Best Small Business Credit Cards of June 2024 | Nav (2024)

The Best Small Business Credit
Cards of 2024

Gerri Detweiler

Choosing the right business credit card isn’t so different from picking the right personal credit card. However, business owners need to thoroughly research their options to understand exactly how this financial tool can be used to help their business and to make sure it doesn’t backfire on their personal finances. The majority of business owners in the U.S. — regardless of size — use their own personal credit to access capital for their business. Whether you’re a new business or an established one, business credit cards can be a vital tool for funding your business.

Portable, flexible, and leveraging a tool most business owners have established already (a personal credit score), business credit cards are a must-have for business owners. But with dozens of options, how do you pick the right one for your business?

No single business credit card will be the best choice for all business owners across the board. Just like thebusiness financing optionsavailable to your business, the best credit card for your business will depend on the benefits crucial to your business, what you are likely to qualify for based on your income and personal credit score, and how much cost you’re willing to incur to access capital. In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover all of the essentials to choosing the right business credit card for your business, with insights and advice from our unbiased business and credit experts.

Why Get a Business Credit Card

Business credit cards offer your business numerous benefits, including:

• Access to a line of credit for short-term financing needs. A line of credit is available on most cards, except those that require payment in full each month.
• Financing for startups. As we discuss in this article, most cards don’t require any specific time in business to qualify. Brand new businesses may be able to get a business credit card if they meet the minimum credit score and income requirements, and other qualifications.
• The ability to build business credit if you pay on time. Most cards report account activity to business credit bureaus.
• The ability to separate your personal credit. Most cards don’t report to personal credit unless you default.
• Cards for employees, often with spending controls.

If your business operates under a formal business structure, such as an LLC, S Corporation or C Corporation, it’s essential you use a business credit card, rather than a personal credit card, for business expenses. Commingling business and personal finances may jeopardize the asset protection benefits of your entity at risk.

Business Credit Cards vs. Personal Credit Cards

A business credit card and personal credit card operate in many similar ways. Both can offer bonus points, rewards points, introductory APR offers and a sign-up bonus, but there are a few distinct differences between how they’re regulated. That means there can be different terms and conditions for business cards and personal cards, and a savvy credit card shopper needs to understand those differences before they apply. First, let’s review how business and personal credit cards are similar.

1. The way they’re used

Whether it’s a chip and PIN or a swipe, business and personal credit cards can be used for purchases online and in stores in the exact same way personal credit cards are. The fundamentals still remain the same and they include the same security features as personal cards like CVV/security codes, expiration dates, signatures, etc.

2. They rely on a personal guarantee

Nearly every major business credit card relies on a personal guarantee (PG) from the applicant. A personal guarantee means that if you default on the credit card or make late payments, the issuer can try to collect from the cardholder, and not just the business. That can even mean suing the cardholder personally to get a judgment.

3. Personal credit scores are key to getting approved

While a business credit card is for business purposes, a personal credit score is still a key qualifying factor across nearly every major business credit card. For business owners with great credit, this is awesome news — you don’t have to worry about establishing a business credit score, submitting business tax returns or financial statements, or getting someone to believe in the vision of your business as you’d need to do for other business financing options. A great credit score helps power approvals and opens up a plethora of options for the applicant to choose from. However, if you have a bad personal credit score or not enough data to produce a credit score — a major problem for the small business community, as Nav noted in its study a few years ago on credit ghosts — it can prove extremely problematic. Since businesses are already viewed as riskier borrowers from the lender’s perspective, credit requirements for business credit cards are sometimes even tighter than the personal credit card realm. There are just a handful of options from the major business credit card issuers for business owners with bad or no credit.

Major differences between personal and business credit cards.

1. Credit Reporting

When you apply for a personal credit card, your payment and account history is generally reported to at least one, if not all three major consumer credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. But when you apply for a business credit card, the issuer may not report to any of the consumer credit bureaus except in the case of default or late payment. Each issuer has its own policy in terms of whether it will report positive payment history or just negative information to consumer credit bureaus. A few don’t report to personal credit at all. (Check out this guideto the major business credit card issuers’ consumer credit reporting policies here).

This means shopping the issuer is just as important as shopping the card. If you have bad credit or limited credit history and are making on-time payments and not maxing out the card on a regular basis, having a business credit card report to the personal credit bureaus can be fantastic news — the card may potentially help you establish a business credit rating. However, if you don’t need a positive account on your personal credit history and/or plan to max out the card regularly (business owners often put larger spending balances on their credit cards, as a Nav study found), you may want to opt for an issuer that only reports if you pay late or default on the card. This way, you can take advantage of the new credit line for business purposes, but not have to worry about the credit utilization impact. (Get more insights on how credit utilization impacts your personal credit scores in this article).

The consumer credit bureaus aren’t the only ones you need to consider when selecting a business credit card, though. Business credit card issuers can also report your payment and account history to major business credit bureaus such as Experian or Equifax.

Each issuer has its own policy on which business credit bureaus to which it reports your payments and account history (you can see an which credit cards help build business credit here). The key takeaway here though is that a business credit card is often the first business financing option new businesses access and it can be a quick way to begin establishing credit with the major business credit bureaus if you choose a card that reports to all three bureaus. Establishing business credit early can help you access better net terms with vendors and suppliers, and opens up larger-dollar, lower-rate and longer-term business loans down the road. If you’re going to open a new business credit card to help fund your business or make daily purchases, you might as well choose one that can help you build business credit in the process. It’s never too early to start planning for a successful business and how you’ll take it to the next level.

2. Terms

Federal regulations for consumer credit cards are quite different from those for business credit cards. Business credit cards aren’t covered by the Credit CARD Act, the federal law that protects cardholders from double-cycle billing, rate increases at any time and for any reason, and floating due dates, among other “gotchas.” By and large, the major business credit card issuers have self-regulated and implemented some or all of the same policies on rates and fees. But protections vary by issuer, so make sure you read your cardholder agreement carefully.

3. Debt collection

Third-party debt collectors collecting personal debts must follow the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). That law offers a variety of protections including specific requirements to notify individuals about the debt, preventing debt collectors from discussing the debt with people other than the debtor, and the right for the debtor to request validation of the debt.Business credit cards don’t fall under the FDCPAand therefore debt collectors may be much more aggressive when collecting small business debts. (It’s worth noting the FDCPA does not apply to card issuers collecting their own debts, including personal credit card debt. But states may have laws that apply to those consumer debts.)

How Business Credit Cards Build Business Credit

Whenever anyone applies for a credit card, there’s always a key question they ask — how will it impact my credit? That question is doubly complicated when it comes to business credit cards, as business credit cards may impact your personal and/or business credit scores.

Most business cards report to business credit reporting agencies which can help build business credit.

Getting a card from credit card issuers that report can help ensure you’re building your business credit profile with all major bureaus. However, it also means that if you default, pay late or have other negative information on the card account, it can have a negative impact on your business credit score. Below are some quick tips that may help improve business credit with your business credit card.

It may seem obvious, but selecting a card that helps you build business credit means choosing one that reports to business creditbureaus. This is crucial to the real goal of building business credit — being able to leverage it down the road to establish better vendor/supplier relationships, better net terms and access larger-dollar, longer-term and lower-rate financing options like traditional bank loans and SBA loans. When considering business credit scores, a lender doesn’t have to disclose the bureau that they’re using in the lending decision.

Pay on time

Just like your personal credit scores, payment history is a huge component of your business credit scores. Missing payments or making late payments consistently will help you establish a business credit score, but it likely won’t be a good one. Consistent on-time payments are crucial to building a positive business credit profile that you can leverage when the time is right.

Monitor business credit scores

Just because an issuer reports your account to the major credit bureaus doesn’t mean that they won’t make mistakes or clerical errors. If you’re building business credit, keeping an eye on the accounts that appear on your reports and scores is vital. A “set it and forget it” policy isn’t ideal as you never know when a potential partner, lender, or investor can pull your business credit report — that’s right, unlike personal credit, there is no permissible purpose required to purchase or access your business’s credit report. There are often fees, but any private individual can pull your business’s report at any time. You can monitor and manage your business credit scores with major commercial credit bureaus with a free Nav account, which includes alerts so you can monitor your credit as you build your scores.

Types of Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards fall into three main categories:

1. Small business credit cards

These cards are issued by major credit card issuers to a variety of small and medium businesses. They often offer rewards programs, and perks, and some offer 0% intro APR financing.

Qualification is often based on personal credit scores and income from all sources, including household income. That makes them available to startups as well as established businesses.

A personal guarantee is usually required, and most report to business credit, which can help establish business credit and build strong business credit scores.

2. Business charge cards

These cards require the balance to be paid in full, either daily, weekly or monthly. They offer fraud protection, as do business credit cards.

Qualification requirements vary. Some business charge cards require excellent personal credit, but not all do. There are charge cards for limited or bad credit.

A personal guarantee may or may not be required, and most of these cards report to business credit.

Find the best business charge cards here.

3. Corporate cards

When issued by major credit card companies, these cards are offered to larger businesses, usually with at least 100 employees and $2 million or more in annual revenues. However, there are corporate credit cards from fintech (financial technology) companies that have lower revenue requirements.

Qualification usually requires that the business operates under a formal business entity like a corporation or LLC, and business bank statements will be required to verify revenues.

A personal guarantee is not usually required, and most corporate cards report to business credit.

Cards are also often categorized as rewards cards (travel rewards or cash back), cards for bad credit, cards for startups, etc. We cover all those perks and special use cases here.

What to Look for When Comparing Business Credit Cards

Choosing a business credit card can feel overwhelming but ultimately the decision boils down to what’s right for your business and its goals. The main factors you’ll want to evaluate are:

• Costs: What does the card cost and how does that impact what you’ll pay?
• Rewards: If your goal is rewards you’ll want to make sure you make sure you maximize the right types of rewards.
• Features and benefits: These can range from flexible spending limits, to controls on employee accounts, to expense management tools.

We’ll dive into those in just a moment.

What Makes a Business Credit Card the Best

What makes a business credit card the best business credit card is simple: it’s the card that’s best for your business needs. There is no single card that is right for every business.

The best business credit card offers the right blend of costs, features and benefits for your business.

And just as importantly, it should be a card you can qualify for. It doesn’t matter if a card is considered one of the best if it’s not available to you.

Nav can help. Connect your business data to Nav and compare business credit cards from trusted partners by qualifying credit score, rewards, APR, annual fee, and sign up bonus.

How to Choose the Right Credit Card For Your Business

As we’ve mentioned, you need to focus on the costs, rewards and features that are most relevant to your business. Take time to think this through, and review the cards you carry annually.

Costs

If you know you will carry a balance from time to time, finding a card with a low interest rate— perhaps even a 0% introductory rate offer for purchases and/or balance transfers— will be paramount to keeping interest charges down. Most credit cards carry a variable APR that will change as interest rates in the economy change. And most will base your interest rate, at least in part, on your credit scores and other qualifications; the better your credit, the more likely you will be offered a low-rate card.

If, on the other hand, you will pay the balance in full each month, you may be most focused on maximizing the rewards you earn. In that case, you’ll weigh the cost of the annual fee against the rewards you’ll accrue. Keep in mind that some cards waive the annual fee the first year to get you in the door; make sure the ongoing cost is net positive.

If you travel overseas, or regularly make purchases from companies based outside the U.S., you’ll also want to look for a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Rewards

Take time to think through which rewards are most valuable to you and your business. For some, that will be travel points and other travel-related benefits such as free checked bags, airport lounge access or bonus miles. If you’re loyal to a particular brand (Delta or American Airlines, or Hilton or Marriott hotels, for example) a co-branded card will help you maximize those benefits. But if you are flexible and book travel based on cost or convenience, then a more general purpose card such as Chase Ultimate Rewards may be a better pick.

If you’re unsure, you can always choose a card with cash back rewards. You’ll earn cash back that you can use as you choose. Even then you will need to have a good handle on the types of purchases you plan to put on the card because some cards will offer higher cash back rewards for bonus categories, such as purchases at office supply stores or fuel. For some cards, bonus categories may rotate. These higher cash back rewards may work for some entrepreneurs; for others, it will be too much work.

Features and benefits

More and more business cards are making it easier for cardholders to track and categorize spending. Some take it a step further with integrated expense reporting. If you will give cards to employees, you’ll likely want to have spending controls so you can minimize unauthorized or fraudulent purchases by employees.

Who Is Eligible To Apply for a Business Credit Card

The vast majority of business credit card issuers make the decision to issue personal credit cards based on a personal credit score and income from all sources, not just the business. Most cards require good credit, which means a personal credit score of at least 680 or higher.

And when filling in the income section of a credit card application, you will likely be asked to provide household income, not just income from the business. If you have other income sources— including a member of your household who would pitch in and make the payments if necessary— you can include that income.

That means these cards are often available to brand new businesses as well as established businesses that qualify.

There are some cards that base the decision solely on business revenues, and not household income. Those cards are usually called “corporate cards” and they will typically not extend credit to sole proprietorships.

How to Apply for a Small Business Credit Card

The process of applying for a small business credit card is very similar to that of applying for a personal credit card. Often that means applying online. You’ll provide information about yourself and your business, and a decision can typically be made almost instantly.

It is a good idea (though not always required) to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) before you apply. If one of your goals is to build business credit, it is also a good idea to make sure your business has a D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet before you apply.As part of the CDD regulation to prevent money laundering and other types of fraud, the applicant for the business credit card isn’t the only one who needs to provide information on the application. If you have any business partners who own more than 25% of the business or are a beneficial owner (such as Senior Manager, General Partner, Owner, Chief Executive, President/Chairperson, Treasurer, or Vice President) , they will likely need to provide personal information to make sure they are actual persons and not on a government watch list. (They will not necessarily be subjected to a credit check however.)

How to Use a Business Credit Card

Here’s a rule of thumb that works well for business credit cards: use your business credit card for business purchases, and a personal credit card for personal purchases.

Credit cards are the safest payment method as you generally won’t be held liable for fraudulent purchases, and you can dispute a charge if there is a problem with the purchase you can’t resolve with the merchant.

Additionally, if you’re earning rewards, you’ll want to use the business credit card that helps you maximize the cash back or points you’ll earn. These can add up!

The combination of rewards and safety mean you may want to prioritize using your credit card for as many purchases as possible.

That said, if you can’t pay your balance in full on a card, the interest rate may be high. You may want to refinance that debt to a card with a 0% APR, but if you can’t, you may want to stop using the card with the balance until you can pay down your debt. When you carry a balance, new purchases incur interest immediately.

Find The Best Credit Cards

Now, on to the top business credit card selections!

The Best Credit Cards For Startups

Not all business credit cards are created equal and startups have some very unique needs that a business credit card can help solve. Whether you’re a sole prop startup or have already incorporated or formed a partnership, there are business credit cards that can help you access a line of credit quickly while leveraging your personal credit.

A few key considerations startups should make when choosing a business credit card:

• How much working capital do you need?
• If you’re in a partnership or have a co-founder, whose name will be on the application?
• Who will need access to the card?
• How will it impact your personal and business credit scores?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best credit card for startups:

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

With 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening and $0 annual fee, this cashback card is a great business credit card for entrepreneurs and business owners who are just starting out. Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. AmEx also offers a high level of customer service and digital expense tracking tools that can help you get your business started on the right foot.

The Best Business Credit Cards for Travel

If you’re traveling often for your business and have a good personal credit score, it makes sense to consider a travel rewards credit card to earn points and perks or cashback that make life on the road that much easier. Popular travel rewards include:

• Points or miles that can be redeemed for flights and/or hotel rooms
• Bonus points for purchases in specific spending categories
• Free checked bags on flights
• Priority boarding
• Collision damage waiver when you rent a car

In recent years, travel perks from major co-branded credit cards have lost some of their luster as mergers and rewards program rebrands and restructurings have eliminated some of the perks road warriors know and love. For example, across most major travel cards (even business travel options) the fares and room options available for free or at a discounted rate when using points have become fewer and fewer and the points don’t go as far anymore. However, business travelers can still benefit greatly from the rewards of a travel card, especially if other business rewards cards don’t offer cash back or rewards points for purchases in categories where you spend often.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a business credit card for travel:

• Are you loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain or do you want to be able to use your rewards with any hotel/carrier?
• Will the card be used for international travel or domestic only?
• Who gets to use the perks/points?
• Does the card carry travel insurance or other travel-specific support or protections?
• What’s the annual fee?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best business credit card for travel:

The The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a variety of valuable rewards for travelers. 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.. Plus:

• Get 50% more Membership Rewards® points. That’s an extra half point per dollar, on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more. You can get up to 1 million additional points per year
• Use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline, and you can get 35% of the points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year when you book on amextravel.com.
• Breeze through security with CLEAR® where available and get up to $179 back per year on your membership when you use your Card.

Read our full list of the best business credit cards for travel here to learn more about our other top picks.

The Best Business Credit Cards for Bad Credit

Business credit cards for entrepreneurs with a poor personal credit score are very limited. If you’re in between the bad and fair credit categories, taking some time to work on improving your personal credit scores opens up more options with better rates, terms and fees. (If your credit score is in the 500s or below, you may want to look into a secured card instead.)

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a business credit card for bad credit:

• What’s the APR for purchases?
• Is there a penalty APR if I pay late?
• What’s the annual fee?
• How much working capital do I need?
• Would a no-personal-guarantee business credit card be a better option for my needs?
• How can this card potentially impact my personal and business credit if I’d like to qualify for better financing down the road?

Read our full list of the best business credit cards for bad credit here to learn more about our other top picks.

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best business credit card for bad credit:

In cases of bad credit, a consumer card option may be the best fit. Consumer credit cards can be easier to qualify for. Plus, the Secured Self Visa ® Credit Card: The new way to build credit credit card is designed to help users build up their credit so you can qualify for better business credit cards down the line.

The Best High-Limit Business Credit Cards

The key unknown that causes many business owners frustration when finding a business credit card is not knowing how big of a credit line they can access before they apply. While other business financing options like lines of credit and term loans have screening processes and prequalification tools that can help you determine if you’ll likely be approved for the credit line you need before you apply, these generally are not available until you get approved for a business credit card. Issuers often do not share maximum limits or even ranges in their marketing, which can make it a real guessing game for business owners who know they would charge large-dollar bills to the card if they had a large-enough limit.

A few key considerations if you need a card with a high credit limit:

• How much working capital do you need?
• If you’re in a partnership or have a co-founder, whose name will be on the application?
• Who will need access to the card?
• How will it impact your personal and business credit scores?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best business credit card for high credit limits:

Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers a host of extras on top of their 0% for 9 billing cycles on purchases introductory APR and $0.00 annual fee. You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. and there are flexible rewards options, too. Earn even more with a Bank of America business checking account.

The Best Business Credit Cards for LLCs

Structuring your business as an LLC doesn’t by default narrow your business credit card options, but it can make the process of applying for a business credit card a bit more laborious if you have partners.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a business credit card for your LLC:

• Do you have partners who own 25% or more of the business? (This will require additional documentation when you apply)
• Which owner/founder (if multiple) will be the main account holder?
• What’s your EIN? (Keep it handy — you’ll need this when applying for a business credit card in the name of your LLC.)

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best business credit card for LLCs:

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Capital on Tap bills themselves as the credit card for small business, and the Capital on Tap Business Credit Card is their flagship card for just that purpose. Their application takes as little as two minutes with a response within two business days, and applying won’t affect your credit score. Plus, the $0 annual fee and 1.5% unlimited cashback with no annual fee. make it attractive for LLCs who need purchasing power fast.

The Best Credit Cards for Multiple Employees

If you have employees, you may want to give them credit cards so they can make business purchases directly, rather than coming to you for each request. If you earn rewards from these purchases, the rewards you earn can add up quickly.

Keep in mind that once you authorize an employee to use your business credit card, you become liable for any charges even if the employee makes purchases you do not approve.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a business credit card for your LLC:

Here are some factors you’ll want to consider when giving cards to employees:

• Is there an annual fee for employee cards? If there is, you’ll want to weigh that cost against rewards you’ll earn.
• Can you set employee spending limits, or control the types of purchases they make? This can help your business avoid or minimize non-approved spending.
• How easy is it to manage employee cards? Can you easily add or remove employees? Can you get notifications of employee card spending?
• Does the card offer virtual card numbers? These single-use card numbers can be helpful for specific purchases, or to manage employee spending.

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best business credit card for multiple employees:

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Capital One Spark cards offer numerous benefits when it comes to employee cards, including:

• Free employee cards
• Customized spending limits
• Account manager access to add or remove employees and manage accounts
• Lock and unlock cards
• Robust notifications

The Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit offers a solid reward rate of 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase and 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. with $0 annual fee.

The Best Chase Business Credit Cards

Chase is not only one of America’s largest national banks, it also has a plethora of business credit card options and can be an easy and simple solution for existing Chase business banking customers as well as small businesses looking for a bank with a large national presence. All Chase business credit cards are on the Visa network, which has one of the largest payment networks in the world and gives you plenty of flexibility when making purchases in the U.S. or abroad and Chase offers several co-branded credit cards with popular airlines like United and Southwest to round out its standard business credit card offerings.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a Chase business credit card:

• Do you already bank with Chase or do you plan to?
• Do you want a card to build business credit?
• What rewards structure do you prefer?
• Is there an annual fee?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best Chase business credit card:

With a $0 annual fee, a strong welcome offer and a generous intro APR, this card will appeal to many cardholders. Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.. Plus get 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months.

Ongoing rewards a solid and straightforward. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. However, be aware of the foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

The Best American Express Business Credit Cards

American Express has long carved out its own special niche in the business credit card space, offering high-end rewards and perks for established businesses while also innovating its online account management tools and services to make it a natural consideration for any business credit card shopper. American Express is both the issuer of its business credit cards and the payment network on which its cards operate, and the company offers a variety of cards suited to different types of small business owners and their business card needs. Most American Express cards also offer a tremendous sign-up bonus, as well as opportunities to earn rewards points and bonus points for qualifying purchases.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing an American Express card:

• Do you have excellent credit?
• Do you want a high annual fee with extra rewards or a lower/$0 annual fee with limited rewards?
• Do you want a charge card or credit card?
• Do places where your business normally make purchases already accept American Express cards?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best American Express business credit card:

The The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers a 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening making this a great pick for business owners looking to improve cash flow. The annual fee is $0. Standard rewards are competitive: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.

Read our full list of the best American Express business credit cards here to learn more about our other top picks.

The Best Citi Business Credit Cards

Citi’s suite of business credit card options can be a great fit for businesses of all types, but especially for those looking to build business credit. Citi is one of only two major business credit card issuers that reports account data to all three major business credit bureaus and the SBFE.

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best Citi business card:

The Best Discover Business Credit Cards

While Discover offers popular consumer credit cards known for no annual fees, straightforward rewards and strong customer service, it has currently stopped offering the Discover it® Business Card.

The Best Capital One Business Credit Cards

The Spark line of business credit cards from Capital One has long been a favorite of business owners looking for quick approvals that serve a wide variety of personal credit scores. Capital One has one of the best all-purpose travel rewards cards as well, meaning its line of cards can be a great fit for business owners looking for cash back or miles and those who travel often but aren’t loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain. Capital One also has business credit cards that operate on both Mastercard and Visa payment networks, which provides some flexibility if you have a preference.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a Capital One business credit card:

• What’s your personal credit score?
• Do you need employee cards?
• What’s the APR for purchases? (if you plan to carry a balance regularly)
• Who gets to use the perks/points?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best Capital One business credit card:

Right now it’s also offering an excellent intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months. This makes it an appealing option for short-term financing. A $0 annual fee gives this card an extra boost, and the included welcome offer can give you cash to pay down your account balance or to spend on whatever you want. Rewards don’t expire as long as you keep your account in good standing.

The Best Bank of America Business Credit Cards

Bank of America has over 4,600 branches and close to 16,000 ATMs across the U.S., making it one of the largest banks in America and positioning it well to serve small business customers, especially those who already have a consumer banking relationship with BofA. Bank of America has business credit cards on both the Mastercard and Visa payment networks, which are extensive in the U.S. and abroad.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a Bank of America business credit card:

• Do you already bank with BofA or do you plan to?
• Do you need access to BofA branch locations?
• What’s your personal credit score?
• Do you want flexible travel rewards that can be used at multiple airlines and hotels?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best Bank of America business credit card:

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers tiered rewards: 2% cash back on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), 1% cash back on all other purchases, and 3% cash back in the category of your choice (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter).

And if you’re a BofA customer, you can earn even greater rewards. You can earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for its highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. At that level the card is a top contender for cash back rewards. And right now it’s offering an intro APR of 0% for 9 billing cycles on purchases.

The Best Wells Fargo Business Credit Cards

Wells Fargo is a premier American bank with a foothold in nearly every state, making it a top option for most American business owners shopping for a credit card.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a Wells Fargo business credit card:

• Do you already bank with Wells Fargo or do you plan to?
• Do you need access to Wells Fargo branch locations?
• What’s your personal credit score?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best Wells Fargo business credit card:

Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card

The Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card offers a choice between cash back or rewards points. Choose the cash back option and earn 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases. Choose the rewards points option to earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 1,000 bonus points every billing cycle when you spend at least $1,000 on qualifying purchases. (Redeem points for gift cards, merchandise, airline tickets and more.) There’s no annual fee and a 0% introductory rate for the first nine months.

The Best US Bank Business Credit Cards

US Bank has a well-rounded offering of business credit cards, with options for nearly all business owners depending on your rewards preference and whether you are interested in an intro offer. US Bank offers some of the healthiest intro offers for business cards and truly designed its entire program to craft cards that are more custom, rather than a one-size-fits-all mentality.

A few key considerations you should make when choosing a US Bank business credit card:

• Is an intro offer important to you?
• Do you want a simple rewards structure or is complexity ok?
• What’s your personal credit score?

Here’s Nav’s pick for the best US Bank business credit card:

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard®

As far as rewards cards go, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ MasterCard® is a solid pick. Earn up to 3% cash back on eligible gas station, office supply store and cell phone/service provider net purchases. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Plus there’s a 25% annual bonus based on your prior year’s cash rewards, up to $250.

For business owners looking to maximize cash flow, there is a 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 13.99% – 22.99%. And the annual fee is $0.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the Difference Between Business Credit Cards and Personal Credit Cards?

  A business credit card and personal credit card operate in many similar ways. Both can offer bonus points, rewards points, introductory APR offers and a sign-up bonus, but there are a few distinct differences between how they’re regulated. That means there can be different terms and conditions for business cards and personal cards, and a savvy credit card shopper needs to understand those differences before they apply.

• What Is a Corporate Card?

  While the terms ‘corporate card’ and ‘business credit card’ are often used interchangeably, they can mean radically different things in how they’re used and who maintains liability and responsibility for the charges. Most commonly, corporate cards are issued to larger companies with significant revenues. Liability may be negotiated between the business and the issuer. They don’t often carry a personal guarantee.

  Many business credit cards give the business the ability to add authorized users, and issuers have come a long way in recent years in adding new features to monitor spending and manage the authorized cards to allow employees to spend as needed while giving the business owner more oversight.

• How Do I Get a Credit Card for My LLC?

  A small business credit card can be a great option for an LLC. When you apply, you’ll provide information about your LLC in addition to personal details. Keep in mind that most issuers will check the owner’s personal credit and will require a personal guarantee unless the company has a significant number of employees and high revenues.

• Business Credit Scores vs. Personal Credit Scores

  Most business credit card issuers will purchase a personal credit score for the applicant and use that credit score to help determine creditworthiness. A few issuers will check business credit and not personal credit. (Examples of cards that may not require a personal credit check currently include the Divvy and Brex.)

  It’s a good idea to check both your personal and business credit so you know what to expect when lenders review your credit.

• Are There Small Business Credit Cards for No Credit?

  If you haven’t established a credit profile with the three major consumer credit bureaus, finding a business credit card can be a challenge. There are some secured business credit cards available from smaller banks and local credit unions, but these generally aren’t an ideal option for business owners since the goal of a business credit card is to access working capital. A secured card requires a deposit to secure a credit line of equal value in order to limit the lender/issuer’s liability if you default on payment, so instead of opening up new working capital for your business, it can actually limit the cash you can access by locking up a portion to secure the credit line.

• Can You Get Approved for a Business Credit Card With Your EIN Only?

  Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is often referred to as your business’s Social Security number (SSN). Similar to a SSN, it is used to file tax returns, and helps identify your business to potential partners, the commercial credit bureaus and other government agencies.

  As part of the business credit card application process, you will likely be asked for your EIN, as well as several other details about your business like the industry you’re in and how your business is structured (LLC, sole proprietorship, Corporation, etc.) Most major credit card issuers will require an EIN to even submit an application. For example, American Express won’t allow you to apply for its business credit cards without an EIN if you’re an LLC, corporation or partnership. Sole proprietorships don’t require an EIN to submit an application with most major business credit card issuers.

  Just as there are some business credit card options available to those with no personal credit score, there are some options where a Social Security number or personal guarantee is not required to get approved, but they are limited.

  You should also be aware that an EIN-only credit card application may require other personal identifying information to verify your identity as part of federal regulations to limit criminal financial activity and money laundering. After all, you give your EIN to many business partners, vendors, suppliers, even customers in some cases. Would you want them to be able to use just your EIN and a few other pieces of information to open a credit card in your business’s name? The issuers who offer EIN-only business credit card applications mitigate this risk by using other tools to identify and verify your identity before approving you for a card.

  There’s another major warning if you’re considering a card that requires only an EIN to get approved — a credit card that requires an EIN and not an SSN to apply may not be the best fit for your business. If you have a solid personal credit history, you have a great tool you can leverage to help fund your business and it can help you access business credit cards with better rates, terms and fees. Just because you can get a business credit card using only your EIN doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

• Can I Use My EIN To Get a Credit Card?

  Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is often referred to as your business’s Social Security number (SSN). As part of the business credit card application process, you will likely be asked for your EIN, as well as several other details about your business like the industry you’re in and how your business is structured (LLC, sole proprietorship, Corporation, etc.) You can also apply for a small business loan to begin to build the credit associated with your EIN. Before applying for a line of credit, loan or bank account, you need an EIN.

• Can You Get a Business Credit Card With Bad Credit?

  If you haven’t established a credit profile with the three major consumer credit bureaus, finding a business credit card can be a challenge. There are some secured business credit cards available from smaller banks and local credit unions, but these generally aren’t an ideal option for business owners since the goal of a business credit card is to access working capital. There are no unsecured business credit cards for bad credit, but there are unsecured personal credit cards for bad credit that business owners can still use.

• What Credit Score Do I Need To Get a Business Credit Card?

  Most business credit cards require good to excellent credit for approval. Typically, a score of 700 and above is considered good. A score of 790 or above is generally considered excellent. However, there are a few business credit cards available for small business owners with fair credit, ranging from 640 – 699.

• How Long Does It Take a Business Card To Arrive Once Approved?

  Once you are approved for a business credit card, you can expect to get the physical card in the mail within 5—10 days if there are no delays. If you want to use it sooner, check with the card issuer. Some will allow you to access the card number immediately through their app, while others may offer virtual card numbers you can use right away for online purchases and/or in-person purchases with a digital wallet.

• Should My Business Spending Be a Certain Amount To Qualify for a Business Credit Card?

  When filling out a business credit card application, you may be asked how much your business spends, and you may be unsure how to answer that question. Issuers often ask that question to help establish a credit limit, though some may use it to qualify your business for the card. Some corporate cards, for example, are aimed at businesses with very high spending needs.

  You should always answer questions on a credit card application truthfully. If you are a new business without a spending history, you can likely list projected spending— the amount you plan to spend over the next year. If you’re not sure, ask the card issuer.

• Can You Get a Business Credit Card as an Employee?

  If you have a full-time job and you start a business— even a part-time side gig— you may qualify for a business credit card as most issuers make the decision based on the personal credit score of the applicant, and income from all sources (not just the business). Your business does not have to be an LLC or corporation to qualify for most small business credit cards.

• What Is the Best Business Credit Card for New Businesses?

  The good news is that most small business credit cards are available to new businesses, as long as the business owner qualifies based on credit, income and other factors. You can review our recommended credit cards above, and use Nav to find the right credit card for your business based on your business data.

• Is There a Good Strategy for Paying off Business Credit Card Debt?

  The two most popular strategies for paying off credit card debt are what are called the “snowball” method and the “avalanche” method. We’ll describe both in a moment. But before you use either method, you’ll need to make a list of all your credit cards:
  Balance
  Interest rate
  Minimum monthly payment

  With the snowball method, you pay off your credit cards from smallest to largest, regardless of interest rate. So you’ll make the minimum payments on each card except the one with the smallest balance. You’ll pay as much as you can each month toward that debt until it is paid off.

  Then you’ll “roll up” that payment to the card with the next smallest balance. As you pay off more debts, the amount you’ll have available to pay on the next debt will “snowball,” which is where the name comes from.

  The avalanche method is similar except you pay off the card with the highest interest rate first, and then work your way down the list from highest interest rate to lowest interest rate.

  With both methods you will make your minimum payment on all your debts except for the debt you are targeting at the moment. It’s essential you make your minimum payments on time to avoid damage to your credit reports.

  That said, if you can’t afford to make the minimum payments on your credit cards, you’ll want to seek out professional help to get back on track.

• Are There Business Credit Cards for Emergency Funding?

  Virtually any credit card can be used for emergency funding. Most credit cards give the cardholder at least 30 days to pay for purchases, and most let you pay over time, with interest. If you need short-term financing, you may want to consider a 0% APR business credit card. These cards offer no-interest financing for up to a year or more. (After that the interest rate will be much higher, so pay them off before the intro rate ends if at all possible.)

• How Can I Manage Employee Access to Business Credit Cards?

  While giving employees credit cards can be helpful in many ways, it does carry risk. If an employee overspends, the business will be on the hook for those charges. There are several ways to manage employee access to business credit cards:

  1. Always have a written expense policy and train employees on that policy.
  2. Set spending limits on employee cards.
  3. Set up alerts for employee card spending and make sure the correct employees check those alerts.
  4. Find out whether the card offers spending restrictions, such as limiting the types of establishments where the card can be used.
  5. Explore virtual card numbers with expense monitoring.

• Are Business Credit Cards the Same Thing as Business Charge Cards?

  No, the two are different financial tools. The primary difference between business charge cards and business credit cards is their payment requirements. Business charge cards require cardholders to pay the entire balance in full at the end of the billing cycle while business credit cards offer a revolving credit line. Revolving lines allow cardholders to carry a balance from month to month and pay interest charges.

  Nav Prime offers a useful business charge card built in.