Best Business Credit Cards for New LLCs with No History
Finding the best business credit cards for new LLC owners with no history doesn’t require two years of tax returns or established business revenue.
Getting a business credit card as a new LLC can be possible even when the business has little or no revenue history, although approval depends on the issuer and the applicant’s overall financial profile.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not formal financial or legal advice. Card terms, APRs, fees and approval criteria can change, so verify current details directly with each issuer before applying.
The “Secret” to Getting Approved
Here’s what nobody explains when you’re staring at a stack of card comparison sites.
Traditional issuers like Chase, Amex, and Capital One may approve new-business applicants using a Personal Guarantee. For a new LLC, the application can rely heavily on the owner’s personal credit and financial information rather than an established business credit history.
With a Personal Guarantee, the issuer may review your personal credit and financial information, while the business name appears on the account. The guarantee can also make you personally responsible for the debt if the business doesn’t repay it.
That’s potentially good news for a brand-new LLC. If your personal credit is strong, having little or no business revenue history may not automatically prevent you from qualifying, although approval still depends on the issuer’s criteria.
The newer path can work differently. Some fintech card providers may assess applications using business cash flow, account balances, funding, or other business information rather than relying primarily on the owner’s personal credit.
Instead, eligibility may depend more on factors such as your business bank balance, cash flow, or available funding. Some products may not require a personal guarantee or traditional personal credit check, but qualification requirements vary by provider.
Neither path is “better.” They just solve different problems depending on where you’re starting from.
Top Business Credit Cards for New LLC Owners
Path 1: Traditional Personal Guarantee Cards
Best for: Good-to-excellent personal credit, $0 business revenue.
This can be a straightforward option for solopreneurs and freelancers. Applications may ask for your EIN, LLC name, and information about your business, including projected revenue if applicable.
The issuer may review your personal credit and income as part of the application. Chase describes its Ink business cards as available to a range of business types, including sole proprietors, but approval requirements and credit criteria can vary.
A new-business applicant may be able to qualify without an established revenue history, depending on the issuer’s application requirements and the applicant’s overall financial profile.
The card has a simple rewards structure, which can make it easier to manage business spending when you’re not looking to optimise different bonus categories.
Amex Blue Business Plus can be another option for businesses looking for a straightforward business card with rewards on everyday spending. Its eligibility requirements and terms should be checked with Amex before applying.
Depending on the issuer and account, business card activity may be reported to business credit bureaus, so it’s worth checking the issuer’s current reporting practices if building business credit is one of your goals.
Path 2: Cash-Flow / Fintech Corporate Cards
Best for: No personal guarantee, healthy bank balance.
If your personal credit is a mess, or you simply don’t want your LLC’s spending tied to your personal report, this path skips that problem entirely.
Mercury’s IO card is designed for businesses that want a card without relying primarily on the owner’s personal credit. Its current eligibility requirements, fees, rewards and guarantee terms should be checked directly with Mercury before applying.
The qualification process can differ from traditional cards, with business finances and account information potentially playing a larger role than a personal credit score. Requirements vary, so check Mercury’s current eligibility criteria before applying.
Ramp takes a comparable approach, with business-focused spending controls that can be useful once you have contractors or other team members spending on behalf of the company. Its eligibility requirements, fees and guarantee terms can vary, so check the current details before applying.
One caveat worth checking is business eligibility. Ramp’s requirements can differ depending on the type and structure of the business, so confirm that your business qualifies before applying.
Brex sits in the same category and may be worth considering for funded businesses and startups. Its eligibility and underwriting criteria can change, so check the current requirements before applying.
Path 3: Secured Business Cards
Best for: Rebuilding personal credit or a thin credit file.
If your personal credit profile isn’t strong enough for the cards you’re considering, a secured card may be an alternative worth exploring. Some applications can involve a hard credit inquiry, so it’s worth checking the issuer’s application terms before applying.
A secured card can be an alternative when traditional cards are harder to qualify for. You put down a cash deposit, which typically helps secure the credit line.
The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card is one option to consider. Because its deposit requirements, fees and rewards can change, check the current terms directly with Bank of America before applying.
Some secured cards may offer a path toward an unsecured account after you establish a history of responsible payments, although this depends on the issuer and account terms.
For a secured business card, check the current options available from business-card issuers rather than assuming a personal secured card can be used for business purposes. The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured card is one current example, subject to its eligibility and account terms.
Making payments on time can help establish a positive payment history, but how quickly your credit profile changes varies from person to person. Think of a secured card as an on-ramp rather than a guaranteed route to a traditional business card.
Comparison Table
| Card Name | Ideal For | Credit Check Type | Personal Guarantee Required? | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited | Good personal credit, no revenue yet | Hard Pull (personal) | Yes | $0 |
| Amex Blue Business Plus | Good personal credit, flat-rate rewards | Hard Pull (personal) | Yes | $0 |
| Mercury IO | Cash in the bank, no personal guarantee wanted | Soft/None | No | $0 |
| Ramp Corporate Card | Formal LLC/corp with funds on hand | Soft/None | No | $0 |
| Brex Card | Funded startups, higher spend volume | Soft/None | No | $0 |
| BofA Business Advantage Secured | Rebuilding or thin personal credit | Soft, based on deposit | Deposit-backed, not a full PG | $0 |
| Secured business card | Rebuilding or thin business credit | Varies by issuer | Deposit-backed | Varies by issuer terms |
3 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Applying with an EIN
Mistake one: confusing personal income with business revenue. Applications may ask for business revenue separately from personal income. If your business is brand new and has no revenue, follow the application’s instructions and provide an accurate figure rather than substituting personal income for business revenue.
Mistake two: commingling funds immediately. Getting a business card is step one. Keeping business and personal spending separate can make your bookkeeping clearer and easier to manage, while the tax treatment of expenses depends on the applicable rules.
Mistake three: carrying a balance on a starter card. Business credit cards can carry interest charges when a balance isn’t paid according to the account terms. Paying the balance on time can help you avoid unnecessary interest costs. Treat these as a spending tool with a due date, not a loan.
Pick your lane.
Good personal credit and no established business revenue? Traditional business cards may be worth considering. If your business has funds available and you’re looking for an option that doesn’t rely primarily on personal credit, fintech business cards may be another route. If your credit profile is limited or rebuilding, a secured card may be worth exploring. Keeping business spending separate also makes expense records easier to organise; our expense tracking software guide covers tools that can help with that.
Whichever path fits, getting a dedicated business card can make it easier to keep business spending organised and separate from personal purchases.
