Wondering if you are eligible to open a small business credit card to earn more travel rewards? You might be surprised at the answer. And trust me: It's less intimidating than you may think.
Many of the top travel rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Venture Miles, and even individual airlines and hotel programs offer business cards that earn the same points and miles (and sometimes even more of them) as their standard consumer cards – allowing you to keep adding to your points total, so long as you can get approved for a card.
But remember: Credit cards are serious business. You should never apply for a credit card if you're already in debt, and never charge more to a credit card than you can afford to pay off immediately. That's especially true when looking at business credit cards, as the spending required to earn a big bonus is often much higher than what you will find on the consumer card side of things.
Once you're ready, getting a business credit card comes with a unique set of considerations and complications to keep in mind before plowing ahead. Let's walk through everything you need to know about getting and using a small business credit card.
Who Can Apply for a Business Card?
To open a business credit card, you don’t need a full-time business with employees or six-figure revenues.
While that situation would obviously qualify you to open a business credit card, you can also get approved for a small-business credit card with a part-time side hustle, a freelance job, a gig economy job, or even by selling goods on online marketplaces like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and more.
In fact, many Americans have what the banks would consider a small business and don't even realize it.
Do you have any income from freelance work, or plans to start freelance work? You have a business. Have you ever sold an item on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or other platforms, or have plans to do so in the future? You have a business.
At the end of the day, if you are selling any goods or services, or contracting with a company to do so in an attempt to make a profit, you have a small business and thus are typically eligible to apply for a small business credit card. That makes it possible for just about anybody to apply for a business credit card.
Just keep in mind: You should never lie or attempt to mislead a bank when applying for a business credit card. It's important to have a legitimate business, even if that business is just your own.
You Don't Need a Formal Business Structure
Anybody who operates a business – big or small – is eligible to open a business card. And when it comes to business structures you'll find five common options.
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnerships
- Corporations
- Non-Profit
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
When applying for a business card, you'll be required to select your business structure during the application process. Big corporations and LLCs will have more formal structures with a tax identification number (TIN). That will be required during the application process so you'll need to have that information handy.
But if you are a very small business without any formal structure, you can choose “sole proprietorship” during the application process. If you're a sole proprietor, you'll simply use your social security number (SSN) on the credit card application like you would for a personal credit card. No formal business documentation is required.
Read more: Master Guide to Credit Card Applications: All the Rules You Need to Know, Bank by Bank
What You'll Need to Apply for a Business Credit Card
Generally speaking, applying for a business card is pretty straightforward.
You'll need basic information like your role with the business, name, address, and your own social security number.
You'll also need some basic information about the business itself like the business structure (as discussed above), the business's legal name, the business address, the number of employees when the business was established, annual revenue (which can be an approximation), and typically you'll have to provide an estimation of your monthly spending on the card.
You'll also have to choose a category in which your business operates. Oftentimes you won't find an exact match to what your business is, but you can pick something close enough. Otherwise, the category “other” should suffice.
One thing to be aware of on the business credit card side of things is that getting instant approval after an application is a lot less common than what you will find on the consumer card side of things. It does happen, but oftentimes, the bank will need to verify some of your information which just takes more time.
If you don't get instant approval, we also recommend calling the bank's credit card reconsideration line which should help expedite the process. Here's the list of reconsideration numbers:
| Credit Card Issuer | Reconsideration Line Phone Number |
|---|---|
| American Express | 1-800-567-1083 |
| Bank of America | 1-866-422-8089 |
| Barclays | 1-866-408-4064 |
| Capital One | 1-800-625-7866 |
| Chase | 1-800-945-2006 |
| Citi | 1-800-695-5171 |
| Discover | 1-800-3472683 |
| U.S. Bank | 1-800-947-1444 |
| Wells Fargo | 1-800-869-3557 |
Can You Use a Business Credit Card for Personal Use?
On top of the ability to earn more points, one of the primary reasons small business owners opt to get a small business credit card is to separate their personal expenses from expenses they incur from their business.
That said, there is nothing preventing you from charging your personal expenses on a small business credit card. Obviously, you just wouldn't be able to report those expenses at tax time if they are not legitimate business expenses, and combining both types of transactions on the same credit card could make things a bit fuzzy and a challenge to untangle.
Most card issuers do state as part of the terms of business card agreements that putting personal spending on your business card is off-limits. For example, on an application for the *Ink Cash*, you'll find the following language in the terms and conditions: “This is a business account that shall be used only for business purposes and not personal, family, or household purposes.”
That said, it is always a good idea to keep personal expenses on personal cards, and business expenses on business cards.
The Best Business Credit Cards to Consider
If travel is your ultimate goal, you'll want to focus on cards that earn flexible credit card points like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Capital One Venture Miles.
All of these banks offer personal cards that earn extremely valuable points, and there are a handful of business cards that will allow you to keep earning those same points.
Otherwise, make sure to check out our Top Business Credit Card Offers.
Chase Ink Business Cash Cards
First, there is the suite of Chase Ink Business cards, and you'll have three options to choose from.
It starts with both the *Ink Cash* and the *Ink Unlimited*. With the current offers, you can earn up $750 cash back (or 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) with both cards. But exactly how the bonus works will depend on which version of the card you choose.
- With the *chase ink cash*, it's broken up into two tiers. You can earn $350 (or 35,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 (or 40,000 points) after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
- With the *chase ink unlimited* you can earn $750 (or 75,000 points) after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
So long as you can responsibly meet either card's $6,000 spending requirement, you won't find a better or cheaper way to earn a big bonus.
While these cards technically earn cash back, you can turn that cash back into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points as long as you hold a card that earns them. That includes the *chase sapphire preferred* and *chase sapphire reserve*, or even the *chase ink preferred*.
Best of all, neither the Chase Ink Cash or Ink Unlimited charge an annual fee, making them a great addition to your card portfolio if you are eligible for a Chase business card. Here's a rundown of all three cards.
The biggest difference is that the Chase Ink Unlimited will earn a straight 1.5x points (1.5% cash back) on all purchases made for your business, while the Chase Ink Business Cash will earn 5x points (5% cash back) on internet, cable, and phone service; office supply purchases on your first $25,000 of spending each year, 2x points (2% cash back) on restaurants and gas stations on your first $25,000 of spending each year, and 1x points (1% cash back) on all other eligible spending.
Learn more about the *chase ink cash*
Learn more about the *chase ink unlimited*
Next, there is the *chase ink preferred* which will earn you 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first three months of card membership. You'll also earn 3x points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each year.
With those points, you'll have the ability to send them to a valuable array of Chase transfer partners or redeem your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal for 25% more value.
Learn more about the *chase ink preferred*.
Business Cards and the Chase 5/24 Rule
The Chase 5/24 rule is a hard-and-fast restriction rolled out years ago in order to limit card applicants from opening credit cards for the sole purpose of earning bonus rewards. If you've heard of the phrase “churning,” that's exactly what this rule is designed to crack down on.
Here's what it boils down to:
- If you have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months from any bank credit card issuers (not just Chase cards), you will not be approved for Chase credit cards, regardless of your credit score or history with Chase bank.
- The rule does not count credit inquiries, but rather new cards you have applied for and been approved.
However, business credit cards work a bit differently with the Chase 5/24 rule. When it comes to Chase business credit cards specifically, you'll need to be underneath the 5/24 rule to get approved … but that approval will not add to your 5/24 count.
For example, let's say you want to apply for the Chase Ink Preferred® Business Card. If you've opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months, you'd almost certainly get denied. But let's say you've opened four credit cards over the last two years. You could get approved … and if you do, you'd remain at 4/24 under this rule.
In general, most business card approvals do not count toward your 5/24 total. That includes business cards from American Express, Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and more.
The reason? Business credit card accounts typically don't show on your personal credit report.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About The Chase 5/24 Rule
Capital One Business Cards
Looking to add to your stash of Capital One Venture Miles? Look no further than the new *venture x business*. Capital One has taken most of what has made the personal version of the Venture X and hit copy and paste on the business version. Not to mention, you can earn a welcome offer bonus of 150,000 Venture Miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months.
It also comes with incredible airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, and many other premium travel benefits all for an annual fee of $395.
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Business Card
Learn more about the *venture x business*.
Then there's the *CapOne Spark Miles*, which technically earns Capital One Spark Miles. But if you hold a Capital One Spark Miles for Business card a personal card like the *venture x*, you can easily combine Spark Miles and Venture Miles.
The Spark Miles for Business card offers 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months of card membership. You'll also earn 2x miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
The card also offers up to a $100 credit to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry once every four years.
The Spark Miles for Business card has a $0 introductory annual fee and then $95 each year after that.
Learn more about the *CapOne Spark Miles*
American Express Business Cards
American Express has a suite of business cards that earn the same American Express Membership Rewards points you'll earn from personal cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card.
First, there is the *biz gold* which offers 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first three months of card membership. But we've seen targeted offers much, much higher than that – and even bonuses as big as 110,000 points for the same spending requirement when opening an application page in an incognito window!
You'll also earn 4x points per dollar spent on two categories where your business spends the most each month (1x earned for other purchases) like advertising, gas stations, restaurants, and more on up to $150,000 spent each year.
The card has an $375 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Learn more about the *biz gold*.
Next, there's *biz platinum* – the top dog in the American Express business card portfolio.
It starts with a welcome offer of 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first three months of card membership – though, again, we've seen targeted offers much, much higher. You'll also earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com.
You'll also earn 1.5x points on all eligible purchases at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on any eligible purchase of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million spent in these categories each year.
The card comes with some of the best lounge access you'll find from any card – including complimentary access to the Amex Centurion Lounges, the Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), a Priority Pass Select membership, and more.
Finally, the card provides over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting, and wireless, an annual credit of up to $189 to cover the cost of a CLEAR® Plus membership, up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership and much more.
The card has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).
Read our full review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express
Learn more about *biz platinum*
Finally, there is a no-annual-fee business card (see rates and fees) in the American Express portfolio that we think is a really solid option. It's *blue biz plus*, and while not quite as lucrative as the welcome offers on the Business Platinum and Gold cards, you can still earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.
On top of that, it's easy to pile up points in a hurry, since you'll be earning 2x points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 spent each calendar year, then 1x thereafter.
Learn more about *blue biz plus*.
Bottom Line
To open a business credit card, you don’t need a full-time business with employees or six-figure revenues.
If you are selling any goods or services or contracting with a company to do so in an attempt to make a profit, you have a small business and thus are eligible to apply for a small business credit card. That makes it possible for many, many Americans to open a business credit card.