How To Get Business Credit Cards With An EIN Only

It’s possible to get a business credit card with only an EIN, but it’s not common. Most traditional business credit cards still require the owner’s Social Security number and a personal guarantee.

Here’s when EIN-only business credit cards may be available, what types of cards to look for, and what to know before you apply.

What Types Of Business Credit Cards Can You Get With An EIN Only?

EIN-only business credit cards are not usually traditional small business credit cards. Most are corporate cards, charge cards, secured cards, fleet cards, or vendor-specific cards.

These cards may let you apply without a personal guarantee or personal credit check, but they often have stricter business requirements. Issuers may review your business revenue, cash flow, bank balance, funding, time in business, or business credit history before approving you.

Corporate Business Credit Cards

Corporate cards are one of the most common EIN-only business card options. Unlike traditional small business credit cards, corporate cards usually place responsibility for charges on the business instead of the owner personally.

Corporate cards may also include employee cards, spend controls, expense management, accounting integrations, and rewards. However, they usually have stricter eligibility requirements than traditional business credit cards. You may need strong revenue, cash flow, investor funding, or a certain amount of money in the bank to qualify.

Secured Business Credit Cards

Secured business credit cards require a refundable security deposit, which usually helps determine your credit limit. These cards can be easier to qualify for than unsecured business credit cards, especially if your credit is limited or damaged.

However, many secured business credit cards still require the owner’s SSN, a personal credit check, or a personal guarantee.

Corporate Gas Cards

Corporate gas cards — also called fleet fuel cards — may be available with an EIN only, especially for businesses with vehicles or employees who drive for work. Some fleet cards do not require a personal guarantee, though approval requirements vary.

The downside is that these cards are usually limited to fuel, maintenance, or vehicle-related purchases, so they aren’t a full replacement for a general business credit card.

Corporate Store Credit Cards

Some store-specific business credit accounts may allow businesses to apply with an EIN and may not require a personal guarantee. These can be useful if your business regularly buys from the same retailer or supplier.

However, store cards are limited to specific merchants or purchasing categories, so they are best used as a supplement to your business credit strategy, not your only source of credit.

How To Build Business Credit With Your EIN

Using an EIN-only business credit card can help you build business credit, but only if the card issuer reports your account activity to the business credit bureaus.

Before applying, ask the issuer whether it reports to business credit bureaus such as Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax Business. You should also ask whether the card reports to consumer credit bureaus, especially if your goal is to keep business and personal credit activity separate.

Once you have a card or credit account that reports to the business credit bureaus, use it responsibly. Pay on time or early, keep balances manageable, and make sure your business information is consistent across applications and accounts.

Will Applying For A Business Credit Card With An EIN Only Separate My Business & Personal Credit?

Using an EIN can help separate your business and personal credit, but it doesn’t guarantee total separation.

Some business credit card issuers report activity only to business credit bureaus. Others may report to consumer credit bureaus, especially if the account becomes seriously delinquent. Some issuers may report both business and personal credit activity, depending on the card and account terms.

Before applying, ask the issuer whether the card requires a personal guarantee, whether it reports to business credit bureaus, and whether it reports to consumer credit bureaus. This is especially important if your goal is to avoid a personal credit check, protect your personal credit score, or build credit only in your business’s name.

Final Thoughts: Should You Apply For A Business Credit Card With An EIN Only?

An EIN-only business credit card can be worth considering if you want to build business credit, avoid a personal guarantee, or separate business and personal credit activity. However, these cards are not as common as traditional business credit cards, and they usually come with stricter eligibility requirements.

Most traditional business credit cards still require the owner’s SSN, a personal credit check, or a personal guarantee. If you have strong personal credit and don’t mind applying with your SSN, you may have more card options, better rewards, and easier approval requirements.

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