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Best Business Credit Cards for Startups, New Businesses of April 2024

By Kelsey Sheehy, Rosalie Murphy
Last updated on March 21, 2024
Edited byRyan Lane
Fact checked and reviewed

⏰ Estimated read time: 11 minutes

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Business credit cards for startups offer flexible financing for new businesses. The best card for you will depend on whether you're looking to launch or grow your operations. Facing big startup costs? Consider an option with no preset spending limit or one that lets you pay down expenses without interest. Focused on establishing or building business credit? It’s hard to go wrong with a that comes with flat-rate cash back and no annual fee.
Your new business’s lack of history shouldn’t deter you from applying. Business credit card issuers prioritize your personal credit history over factors like time in business or annual revenue. Your startup can likely choose from the best small-business credit cards if you have good or excellent credit. There are some as well.
Note: Some of our selections for the best business credit cards for startups can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose a feature that will benefit your business spending the most.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Business credit cards for startups offer flexible financing for new businesses. The best card for you will depend on whether you're looking to launch or grow your operations. Facing big startup costs? Consider an option with no preset spending limit or one that lets you pay down expenses without interest. Focused on establishing or building business credit? It’s hard to go wrong with a that comes with flat-rate cash back and no annual fee.
Your new business’s lack of history shouldn’t deter you from applying. Business credit card issuers prioritize your personal credit history over factors like time in business or annual revenue. Your startup can likely choose from the best small-business credit cards if you have good or excellent credit. There are some as well.
Note: Some of our selections for the best business credit cards for startups can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

Looking for a business credit card?

See our overall favorites, or choose a feature that will benefit your business spending the most.

Our top overall picks

on Nerdwallet's secure site

Here are the best credit cards for startups and new businesses from our partners

Credit cardNerdWallet ratingAnnual feeRewards rateIntro offerLearn more

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.9/5

Best for Startups with annual spend below $50K

$0

1%-2%

Cashback

$250

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for Flat-rate cash-back rewards

$0

1.5%-5%

Cashback

$750

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

5.0/5

Best for Cash-back bonus categories + welcome offer

$0

1%-5%

Cashback

$350

Apply now

on Chase's website

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

4.9/5

Best for Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

$95

1x-3x

Points

100,000

Points

Apply now

on Chase's website

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

3.8/5

Best for Travel rewards with no annual fee

$0

1.5x

Points

30,000

Points

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for 0% intro APR (purchases + balance transfers)

$0

1%-3%

Cashback

$500

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Ramp Card

Apply now

on Ramp's website

3.7/5

Best for Corporate card for startups (no personal guarantee)

$0

1.5%

Cashback

N/A

Apply now

on Ramp's website

Brex Card

Apply now

on Brex's website

3.1/5

Best for Startups with venture backing

$0

1x-7x

Points

10,000

Points

Apply now

on Brex's website

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for Charge card for startups

$150

2%-5%

Cashback

$1,200

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.6/5

Best for AmEx Membership Rewards

$0

1x-2x

Points

15,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

5.0/5

Best for Overall cash-back card for startups

$0

1.5%

Cashback

$750

Apply now

on Chase's website

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

3.9/5

Best for Incorporated startups with fair credit

$0

1.5%

$200

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

American Express® Business Gold Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for Bonus categories that sync with your spending

$375

1x-4x

Points

70,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for 4X points on travel (up to $150K)

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

1x-5x

Points

60,000

Points

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Credit cardNerdWallet ratingAnnual feeRewards rateIntro offerLearn more

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.9/5

Best for Startups with annual spend below $50K

$0

1%-2%

Cashback

$250

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for Flat-rate cash-back rewards

$0

1.5%-5%

Cashback

$750

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

5.0/5

Best for Cash-back bonus categories + welcome offer

$0

1%-5%

Cashback

$350

Apply now

on Chase's website

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

4.9/5

Best for Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

$95

1x-3x

Points

100,000

Points

Apply now

on Chase's website

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

3.8/5

Best for Travel rewards with no annual fee

$0

1.5x

Points

30,000

Points

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for 0% intro APR (purchases + balance transfers)

$0

1%-3%

Cashback

$500

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Ramp Card

Apply now

on Ramp's website

3.7/5

Best for Corporate card for startups (no personal guarantee)

$0

1.5%

Cashback

N/A

Apply now

on Ramp's website

Brex Card

Apply now

on Brex's website

3.1/5

Best for Startups with venture backing

$0

1x-7x

Points

10,000

Points

Apply now

on Brex's website

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for Charge card for startups

$150

2%-5%

Cashback

$1,200

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Rates & Fees

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

4.6/5

Best for AmEx Membership Rewards

$0

1x-2x

Points

15,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

5.0/5

Best for Overall cash-back card for startups

$0

1.5%

Cashback

$750

Apply now

on Chase's website

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

3.9/5

Best for Incorporated startups with fair credit

$0

1.5%

$200

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

American Express® Business Gold Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for Bonus categories that sync with your spending

$375

1x-4x

Points

70,000

Points

Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees

U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

5.0/5

Best for 4X points on travel (up to $150K)

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

1x-5x

Points

60,000

Points

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Rates & Fees

Discover business products tailored to your needs

Monitor your business credit score, manage your cash flow, and get curated recommendations to drive your business’s growth.

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Our pick for

Startups with annual spend below $50K

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250
You'll earn 2% on your first $50,000 in spending each year and 1% on any spending beyond that threshold. There's also a long intro APR period and a decent welcome offer.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.9/5
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-2% Cashback
Intro offer
$250

Our pick for

Flat-rate cash-back rewards

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750
Simple rewards, a generous welcome offer and no annual fee make this card a winner for new business owners.

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Our pick for

Cash-back bonus categories + welcome offer

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350
You'll earn up to 5% in common business spending categories and can net one of the biggest welcome offers available for a cash-back card. There's also a long intro APR period — a bonus for new businesses.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$350

Our pick for

Travel rewards + sign-up bonus

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
100,000 Points
The
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
delivers with a generous welcome offer and a high rewards rate on travel, advertising, shipping and telecom.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

4.9/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x Points
Intro offer
100,000 Points

Our pick for

Travel rewards with no annual fee

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points
This card won't wow you with perks, but it's a winner for two reasons: there's no annual fee and qualifying Bank of America customers can earn up to 2.62 points per $1 spent.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

NerdWallet rating 

3.8/5
Apply now

on Bank of America's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x Points
Intro offer
30,000 Points

Our pick for

0% intro APR (purchases + balance transfers)

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$500
One of the few business credit cards to offer a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, this card also boasts a big welcome offer and up to 3% cash back in certain bonus categories.

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on US Bank's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3% Cashback
Intro offer
$500

Our pick for

Corporate card for startups (no personal guarantee)

Ramp Card

Apply now

on Ramp's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A
Ramp requires a business bank account balance of $75,000. But if you can meet that, this corporate charge card might be easier to qualify for than similar options as it doesn't require venture backing or a personal credit check. There's no personal guarantee, either.

Ramp Card

NerdWallet rating 

3.7/5
Apply now

on Ramp's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
N/A

Our pick for

Startups with venture backing

Brex Card

Apply now

on Brex's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points
Venture-backed startups can qualify for this corporate card with as little as $50,000 in a business bank account (non-funded startups need $1 million). You can apply with an EIN only, and there's no personal guarantee.

Brex Card

NerdWallet rating 

3.1/5
Apply now

on Brex's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-7x Points
Intro offer
10,000 Points

Our pick for

Charge card for startups

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$150
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$1,200
Heavy spending startups with secure cash flow can increase their purchase power — and their cash back – with the
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
. This charge card has no preset limit, but it doesn't allow you to carry a balance. There's also a huge welcome offer if you can qualify.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on Capital One's website

Annual fee
$150
Rewards rate
2%-5% Cashback
Intro offer
$1,200

Our pick for

AmEx Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points
Rack up AmEx Membership rewards with 2X points on all purchases (up to $50,000 each year) and 1X points after that. The welcome offer and intro APR period sweeten the pot.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

NerdWallet rating 

4.6/5
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-2x Points
Intro offer
15,000 Points

Our pick for

Overall cash-back card for startups

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750
A no-brainer cash back business card that deliver unlimited, flat-rate rewards alongside a stellar welcome offer and long intro APR period.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% Cashback
Intro offer
$750

Our pick for

Incorporated startups with fair credit

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Intro offer
$200
You don't need stellar credit to qualify for this business card, which earns
1.5%
on all purchases. Applicants with with a FICO score of 670 or higher can typically qualify.

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

NerdWallet rating 

3.9/5
Apply now

on Capital on Tap's website

Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Intro offer
$200

Our pick for

Bonus categories that sync with your spending

American Express® Business Gold Card

Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$375
Rewards rate
1x-4x Points
Intro offer
70,000 Points
Expenses can vary from month to month for a startup, but the
American Express® Business Gold Card
automatically adjusts to reward where you're spending most each month. You'll earn 4X points on your top two spending categories each month (up to $150,000 in combined spending). The six eligible categories include advertising, software, U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, transit and wireless service. Terms apply.

American Express® Business Gold Card

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on American Express' website

Annual fee
$375
Rewards rate
1x-4x Points
Intro offer
70,000 Points

Our pick for

4X points on travel (up to $150K)

U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®

Apply now

on US Bank's website

Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
60,000 Points
You get big rewards on travel and no annual fee for the first year. Earn 4X points on your first $150,000 in combined travel expenses annually, no matter where you book it. Plus 5X points on hotels and rental cars booked via U.S. Bank's Reward Center. You can also earn bonus points on dining, takeout and delivery.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®

NerdWallet rating 

5.0/5
Apply now

on US Bank's website

Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-5x Points
Intro offer
60,000 Points

NerdWallet's editorial picks: Best credit cards for startups and new businesses

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Best for: Best overall cash-back card for startups
NerdWallet star rating:
The
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
earns a simple, flat cash-back rate on every purchase, with no limit on how much you can earn. The sign-up bonus is outstanding for a cash-back card, particularly one with no annual fee, and there's an intro APR period for purchases. .

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®

Best for: 0% intro APR (purchases + balance transfers)
NerdWallet star rating:
The
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
is a solid cash-back card for business owners.
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases
. Plus, the card offers a competitive welcome bonus and
0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-28.24% Variable APR
— all with a $
0
annual fee. .

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for: Cash-back bonus categories + welcome offer
NerdWallet star rating:
If your business's spending matches the bonus categories on the
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
, you can rack up some serious cash back. (If not, then look elsewhere.) There's an excellent sign-up bonus for a no-annual-fee cash-back card, plus an introductory APR period for purchases. .

American Express® Business Gold Card

Best for: Bonus categories that sync with your spending
NerdWallet star rating:
The rewards on the
American Express® Business Gold Card
adjust according to your spending. You automatically earn bonus rewards in the two categories where you spend the most each month. That can translate into outstanding rewards, as long as your business spends money in those categories. If it doesn't, the steep annual fee probably isn't worth it. The card has six bonus categories: advertising, gas stations, restaurants, software, transit and cell phone service. Only purchases made in the U.S. qualify for bonus categories. .

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit

Best for: Flat-rate cash-back rewards
NerdWallet star rating:
The
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit
offers a generous, attainable sign-up bonus, no annual fee and flat-rate cash-back rewards. (See .) Businesses that expect to spend $30,000 or more in their first three months should look to the
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
, which offers a higher bonus and rewards rate (for a higher annual fee). (See .) .

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Best for: Charge card for startups
NerdWallet star rating:
The
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
is an excellent option for business operators whose expenses don't fall into the bonus categories on other business credit cards. You get a high, flat rewards rate on every purchase, with no limit to how much you can earn. And you can earn a welcome bonus if you hit certain spending requirements. Just make sure that you can pay off your spending in full each month, as this is a charge card that doesn't let you revolve a balance. (See .) .

U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®

Best for: 4X points on travel (up to $150K)
NerdWallet star rating:
5
The
U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®
delivers impressive rewards on travel, no matter where you book it. You'll earn 4X points on your first $150,000 in combined annual travel spend each year — plus, 5X points on hotels and rental cars booked directly with U.S. Bank's Rewards Portal. There's also a solid welcome offer and no annual fee for the first year ($
95
after that). .

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Best for: Startups with annual spend below $50K
NerdWallet star rating:
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
boasts one of the better introductory APR offers among business credit cards. Beyond that, you earn a solid cash-back rate (at least for a while — the rate drops after you hit a spending threshold). There's also a
$0
annual fee. .

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for: Travel rewards + sign-up bonus
NerdWallet star rating:
The
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
starts you off with one of the biggest sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
You also get bonus rewards on travel expenses and common business spending categories, like advertising, shipping and internet, cable and phone service. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. .

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best for: AmEx Membership Rewards
NerdWallet star rating:
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
is a near-twin to
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, with one key difference: Rather than cash back, it pays you in AmEx Membership Rewards points. .

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Best for: Incorporated startups with fair credit
NerdWallet star rating:
Capital on Tap says applicants with a FICO score of 670 or higher have the best chance of approval, but the card is available to business owners with fair credit. The
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
offers
1.5%
cash back on all purchases, no annual fee and the potential for a low APR. One important note: This card is not available to sole proprietors, which excludes the majority of businesses. .

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card

Best for: Travel rewards with no annual fee
NerdWallet star rating:
This is the business version of the issuer's excellent no-annual-fee travel card. The
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
pays solid rewards on every purchase and gives you wide flexibility in redeeming your points for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. .

Ramp Card

Best for: Corporate card for startups (no personal guarantee)
NerdWallet star rating:
The
Ramp Card
's main selling point: It does not require a credit check or personal guarantee. You just need strong revenue and a healthy bank balance. The corporate charge card also offers unlimited cash-back rewards and card-level spending controls with no annual fee. .

Brex Card

Best for: Startups with venture funding
NerdWallet star rating:
Unlike most cards designed for entrepreneurs, the
Brex Card
doesn't require the cardholder to personally guarantee the debt on the card. Instead, Brex determines creditworthiness by evaluating a company's cash balance, spending patterns and investors. It's a good option when a business owner has a thin credit file but is well capitalized. The card earns rewards, too. .

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Best for: Sole proprietors with fair credit
NerdWallet star rating:
The rewards rate on the
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
isn't going to wow anyone; there's no sign-up bonus and the APR is high. What makes this card valuable is that it's available to business operators with fair credit, who don't have a lot of options in business credit cards.

How to choose the best card for your new business

Follow these steps to find the right business credit card for your startup.
  • Figure out what you can qualify for. The better your personal credit, the more business credit card options you’ll have. If your FICO score is below 690, focus on (FICO scores typically from 630 to 689) or (FICO scores below 630).
  • Weigh the annual fee against potential rewards. Some credit cards charge annual fees, which may be hundreds of dollars. Those cards also tend to offer generous rewards on travel or other types of spending. If the rewards outweigh that cost, paying a fee may be worth it (plus, the ). But you can also choose from a number of so your new business has one less expense.
  • Look for a long intro period. A business credit card with a can help you pay off startup expenses over time — 12 or more billing cycles, in some cases — without owing interest on the balance you roll over.
  • Consider a charge card. typically have no preset spending limit, making them a good option for startups with big expenses and an influx of cash. With a charge card, you’ll typically have to pay off your balance in full every month, though some — the , for example — will let you finance certain purchases. So only opt for a charge card if you’re confident your cash flow can reliably keep pace with your expenses. 
  • Find rewards that match your spending. Some offer a flat rewards rate on all your company’s spending, regardless of what you’re buying. Others offer higher rewards rates in categories like travel or gas — or on spending with specific companies, like Amazon or Lowe’s. Choose a card that’s likely to align with your purchasing patterns. 

🤓 Nerdy Tip

Many business credit cards let you combine rewards from the same issuer — including points earned on personal cards — and potentially increase the redemption value. For example, transferring points from the to an
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
increases their value by 25%. Each issuer has its own rules. Learn about yours in .

Can new businesses get business credit cards?

New businesses can typically get a business credit card without any business revenue or established business credit history. In fact, all you need is a good personal credit score — most business cards require a FICO score of 690 or higher — to , since most issuers base approval on your personal FICO score instead of your business’s financial history.
If you have no personal credit history or bad credit, you'll likely need to start with a , which requires you to deposit cash with your credit card issuer that they can pull from if you don’t pay your bill.
Professionally funded startups or incorporated businesses with a hefty may also qualify for a corporate credit card, which bases approval on company finances and business credit score. do not require a personal guarantee, which offers some added protection for your personal finances.

Do startups need business credit cards?

Startups don’t necessarily need business credit cards, but they offer some useful benefits.
  • Access to financing. New businesses generally don’t qualify for business loans due to their lack of a track record. Business credit cards offer that can help you cover costs while you build revenue. Credit cards are one of the most expensive forms of financing due to their high interest rates, though, so look for a 0% intro APR period if you want to spread out big expenses.
  • Rewards for spending. New businesses often face a number of startup costs. A business credit card can earn you cash back or points for those purchases you have to make anyway. Some cards even offer bonus categories with bigger rewards on expenses like office supplies or advertising that you may need to invest in to get up and running. 
  • Separated finances. Business credit cards work a lot like personal credit cards. But all business owners, even freelancers and sole proprietors, should avoid using their personal credit cards for business spending and vice versa. A separate business credit card can help keep your books clean.

🤓 Nerdy Tip

It’s especially important for LLC owners to keep their business and personal finances separate. If you mix the two, your creditors could later argue that your LLC and personal finances weren’t really separate, which means you could lose the protection an LLC offers to your personal assets. Read our picks for the .

How do new small businesses establish credit?

Opening a business credit card is one of the first steps toward establishing and building business credit. Making on-time payments and keeping your spending low (20% to 30% of your credit limit) can help you strengthen your over time.
Why does that matter? A strong business credit score can help you get more favorable terms with suppliers, lower business insurance rates and, eventually, secure a .
Registering your business, getting an EIN and applying for an identification number with business credit firm Dun & Bradstreet can also help you build business credit.
To view rates and fees of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
, see .
To view rates and fees of the
American Express® Business Gold Card
, see .
Last updated on March 21, 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for small business based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of small-business operators. Factors in our evaluation include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as special financing arrangements, free cards for employees or tools for managing business expenses. Learn more about .

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