Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards earn flexible points that can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel transfer partners, as well as airline miles and hotel points depending on the type of card. Credit cards for small businesses can help target different bonus categories and earn points and miles for your business purchases.

So, whether you’re a sole proprietor with a side hustle or you’re running a business with numerous employees, consider a business credit card to build your business credit and take advantage of the perks these cards offer. 

Best Business Credit Cards

Business Meeting Stock

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months as a cardholder. That's worth $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel(SM)

Favorite Card Features:

  • 3x on travel, shipping costs, internet, phone & cable services, and advertising with social media sites and search engines on the first $150k in combined category spending
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
    1.25 cents per point value (or 25% more value) if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Travel(SM)
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $95

I love earning Ultimate Rewards points with my Ink Preferred and Sapphire Reserve. These flexible points can be combined into 1 Ultimate Rewards account making it easy to book travel when the time comes. 

By targeting expenses like internet, cable, and phone with the Ink Preferred, you can earn more for these expenses and get a return on spending you’d be doing anyway.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from opening your account.

Favorite Card Features:

  • Earn 1.5% on all purchases with no spending cap made for your business
  • Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $750 welcome bonus becomes 75k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $0

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from opening your account.

Favorite Card Features:

  • 5% on office supply stores and internet, phone & cable services on the first $25k in combined category spending
  • 2% on gas stations and dining on up to a combined $25k in spending
  • Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $750 welcome bonus becomes 75k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $0

Technically, the Ink Unlimited and Ink Cash cards earn cashback rewards. These Ultimate Rewards can also be redeemed for a fixed 1 cent per point in the Chase Travel Portal.

But, when 1 or both of these cards are paired with the Ink Preferred or a personal Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, the Ultimate Rewards points earned can be combined with points from these other cards. Not only does this improve the redemption value of the points to 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point, but it also gives you access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

I’ve transferred my Ultimate Rewards points to travel around the world to places like southern Africa, multiple European countries, and Southeast Asia, to name a few!

Botswana Khama Rhino Santuary Giraffe
Botswana

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards(R) points after spending $3,000 in eligibile purchases using the card in the first 3 months as a cardholder.

Favorite Card Features:

  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards(R) points after spending $3,000 in eligibile purchases using the card in the first 3 months as a cardholder.
  • 2x American Express Membership Rewards points for up to $50k a year
  • Add Amex Offers to the card to earn bonus points and statement credits for qualifying purchases
  • Transfer Membership Rewards points to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners including Delta, Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic, and ANA
  • Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $0

With every dollar spent (up to $50k), I earn 2x the points and get closer to booking award flights with one of American Express’ many airline transfer partners.  American Express even offers periodic bonus transfers which give even more miles for your points.

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Current Welcome Bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.*

Favorite Card Features:

  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards(R) points on the 2 categories your business spends the most on in each billing cycle out of 6 eligible categories. Even if your 2 highest spending categories change, you'll earn 4X points on the first $150k in total purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X after that). Only your top 2 categories each billing cycle counts toward the $150k limit.
  • Earn up to $20 in statement credits every month when you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. Annual savings can be up to $240. Enrollment required.
  • Get $12.95 back in statement credits every month by paying for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
  • Choose from a Gold or Rose Gold card.
  • No foreign exchange fees (See rates & fees details)
  • Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan, Delta, ANA, and Etihad. 
  • Choose a Gold or Rose Gold card finish.
  • *Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $375

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months of opening your account

Favorite Card Features:

  • 5x the Membership Rewards(R) points on airfare and hotels booked & paid for in advance through AmexTravel.com
  • 1.5x on each eligible purchase at U.S. construction materials, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, shipping, software & cloud services, as well as on purchases of $5k or more
  • $189 CLEAR(R) Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR(R) Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card(R).
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Transfer Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners like Aeroplan, Avianca, Delta, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic.
  • With the American Express Global Lounge Collection(R), get complimentary access to 1,400+ airport lounges across 140 countries and counting. You'll have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • Get 35% of your points back when booking economy flights with your selected airline or on premium class flight bookings with any airline when you book through American Express Travel.
  • Unlock more than $1,000 per year in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting, and wireless services.
  • $200 Airline credit with your one selected, qualifying airline for incidental fees
  • Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $695 

Lecce Italy Santa Croce
Lecce, Italy

Among many other trips, my hubby and I used Membership Rewards points to book our dream honeymoon to Italy! 

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 50,000 Capital One Miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

  • Earn 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases with no spending caps or restrictions. Miles don't expire as long as the account is open.
  • Earn 5x the miles for rental cars and hotels booked using Capital One Travel
  • Skip the lines with up to $100 in a statement credit for TSA PreCheck(R) or Global Entry
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Transfer miles to Capital One's 15+ airline transfer partners like Aeroplan, Avianca, and Flying Blue or redeem your miles instantly for travel purchases 

Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 starting the 2nd year

Capital One miles used to be limited to offsetting travel expenses from your statements. But, Capital One added airline and hotel transfer partners, which brought a ton of value to their travel rewards program.

To get the best return value on this card, use the airline transfer partners to book partner awards. For example, Avianca is in the Star Alliance and gives you access to premium class seats for less than its partner United would charge.

You can still use your Capital One miles to cover travel expenses that can’t be booked with points and miles directly, but you’ll get just a 1 cent per point fixed value. Transfer partners deliver a higher per-point value.

Airline Business Credit Cards

Co-branded airline credit cards are great for frequent flyers because they include benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. It’s important to remember, though, the miles they earn can’t be transferred like flexible points. 

Still, if you fly with a particular airline regularly or you want to add to your airline loyalty account balance for a particular redemption, an airline-specific credit card could be the right choice for you.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from opening your account.

Favorite Card Features:

  • 4x pts on Southwest purchases
  • 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner bookings
  • 2x points on Rideshares
  • 2x points on internet, cable, and cell phone costs, as well as advertising purchases for social media and search engines
  • Card perks include 4 upgraded boarding positions every year, when available for your travel dates
  • Get 9k Rapid Rewards points each year you renew your card
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $199

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in your first 3 months as a cardholder.

Favorite Card Features:

  • 3x on Southwest purchases,
  • 2x on rental cars and hotels booked through Southwest's partners
  • 2x on rideshares
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-ins per year
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Each year on your card anniversary, earn 6,000 Rapid Rewards points.
  • Use Rapid Rewards points to fly anywhere Southwest flys including Hawaii, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $99

I love having Southwest points in my loyalty account! They’re easy to redeem domestically and for Southwest’s international destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Their Wanna Get Away fares can be as little as a few thousand points!

Playa del Carmen Mexico

Southwest is such a user-friendly loyalty program, too. Award flights are easily canceled with no penalty should your plans change. And, by earning 135k Southwest Rapid Rewards Points in a calendar year, you’ll earn the companion pass that allows you to bring a guest on your adventures for free for up to 2 years! That’s how I “treated” my sister to 2 all-girls trips to Mexico and Costa Rica! 

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Favorite Card Features:

  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United(R) purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, as well as on local transit and commuting.
  • Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United(SM) Business Card and a personal Chase United(R) credit card
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, get employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards quicker
  • $100 United travel credit each anniversary year after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Enjoy a free 1st checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club(SM) one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
  • $100 United(R) travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $99 

United miles are easy to earn with credit cards like this, as well as by transferring Ultimate Rewards points from an Ink Preferred or Sapphire to United.

One of my favorite ways to use United miles is to take advantage of the Excursionist Perk! United allows you to add a free segment to round-trip award flights so you can see another city or country for no extra miles before moving on to your destination. Yes, you can fly from the U.S. to Paris and then to Rome for the same number of miles had you just flown directly to Rome!

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Current Welcome Bonus: Limited Time Offer! Earn 80,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening. Offer expires 3/27/24

Favorite Card Features:

  • Card Members save 15% on award travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit for future travel after spending $10k in purchases in a year.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on directly-made Delta purchases and at restaurants.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at U.S. shipping purchases and U.S. Advertising buys in eligible media on up to $50k spent in each category, each year
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • A free checked bag and priority boarding when you fly with Delta + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
  • Receive an annual statement credit of up to $150 when you use your Delta Gold Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • 20% statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Terms and limitations apply

Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year as a cardholder, then $150 thereafter

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Current Welcome Bonus: Limited Time Offer! Earn 100,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening. Offer ends 3/27/24.

Favorite Card Features:

  • Get a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+(R), or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights when you renew your Card each year. With the Companion Ticket, you still must pay government-imposed taxes and fees up to $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and up to $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Earn 1.5X miles on transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases and single purchases of $5k or more. Purchases that qualify for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, just the higher accelerator will apply.
  • Get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for every $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum Business American Express Card.
  • Save 15% On Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Receive up to $10 each month in statement credits with the $120 Resy Credit, on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
  • Get up to $10 back every month for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers when you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum Business American Express Card.
  • Non-Medallion Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card members. Applies to tickets bought after 2/1/24.
  • Receive your first checked bag free plus Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding for you and up to 8 traveling companions booked with the same reservation on your next Delta flight. The reservation must have your SkyMiles number. Limitations apply. For example, oversized and overweight bags are not eligible. Benefits only apply to Delta-perated flights.
  • Get a fee credit for TSA PreCheck(R) or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) by using your Card. If approved for Global Entry, you'll also receive access to TSA PreCheck for no extra charge.
  • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Terms and limitations apply

Annual Fee: $350

If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, it makes sense to carry a Delta credit card in your wallet. Delta business cards come with varying levels of perks to help you get the most value and enjoyment when you fly with Delta.

I love using Delta SkyMiles for their flash sales! These can be such an incredible value to destinations within the U.S, as well as to bucket list trips to Europe and Asia.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Limited Time Offer! Earn 110,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening. Offer end 3/27/24.

Favorite Card Features:

  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club(R) entry plus bring up to 2 guests or immediate family for $50 per person per visit. As of 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will get 15 Visits each year to the Delta Sky Club; for an unlimited number of Visits each year as of 2/1/25, spend $75k or more in eligible purchases on the Card from 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year
    thereafter.

  • Earn 1.5X miles on transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases and on all eligible purchases once you spend $150k on your Card in a year. Purchases that qualify for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, just the higher accelerator will apply.

  • Earn 3x miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases.

  • Get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for every $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve Business American Express Card.

  • Get a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+(R), or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtripflights when you renew your Card each year. With the Companion Ticket, you still must pay government-imposed taxes and fees up to $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and up to $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

  • Receive up to $20 each month in statement credits with the $240 Resy Credit, on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.

  • Get up to $10 back every month for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers when you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve Business American Express Card.

  • Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15 on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated
    flights or to taxes and fees.

  • Non-Medallion Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.

  • Check your first bag free on Delta flights for savings worth up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per
    person or up to $240 for a family of 4.

  • Get complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge or Escape Lounge - The Centurion(R) Studio Partner when you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card.

  • Get Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.

  • Receive an annual statement credit of up to $250 when you use your Delta Reserve Business American Express
    Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.

  • No foreign exchange fees.

  • Terms and limitations apply.

Annual Fee: $650

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

Current Welcome Bonus: 65,000 American Airlines miles after spending $4,000 in the first 4 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

  • 2x on American Airlines purchases, cell phone, internet, cable, and satellite services, as well as on gas and rental car costs.
  • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • 1 free checked bag on all domestic flights

Annual Fee: $0 in the first year, $99 in the second year

American Airlines miles can be used to book award flights on American Airlines and their Oneworld Alliance partners. These miles are particularly valuable because American Airlines is only a transfer partner of Marriott Bonvoy, making them harder to earn than United or Delta miles.

I’ve booked American Airlines web specials for as little as 5k miles and taken advantage of premium class seats on flights operated by partners like Qatar and Cathay Pacific.

Hotel Business Credit Cards

Similar to co-branded airline cards, hotel credit cards come with perks like elevated status, early check-in, upgrades, and free breakfast. Some of these cards even include a free night after hitting a spending tier or renewing your card each year.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening. Offer ends 7/19/23

Favorite Card Features:

  • 12x on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio
  • 6x on U.S. gas stations, restaurants, cell phone service, shipping costs, flights booked with the airline directly, and rental cars booked with the car rental company directly.
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Hilton Honors Gold Status
  • Earn 1 free weekend night after spending $15k in a calendar year. Earn an additional free weekend night by spending an additional $45k in the same calendar year
  • Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $95

I’ve enjoyed so many stays at Hilton properties around the world and they’ve been made even better with the Hilton status that comes with my co-branded credit card!

Hilton Costa Rica

The highest-tier Hilton properties cost a lot of points per night, but Hilton’s low to mid-level hotels can cost just 10k-30k points per night. Combine this with a co-branded credit card and you’ll get things like free breakfast and preferred rooms, too. 

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Welcome Bonus: Earn 3 Free Night Awards worth up to 50k Marriott Bonvoy(R) points for each bonus night at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy(R) program after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases with your new card in the first 6 months as a cardholder. (Certain hotels have resort fees.)

Favorite Card Features:

  • 6x the Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 you spend spend on eligible purchases at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy(R) program
  • 4x on dining worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, cell phone service from a U.S. provider, and U.S. purchases on shipping.
  • Earn 2x on all other purchases.
  • Get a 7% discount off standard rate reservations for standard guest rooms at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program by booking directly through Marriott. Terms and conditions apply.
  • Get a Free Night Award after your annual renewal month at hotels participating in the Bonvoy program priced at 35k points a night and under. Plus, earn another Free Night Award after spending $60k on your card in a calendar year.
  • Marriott Bonvoy points can also be transferred to 40+ airline partners and redeemed for award flights.
  • Receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status as a Marriott Bonvoy Business(R) American Express(R) cardholder.
  • Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $125

I love that Marriott Bonvoy points can be used to redeem for hotel nights, but can also be transferred to 40+ airline transfer partners. Among these partners are Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, both of which aren’t accessible through any other flexible points program.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Hyatt points after spending $5,000 on your card within the first 3 months of opening your card. Plus, earn 15k additional Hyatt points after spending $12k within the first 6 months as a cardholder.

Favorite Card Features: 

  • $100 in Hyatt credits on Hyatt purchases each year you renew your card ($50 2x a year)
  • 9x on Hyatt purchases
  • 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on purchases in your top 3 spending categories each quarter through 12/31/24. Then, 2x on your top 2 spending categories thereafter.
  • 2 Bonus Points on gym memberships
  • 1 Bonus Point on all other purchases
  • Hyatt Discoverist status + 5 qualifying night credits every year
  • Earn up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits. When you spend $50+ at any Hyatt property, you'll earn a $50 statement credit, up to 2x each anniversary year.
  • No foreign Exchange Fees
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $199

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 140,000 IHG points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 

Favorite Card Features: 

  • Earn a Reward Night each card anniversary at eligible hotels around the globe + earn a Reward Night when you redeem IHG points for a 4-night consecutive stay at an IHG hotel.
  • Earn up to 26x per $1 on IHG purchases when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts
  • 5x on restaurants, at gas stations, travel, and select advertising purchases
  • 3x on all other purchases
  • 4th night free on award stays
  • Up to $100 Credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status for as long as you have the Premier Business card
  • No foreign Exchange Fees
  • IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental(R), Crowne Plaza(R), Kimpton(R), EVEN(R) Hotels, Indigo(R) Hotels, and Holiday Inn(R)
  • Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $99 

Important Things to Know About Applying for Business Credit Cards

The quick tips below will help you apply for business credit cards. To learn more, this guide has everything you need to know about how to apply for a business credit card.

1. Business credit cards aren’t only for small companies and traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. Side hustles count and solopreneurs can also apply whether their business is digital, sells products, or offers a service.

2. Be honest. Never lie about your business revenue on an application. If your business is new, it’s ok to project a reasonable amount you think the business will earn.

3. You don’t need an EIN. Banks will allow sole proprietors to use their social security number for the application.

Disclosure:

The Globetrotting Teacher has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Globetrotting Teacher and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Comments & responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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