Brex Business Credit Card review: Credit limits that match your business, not your personal score

Brex corporate card overview

Brex is a fintech company that provides corporate cards and spend management software for startups and growing businesses. Its flagship product, the Brex corporate card, is a charge card designed for startups and companies that want to manage their expenses without relying on the owner’s personal credit. 

Unlike traditional business credit cards, Brex states that it does not perform a personal credit check for underwriting and does not require a personal guarantee. An SSN may be requested for identity verification.

Instead, approval is based on your company's financial health. This structure makes it a popular option for venture-backed startups and high-growth companies that want better control over their spending.

To apply, you will need an employer identification number (EIN). Credit limits are determined by your company's cash balance, revenue, and funding, typically far higher than traditional business cards. There's no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and Brex issues local currency cards in over 50 countries, which can help businesses avoid unnecessary currency conversion costs. This makes Brex a suitable option for businesses with distributed teams or international operations.

How does the Brex card actually work?

The Brex corporate credit card technically functions as a charge card. This means your balance must be paid in full each billing cycle, and there's no option to carry a balance. Payments are collected automatically from your connected account. The card operates on the Mastercard network.

The card has two repayment structures: daily payments and monthly payments. Your business's financials determine which options you qualify for, and some accounts can switch between the two.

Daily payments

With daily payments, your balance is automatically debited from your Brex business account every evening. Your credit limit is based on the aggregate balance of your Brex business account, so you can only spend what you have — similar to a debit card.

Monthly payments

Monthly payments work more like a traditional corporate card. Your balance is automatically collected on the last business day of your statement period. Your credit limit is based on your cash balance, cash flow, and overall financial performance.

Note: Brex also previously offered a net 60-day payment option, but this is no longer available to new accounts.

Regardless of which option you have, payments are automatic. If you pay from a Brex business account, payments clear instantly. External bank accounts take approximately 3-5 business days via ACH.

These payment structures affect cash flow in different ways. Monthly payments give you until the end of the billing cycle to cover expenses, while daily payments pull funds the same night you spend them. Either way, failed payments can trigger immediate credit limit reductions, which may disrupt operations.

Brex card pros and cons

Brex welcome offer

New Brex customers may earn 10,000 points after spending $3,000 on their Brex card within the first three months of opening a Brex business account. Welcome offer details may vary, so check Brex's current terms when applying.

At standard redemption rates, the 10,000-point bonus is worth up to $100 in travel (10,000 × $0.01 per point) or about $60 in cash back (10,000 × $0.006 per point). Compared with other business credit cards that offer larger introductory bonuses, this welcome offer is modest. The Brex card’s value instead comes from its ongoing rewards structure and built-in spend management tools.

Brex rewards and earning structure

Brex structures its rewards around common startup expenses, offering higher earning rates in categories like rideshare, travel, dining, and software.  For those who are Brex-exclusive, the card can earn up to:

• 7x points on rideshare
• 4x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Brex travel
• 3x points at restaurants
• 2x points on software subscriptions
• 1x point on all other purchases

To illustrate how these rewards can play out in practice, Brex provides an example of how rewards can add up: a company spending $100,000 per month across eligible categories could earn about 2.82 million points per year. Redeemed through Brex travel at 1 cent per point, that equals roughly $28,200 in travel value, or about a 2.35% return on total spend. Actual earnings depend on spending patterns and redemption choices.

It’s important to note that Brex offers various iterations of its core card product tailored to specific industries including advertising, life sciences and software. In addition, earning the maximum rewards on specific purchase types will also depend on whether you pay daily or monthly. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.

Point valuation

Brex points vary in value depending on how they’re redeemed:

• Brex travel bookings: 1 cent per point
• Cash back or statement credit: 0.6 cent per point
• Billboards and offsites: redemption value varies by offering
• Airline transfers: transfer ratios vary by partner

For many cardholders, redeeming through Brex travel offers the highest redemption value, while cash back is a lower rate.

Redeeming Brex rewards

Brex points can be redeemed through the Rewards dashboard for a variety of business and travel expenses, including:

• Travel bookings through Brex travel
• Statement credits or cash back
• Airline mileage transfers
• Gift cards
• Charitable donations

Additional redemption options include business services such as advertising, company swag, and event planning.

Brex partners with several airline loyalty programs, including Aeromexico, Air France/KLM, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines.

Brex Card benefits and perks

The Brex corporate card goes well beyond rewards. Brex cardholders have access to built-in expense management tools through the Brex platform, including automated receipt capture, categorization, and spend controls.

Expense management and integrations

Every Brex card comes with built-in expense management. Receipts are automatically captured, memos are auto-generated, and expenses are categorized in real time. Cardholders can set spend limits for employees, teams, and vendors with auto-enforced rules and no manual oversight required.

Brex integrates natively with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite and Sage Intacct, so your accounting team isn't manually reconciling transactions at month-end.

Mobile app

The Brex mobile app allows cardholders to manage spending on the go. Users can submit receipts, review transactions, approve expenses, book travel through Brex travel, and access 24/7 customer support via chat.

Global cards

Brex issues physical and virtual cards in over 50 countries with no foreign transaction fees. Cards can be issued in local currencies, making it practical for startups with international teams or operations.

Partner discounts

Cardholders have access to over $350,000 in potential discounts from partners, including AWS, Slack, OpenAI, and QuickBooks — plus a free DashPass account.

World Elite Mastercard benefits

Because the Brex card is issued on the World Elite Mastercard network, cardholders may receive additional Mastercard-provided benefits such as travel assistance, rental car coverage, purchase protection, and global lost card support. Benefits are administered by Mastercard and may vary by program and region.

Eligibility requirements

Not every business qualifies for the Brex corporate card. Brex is designed for incorporated companies with established financial footing, and its approval process focuses on business performance rather than the owner’s personal credit by evaluating company financial metrics instead.

Business structure

Brex accepts applications from U.S.-registered companies such as C corporations, S corporations, LLCs, and LLPs. Sole proprietors, individual consumers, and unincorporated partnerships aren’t eligible.

Applicants must have a U.S.-registered business entity and provide a physical U.S. business address during the application process.

EIN requirement

A valid employer identification number (EIN) is required to apply. Brex evaluates the business as a separate legal entity rather than relying on the owner’s personal financial profile.

Brex may request a Social Security number during onboarding to satisfy identity verification requirements, but it states that this information isn’t used to underwrite the account or perform a personal credit check.

Credit requirements

As mentioned previously, Brex does not perform a personal credit check or require a personal guarantee. Instead, it evaluates eligibility based on a company’s financial profile.

Minimum cash balance and financial criteria

Brex looks at company’s financial position, including cash balance, revenue, and funding status. According to Brex, typical thresholds include:

• Funded startups: typically a $50,000 minimum cash balance
• Mid-market companies: more than $400,000 in monthly revenue
• Commercial businesses: more than $1 million in annual revenue
• Nonprofits: reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Actual approval depends on factors such as business model, source of funds and spending patterns.

How to apply for the Brex card

Applying for the Brex corporate card is straightforward and fully online.

What you'll need

Before applying, gather the following:

• Employer identification number (EIN).
• Business formation details (such as LLC, C-corp, S-corp or LLP).
• A verifiable U.S. physical address.
• Ownership information for beneficial owners and controlling officers.
• Government-issued photo ID for identity verification.
• Financial information, which may include connecting a business bank account or providing bank statements.

Brex may request additional documentation or information such as your Social Security number for identity verification or company website to meet regulatory requirements.

Step-by-step process

1. Create a Brex account: Enter basic details such as your name, company name, work email, employee count and mobile number.
2. Select your Brex products: Choose the products that fit your business needs.
3. Enter business information: Provide your business address, incorporation details, EIN confirmation and ownership information.
4. Provide owner verification details: Brex collects information for beneficial owners and controlling officers to meet regulatory requirements.
5. Provide financial information: You may connect bank accounts or upload financial documents so Brex can determine your company’s credit limit.
6. Review and submit your application.

Approval timeline

Brex states that applications are typically reviewed within one to three business days of submission, though timing may vary depending on verification requirements.

Application tips

While approval depends on your company’s financial profile, these steps can help streamline the process and improve your chances:

• Use a verifiable U.S. address. Brex requires a physical address and may request additional documentation if it cannot verify the address provided.
• Be ready with owner details. Brex may ask for personal information from anyone who owns part of the company or holds a senior management role.
• Have EIN documentation on hand Brex may request an IRS EIN confirmation letter to verify your business.
• Be ready to share financial information. Connecting accounts or providing financial statements helps Brex determine your credit limit.
• Don’t worry about personal credit checks. Brex may request an SSN for identity verification, but states it does not use it to underwrite the account or conduct a personal credit check.

Brex vs. competitor business cards

Brex Card vs. American Express® Business Gold Card

The American Express® Business Gold Card carries a $375annual fee and comes with a Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*

With this card you'll Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
The eligible categories include advertising, software, restaurants, gas, transit, and wireless, up to $150,000 per year.

Amex lets you check approval without impacting your personal credit score, and the card has no preset spending limit. The cost difference adds up for growing teams though. Employee cards are $95 each, while Brex doesn't charge for employee cards or an annual fee. And while Amex offers QuickBooks integration and a year-end spending summary, Brex goes deeper on expense management with automated receipts, real-time spend controls, and multi-currency cards in over 50 countries.

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American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express is a Nav Partner | Terms, Rates & Fees | Terms apply

High annual fee, best for large purchases in consistent categories.

Pros

• This card has a great rewards program and offers flexibility compared to true charge cards.

Cons

• High annual fee
• Only 1x rewards outside of your top categories.

Intro APR

N/A

Purchase APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Annual Fee

$375

Welcome Offer

Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*

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Brex Card vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred Card

The Ink Business Preferred has a $95 annual fee but a larger welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first three months. You earn 3x on travel, shipping, internet, phone, and advertising on up to $150,000 per year, and points transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like Hyatt and United. It's also open to sole proprietors, making it more accessible than Brex, which requires minimum cash balances or revenue thresholds. Chase requires an SSN to apply and does not offer EIN-only business credit cards.

Brex Card vs. Ramp Card

​​Ramp is the closest direct competitor to Brex. Both are charge cards with no annual fee, no personal guarantee, and no personal credit check, and both set credit limits based on business financials rather than personal credit. Ramp offers flat cash back on all purchases, unlimited employee cards, and a full spend management platform with automated receipt matching, real-time controls, and accounting integrations. Ramp requires $25,000 in linked bank accounts to qualify, compared to Brex's $50,000 minimum for venture-backed startups. Neither card is available to sole proprietors. The biggest difference is in reward structure. Brex offers category-based points up to 7x on rideshare and 4x on travel, while Ramp offers a simpler cash back and rewards approach. 

Is the Brex card worth it?

Brex requires full payment each billing cycle, so it works best for growing companies with steady cash flow that can meet its eligibility requirements.

Best for

• Venture-backed startups with $50,000+ in cash.
• Founders who want to keep personal credit separate from the business.
• Companies with high spend in rideshare, travel, and software.
• Businesses with international teams or operations.
• Finance teams that want built-in expense automation.

Not ideal for

• Businesses that need to carry a balance month-to-month.
• Self-funded companies without $50,000+ in cash reserves.
• Sole proprietors or general partnerships.
• Companies with inconsistent cash flow.

If any of these apply to you, consider the Chase Ink Business Preferred for more flexible repayment terms, Ramp if you want a similar no-guarantee model with a lower $25,000 cash threshold, or another business credit card altogether.

The bottom line

The Brex corporate card is a strong option for funded startups and companies. The card’s no personal guarantee requirement, no annual fee, high category rewards, and a full expense management platform make it a competitive option if you qualify.

But as a charge card with specific eligibility requirements, it means it’s not accessible to smaller businesses.

Frequently asked questions