Best Credit Cards For New Small Business Owners In 2021
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If you’re a new business owner, getting a credit card sounds like an awesome idea. Credit cards help you build credit, save you money with rewards, and enable you to make large purchases without needing cash on hand.
But as a new business owner, you may be wary of applying for a credit card because your company has no credit history, and you’re worried you won’t have an easy approval process. The good news? Many card issuers will take your personal credit history into account. This means that if you’ve maintained a good personal credit score, you have an excellent chance of qualifying for a business credit card. The even better news? There are plenty of options, even for those with a limited credit history or poor credit scores.
We’ve researched some of the best credit card options for new business owners and listed them below. Read on through to determine which one is right for you!
Learn More About Our Top Picks
| Company | Key Takeaway | Next StepsKey Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
Chase Ink Business Preferred
 | With a travel-focused rewards scheme and a bonus rate when redeeming points for travel, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is great for businesses on the go. | With a travel-focused rewards scheme and a bonus rate when redeeming points for travel, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is great for businesses on the go.
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Chase Ink Business Cash
 | A lack of an annual fee means the Chase Ink Business Cash is great for businesses that don't spend much. | A lack of an annual fee means the Chase Ink Business Cash is great for businesses that don't spend much.
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Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
 | With a 0% introductory APR, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express suits businesses that need to make a large purchase upfront. | With a 0% introductory APR, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express suits businesses that need to make a large purchase upfront.
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Brex Card
 | With a unique rewards scheme and snazzy benefits, the Brex Card is built with fast-growing companies in mind. | With a unique rewards scheme and snazzy benefits, the Brex Card is built with fast-growing companies in mind.
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Spark Classic from Capital One
 | Businesses with a lackluster or limited credit history will need to look no further than the Spark Classic from Capital One. | Businesses with a lackluster or limited credit history will need to look no further than the Spark Classic from Capital One.
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Other Featured Options:
- Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: Businesses with bad credit can turn to the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card to help improve their credit score.
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents
Best Business Credit Cards For New Businesses
There are tons of business credit cards out there. Here are a few of our favorite new business credit cards, including Chase Ink Business Preferred, Chase Ink Business Cash, Brex, and more:
Chase Ink Business Preferred: Best For Travel Rewards
Chase Ink Business Preferred
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Chase Ink Business Preferred |
Annual Fee: $95
Purchase APR: 17.49% – 22.49% (variable) |
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While this card from Chase is simply a rewards card, it packs in a lot of bonuses for those who travel frequently.
To start, Ink Business Preferred users get 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable, and phone services, and on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year (up to $150,000 spent). All other purchases get 1 point per dollar spent. You’ll then be able to redeem your points for 25% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Beyond those basic rewards, Chase also lets you transfer your points on a 1:1 basis to a plethora of airline and hotel loyalty programs. If you need something other than travel rewards, you’ll also be able to redeem points for Amazon.com purchases, gift cards, and cash back, making this an extremely versatile card.
Pros
- High-earning travel rewards
- Bonus rate when redeeming points for travel
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Spending cap on the 3x rewards rate categories
Chase Ink Business Cash: Best For No Annual Fee
Chase Ink Business Cash
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Chase Ink Business Cash |
Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: 14.74% - 20.74% (variable) |
|---|---|
This card from Chase lets you earn up to 5% cash back when you make purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (up to the first $25,000 spent). You can also earn 2% back when spending at gas stations and restaurants (up to the first $25,000 spent). Everything else earns you 1% back.
The cherry on top of all those rewards is that you won’t have to worry about paying an annual fee — meaning you’ll end up with savings no matter how much you spend yearly.
The Ink Business Cash also features a 0% intro APR rate for the first 12 months, a very generous offer.
Pros
- One of the highest-earning cash back rates
- No annual fee
Cons
- Spending cap on the 5% cash back categories
- Foreign transaction fee
Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best For A 0% Introductory Rate
Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
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Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express |
Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: 14.74% - 20.74% (variable) |
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If you need to make a big purchase but can’t pay it all upfront, having a card with 0% APR is very helpful because you won’t accrue interest. With a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express has one of the longest 0% intro rates on the market today.
On top of that generous intro APR period, the Blue Business Plus also packs in some solid rewards. As a base, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent up to $50,000 yearly and then 1 point per dollar thereafter.
Amex also grants you expanded buying power, which enables you to spend above your credit limit. Additionally, this card does not carry an annual fee.
Pros
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months
- No annual fee
Cons
- Spending cap on the 2x rewards rate
- Foreign transaction fee
Brex Card: Best For Startups
Brex Card
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Brex Card |
Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: N/A (this is a charge card) |
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The Brex Card isn’t a normal business credit card. Those who use the Brex Card as their exclusive corporate card will get 8x points per dollar spent on rideshares and taxis, 5x points on travel, 4x points at restaurants, and 3x points per $1 spent on recurring software purchases. Everything else nets the standard 1 point per dollar spent. With such a unique rewards scheme, the Brex Card is well suited for fast-growing, tech-oriented startups.
Beyond rewards, the Brex Card lacks annual and foreign transaction fees. The company also offers a robust cash management account that is baked right into the Brex ecosystem.
Plus, you can get a Brex Card without signing a personal guarantee, and it won’t even pull a credit score. These perks do come at a slight cost — the card is technically a charge card, so your entire balance is due on your statement date. Besides that, only C-corp, S-corp, LLC, and LLP corporations are eligible for the Brex Card.
Pros
- Startup-focused rewards
- No personal guarantee required
Cons
- Is a charge card
- Available only to C-corp, S-corp, LLC, and LLP corporations
Spark Classic From Capital One: Best For Fair Credit
Spark Classic from Capital One
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Spark Classic from Capital One |
Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: 24.49% (variable) |
|---|---|
One of the easiest small business credit cards to get, the Spark Classic from Capital One was made for those who want to build their credit. Despite being aimed at those with lower credit, this card still offers some decent perks.
To start, its base rewards dole out an unlimited 1% cash back without any sort of annual fee. That means you’ll be saving money no matter what your yearly spending rate is. Additionally, you’ll be able to add employee credit cards at no additional cost. Capital One requires no foreign transaction fees — great if your business needs overseas travel.
Pros
- Targeted at fair credit applicants
- No annual fee
Cons
- Low cash back rate
- Minimal benefits
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: Best For Bad Credit
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
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Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card |
Annual Fee: $25 per card
Purchase APR: Prime + 11.90% |
|---|---|
One of the lone secured cards for business, the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card is an appealing option for those looking to boost a low credit score. Wells Fargo targets this card for those just starting a business, businesses with little or no credit, and those with past credit problems.
You also have a couple of reward options: get 1.5% cash back or 1 point per dollar spent, which can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, airline tickets, and more. Besides the base bonuses, you won’t need to worry about paying annual or foreign fees.
Pros
- Targeted at applicants with bad credit
- Flexible rewards options
Cons
- Security deposit required
- Minimal benefits
New Business Credit Cards: FAQs
In Summary: Best Business Credit Cards For New Businesses
- Chase Ink Business Preferred: With a travel-focused rewards scheme and a bonus rate when redeeming points for travel, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is great for businesses on the go.
- Chase Ink Business Cash: A lack of an annual fee means the Chase Ink Business Cash is great for businesses that don't spend much.
- Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: With a 0% introductory APR, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express suits businesses that need to make a large purchase upfront.
- Brex Card: With a unique rewards scheme and snazzy benefits, the Brex Card is built with fast-growing companies in mind.
- Spark Classic from Capital One: Businesses with a lackluster or limited credit history will need to look no further than the Spark Classic from Capital One.
- Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: Businesses with bad credit can turn to the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card to help improve their credit score.
Jared Beilby
Expert Analyst & Reviewer at Merchant Maverick
A credit card analyst and expert in neobanking, Jared has been researching and writing about small business finance since 2018. His data studies have been cited in a number of media outlets, including Forbes, MSN, and NBC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from George Fox University.
View Jared Beilby's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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