The top 8 business credit cards of July 2025

When choosing a business credit card, it’s about more than just separating your personal and professional expenses. The right card can be a strategic asset, helping you build your business’s financial standing and streamline operations.


 

Why a Business Credit Card is a Strategic Asset

 

Paying your business credit card bills on time can contribute to building your business credit history, which is crucial for future financing needs. A card with a generous credit limit can also help you manage short-term cash flow fluctuations without needing to seek out additional working capital loans.

Beyond these foundational benefits, the premier business credit cards offer significant value through rewards programs that provide returns on your most substantial spending categories—like travel, advertising, and software subscriptions. Some programs even deliver discounts on essential services, helping you save on everything from shipping costs to cloud computing services.

Some advanced cards can even automate the tedious task of expense reporting.

In this article, we’ll delve into some of the top business credit card options available in July 2025, including the innovative Brex Business Credit Card, alongside popular offerings from American Express, Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank, and Capital One.

There’s a lot to consider before you commit to a business credit card, but this guide will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.


 

Key Considerations When Selecting a Business Credit Card

 

Your choice of business credit card can significantly influence your company’s financial health and growth trajectory. With numerous options on the market, keeping these vital factors in mind is essential.

 

Higher Credit Limits

 

Fast-growing businesses demand high-limit business credit cards to maximise their spending power. Many traditional card issuers heavily rely on personal credit scores when setting limits, which can leave founders with inadequate spending capacity for their business needs.

You don’t have to settle for providers with outdated underwriting practices. Seek out a credit card provider that evaluates a broader range of business factors to help you secure higher limits.

For example, the Brex Business Card assesses limits based on your company’s revenue streams and cash reserves, rather than solely on your personal credit history. With consistent, on-time payments, you can also see your spending limit increase, further enhancing your business credit profile as your company expands.

 

Rewards Programs

 

Some business credit cards offer rewards exclusively as cash back or statement credit. These programs often provide a modest return on your spending, similar to personal cash back cards.

Other business cards, such as the Delta Reserve Business AmEx, offer rewards in the form of miles. However, these can be restrictive if your company doesn’t travel frequently or exclusively with a particular airline.

So, how do you effectively compare diverse rewards programs?

Begin by identifying your largest business expenses, such as advertising, travel, or office supplies. Then, prioritise cards that offer bonus rewards or multipliers in those specific areas. Compare the earning rates and redemption possibilities across different cards to determine which program delivers the most value for your business.

Ultimately, the best rewards program for your business will offer substantial multipliers on your highest spending categories and provide flexible redemption choices. With the Brex Business Card, for instance, you can convert your reward points into cash back, miles, statement credit, or even unique options like promotional billboards for your brand.

 

Fees

 

Business credit card fees can quickly accumulate, and we’re not just talking about annual fees. While no-annual-fee business credit cards are available, it’s crucial to assess all potential fees, including less obvious ones, when making your selection.

Foreign transaction (FX) fees can significantly erode your profits when operating internationally, with some cards charging up to 3% per transaction. Late payment penalties can also be remarkably steep, with some issuers imposing APRs as high as 29.99%.

Some providers also charge a fee for every additional user you add to the account. This can become a considerable expense for expanding companies, particularly those with remote teams or multiple vendors.

As your business grows, you might require dozens or even hundreds of cards for employees and suppliers across various departments and locations. You shouldn’t have to pay a fee for every physical or virtual business credit card you issue, nor should you have to resort to sharing cards, which complicates expense tracking and invites unauthorised use.

Look for a card that supports multiple currencies to avoid FX fees and one that doesn’t charge for additional employee or vendor cards. This approach allows you to scale your operations without incurring unexpected costs.

 

No Personal Guarantee

 

Traditional business credit cards commonly demand that founders personally guarantee their company’s debt. This means your personal assets are on the line if your business is unable to meet its financial obligations—a risky proposition, especially for early-stage startups or businesses in volatile sectors.

A personal guarantee can also affect your personal credit score. Late payments or high utilisation on your business card could negatively impact your ability to secure personal loans or mortgages in the future.

While some issuers offer business credit cards without a personal guarantee, these typically require your company to demonstrate substantial revenue or several years of operating history. This often leaves many growing businesses in a dilemma: risk personal assets or accept inadequate credit limits.

With Brex, no personal guarantee is required, enabling founders to build business credit without jeopardising their personal finances.

 

24/7 Customer Service and Support

 

Imagine you’re on a critical business trip, and your card is unexpectedly declined. You could spend hours on hold trying to reach a representative, or be told to call back during standard business hours.

Some credit card companies limit customer support to weekday business hours. Others rely on slow ticketing systems or email support, leaving you in limbo for days to resolve urgent issues. This is particularly problematic for businesses with distributed teams operating across different time zones.

That’s why 24/7 customer service is essential. Seek a provider that offers knowledgeable support via phone, live chat, and email whenever you need assistance.

 

Exclusive Partner Discounts

 

Beyond the core rewards program, seek out discounts that can help reduce operational costs on services vital for your company’s growth.

Business credit cards frequently promote partner discounts as a key benefit, but the actual value of these offers can vary greatly. Some cards provide discounts with limited practical utility for most businesses. For example, a card might offer a £100 annual credit restricted to personal streaming subscriptions—a nice perk, but not impactful for your company’s bottom line.

The most valuable partner discounts will offer substantial savings on business essentials such as software subscriptions, cloud services, shipping, office supplies, and digital advertising. These discounts can translate into thousands of pounds in annual savings, directly affecting your operational costs and profitability.

Consider how these discounts align with your current and future business needs. A significant discount on a service you’re already using or planning to adopt offers immediate value. Moreover, partner offers can be an excellent way to experiment with new tools or services that could enhance your business operations without committing to full-price subscriptions.

Brex notably offers partner perks valued at up to $180,000, including credits for essential business services like AWS, UPS, Zoom, Slack, and QuickBooks.

 

Accounting Software Integrations

 

Accounting software integrations can eliminate manual data entry, reduce errors, and save your company significant time during reconciliation and expense tracking.

Many business credit cards offer third-party integrations. However, these often rely on outdated syncing methods that can result in delays or inaccuracies in transaction reporting. A poorly designed integration could even expose sensitive financial data.

With direct integrations, transactions are automatically categorised and synced in real-time, providing up-to-the-minute financial insights. This level of accounting automation enhances accuracy and allows finance teams to dedicate their efforts to strategic tasks rather than repetitive data entry.

Brex provides deep integrations with popular accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero. Its direct NetSuite integration, which earned NetSuite’s 2023 Partner of the Year award, ensures efficient expense reconciliation and real-time financial data syncing. Brex also integrates with leading ERP systems for comprehensive financial management and HRIS platforms like Rippling for seamless employee onboarding and card issuance.

Now that you know what to consider when choosing a business credit card, let’s explore some of the top options available in July 2025, starting with the Brex Business Card.


 

The Top 8 Business Credit Cards of July 2025

 

 

1. The Brex Business Credit Card

 

The Brex Business Credit Card is specifically engineered for growing businesses of all sizes, from dynamic startups to established enterprises. Brex, pioneering the first credit card tailored for startups, continues its innovative approach to underwriting, basing approvals and limits on a company’s actual potential rather than solely a founder’s personal credit history.

Beyond its credit card offerings, Brex provides an all-in-one spend platform that encompasses expense management, bill payment, travel booking, and more. Companies can start by just using the card and integrate additional features as they expand, offering a scalable solution that evolves with their changing needs.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR: N/A (This is a Charge Card; the balance is due in full each month.)
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: No personal credit check required
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: Up to 10-20x higher than traditional cards, determined by cash balance and revenue.

Key Benefits

  • 10-20x Higher Credit Limits: Brex’s unique underwriting model assesses your company’s cash balance, revenue streams, and spending patterns to set credit limits. This often results in limits that are 10 to 20 times higher than those offered by traditional card providers. As your business grows, your credit limit can automatically increase, providing the spending power you need from the outset and higher limits as your requirements evolve, without constant requests for increases.
  • Founder-Friendly Rewards: While some business credit cards offer modest multipliers on select spending categories like travel and dining, Brex’s rewards program features multipliers on several key business spend categories, including rideshare services, general travel, restaurants, and recurring software subscriptions. With Brex, your points can be redeemed for cashback, miles, statement credit, gift cards, and even unique options like billboard advertising or company offsite planning.
  • Partner Perks: Brex provides partner perks valued at over $180,000. These include substantial credits towards essential business services such as AWS, Experian, Freshworks, Gusto, QuickBooks, Slack, UPS, and Zoom. Brex also offers 3x rewards points on eligible Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and MacBooks.
  • Multi-Currency Support: Many corporate cards charge foreign exchange (FX) fees, which can quickly add up for global businesses. Brex, however, functions as a truly global corporate credit card, accepted in 210 countries. Brex cards can also be issued in over 20 currencies. This makes Brex an excellent business credit card for global operations, enabling employees to make purchases in their local currencies, thereby reducing FX fees and simplifying expense management for international entities. Brex also facilitates faster reimbursements through local bank accounts and currencies—a critical feature for companies with global employees.
  • No Personal Guarantee: Unlike many traditional business credit cards, Brex does not require a personal guarantee. This means founders aren’t required to put their personal assets at risk when using the card for business expenses. The absence of a personal guarantee also ensures that your personal credit score remains unaffected when you apply for or use a Brex card, offering peace of mind and financial flexibility for entrepreneurs.
  • 24/7 Support: Brex customers benefit from 24/7 customer support at no additional charge. You can contact Brex customer support by phone or reach a knowledgeable agent via live in-app chat or email.
  • Thousands of Integrations: Brex seamlessly integrates with thousands of popular business tools, allowing you to connect with the platforms you already use. These integrations span accounting software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), offering direct, two-way data synchronisation to boost accuracy and efficiency. For example, the Slack integration provides instant expense notifications, keeping teams informed in real-time. Integrations with platforms like Workday and Rippling enable easy employee onboarding and offboarding; simply sync your HRIS with Brex to automate card activation for new hires and ensure immediate deactivation for departing employees.

Drawbacks

  • Typically requires professional funding (e.g., venture capital) for approval.
  • Other options might be better suited if you’re solely seeking cashback rewards.
  • As a business charge card, the full balance must be paid each month.

The Brex Business Credit Card is ideal for scaling, venture-backed companies looking to streamline their financial operations, rather than solely for freelancers or very small businesses with minimal transaction volumes. It’s perfectly suited for high-growth companies aiming to proactively control their spending, offering high credit limits, robust rewards, and an AI-powered platform that unifies card management and expense tracking.

Brex cards can also be provisioned for specific business use cases to help you track expenses more effectively. For instance, you can issue T&E cards for travel expenses, vendor cards with designated limits for software subscriptions and advertising costs, purchase cards with per-transaction AP controls, benefits cards for employee stipends, and fleet cards for fuel, maintenance, and other auto expenses.

These features establish the Brex card as a powerful solution for ambitious companies seeking to optimise their financial operations and drive growth through a comprehensive spend management strategy.

“We are a remote company, so Brex allows us to ship out cards to everyone that is on our team across Latin America, which has been really helpful, especially for newer folks that are working in countries where we don’t have a physical location. And they’ve been able to access and buy all of their things prior to their first day.” — Thomas Maremaa, CEO & Co-Founder, Encuadrado


 

2. The American Express Blue Business Cash Card

 

The AmEx Blue Business Cash card offers a straightforward cashback program for small business owners. It features a simple rewards structure with no annual fee, making it an attractive option for businesses with moderate expenses.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR: Up to 26.49% (Prime Rate + 17.99%)
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: Generally 700+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $1,000 to $40,000

Key Benefits

  • No annual fee
  • Simple cashback rewards structure
  • Introductory APR period

Drawbacks

  • High foreign transaction fees
  • No AmEx travel-specific perks
  • Does not earn Membership Rewards® points
  • Limited flexibility in reward redemption
  • Basic expense tracking tools

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card advertises a 2% cashback rate. However, once a cardholder reaches $50,000 in annual spending, the rewards rate drops to just 1%—a lower return than what you’d find with many other business credit cards, and even some personal ones. In essence, after earning $1,000 in cashback rewards with AmEx Blue Business, you’ll then only earn $500 for every subsequent $50,000 you spend. This might be acceptable for small, local businesses with limited spending volume, but it’s not ideal for growing companies with higher expenses or those focused on maximising rewards on their business outlays. Scaling businesses require a card that can keep pace with their increasing expenditures, offering consistent, high-value rewards without arbitrary caps.

With Blue Business Cash, rewards can only be redeemed for an automatic statement credit, meaning you won’t earn any flexible Membership Rewards points. You can find much more versatile redemption options with other business credit cards; for instance, with Brex, you can redeem your reward points for cashback, statement credit, travel, company offsite planning, and more.

The card’s 2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it unsuitable for businesses with distributed teams or global employees. Furthermore, AmEx limits you to adding only up to 99 employee cards.

Blue Business Cash also falls short on the expense tracking automation offered by more modern business credit cards like Brex.

“[Brex] blows away even innovative platforms like AmEx,” said one reviewer on Capterra. “Reporting and payment canceling is on point — what an incredible product. Oh yeah, the B2B payments platform is incredibly user-friendly too. Goodbye to old-school ACH.”


 

3. Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard Credit Card

 

Bank of America’s offering allows businesses to select their preferred cashback category, but its generally low spending limits make it less than ideal for rapidly expanding companies.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR: Up to 28.49%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: Generally 750+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $3,000 — $5,000

Key Benefits

  • No annual fee
  • 2-3% cashback (with caps)
  • Signup bonuses for new Bank of America customers

Drawbacks

  • Capped earnings on bonus categories
  • High foreign transaction fee
  • High APR
  • Complex rewards structure
  • Can be difficult to get approved

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard offers 3% cashback in a category of your choice, which might initially appeal to small business owners. However, a closer look at the rewards structure reveals significant limitations.

While the card allows you to earn 3% in your chosen category and 2% on dining, these enhanced rates apply only to the first $50,000 in combined annual spending across both categories. Once this cap is reached, the rewards rate drops to a mere 1% for all purchases. This structure can be particularly restrictive for businesses with higher spending volumes.

The card does offer the potential for increased rewards through Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards for Business program. To access these boosted rates, however, you must maintain a substantial average daily balance with Bank of America.

The approval process for this card can be challenging. Typically, you need a credit score of 750 or better. Even then, you might face denial from Bank of America without much explanation. For those who do get approved, the spending limits tend to be quite low, typically ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

It’s also worth noting that the 3% foreign transaction fee makes this card less suitable for businesses with international operations or frequent overseas transactions, as this fee quickly negates any rewards earned on foreign purchases.


 

4. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card

 

Tailored for frequent business travellers who are loyal to Delta Air Lines, this card provides premium travel perks and the opportunity to earn miles rapidly. Despite its high annual fee, small businesses that consistently choose to fly Delta might find value in its complimentary airport lounge access.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $650
  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: N/A (generally, AmEx doesn’t charge these for travel cards, but confirm for specific card)
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: Generally 750+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $1,000-$15,000

Key Benefits

  • 3x miles on Delta purchases
  • Delta Sky Club® Access
  • Up to $10 monthly rideshare credit

Drawbacks

  • High annual fee
  • Only 1x miles per dollar on non-Delta purchases until $150,000 spent
  • Delta SkyMiles value can be low (~$0.01/mile)

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card offers a range of premium benefits for frequent Delta flyers. Cardholders receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, an annual companion certificate, and the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) towards elite status. The card also provides priority boarding, a free checked bag, and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

However, this card comes with a substantial $650 annual fee, and its rewards structure doesn’t always provide significant value for cardholders. To unlock 1.5 miles per dollar on non-Delta purchases, cardholders must spend a staggering $150,000 in a calendar year. Until that $150,000 threshold is met, you’ll only receive 1 Delta SkyMile per dollar spent.

The actual cash value of Delta SkyMiles fluctuates, potentially being worth as little as 1.2 cents per mile, depending on when and how you choose to redeem them.

Like other American Express products, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers basic features such as annual spending reports, but it lacks the comprehensive expense tracking tools and automation found in more modern business credit cards.


 

5. U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card

 

This no-frills business card is notable for its competitive introductory APR period. However, it lacks a rewards program and other benefits typically associated with business credit cards.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR: 17.99%-26.99%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: Generally 700+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $5,000-$15,000

Key Benefits

  • No annual fee
  • Basic card controls
  • Physical and virtual credit card options

Drawbacks

  • No rewards program or cashback
  • High foreign transaction fee
  • High balance transfer fee
  • Limited business-specific perks beyond basic fraud protection

The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a straightforward business credit card focused primarily on its introductory APR offer. While it provides 0% APR on purchases for 18 months, the card does not earn points, miles, or cashback on purchases.

Small, local businesses might be attracted by the introductory APR period, but the typical spending limit of $5,000-$15,000 is insufficient to help scaling businesses manage significant cash flow, even during the 0% APR period. After the introductory rate expires, the card’s APR can climb as high as 26.99%.

While the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card has no annual fee, its 3% foreign transaction fee makes it costly for companies conducting international business.

Other cards on the market can potentially offer higher limits based on factors like your company’s cash balance, spending patterns, and revenue. Additionally, there are superior cards available for earning rewards on all company spending, offering generous multipliers on categories such as rideshares, travel, and other major expenditures.


 

6. Capital One Spark 1% Classic

 

Designed for very small businesses with fair credit, the Capital One Spark 1% Classic offers a pathway to building credit history. However, with just 1% cashback, its rewards structure provides relatively little value for cardholders.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR: 29.99% variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: Generally 640+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $300-$6,000

Key Benefits

  • 1% cashback on every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Additional cashback on Capital One Travel bookings

Drawbacks

  • No higher reward tiers outside of Capital One Travel
  • High APR
  • Low credit line
  • Reports to personal credit bureaus
  • Requires a personal guarantee

The 1% cashback rate is extremely low for a business credit card. Coupled with spending limits that can be as low as $300, this card doesn’t provide sufficient purchasing power for growing businesses.

It’s also important to note that the card’s APR is higher than the average for business credit cards, which means substantial charges if you carry a balance.

Another significant drawback: Capital One may report card usage information to consumer credit bureaus in addition to business credit bureaus. This means any issues with the card could potentially affect your personal credit score. Furthermore, the card requires a personal guarantee, putting your personal assets at risk if your business is unable to pay its debts.


 

7. Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

 

Chase’s offering for small businesses provides cashback on all purchases and carries no annual fee. However, the Ink Business Unlimited card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, and its typical spending limit range can be lower than expected.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR: Up to 24.49%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: 670+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $3,000 to $25,000

Key Benefits

  • No annual fee
  • 1.5% cashback on all purchases
  • Online account management

Drawbacks

  • Personal guarantee required
  • Can be a difficult approval process
  • No advanced expense management tools
  • Lower credit limits than some competitors
  • No bonus categories (flat rate only)

The Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card may be an appealing option for freelancers and sole proprietors due to its straightforward cashback structure, offering a flat and modest 1.5% on all purchases. Its minimum credit score requirement of approximately 670 presents a lower barrier to entry compared to some other Chase products.

However, the card has several drawbacks for scaling companies. Like many business credit cards, it requires a personal guarantee, meaning you are personally liable for the debt if your business cannot pay. Additionally, the approval process can be challenging, even for applicants with good credit scores.

With spending limits that can be as low as $3,000, the Chase Ink Unlimited doesn’t offer extensive purchasing power for growing businesses. Moreover, the card’s flat cashback rewards structure provides limited value. Outside of occasional, limited-time promotions (like 5% back on Lyft), the Ink Business Unlimited consistently offers only 1.5% cashback.

The card also fails to provide businesses with comprehensive expense management tools beyond basic tracking. Brex, in contrast, offers a full-stack spend management platform with advanced features like real-time expense tracking, automated receipt capture, and customisable approval workflows to enhance efficiency and accuracy for growing companies. Brex also integrates directly with popular accounting software and ERPs to optimise financial operations.


 

8. United Business Card

 

This co-branded Chase airline card is designed for businesses that frequently fly with United Airlines. It offers airline-specific perks and the opportunity to earn miles on everyday business spending.

Details

  • Annual Fee: $99 (after the first year)
  • APR: 21.99%–28.99% variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
  • Minimum Credit Score Requirement: Generally 700+
  • Typical Spending Limit Range: $5,000-$15,000

Key Benefits

  • Free checked bags on United flights
  • Priority United boarding
  • 2x miles on United purchases

Drawbacks

  • $99 annual fee after the first year
  • Rewards are tied exclusively to a single airline
  • High APR
  • Relatively low credit limits
  • Personal guarantee required

The United Business Card offers perks for business owners who frequently fly United, plus 2x rewards on a few select categories, such as United purchases and office supplies. However, purchases outside of these specific spending categories yield only 1 mile per dollar.

The card has several limitations that may make it less suitable for rapidly growing businesses. The $99 annual fee (waived for the first year) can become a burden, especially when considering the typically low credit limits offered. Furthermore, the high regular APR (up to 28.99%) is problematic for businesses looking to float purchases or manage cash flow over longer periods.

Unlike more modern business credit cards, the United Business Card lacks comprehensive tools for tracking and categorising expenses, which are crucial for scaling companies. Additionally, the card requires a personal guarantee and reports to personal credit bureaus, potentially impacting the business owner’s personal credit score.

While the rewards structure is beneficial for frequent United flyers, it lacks flexibility for broader business spending. Although the card has no foreign transaction fee, it doesn’t offer the multi-currency support of some other cards, meaning you might still incur substantial foreign exchange markups through United’s own conversion rates.


 

Can You Get a Business Credit Card Using Only an EIN?

 

While your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a crucial piece of information for applying for a business credit card, it’s generally challenging to find cards that rely solely on an EIN for approval. Most card issuers will still request your Social Security Number (SSN) for personal verification and to establish a personal guarantee, which means you’re personally liable for the debt.

A notable exception is Brex, which offers business credit cards that can be obtained using an EIN only.1 This option is typically available for well-funded startups or established corporations with substantial cash reserves (often $50,000 or more). This approach helps to truly separate your personal credit from your business’s financial standing, allowing your company to build its own distinct business credit score.

 


 

How Many Business Credit Cards Should Your Business Have?

 

Possessing an excessive number of business credit cards can have detrimental effects on your financial health and operational efficiency. Each new card application usually results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, and multiple inquiries within a short timeframe can significantly lower your credit score.2

 

Furthermore, managing numerous cards introduces unnecessary complexity in tracking expenses, monitoring payment due dates, and overseeing employee spending, while simultaneously increasing the risk of missed payments and potential fraud.3 For businesses with international employees, the need for locally issued cards that function seamlessly in each respective country may arise to circumvent costly foreign exchange (FX) markups.

 

The sheer administrative burden alone can strain your business resources, requiring more time for reconciling multiple card statements, managing various annual fees, and handling more intricate bookkeeping tasks. Moreover, having access to higher total credit limits across multiple cards might inadvertently encourage overspending, making it harder to maintain healthy credit utilisation ratios and potentially affecting your business’s financial stability.

Instead, a more effective strategy is generally to maintain one comprehensive global card that seamlessly complements your business’s needs and spending patterns, regardless of where that spending occurs.


 

The Compelling Reasons to Get a Business Credit Card

 

Understanding the benefits of a business credit card is essential before applying. These advantages can significantly optimise your business finances and fundamentally change your perspective on growth.

By separating personal and business expenses, you not only simplify tax preparation and bookkeeping but also cultivate your business’s credit profile independently from your personal credit.4 These cards typically offer higher credit limits than personal cards and feature rewards programs specifically tailored to business expenditures, such as office supplies, travel, and advertising, enabling you to earn substantial cashback or points on your routine business spending.5

 

Additionally, business credit cards provide valuable cash flow management benefits by offering an interest-free grace period on purchases.6 Many come equipped with built-in expense-tracking tools that integrate seamlessly with accounting software.7 They also offer practical advantages like the ability to issue company credit cards for employees with customisable spending controls, access to comprehensive spending reports, and business-specific perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranties.8 Moreover, utilising a business credit card can help establish your company’s creditworthiness, facilitating access to additional financing or more favourable terms from vendors as your business expands.9

 


 

How to Obtain a Business Credit Card

 

Acquiring a business credit card involves three fundamental steps: preparation, selection, and application.10

 

  1. Preparation: First, gather all necessary documentation, including your EIN or SSN, comprehensive business information (legal name, address, industry type, and years in business), and proof of business revenue or income. You will typically also need a good personal credit score, generally 670 or higher, as most issuers will assess your personal creditworthiness.
  2. Selection: Next, thoroughly research and compare different card options based on your specific needs. Consider factors such as rewards programs, annual fees, interest rates, and any additional perks offered.
  3. Application: Once you’ve chosen a card, complete the online application or visit a local branch of your preferred issuer. Be prepared to provide both business and personal information, as most business cards require a personal guarantee, making you personally responsible for any incurred debt. Many issuers offer instant decisions, and if approved, you can typically expect to receive your card within 7-10 business days.11 It’s worth noting that even newer businesses can qualify for credit cards, and you don’t always need years of business history or high revenue; some cards, like Brex, are specifically designed to help early-stage businesses get started faster.

     

Applying for a Brex card is a streamlined process that doesn’t require personal credit information or a personal guarantee:12

 

  1. Visit Brex.com and click “Get Started.”
  2. Provide essential business information, including:
    • Company name and legal structure
    • EIN (Employer Identification Number)13

       

    • Business bank account details
    • Company address
  3. Submit documentation for verification of:
    • Business cash balance or investment funding
    • Business registration
    • Identity verification

It’s important to understand that having at least $50,000 in cash reserves in a business bank account and being backed by professional investors (such as venture capital firms) will significantly improve your approval odds with Brex.


 

Key Distinctions Between Business and Personal Credit Cards

 

Business credit cards and personal credit cards serve distinct purposes and are designed for different user groups, leading to several key differences.14 The most notable distinctions lie in credit limits and reward structures.

 

Business cards typically offer higher spending limits and their rewards are geared towards business-specific categories like software, travel, and advertising.15 In contrast, personal cards cater to consumer spending, such as groceries and entertainment.16 Business cards also come equipped with specialised expense management tools and the capability to issue multiple employee cards with customisable limits—features generally unavailable with personal cards.17

 

From a regulatory standpoint, business credit cards generally have fewer consumer protections compared to personal cards, as they are not governed by comprehensive legislation like the Credit CARD Act of 2009 in the US.18 Additionally, while both require credit checks, business cards often report to commercial credit bureaus to facilitate the building of business credit, whereas personal cards report to consumer credit bureaus. Despite these differences, many business cards still require a personal guarantee, meaning you remain personally responsible for any incurred debt, similar to a personal credit card.19

 


 

3 Tips for Effectively Managing Your Business Credit Card

 

  1. Establish and Manage Budgets: Effective management of your business credit card begins with analysing your company’s spending patterns and setting clear monthly limits for various expense categories.20 Create specific spending controls for departments or types of expenses, such as office supplies, travel, or marketing. Utilise your credit card’s online banking tools to set up spending alerts when you approach these limits, and regularly review your budget against actual expenses to make necessary adjustments.21 Consider assigning spend limits to specific expense categories to maintain tighter control over departmental spending.

     

  2. Diligent Expense Tracking: Tracking business expenses is simplified with business credit cards that offer high-quality mobile apps and online platforms that integrate with popular accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero.22 Make it a routine practice to immediately photograph and categorise receipts using your card’s mobile app, and require employees to submit expense reports promptly. Set up automatic expense categorisation rules within your accounting software, and review transactions weekly to ensure everything is correctly classified. This systematic approach not only saves valuable time during tax season but also helps in quickly identifying any unusual spending patterns. Smart cards like Brex automatically capture and attach receipts for thousands of merchants, significantly automating the expense report and approval process.23

     

    “With Brex, we’ve drastically reduced the amount of time we spend on card and finance management. The Brex app’s visualized expense policies make it easy for our employees to spend responsibly, which means even fewer reviews.” — Arlene Barbieri, Corporate Financial Controller, Medicinal Genomics24

     

  3. Automate Payments for Bills and Invoices: Set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a bill, but always make it a habit to regularly review statements before payments are processed. Consider paying the balance weekly instead of monthly to improve cash flow and reduce the risk of overspending. Remember that late payments can trigger high interest rates and fees, damage your business credit score, and potentially impact your personal credit if you’ve provided a personal guarantee.25 Aim to pay the full balance each month to completely avoid interest charges, which can directly affect your business’s profitability.26

     


 

So, What Exactly is the Best Business Credit Card?

 

While numerous business credit cards offer no annual fee, Brex distinguishes itself by providing a comprehensive full-stack financial platform specifically engineered to scale with businesses from their startup phase all the way to enterprise level.27

 

With Brex, you can access high credit limits determined by factors like your company’s cash balance and revenue, rather than solely your personal credit score.28 This innovative approach often results in limits that are 10 to 20 times higher than those offered by traditional business cards, giving you the substantial spending power needed to fuel growth.

 

Unlike other rewards programs that might offer only cashback or miles, Brex rewards deliver genuine value through flexible redemption options. You’ll receive multipliers on your most significant spending categories such as software subscriptions, rideshares, and travel. You then have the freedom to redeem these rewards however you prefer—whether for cashback, travel, statement credit, offsite planning, or even unique opportunities like billboard advertising.

Beyond high credit limits and versatile rewards, Brex’s expense management automation can significantly reduce manual workload. Brex automates receipt matching, expense categorisation, and approval workflows, saving time and minimising errors. With real-time spend tracking and direct integrations with accounting software and ERPs, your finance team gains unparalleled visibility and control over all company spending.29 This makes Brex the standout best business credit card for growing companies.

 

Mark Topping, Group Finance Manager for outdoor pizza oven maker Ooni, highly praises the power of the Brex card, stating that it performs the work of five global card programs and vastly simplifies their accounting: “With Brex, we were able to leave all our other card platforms behind. And pulling data from one platform instead of five really simplified the month end in a large way.”