Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Rosalie Murphy covers small business topics for NerdWallet. Previously, she led editorial strategy for a local news startup and covered business at The Desert Sun. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing an MBA.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined
experience covering small-business and personal finance.
50+ categories of best
business loan selections.
Objective and comprehensive business loans ratings rubric
– learn more about our star ratings.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings,
recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and
editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in
The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq,
Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Senior writer | Small business banking and credit cards, Paycheck Protection Program, consumer spending, and household finances
Kelsey Sheehy is a NerdWallet authority on small business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the <a href="https://www.today.com/video/christmas-in-july-sales-to-take-advantage-of-now-64075333536">"Today"</a> show, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tax-code-changes-leave-many-americans-with-unhappy-returns-1440385091860">NBC News</a> and <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/cost-smartphones-reaching-time-high-54166111">"ABC World News Tonight"</a> and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC and American Banker, among other publications. Email: <a href="mailto:ksheehy@nerdwallet.com">ksheehy@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Rosalie Murphy covers small business topics for NerdWallet. Previously, she led editorial strategy for a local news startup and covered business at The Desert Sun. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Southern California and is currently pursuing an MBA.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined
experience covering small-business and personal finance.
50+ categories of best
business loan selections.
Objective and comprehensive business loans ratings rubric
– learn more about our star ratings.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings,
recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and
editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in
The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq,
Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
The best business credit cards for startups offer rewards, perks and flexible financing to help new businesses grow. Business credit card issuers prioritize your personal credit history over factors like time in business or annual revenue, so if you have good or excellent personal credit, your startup can likely choose from the best small-business credit cards.
Have a personal credit score below 690? Explore cards for business owners with fair/average credit (FICO of 630-689) or bad credit (FICO below 630).
Show summary
Best business cards for startups
American Express® Business Gold Card
: Best for advertising + software.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card: Best for new business owners with bad credit.
Brex Card
: Best corporate card for startups.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
: Best for no preset spending limit.
Capital One Spark Cash Select
: Best for cash-back rewards + no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business: Best for sole proprietors with fair credit.
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
: Best for startups with fair credit.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
: Best for up to 5% back on office supplies, internet and phone.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
: Best for travel rewards + big sign-up offer.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
: Best overall card for new businesses.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
: Best for 2% back on up to $50K annually.
U.S. Bank Business Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
: Best for travel, gas + EV charging (up to 4X points).
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
: Best for 0% APR period + 3% back on bonus categories.
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
: Best for unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
While all of our picks for startup business credit cards are chosen by our editorial team without outside input, the cards highlighted below are those available from our partners. You can jump to our "other picks" section for additional options not currently available through NerdWallet.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products
reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience
covering small-business and personal finance.
Objective comprehensive business credit card ratings rubric (
NerdWallet's business credit card content, including our ratings, reviews and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's
to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage. We independently evaluate and rate dozens of small-business credit cards, scoring them on fees, rewards rates, bonus offers and other features to help you choose the best business card for your company.
Heavy spending startups with secure cash flow can increase their purchasing power — and their cash back — with the
. There's also a huge welcome offer, and your annual fee is refunded if you hit certain spending requirements. This charge card has no preset limit, but it doesn't allow you to carry a balance.
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
$150 annual fee - Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
Heavy spending startups with secure cash flow can increase their purchasing power — and their cash back — with the
. There's also a huge welcome offer, and your annual fee is refunded if you hit certain spending requirements. This charge card has no preset limit, but it doesn't allow you to carry a balance.
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
$150 annual fee - Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
If your new business is setting up a new office, this card is an excellent option. You'll earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined annual spending at office supply stores and on Internet, cable and phone bills. There's also a long 0% APR intro period and the welcome offer is split into two parts, making it a little easier for new businesses to hit the spending requirements. If you'll quickly blow through the $25K cap on bonus categories, check out the
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®.
If your new business is setting up a new office, this card is an excellent option. You'll earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined annual spending at office supply stores and on Internet, cable and phone bills. There's also a long 0% APR intro period and the welcome offer is split into two parts, making it a little easier for new businesses to hit the spending requirements. If you'll quickly blow through the $25K cap on bonus categories, check out the
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®.
This is a great option for businesses that don't expect to spend much in their first few years. 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 small but attainable welcome offer. Terms apply.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
This is a great option for businesses that don't expect to spend much in their first few years. 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 small but attainable welcome offer. Terms apply.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
Low rate outside bonus categories
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
In addition to a long 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, this card boasts a big welcome offer and up to 3% cash back in certain bonus categories, with no cap on how much you can earn.
Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center when using your card.
Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
No limit on total cash back earned.
Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
New cardholder bonus offer
Cons
Low rate outside bonus categories
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
In addition to a long 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, this card boasts a big welcome offer and up to 3% cash back in certain bonus categories, with no cap on how much you can earn.
Earn $500 in cash back. Just spend $4,500 on the Account Owner's card in the first 150 days of opening your account.
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center when using your card.
Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
No limit on total cash back earned.
Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
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 or credit check. Cardholders can earn up to 7X points, take advantage of the card's built-in expense management tools and access discounts on popular business tools.
Get 10,000 points when you spend $3,000 on a Brex Card within your first 3 months.
No personal guarantee needed – Brex does not ask for a personal credit check or security deposit during the application.
Credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional small business corporate cards.
Minimum bank balance of $50,000 from professional investors may be required to qualify for Brex.
Exclusive signup offers from the best products and tools for your business (e.g. AWS, Google Ads, WeWork, Salesforce) worth up to $150,000 in value.
Earn points on every dollar spent with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 4x on Brex Travel, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software subscriptions and 1x on all other transactions.
Earn 3x Brex Rewards points on all eligible Apple purchases through the link or your Brex dashboard.
Miles transfer program to 7 airlines (including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air France, and more) and their loyalty programs, giving Brex customers access to book travel across all of the major global airline alliances - Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam.
30-day charge card running on the Mastercard network. Enjoy global acceptance with no foreign transaction fees.
Build business credit: Brex partners with Dun & Bradstreet and Experian to report your on-time payments.
Make employee expenses seamless - automated receipt-capture and expense matching and reconciliation via text, email, and mobile app. Instantly add new users and set spending limits.
Contactless pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Simplify reconciliation with built-in integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and more.
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 or credit check. Cardholders can earn up to 7X points, take advantage of the card's built-in expense management tools and access discounts on popular business tools.
Get 10,000 points when you spend $3,000 on a Brex Card within your first 3 months.
No personal guarantee needed – Brex does not ask for a personal credit check or security deposit during the application.
Credit limits 10-20x higher than traditional small business corporate cards.
Minimum bank balance of $50,000 from professional investors may be required to qualify for Brex.
Exclusive signup offers from the best products and tools for your business (e.g. AWS, Google Ads, WeWork, Salesforce) worth up to $150,000 in value.
Earn points on every dollar spent with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 4x on Brex Travel, 3x on restaurants, 2x on software subscriptions and 1x on all other transactions.
Earn 3x Brex Rewards points on all eligible Apple purchases through the link or your Brex dashboard.
Miles transfer program to 7 airlines (including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air France, and more) and their loyalty programs, giving Brex customers access to book travel across all of the major global airline alliances - Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam.
30-day charge card running on the Mastercard network. Enjoy global acceptance with no foreign transaction fees.
Build business credit: Brex partners with Dun & Bradstreet and Experian to report your on-time payments.
Make employee expenses seamless - automated receipt-capture and expense matching and reconciliation via text, email, and mobile app. Instantly add new users and set spending limits.
Contactless pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Simplify reconciliation with built-in integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and more.
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
No Intro APR period
Simple rewards, a generous welcome offer and no annual fee make this card a winner for new business owners. Plus, the card does not charge a foreign transaction fee, saving you as much as 3% on international transactions. There are a few drawbacks, though. You'll need excellent credit to qualify, and this card will show up on your personal credit report. The latter could be a problem if you need to carry a balance.
Reports all card activity to consumer credit bureaus
No Intro APR period
Simple rewards, a generous welcome offer and no annual fee make this card a winner for new business owners. Plus, the card does not charge a foreign transaction fee, saving you as much as 3% on international transactions. There are a few drawbacks, though. You'll need excellent credit to qualify, and this card will show up on your personal credit report. The latter could be a problem if you need to carry a balance.
Not available to sole proprietors, charities or nonprofits
Must enroll in automatic payments
Potential for very high APR
No new cardholder bonus offer
You don't need stellar credit to get this business card, which earns
. Applicants with with a FICO score of 670 or higher can typically qualify. Note: This card is not available to sole proprietors and other uninregistered businesses.
Not available to sole proprietors, charities or nonprofits
Must enroll in automatic payments
Potential for very high APR
No new cardholder bonus offer
You don't need stellar credit to get this business card, which earns
. Applicants with with a FICO score of 670 or higher can typically qualify. Note: This card is not available to sole proprietors and other uninregistered businesses.
Expenses can vary from month to month for a startup, but the
automatically adjusts to reward where you're spending most. 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.
Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.*
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
Expenses can vary from month to month for a startup, but the
automatically adjusts to reward where you're spending most. 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.
Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.*
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
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, including at gas and EV charging stations. You can also earn bonus points on dining, takeout and delivery.
Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center when using your card.
Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations* on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
Earn a $25 statement credit for every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,700 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
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, including at gas and EV charging stations. You can also earn bonus points on dining, takeout and delivery.
Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points if you spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days from account opening.
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center when using your card.
Earn 4X points on travel, gas and EV charging stations* on the first $150,000 in combined annual spend (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
Earn 2X points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery and cell service providers.
Earn 1X points on all other eligible spend.
Earn a $25 statement credit for every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare trips.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter.
Points transfer between business and consumer U.S. Bank Altitude products (excluding Reserve).
Airport lounge access - Priority Pass™ Digital annual membership with access to more than 1,700 VIP lounges worldwide, plus four complimentary visits per membership year.
Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
Other picks: Best credit cards for startups and new businesses
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card
Best for: Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
NerdWallet star rating: 5
The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card checks virtually every box when it comes to cash-back business credit cards. It's got a high rewards rate of 2% with no cap on rewards. There's no annual fee. It offers a 12-month 0% intro APR intro period on purchases (after that your variable APR will be 17.49% – 25.49%). There's even a welcome offer. While new businesses may take advantage of the high cash-back rewards rate and the 0% APR intro period, this card is worth a look for most business owners. Read NerdWallet's review of the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card.
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Best for: Sole proprietors with fair credit
NerdWallet star rating:
3.3
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.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Secured credit card
Best for: New business owners with bad credit
This card has not been rated by NerdWallet.
This is one of a handful of secured credit cards that caters to businesses. You’ll have to put down a security deposit of at least $1,000, and your available credit line will be equal to your deposit. But using the card and making on-time payments can help build your business credit over time — plus, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back rewards. Bank of America automatically reviews secured accounts and you can upgrade to an unsecured card if your credit history improves.
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 business credit cards for fair credit (FICO scores typically from 630 to 689) or business credit cards for bad credit (FICO scores below 630).
Weigh the annual fee against potential rewards. Some credit cards charge annual fees, but those cards also tend to offer more generous rewards on travel or other types of spending. If the rewards outweigh that cost, paying a fee may be worth it (plus, the annual fee may be tax deductible). But you can also choose from a number of business credit cards with no annual fee so your new business has one less expense.
Look for a long intro period. A business credit card with a 0% APR introductory offer 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.
Find rewards that match your spending. Some cash-back business credit cards 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.
Consider the cards already in your wallet. Many business credit cards let you combine rewards from the same issuer — including points earned on personal cards — and potentially increase the redemption value. If you already have the
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 get a business credit card for a new business, 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 secured business credit card, 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 business bank account balance may also qualify for a corporate credit card, which bases approval on company finances and business credit score. Corporate cards do not require a personal guarantee, which offers some added protection for your personal finances.
Startups don’t necessarily need business credit cards. Many entrepreneurs bootstrap their operations with personal credit cards, and card issuers don’t generally have rules against using consumer cards for business purchases.
But if you’re going to finance a new business with credit, there are some distinct advantages to doing so with a business credit card.
The biggest one is that it keeps your business and personal finances separate. All business owners, even freelancers and sole proprietors, should avoid using the same credit card for personal and business spending. You could choose a personal credit card and dedicate it solely to business expenses, or you could start using a business credit card right away.
But that’s where another key difference comes into play: Personal cards affect your personal credit score regardless of how you use them. If you’re using your card a lot to front business costs (and potentially carrying debt as a result), that kind of utilization can weigh down your credit score. Most business credit cards, on the other hand, only affect your personal credit in instances like non-payment.
Other business card benefits for startups
Access to financing. New businesses generally don’t qualify for business loans due to their lack of a track record. Business credit cards offer startup funding 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.
Business credit history. In general, card issuers report the use of a business credit card (and the payment of your bill — whether on time or late) to business credit bureaus, helping to create a credit profile specific to your business. Your business credit score can help you qualify for other types of financing in the future.
Employee cards. Most business credit cards issue employee cards for free. Usually, you can control when and where employees use those cards — which can be a good way to empower your employees to make business purchases without putting your cash at risk.
Expense management software. Some corporate cards, like Ramp and Brex, come with built-in expense management software that can help you set budgets for specific projects, keep track of expenses, collect receipts and create unlimited virtual cards for your team.
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.
Credit card perks. In addition to rewards, many credit cards come with perks like rental car insurance and discounts at select vendors.
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 business credit score 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 business loan for your startup.
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.
The information related to the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
The information related to the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash℠ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
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