If you're a new business owner (or considering becoming one) you're probably learning that it takes money to make money. Fortunately, business credit cards can help you cover many of the expenses associated with keeping your enterprise running. If you've never applied for one of these cards before, don't worry — CNBC Select breaks down everything you need to know to get started.
What credit score do you need for a business credit card?
Similar to a business loan or any other line of credit (and we have plenty of recommendations), getting approved for a business credit card largely depends on your credit score and history. According to credit reporting bureau Experian, the majority of small business credit card issuers tend to approve applicants with credit scores of at least 670.
Of course, some credit card issuers cater to business owners with low or no credit score. The Capital One Spark 1% Classic card, for instance, is one contender that's most ideal for business owners with an average credit score (580–669).
The Capital One Spark 1% Classic is a good fit for business owners who want to build their credit because it's available if you have fair credit and there's no annual fee.
- No annual fee
- Good for building credit history because it only requires a fair credit score
- Low rewards rate and no bonus spending categories
- High APR
It's always a good idea to ask questions about a specific issuer's eligibility guidelines before you spend the time and effort applying.
How do you apply for a business credit card?
Once you decide which business credit card is right for you, you can begin the application process, which is similar to applying for a personal credit card. However, you'll have to include some additional details about your business.
You'll want to make sure you have documents related to your business name and registration, any licenses, business address and phone number. You'll also need to supply your employer identification number.
Once you input this information online (or hand it over to whomever you're working with at the issuer), you'll just have to wait for approval and for your new business credit card to arrive in the mail.
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What are some good business credit cards?
Business credit cards have a wide range of benefits and perks, so when picking one you want to consider how you plan on using it.
For example, cards such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees), are ideal for earning travel rewards on common business expenses. This card has a very attractive welcome bonus offer of 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. These points are worth more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Travel℠ so you can use your points to book potentially free travel for your business trips.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent business card with useful benefits, valuable rewards and a generous welcome bonus.
- Earns flexible travel rewards you can transfer to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Valuable welcome bonus worth $1,125 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
- Strong travel and shopping protections
- No intro APR offer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- 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
- Go further when you book with Chase TravelSM. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
If your business involves shipping a lot of goods to customers, consider a card like The American Express® Business Gold Card. This card's rewards program will assign the highest rewards rate to the two eligible spending categories where you spend the most money each billing cycle. One of those spending categories, U.S. shipping, includes eligible shipping costs from FedEx, UPS and the United States Postal Service (USPS) enrollment required.
The American Express Business Gold Card maximizes spending with flexible bonus reward categories based on where your business spends the most.
- Earn up to $545 in credits every year for eligible business purchases
- Generous bonus rewards categories with high spending caps
- Earns flexible rewards you can transfer to 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs
- High annual fee
- Statement credit offers are earned on a monthly basis and only apply to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 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 up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
- Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
- 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- Terms Apply
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Bottom line
The process for gaining a business credit card is rather simple — the hardest part is probably deciding which credit card best suits your needs. There are so many strong contenders offering an array of perks and welcome bonuses but make sure you do your homework before signing on the dotted line.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
