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• I was nervous about applying for a small-business credit card — I wanted to be sure I really needed it.
• My credit card has helped ensure I get a good deal when paying for travel.
• I've saved thousands of dollars a year with discounts on software and other services I use.

A few years into starting my business, I realized I was making a major financial mistake. I had hired a bookkeeper and opened up a business checking account. But I kept putting off getting a small-business credit card. As someone who only has one personal credit card, I was nervous about applying for a new credit card and wanted to make sure it was something I really needed.

After seeing how complicated I was making my finances and bookkeeping by charging business items to my personal credit card, I decided it was time to get a business credit card and opened up the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

Since then, I've used almost all of the benefits that come with the card, from travel discounts to fraud alerts. Over the years, using that card has saved me thousands of dollars. Here are the three unexpected perks that have benefited me financially.

1. Travel price prediction and matching

When I was shopping around for a rewards business card, I knew I wanted one that awarded me with travel miles over cash-back bonuses. Since I was a frequent traveler, for both business and personal vacations, having reward miles that I could redeem for airline tickets, hotel stays, or rental cars, would be a benefit that I'd take full advantage of.

But in addition to being able to use credit card rewards for free travel, my business card also helped me save money over the years in other ways.

The card comes with access to the Capital One Travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and rental cards. The portal offers price drop protection, which has come in handy over the years. Whenever I booked a flight, the built-in service that comes with the card kept an eye out for a price drop. If there was one within 10 days, they gave me a travel credit, up to $50, to cover the difference.

In the past, I've also used Capital One Travel's price match guarantee service. That's been helpful during the times that I booked a trip and then happened to find the exact same flight, or hotel stay, for cheaper, within 24 hours of my booking. This benefit provided me with a travel credit for the difference in price.

2. Discounts with popular vendors

As a business owner, my credit card statement every month is filled with a variety of different purchases. Not only do I have recurring fees from software and tools that I use, but I also spend a lot of money on buying items that I need to run my business day-to-day.

This credit card offers a long list of savings at popular vendors that business owners frequently use, from shipping services (like up to 45% off at FedEx) to discounts on software that I use (like 50% off a Mailchimp subscription). Access to these discounts has saved me thousands of dollars a year.

The card also offered me access to a browser extension called Capital One Shopping, which helped me save on everyday purchases, even personal ones. The extension works to find any available coupon codes and enters them at checkout for you. It also alerts you if your products are available elsewhere for a lower price when you're shopping online.

3. Insurance coverage options

A popular perk that many credit cards offer is different types of insurance. Over the years, I've found myself using several different insurance coverages that come with my business credit card.

When it comes to fraud protection, the card offers $0 fraud liability. If the card got stolen, this takes the responsibility off of me for any unauthorized charges. In the past four years, I've had my card number stolen a few times and didn't have to pay for thousands of dollars worth of fraudulent charges.

The card has also saved me money because of added benefits, like rental car coverage and purchase protection, which reimburses you for theft or damage of personal property purchased with the card for up to 90 days.