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A small business credit card can be a valuable tool to help you start and grow your business. In fact, a 2025 study by JD Power found that 89% of small business owners rely on a credit card as their most-used payment method for business spending.
Whether you're stocking up on inventory from overseas or purchasing a registration ticket for an industry conference, having a credit card is a convenient solution. The good news is that applying for a card and getting approved is a relatively simple process if you follow the right steps.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you find and apply for the right credit card for your business and ways to improve your approval odds.
Small business checklist: Before you apply
You'll need some personal and business-related details ready before applying for a small business credit card. Run through this brief checklist to avoid any additional delays during the application process:
- Your personal credit score. Many lenders consider your personal credit score, instead of your business' credit rating, if your business is just starting out. Generally, you'll need a "good" credit score which is at least a 670 FICO score.
- Your business structure. For example, sole proprietor, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Partnership, or Corporation. If you do freelance work, you're likely considered a sole proprietor.
- EIN and/or SSN. If the IRS issued your business an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you'll want to use it on your application. However, you'll need to also provide your personal SSN on your application. This is used for identity verification and acts as a personal guarantee for the debt.
- Revenue and expense reports. If your business recently launched and you don't have full annual figures yet, prepare revenue projections. Also, pull together a list of existing business expenses. This helps card issuers establish a manageable credit line and gives them a sense of whether the business has means for repayment.
How to apply for a business credit card
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
Before applying for a business credit card, it's important to understand the card issuer's eligibility requirements and the likelihood you'll get approved.
The good news is that businesses of all kinds can qualify for business credit cards.
A freelance graphic designer earning $4,000 per month might qualify for a small business credit card with personal information, like their SSN and individual credit score, even without an EIN or extensive business history.
When issuers evaluate your application, they're looking for a credit history and credit score that suggests you've borrowed and repaid your debt responsibly. Although the minimum "good" standing for a FICO score is 670, the higher your score the better.
They'll also determine your ability to repay future credit card charges by reviewing your business' current or projected revenue, and any existing debt that you owe.
You typically don't need years of business history and a high revenue to qualify for a business credit card. Many entrepreneurs are able to qualify when they're just getting started. However, with a limited business history, your application will depend more heavily on your personal income, assets, and credit.
Step 2: Compare the various card types
Like personal credit cards, there are many business cards on the market with different features and benefits. Find the one that best aligns with your business and your needs.
Say you operate a boutique floral shop. Your business relies heavily on local bouquet arrangement deliveries so your business has a small fleet of four delivery trucks. In this scenario, it might be worth getting a small business credit card that offers rewards for gas purchases.
If you're going for a business rewards credit card, compare both earning and redemption options. Ideally, it can help you get the most from your spend and use your earned rewards in a convenient or valuable way.
On the other hand, if you're planning to make a large purchase or need to pay off an existing balance, you may want a card offering a 0% introductory APR on purchases and/or balance transfers for a certain amount of months after account opening.
If you travel regularly, you may prefer a card that offers travel rewards and also travel benefits like no foreign transaction fees, annual travel credits, trip delay/cancellation coverage, or airport lounge access.
You might also want to consider functionality. Many issuers offer free employee cards and the ability to easily manage limits for each. This feature can be useful if your employees participate in client lunches or purchase office supplies in person, for example.
Lastly, consider whether the card offers cashback rewards, bonus points, or bonus miles on your normal business spending. For instance, if your employees drive a lot and a certain card's rewards program offers bonus points at gas stations, it could be a good fit for you. Or if you know you'll be spending a lot at office supply stores, then you'll want a card that rewards you for that.
Ultimately, no two businesses have the exact same situation and needs, so there's no one credit card that's right for everyone. I run a small, lean business online from my home. The right business card for me is very different from the brick-and-mortar small business down the street with multiple employees.
Step 3: Gather the required information
You'll need the information you prepared from the checklist. If you're struggling with your revenue projections as a new business owner here's what you can do: Use your monthly income so far to project your annual revenue. If you earned $2,000 per month, your estimated annual revenue is $24,000.
You might also need a few more bits of information about your business. You'll need to include your business's contact information (address, phone number, and email address).
Additionally, you'll need the number of years your business has been operational — if you've just launched, this should be easy — and if you require employee cards, have your number of employees ready, too.
Step 4: Complete your application
Once you've gathered all the necessary information, you can go ahead and complete your application. This process really only takes about 10 minutes. Keep in mind the application will be a bit more in-depth than what you're used to with personal credit card applications since you're providing information about both you and your business.
Step 5: Wait for a response
Depending on the information you provide, your application for a business credit card may be approved instantly, but that's not always the case. If you get a message like "We need more time to review your application," don't panic. This is very common, especially when you're applying for a Chase card.
In most cases, you'll still hear back pretty quickly about whether your application has been approved or not. Most applications take a few minutes up to a few business days, if further review is needed.
You can always call to check on the status of your application in the meantime. But if you do this, be prepared to answer follow-up questions about your application.
Once your application is approved, you'll usually receive your business card in the mail within a week or two.
Business credit card application best practices
Get started with your Social Security number
If your business is new and doesn't have an EIN, apply using your SSN instead. Most card issuers are new business-friendly and want you as a client for the long haul.
The card application might have separate spaces to enter your SSN and EIN on the application.Some forms have the option to provide one or the other, or you may indicate that you don't have an EIN.
It's worth noting that some card issuers may only allow you to apply without an EIN if you have a certain business structure, such as a sole proprietorship or a single-member LLC.
Answer the revenue question conservatively
Don't oversell your business income in the hopes of getting a higher credit limit or improving your chances of getting approved. The card issuer may verify this information, and you might just get caught in a lie.
The card issuer may tell you what number they want when you're applying. For example, the Capital One business credit card application specifies that you should share your business revenue from the previous year.
If the application doesn't provide specific guidelines like this, provide either your previous year's income or your average income.
Space out your applications
It's exciting to be able to apply for business credit cards, but pace yourself. Card issuers look at your credit report when reviewing your application so it's important to understand the issuer's rules for how often you can apply.
For example, if you are applying for a Chase business card because you want to earn the valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards, you must fall under 5/24 (you cannot have opened more than five applicable credit cards in the last 24 months) and 1/30 (you cannot have been issued any Chase credit card in the last 30 days.) To be extra safe, I suggest waiting at least 60 days between Chase applications.
Applying for a credit card can also temporarily lower your credit score. If you've recently applied for a different card and your credit score took a hit, it may be worth waiting to apply for a new card until your credit bounces back.
Understand the personal guarantee
When you apply for a small business credit card, especially when you're just getting started, you'll also have to personally guarantee the card. In other words, if your business can't repay the credit card, you, as an individual, will have to do so.
Unfortunately, if you can't repay the card, you could face some severe penalties. You could face late fees, a major hit to your credit score, having the debt sent to collections, or even being the subject of a lawsuit.
We don't say this to scare you but to make sure you understand that any debt your business takes on is your responsibility — it's not a decision to make lightly.
FAQs
What is the easiest business credit card to get?
There are many factors that go into applying — and getting approved — for a business credit card. Your personal creditworthiness and company history may both influence that decision, for instance, making it easier or harder to get the business card you want.
With that said, you might want to check out the Spark Classic. This rewards credit card requires only a fair credit score rating, which means you can still get approved even if you've defaulted on a loan in the past five years or if you have a limited credit history.
This card is a business card with no annual fee, and it offers employee cards at no additional cost. It also earns you 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business, plus 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
* All information about Spark Classic has been collected independently by FinanceBuzz and has not been reviewed by the credit card issuer.
How do I pick the best business credit card?
If you're looking for the best business credit card, you'll want to find the one that most adequately fits your business' needs. To do that, you'll need to look at how and where your business spends money and determine which card perks would be the most lucrative to have.
The best way to pick the best business credit card is to identify your business spending habits and needs and choose a card that most closely aligns with them. That could mean choosing between a cash back versus travel card, one with bonus categories versus flat-rate rewards, one with or without a 0% introductory APR, and more.
Can I get a business credit card with bad credit?
A strong credit score gives you access to more business credit cards — but you can still qualify with bad credit. Requirements vary by issuer: some look at business credit history, others rely on your personal credit, and some check your personal score but report activity to business credit bureaus.
Because criteria differ, it's important to choose a card that matches your credit profile — some accept fair credit, while others require excellent credit. Better credit generally makes approval easier and may lead to higher limits, while lower scores can mean limited options or lower limits.
If you don't qualify for a traditional card, a secured business or personal credit card can be a good alternative.
Secured credit cards generally have lower credit requirements since you pay a security deposit when you sign up for the card. The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card is one example of a secured business card.
How do I build credit for my LLC?
Start building LLC credit by getting an EIN (employer identification number) from the IRS and a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet, since lenders may use either to check your credit. Open a business bank account, use a business credit card responsibly, and monitor your credit with Experian, Equifax, and Dun & Bradstreet.
You can also build credit by working with vendors that report payments — on-time or early payments help boost your Paydex score and expand financing options. Like personal credit, building business credit takes time, but you can rely on your personal credit in the meantime.
Can I get business credit cards for my employees?
Most business credit products allow cardholders to request cards for authorized employees, who can then use the card to make business purchases according to set spending limits. Depending on the credit card, these additional cards may be free or you may be charged an additional annual fee for each.
These business credit card accounts treat employees as authorized users. Although employees spend individually, the company is responsible for charges at the end of the day.
Bottom line
Browse our list of the best business credit cards and select the one that makes the best sense for you. Whether your business is a startup or you've been up and running for a while, you'll be able to find the right card for you in this list of credit card offers. Good luck with your business!
Intro Offer
Earn $750 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
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