | 0% introductory APR for the first 9 billing cycles from the transaction date on all Qualifying GM Purchases greater than $499 made within 30 days from account opening. After that, your APR will be 22.24% to 32.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. 0% promotional APR for the first 6 billing cycles from the transaction date on all Qualifying GM Purchases greater than $499 made after 30 days from account opening. After that, your APR will be 22.24% to 32.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. |
| Regular APR | Purchases – 22.24% to 32.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Balance transfers – 22.24% to 32.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. APR for cash advances – 33.24% This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. |
| Other Fees | Balance transfer fee – Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $1.00. Cash advance and fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: 3%. |
Overview
The GM Business™ Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee card that goes all-in on rewarding loyalty to General Motors. It comes with a generous welcome offer: earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 5 months of account opening. The card’s real power, however, is its rewards structure, which is tailor-made for businesses that spend significantly on GM vehicles, parts, and certified service.
Cardholders earn an impressive 7 points per dollar on eligible GM purchases and a solid 3 points per dollar on everything else. With no annual fee and complimentary employee cards, it's an affordable way to rack up rewards on business expenses. The key thing to remember is that these points are not flexible; they can only be redeemed within the GM ecosystem for things like a new vehicle purchase, service, or parts. The card also carries a high regular APR, so it's best for those who plan to pay their balance in full each month.
Ultimately, this card is a fantastic tool for a specific type of business owner. If you manage a fleet of GM vehicles or consistently spend money at Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac dealerships, the rewards can translate into substantial savings. However, business owners seeking flexible cash back or travel rewards will be better served by a more versatile business credit card.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period on qualified purchases
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate with no earning caps
- Complimentary employee cards with spending controls
- Fraud protection
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- Foreign transaction fees apply
- High balance transfer fee
- Rewards are specific to GM products and services
Benefits
Generous Welcome Bonus
The GM Business™ Mastercard® starts strong with a compelling welcome offer for new cardmembers. You can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 5 months of opening your account. This is a valuable and attainable bonus, especially for a card with no annual fee. For businesses already planning significant purchases or a new vehicle, this bonus can provide a substantial head start on redeeming for future GM-related costs.
High-Octane Rewards on GM and Everyday Spending
This card’s primary appeal lies in its supercharged rewards structure, tailor-made for businesses loyal to the General Motors family of brands. You'll earn an impressive 7 points per dollar on eligible GM purchases, which includes new or certified pre-owned vehicles, GM Certified Service, and GM Genuine Parts. This makes it an incredibly powerful tool for companies with a fleet of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicles. What truly sets this card apart from other co-branded cards is its excellent flat rate on all other spending. Cardholders earn an unlimited 3 points per dollar on everything else, from office supplies and travel to dining and gas. This high, uncapped rate on everyday business expenses is a standout feature that adds significant value.
Cost-Effective Business Tools
Beyond the rewards, the GM Business™ Mastercard® packs in several practical, cost-saving benefits. Most notably, the card has a $0 annual fee, allowing you to access its high earning rates without an upfront cost. It also offers complimentary employee cards with customizable spending limits, making it easy to manage company expenses while accumulating rewards from all employee spending. For businesses planning a large service or parts purchase, the card includes a 0% introductory APR for the first 9 billing cycles on qualifying GM purchases over $499 made within 30 days of opening the account, providing valuable financing flexibility (a variable APR of 22.24% to 32.24% applies after).
Drawbacks
The primary limitation of the GM Business™ Mastercard® is its highly restrictive rewards program. While the earning rates on GM purchases and everyday spending are impressive, the points can only be redeemed for GM-specific products and services, such as new or certified pre-owned vehicles, parts, and service. This makes the card a poor fit for any business that isn't already a loyal and frequent GM customer. If your company doesn't have significant, regular expenses with a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac dealer, the rewards you earn will have little to no practical value.
Furthermore, this card is not ideal for businesses that carry a balance or operate internationally. The regular APR is exceptionally high, ranging from 22.24% to 32.24%, which can make financing purchases extremely costly once the limited introductory offer ends. The card also charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, a significant drawback for companies that travel or make purchases from overseas suppliers. For these reasons, business owners should carefully consider whether their spending habits align perfectly with the GM ecosystem before applying.
Decision Guidance
This card is a powerhouse for business owners deeply invested in the General Motors ecosystem, particularly those managing vehicle fleets or spending regularly at GM dealerships. The high, targeted rewards rate can translate directly into significant savings on future vehicle purchases, parts, and service, all with no annual fee. However, businesses that aren't loyal to GM brands or that prioritize flexible rewards like cash back or travel points will find much better value with a different card.
Summary
For businesses heavily invested in the General Motors ecosystem, this no-annual-fee card is a powerhouse, offering an exceptional rewards rate that directly translates into significant savings on future GM vehicle purchases, parts, and service. The crucial tradeoff is that these points lack flexibility and are locked into GM redemptions, making the card a poor fit for anyone seeking versatile cash back or travel rewards.