Top LLC Credit Cards for Startups and Small Businesses

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Close-up of a hand holding a credit card near a laptop for an online transaction.
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For startups and small businesses, finding the right credit card can be a game-changer. The best LLC credit cards offer rewards, cash back, and benefits that can help offset business expenses and even generate additional income.

Some top LLC credit cards for startups and small businesses include the Chase Ink Preferred, which offers 3X points on travel and select business purchases, and the American Express Business Gold Card, which provides 4X points on two categories of your choice.

These cards often have no foreign transaction fees, making them a great option for businesses with international clients or suppliers. They also offer purchase protection and extended warranties, providing an added layer of security for your business.

The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is another great option, offering 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck.

LLC Credit Card Options

LLC credit card options are plentiful, and the right one for your business depends on your specific needs.

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The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is a great option for those with less-than-excellent credit scores. It offers 1% Cash Back on every purchase and 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You don't need to wait a specific amount of time before applying for a second credit card, provided you qualify. This means you can get additional business credit cards as your business grows, which can provide more purchasing power and help build business credit.

Some of the top business credit cards for LLCs include the American Express Business Gold Card, the Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard, and the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

If you're looking for a credit card for your LLC, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is a great option, offering 1% cash back on every purchase and no annual fee. It's also a good choice for those with limited credit personally.

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The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is another popular option, offering 0% APR for 18 billing cycles on new purchases and balance transfers, with no rewards but no annual fee either. However, it does come with a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5).

For those with good credit or better personally, the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard offers great rewards, including 1 - 5 points per $1 and an initial bonus of 60,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 180 days.

Brex for Startups

The Brex Corporate Card for Startups is a great option for LLCs with limited credit or better. It doesn't require a personal guarantee, making it a breeze to get approved.

To qualify, you'll need at least $100,000 in a bank account as collateral. This card has a $0 annual fee and offers ongoing rewards of 1-7 points per $1, with new cardholders earning an initial bonus of 30,000 points for spending $3,500 or 50,000 points for spending $9,000 in 30 days.

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The Brex Card is another solid pick for startups and new businesses. This card skips the personal credit checks, making it easy for new LLCs to get approved. You won't pay an annual fee, and you can earn points on every dollar spent, with up to 7x points on certain categories like rideshares and travel.

Here are some key features of the Brex Card:

  • No Annual Fee: You won’t pay anything yearly to keep this card.
  • Flexible Rewards: Earn points on every dollar spent, with up to 7x points on certain categories like rideshares and travel.
  • Sign-Up Bonus: Get 10,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months.

Rewards for High-Spenders

If you're a high-spender, you'll want to consider credit cards that offer generous rewards on your business expenses. The American Express Business Gold Card is a solid choice, offering 4X Membership Rewards points on your top two spending categories each month.

This card lets you earn those points on the first $150,000 spent each year, making it a great option for businesses with high expenses. You can also earn 4X points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories.

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The Brex Card is another great option for high-spenders, offering flexible rewards on every dollar spent. You can earn up to 7x points on certain categories like rideshares and travel, making it a great choice for businesses with frequent travel expenses.

Here are some key features of the American Express Business Gold Card and the Brex Card:

Overall, both the American Express Business Gold Card and the Brex Card offer great rewards for high-spenders. Be sure to consider your business expenses and choose the card that best fits your needs.

U.S. Bank Platinum

The U.S. Bank Platinum is a great option for LLCs. It's the best 0% APR business credit card available right now, offering 0% for 18 billing cycles on new purchases, as well as 0% for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers.

This card is perfect for LLC representatives with good credit or better personally. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5), but it's a small price to pay for the benefits.

The U.S. Bank Platinum Card does not have rewards, but it also doesn't charge an annual fee, which is a big plus.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect World Elite Mastercard is a great option for LLC representatives with good credit or better personally. This card offers great rewards, giving cardholders 1 - 5 points per $1.

The initial bonus is 60,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 180 days, which can be a significant savings for LLCs with big travel expenses.

To get the most out of this card, it's wise to pay the bill in full monthly. The APR could be pretty high, so be mindful of that.

Key Features and Benefits

Business credit cards for LLCs offer a range of benefits, including helping to separate personal and business expenses, building business credit, and providing rewards like cash back or travel points.

Some business credit cards also come with no annual fees, making them a cost-effective option for your LLC. You can earn up to 2.62% cash back on all purchases if you're part of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program.

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Here are some key features and benefits to consider:

  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no hoops to jump through.
  • Cash rewards never expire, so you don't have to worry about losing them.
  • No personal guarantee needed, high credit limits, and no foreign transaction fees.

Business credit cards can also help you keep your personal funds separate from your business accounting, which is essential for tax purposes.

0% APR

Having a 0% APR on your business credit card can be a game-changer for your LLC. This means you can make purchases without incurring interest charges for a certain period of time, giving you more flexibility to manage your finances.

Some business credit cards offer 0% APR promotions, which can be a great way to save money on interest charges. However, be sure to check the terms and conditions to understand when the promotional period ends and the regular interest rate kicks in.

A 0% APR can be especially useful for businesses that need to make large purchases or investments. By spreading out the cost over several months, you can avoid a large upfront payment and keep your cash flow under control.

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Here are some examples of business credit cards that offer 0% APR promotions:

  • Card A: 0% APR for 6 months, followed by 12.99% - 23.99% APR (Variable)
  • Card B: 0% APR for 9 months, followed by 14.99% - 25.99% APR (Variable)
  • Card C: 0% APR for 12 months, followed by 16.99% - 28.99% APR (Variable)

Keep in mind that these promotions are subject to change, and you should always review the terms and conditions before applying for a credit card.

Perks of Using

Using a business credit card for your LLC can bring numerous benefits, including helping to separate personal and business expenses. This is especially important for tax purposes, as business owners cannot commingle funds.

Business credit cards often offer rewards like cash back, travel points, and benefits such as expense tracking and purchase protection. For example, the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program can boost your cash back up to 2.62% on all purchases.

Some business credit cards come with no annual fees, making them a cost-effective option. Others may have a fee, but the rewards can outweigh the cost, such as the American Express Business Gold Card.

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Business credit cards can also provide high credit limits and no foreign transaction fees, making them a smart choice for growing businesses. For instance, Brex offers high credit limits and no foreign transaction fees.

Here are some key perks to consider:

  • Cash back on all purchases (up to 2.62% with Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business)
  • Travel points and benefits (3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel)
  • Expense tracking and purchase protection
  • No annual fees or foreign transaction fees

Application and Approval

Applying for a business credit card for your LLC is a relatively straightforward process. You'll need to have your LLC registered with the state before you can apply for a card in the business's name.

If you have good to excellent credit, you'll have a wider range of options to choose from. With fair credit or poor credit, you still have options available, but you may need to do some extra research to find the best fit.

To increase your chances of approval, it's essential to understand your options and check your personal credit scores. This will give you a clear idea of where you stand.

You'll need to provide information about your business, including the name of the LLC, business address, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and business revenue. You'll also be asked about your personal finances, including household income.

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To apply, go directly to the website of the credit company and submit an online application. You'll be asked to provide information about your LLC, and you'll be notified if you're approved or declined.

Most small business credit card issuers will judge your application based on your personal creditworthiness because they require a personal guarantee for any balance on the account. This means your personal credit score will play a significant role in determining your eligibility.

Here are some key pieces of information you'll need to provide when applying for a business credit card:

  • Name of the LLC
  • Business address
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Business revenue
  • Personal Social Security number
  • Household income

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score does an LLC start with?

An LLC starts with a credit score of 0, as it is a separate entity from its owners and has no established credit history. This means the business can establish its own credit profile over time.

Can I use my EIN to get a credit card?

You can use your EIN to sign up for a corporate business credit card, but it's typically for established companies with high revenue and cash requirements. If you're a small business or individual, you'll likely need to provide additional personal or business information to apply for a credit card.

How can I build credit in a newly started LLC?

To build credit in a newly started LLC, establish a business credit profile by opening a business bank account, obtaining a business credit card, and paying bills on time. This will help you establish a strong business credit history and improve your chances of securing loans and credit in the future.

Kellie Hessel

Junior Writer

Kellie Hessel is a rising star in the world of journalism, with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape our world. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Kellie has established herself as a go-to writer for industry insights and expert analysis. Kellie's areas of expertise include the insurance industry, where she has developed a deep understanding of the complex issues and trends that impact businesses and individuals alike.

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