How to Get a Business Credit Card with Just Your EIN (No SSN)

Applying for a new business credit card often requires your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Social Security number (SSN). However, there are some types of business credit cards that you can get using only an EIN.

These types include corporate business cards, corporate gas cards, and secured business cards. If you're wondering how to get a business card using an EIN only, here's what you need to know.

Key takeaways

• There's a limited number of corporate and business credit cards that allow you to apply for them without providing a Social Security number (SSN).
• Using an Employer Identification Number (EIN) when applying for a business credit card helps establish a credit history for the business. It also facilitates the separation of business and personal finances, which is beneficial for record-keeping and tax reporting.
• To qualify for corporate credit cards, your business typically needs to meet the credit card issuer's required revenue threshold. This requirement varies among different card issuers.
• Having a good business credit score with bureaus such as Dun & Bradstreet or Experian Business can help your business qualify for business credit cards.

Can you get a business credit card with only an EIN?

You can submit certain business credit card applications using just your business tax ID number or (EIN). EIN-only cards can be beneficial for building your business credit and separating personal and business expenses.

However, most business credit cards require a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in addition to an EIN.

The EIN-only cards typically have stricter requirements around business sales, assets, history, and type. Corporate cards are one example of EIN-only cards, but they are usually only available for registered businesses with a certain profit margin and credit score. Secured business credit cards are also an alternative option for new and small business owners who don't want to provide an SSN.

Why you may want to apply for a business credit card with just your EIN

Getting a business credit card using your EIN is advantageous in a few ways. For example, it allows you to build business credit and get the benefits of using a credit card, like greater purchasing flexibility and earning cashback rewards or travel rewards, without positioning yourself as a guarantor of the amount owed if your business cannot pay.

Additionally, using an EIN helps you get access to a business credit card account if:

• You have a low credit score or no credit. If you don't have a strong personal credit history, getting approved for a business credit card using your SSN might be harder.
• You want to avoid personal liability. As noted above, by using an EIN for your business card, you're not using yourself as a personal guarantor of the balance through your SSN, so the credit card issuer can't hold you accountable if the business goes under.
• You don't have an SSN. If you aren't a U.S. resident and used an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to request an EIN through the IRS, a business credit card using an EIN can help open the doors to the benefits of a credit card.

What types of business credit cards can you get with an EIN?

Although many credit card issuers require an SSN for a business card, there are some cards on the market that only require an EIN.

Corporate business credit cards

Corporate credit cards are available to large businesses with large annual revenues, typically ranging in millions of dollars. These cards offer corporate liability, meaning the business is solely responsible for payments and can reap the benefits of rewards and perks.

Your business must operate as a separate legal entity and have a good business credit score with bureaus such as Dun & Bradstreet or Experian Business to apply for a corporate business credit card.

These cards can help build a business's credit history with business credit bureaus, which differ from personal credit bureaus. Some card issuers partner with companies to offer additional benefits and discounts. Corporate cards also typically come with robust business finance analytics and reporting tools for the accounting department to monitor usage and set spending limits on employee cards.

Corporate credit card	Summary
Brex Credit Card	Instead of requiring million-dollar revenue, the Brex Credit Card uses an algorithm to assess eligibility and credit limits by connecting to your company's business bank account to analyze your cash flow, spending, and other details. Brex provides automated expense management and easy integration with accounting systems.
Ramp Card	The Ramp Card is a corporate charge card that earns up to 1.5% cash back on qualified purchases (varies by customer and determined by Ramp) and offers credit limits based on the company's cash balance by connecting to its banking service provider. The card offers automated expense management and seamless integration with business tools.

Corporate gas credit cards

If your business requires frequent fuel fill-ups, a corporate gas card that only requires an EIN, like the Shell Small Business Card, might be useful. Corporate gas cards give you the advantage of issuing multiple cards to your employees and setting fuel limits (and sometimes even location limits).

Like regular corporate credit cards, corporate gas cards provide reporting on the card's activity and require good business credit to get approved. However, you can't use them for just any type of business purchase, which is a downside.

Corporate gas cards are used specifically for fuel purchases at the pump and sometimes for vehicle maintenance purchases.

Secured business credit cards

Although you might be looking for an EIN-only business credit card for several reasons, a secured credit card could be a good alternative if your main reason is a poor personal credit score or your business has bad credit.

Some secured credit cards for businesses may only require you to share your EIN, while others may still require your SSN. This might make them a good fit for small startup businesses, partnerships, and sole proprietors. A secured card could help build your business credit history as you use the card responsibly.

One example of a secured business credit card is the First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition Secured Mastercard Credit Card. This business card enables you to choose a credit limit between $2,000 and $100,000 but requires you to secure it with a deposit totaling 110% of your credit limit.

The FNBO Business Edition Secured provides you with auto rental insurance coverage and certain Mastercard benefits, such as automatic rebates at 40,000 participating merchants. However, its downside is that it has a $39 annual fee.

Reasons to consider applying for a business card with your SSN

Applying for a business card with your Social Security Number (SSN) helps you backup your application with a personal guarantee. This can give you access to more business card options.

Some business credit cards don't report to consumer credit agencies, which can help separate your personal credit activity from your business credit activity, even if you use your SSN to apply. Keep in mind that this isn't true for all business credit cards, though.

Here are some benefits of applying for a business card with your SSN:

• More card options: With your SSN, you can access a wider range of business credit cards.
• Easier access to a line of credit: Having a personal guarantee typically makes it easier to access a credit line without needing to prove business revenue or cash flow.
• Earning rewards: Many business credit cards that require an SSN during the application process offer rewards programs for your business purchases.

Some of our recommended business credit cards that require entering an SSN during the application process include:

Credit card	Rewards rate	Annual fee
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card	Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase	$0
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card	2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each year, then 1% after that	$0
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases	$95
Capital One Spark Cash Plus	Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site	$150
American Express® Business Gold Card	4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two eligible categories with the most spend each month from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, after that 1X), 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, and 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases	$375

Why do business credit cards typically require your SSN?

When you apply for a business credit card, you give lenders, banks, or other card issuers your SSN, giving them access to your credit profile. Credit card companies use your SSN to assess whether you're a strong candidate for the card for a few reasons:

• Your business hasn't demonstrated its creditworthiness yet. If your business is new or has zero or minimal credit history, the card issuer will use your SSN to run a personal credit check and determine your risk level as a borrower.
• You'll be personally liable if the business fails. The reality of owning a business is that not all businesses make it. If your business folds but you've supplied your SSN, you can be held liable to repay the balance on the business credit card.

Getting a small business credit card with no personal guarantee might make sense if you use the account solely for business expenses. However, card issuers may want to verify the creditworthiness of a primary individual who will ultimately be responsible for the charges.

Prepaid business cards: An alternative option to business credit cards

If a secured credit card doesn't feel right and you don't qualify for a corporate card, consider a prepaid business card. Since prepaid cards are considered low-risk, your SSN is unnecessary.

This option gives you the flexibility and benefits of a credit card when cash payments aren't feasible, such as when booking travel or ordering supplies online. It's also safer than cash because if you lose your card, you may not be responsible for the unauthorized charges.

However, keep in mind that these aren't credit cards.

Once you have the prepaid business card, fund it with a set amount and use it as a typical debit card. For example, if you load the prepaid card with $500, you'd have access to $500 on the card. Once you use the card's $500 balance, you must reload it with more funds.

This could be a good option if you don't meet the revenue requirements that corporate cards expect. The main disadvantage of a prepaid business card is that it isn't a credit card, so it doesn't help your business credit score because issuers typically don't report activity to the credit bureaus.

FAQ

Bottom line

While an EIN-only business credit card makes sense in some cases, you'll likely have more options if you're open to using your SSN to apply for a business card. Since credit issuers often request an EIN and SSN, consider shopping around for a new card if you've recently improved your credit score and are willing to use your SSN on a business credit card application.

For business owners open to this option, here are more credit card options on top of our previous recommendations:

• The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Enjoy a $0 annual fee and access to one of the most popular credit card rewards programs out there, the Amex Membership Rewards program. With this card, you earn 2X Membership Rewards points on everyday eligible business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on eligible purchases after that.
• U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa^® Business Card: This card offers 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center; 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations (purchases of $200 or less), office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
• Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card: Cardholders earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases and enjoy a $0 annual fee. It also offers an introductory purchase APR of 0% for 12 months (then 17.49% - 25.49% Variable).

If you'd like to explore even more options, check out our picks for the best small business credit cards for your small business.

Up to 5% Cash Back

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

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Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Solid rewards on office supply, telecom spending, gas, and dining
• Generous welcome offer
• Intro APR on purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Valuable purchase and travel protections

Drawbacks

• Bonus rewards capped after $25,000 annual spend in each category
• No bonus rewards for travel or advertising purchases
• Foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Details

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC