Business Cards for New Businesses
Starting a new business does not mean you cannot get a business credit card. Most issuers evaluate your personal credit history when your business has none. This page covers which cards are accessible to startups, what issuers look for, and how to build a strong business credit profile from scratch.
Cards Accessible to New Businesses
Business Cash Back Card
Flat-rate cash back on every dollar your business spends
Annual Fee
$0
APR Range
18.99% - 26.99%
Intro APR
None
Base Earn
1.5%
Sign-Up Bonus
$300 cash back
after $3,000 in purchases in first 3 months
Rewards Rates
- 5%5% on office supplies and internet/phone
- 2%2% on travel and dining
- 2%2% at gas stations
Employee Cards
Free employee cards with individual spending limits
Expense Management
- +Quarterly and year-end summaries
- +Free employee cards
- +Integration with QuickBooks and Xero
- +Itemized monthly statements
Pros
- +No annual fee saves money from day one
- +High 5% rate on office and telecom expenses
- +Simple rewards with no category activation required
Cons
- -Base rate of 1.5% is lower than some premium cards
- -No travel perks or lounge access
Credit required: Good to Excellent (670+)
Startup Business Card
Designed for new businesses and founders building credit
Annual Fee
$0
APR Range
22.99% - 30.99%
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases
Base Earn
1%
Sign-Up Bonus
$200 cash back
after $1,500 in purchases in first 3 months
Rewards Rates
- 3%3% on software subscriptions
- 2%2% on shipping purchases
- 2%2% on online advertising
Employee Cards
Free employee cards with virtual card numbers available
Expense Management
- +Virtual cards for each vendor
- +Automatic receipt matching
- +Real-time spend alerts
- +Free bookkeeping software integration
Pros
- +Accessible to businesses with limited credit history
- +12-month 0% intro APR for early purchases
- +Strong rewards on startup-specific categories
Cons
- -Higher APR after intro period ends
- -Lower credit limits than established business cards
Credit required: Fair to Good (580+) or EIN-only for eligible LLCs
Business No Fee Card
Zero annual fee with solid everyday rewards
Annual Fee
$0
APR Range
18.24% - 26.24%
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases
Base Earn
1%
Sign-Up Bonus
$200 cash back
after $2,000 in purchases in first 3 months
Rewards Rates
- 3%3% on office supplies
- 2%2% on dining
- 2%2% at gas stations
Employee Cards
Free employee cards; no-fee authorized users
Expense Management
- +Year-end summary
- +Mobile receipt capture
- +Category spend tracking
- +QuickBooks sync
Pros
- +No annual fee ever
- +12-month intro APR for new purchases
- +Solid everyday category bonuses
Cons
- -Base 1% earn rate is modest
- -Lower credit limits for newer businesses
Credit required: Good (650+)
What Issuers Evaluate for New Businesses
Personal Credit Score
Most business cards evaluate your personal credit history because your business has none. A score of 650 or above opens up most standard cards. Some startup-focused cards will approve scores as low as 580 if other factors are strong. Check your score before applying to understand which tier of cards you are eligible for.
Time in Business
Many premium cards prefer two or more years in business. However, startups and sole proprietors with zero business history can still qualify based on personal credit alone. Some fintech-style business cards specifically target day-zero businesses and offer approval based on projected revenue or bank account balances rather than credit history.
Annual Revenue
Card applications typically ask for estimated annual revenue. For a new business this may be projected revenue. Issuers use this to set your credit limit, not as a hard approval threshold for most consumer-facing business cards. Corporate cards designed for mid-market companies typically require documented revenue of $1 million or more.
Business Structure
Sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, and C-corps can all apply for most business credit cards. Your structure affects some application fields (SSN vs. EIN) but not usually eligibility. Using an EIN can help separate your business and personal credit files over time, which is worth doing even as a sole proprietor.
Personal Guarantee
Virtually all small business cards require a personal guarantee, meaning you are personally liable for the debt. This is true even for LLCs. There is no practical way to avoid this as a small business owner applying for a standard card. As your business grows and builds its own credit profile, you may eventually qualify for corporate cards that do not require a personal guarantee.
How to Build Business Credit from Zero
Get an EIN
Apply for an Employer Identification Number from the IRS for free at irs.gov. This separates your business identity from your personal SSN and is required to begin building a business credit file. EINs are instant for online applications.
Open a business bank account
A dedicated business checking account establishes your business as a real financial entity. Many card issuers verify that a business bank account exists. It also helps you demonstrate revenue and cash flow when applying for higher credit limits.
Apply for a net-30 trade account
Vendors like Uline, Quill, and Grainger offer net-30 payment terms and report to business credit bureaus like Dun and Bradstreet. Paying these on time builds a positive business credit history before you apply for a business credit card.
Apply for a starter business card
Apply for a no-fee business card that accepts applicants with limited business history. Use it for regular business expenses, pay the balance in full every month, and keep utilization under 30% of the credit limit.
Request credit limit increases
After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, request a credit limit increase. Higher limits lower your utilization ratio and signal reliability. Some issuers grant automatic increases after a period of responsible use.
Monitor your business credit report
Check your business credit reports at Dun and Bradstreet, Equifax Business, and Experian Business annually. Errors on business credit reports are common and can affect your ability to qualify for higher-tier cards and business loans.