How to Apply for Business Credit Cards

How business credit cards differ from personal credit cards and how to apply even if you don’t have a “traditional” business Read more >

Your Best Credit Cards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Your Best Credit Cards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Your Best Credit Cards are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Your Best Credit Cards does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Commissions do not affect or prioritize placement within our Card Explorer results and not all cards displayed earn us a commission. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone.

* Suggested credit score ranges are supplied by QuinStreet, not from the issuers, and are guidelines, not a guarantee of approval.

link

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card image

(4.6)

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Annual fee:

$95

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Chase Ink Business Preferred® is the cornerstone Chase business card, allowing you to transfer points to Chase Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel transfer partners and earning 3X points per dollar in combined purchases on popular categories like travel and select online advertising purchases (up to $150,000 per year).

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

3x Advertising on Search Engines and Social Media

3x Airfare

+8 more

link

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card image

(4.4)

Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Annual fee:

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Get $900 in the form of 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $6,000 in your first 3 months. Points are transferrable if you also hold a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred.

Completing the Chase Ink Trifecta is the Chase Ink Business Unlimited®, offering 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

1.5x Everything Else

link

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card image

(4.8)

Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Annual fee:

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn $350 in the form of 35,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 in the form of 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. Points are transferrable if you also hold a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred.

Want a no annual fee card that earns a ton on office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services? This is your card.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

5x Cable / Internet / VOIP Phone

5x Cellular Phone Service

+4 more

link

Chase Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card image

(3.8)

Chase Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card

Annual fee:

$195

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

A card intended for high spenders with 2% - 2.5% cash back on eligible purchases.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

5x Airfare

5x Car Rentals

+4 more

link

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express image

(4.4)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee:

$695 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.

A high-end travel rewards card for small business owners, full of generous perks and credits - and, of course, Centurion Lounge access.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

5x Airfare

5x Hotels

+4 more

link

American Express® Business Gold Card image

(4.3)

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express is an Advertising Partner

Annual fee:

$375 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.

A great card for a small business owner with a lot of business spend. 4X points on a wide range of popular business spend categories where you spend the most each billing cycle can really add up!

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

4x Advertising (Online / TV / Radio)

4x Cellular Phone Service

+7 more

link

Capital One Spark Miles for Business image

(4.1)

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Annual fee:

$0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $95

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Get 50,000 Capital One miles when you spend $4,500 in your first 3 months

A solid business credit card for earning 2X Capital One miles on all of your business spend.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

5x Car Rentals

5x Hotels

+1 more

link

Capital One Spark Cash Select Review image

(4)

Capital One Spark Cash Select Review

Annual fee:

Min credit score:

Excellent (800-850) *

Bonus Offer

Earn a $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months of account opening

This business credit card offers 1.5% on all purchases with no annual fee.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

5x Car Rentals

5x Hotels

+1 more

link

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express image

(4.3)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

American Express is an Advertising Partner

Annual fee:

$0 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is an excellent credit card for small business owners, helping you maximize your everyday business purchases with no credit limit or annual fee to worry about.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

2x Advertising (Online / TV / Radio)

2x Advertising on Search Engines and Social Media

+19 more

link

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card image

(3.8)

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

American Express is an Advertising Partner

Annual fee:

$0 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. Terms Apply.

For those looking for a simple 2% cash back Amex business credit card. (Up to $50,000 a year; 1% thereafter)

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

2x Advertising (Online / TV / Radio)

2x Advertising on Search Engines and Social Media

+21 more

link

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card image

(4.2)

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

Annual fee:

$199

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

For small business owners loyal to Hyatt, this credit card will earn you valuable elite night credits towards top tier Globalist status and give you a wide range of benefits tailored to your needs.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

4x Hotels

2x Gym Memberships

+10 more

link

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card image

(4.4)

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Annual fee:

$99

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The business credit card for IHG hotel frequent guests

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

10x Hotels

5x Advertising on Search Engines and Social Media

+7 more

link

(4)

United℠ Business Card

Annual fee:

$0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

A terrific business credit card that gives you the chance to earn United miles and gives you access to frequent flyer perks, like a free first checked bag and two United Club passes every year.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

2x Airfare

2x Dining Out / Food Delivery

+4 more

link

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card image

(3.8)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

American Express is an advertising partner.

Annual fee:

$195 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of Card Membership (Terms apply).

For business owners that often stay at Hilton portfolio family hotels and resorts.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

5x All Other Eligible Purchases

link

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card image

(3.9)

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

American Express is an Advertising Partner

Annual fee:

$125 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Earn 5 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Resort fees and terms apply. Offer ends 10/16/2024.

A staple business credit card for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists looking for elite status perks, room discounts and more.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

6x Hotels

4x Cellular Phone Service

+4 more

link

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card image

(4.3)

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Annual fee:

$199

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The go-to card for small business owners who are Southwest frequent travelers.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

4x Airfare

2x Cable / Internet / VOIP Phone

+2 more

link

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card image

(3.9)

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Annual fee:

$99

Min credit score:

Good (670-739) *

Bonus Offer

Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The entry-level card for Southwest small business travelers.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

3x Airfare

2x Car Rentals

+3 more

link

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Credit Card image

(3.9)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Credit Card

American Express is an Advertising Partner

Annual fee:

$650 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Limited Time Offer: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/23/24. Terms apply.

Elevate your Delta Medallion status by spending towards MQDs, plus get a companion certificate good on domestic First and Business class tickets.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

3x Airfare

1.5x Office Supplies

+3 more

link

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card image

(4.1)

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

American Express is an Advertising Partner

Annual fee:

$350 (Rates and fees)

Min credit score:

Good *

Bonus Offer

Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/23/24. Terms apply.

The perfect intermediary business card for elevated perks on your Delta flights and the opportunity to spend toward Medallion status.

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

3x Airfare

3x Hotels

+4 more

Let’s just cover the basics. For one, business credit cards do not have to offer all the same consumer protections as consumer cards, though in practice they tend to offer most of them anyway.

The main questions people have are around how a business credit card affects your credit score. Most issuers will pull one credit report (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This is a normal hard pull. Exceptions are Capital One which will pull all three reports and American Express that will often not pull any at all if you already have a relationship with them. A hard inquiry generally will drop your score in the neighbohood of 7-10 points for a few weeks and then bounce right back.

Beyond that inquiry, though, they will never show up on your personal credit file unless you are in default. The card won’t appear there at all and your credit utilization will not be reported to the credit bureaus at all. This makes a business card a great choice for heavy spend, so the credit bureaus don’t see a super high utilization on your personal credit card.

The only exception to this rule is Capital One. Their Spark Cash Plus will not report to your personal credit, however, their other business cards will. That doesn’t mean that you should overlook excellent Capital One business cards like the Spark Miles for Business which earns 2X on everything with no limit.

Also note that business credit cards that don’t report to your personal credit also do not count against your Chase 5/24 score.

Business Credit Cards: Are You Eligible?

If you have a full on business with an EIN, then obviously yes, you can get a business credit card. Skip to the cards. But what if you don’t?

1) You do need to conduct business outside of a day job to get business credit cards. You are not eligible if you have a salaried position and no other income.

2) A side hustle counts. If you consult on the side, then you qualify for a business credit card. If you sell things on eBay or Craigslist, you qualify. If you sell goods or services anywhere, you qualify!

3) Note that if you do not have a registered business name and an EIN, you must apply in a very specific way, described below. Pay careful attention or you will be declined for a business credit card.

Apply as follows:

Your business name is just your real name. If you are “Jim Smith” on your personal credit cards, then put “Jim Smith” as your name and “Jim Smith” again as your Business name. DO NOT MAKE UP A BUSINESS NAME.
Your Tax ID number is your Social Security Number.
Your business income will be the amount you make or expect to make from your side business.
Do *not* include other income (such as investment income) etc, unless it is part of your business.

Featured insights

See all insights

Guides

July 10, 2024

Chase Ultimate Rewards [Guide]

Guides

September 30, 2024

Explore Dave's Blog

Beginner Tips from Dave

How to Apply for Business Credit Cards

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Bonus Offer

Bonus points for spend in the following categories:

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Business Credit Cards: Are You Eligible?

Featured insights

Your account has been successfully created!