
Tiffany Verbeck
Content Manager

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The business credit cards that you can qualify for depends on your specific details, but there are some that are generally easier to qualify for. These include:
Remember that the approval criteria can vary widely based on individual circumstances.
It’s important to know how to establish business credit, but it does take time. You’ll need to take a combination of strategic steps and manage your finances responsibly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Remember, building good credit is a gradual process that requires responsible financial management. It’s essential to pay bills on time, manage your finances wisely, and nurture positive relationships with creditors and suppliers.
You may be able to get a business credit card for your LLC, even if you have bad credit or are new to credit.
Your business credit score may not impact your eligibility since personal credit is one of the biggest considerations on a business credit card application. So you may want to consider a personal credit card until you build up your personal credit score, but there may be business credit card options that would work.
Here are some personal and business card options that might work for businesses with bad credit.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card
Eligibility based more on revenue, requires full repayments monthly.
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Yes, you can get a credit card with an EIN. An EIN is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify your business for tax purposes. It’s essentially a business’s equivalent to a Social Security Number for individuals.
Many financial institutions offer business credit cards that can be obtained using an EIN. These cards are designed to help businesses manage their expenses, build credit, and access various rewards and benefits. Here’s how you can go about getting a credit card with an EIN:
It’s important to note that while an EIN is typically required for business credit card applications, your personal credit history might still play a role in the approval process, especially for small businesses without an extensive credit history.
Note: Most issuers require a personal guarantee, where you as the business owner are personally liable for any outstanding debts on the card.
Your approval for any small business credit card may depend largely on your personal credit score, and all Chase business cards typically require a good to excellent credit score. According to FICO, this is a score of 670 or higher.
That said, Chase business credit cards offer excellent benefits for cardholders, like:
Having a Chase business credit card in your wallet can be helpful for running your business.
The American Express business credit cards are also highly sought after, but Amex also requires good to excellent scores from your personal credit report. Amex is known for its robust rewards programs; although, you may end up paying a higher annual fee than with other card options. The cash back rewards or other rewards programs you would get in return may make Amex cards worth it, however.
Your eligibility for an American Express business card depends on a variety of factors, so it’s easiest to enter your business details into your Nav profile to see what you’re most likely to qualify for before you apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
For business owners who fly Delta enough to want the rewards and benefits without the high annual fee.
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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
A great business card for flexible spending and travel rewards points.
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Approval for a business credit card depends completely on your personal and business circumstances. If you only have fair credit but high annual revenue, for example, a corporate card or secured card may be the fastest since it may not perform a credit check.
On the other hand, if your credit is really good but your revenue is low or you’re still in the startup stage, you may have better luck applying for a more traditional business credit card. Often, this type of credit card offers good rewards, sign-up bonuses, and low introductory APRs.
Getting a business credit card immediately may be possible, but the application and approval process usually takes some time. While some credit card issuers may offer instant approval decisions, you typically need to go through certain steps before being able to use the card. Here’s what you can expect:
While some issuers offer faster approval processes and even instant decisions, there may still be steps you need to follow before you can actually use the card for transactions. Also, the speed of the process can vary based on factors such as the issuer’s policies, how complete your application is, and the complexity of your business’s financial situation.
If you need access to credit immediately, you might consider alternatives like a personal credit card (if you’re eligible), a line of credit, or a short-term loan.
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Content Manager
Tiffany Verbeck is a Content Manager for Nav. She uses her 8 years of experience writing about business and financial topics to oversee the production of Nav’s longform content. She also co-hosts and manages Nav’s podcast, Main Street Makers, to bring small business owners together to share tips and tricks with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Previously, she ran a freelance business for three years, so she understands the challenges of running a small business. Also, she worked in marketing for six years in a think tank in Washington, DC. Her work has appeared on sites like Business Insider, Bankrate, and Mission Lane.