credit card advice
Using a credit card to finance a small- to medium-sized business can be a great idea for someone who understands how to do it properly and meets these criteria:
- doesn’t need more than $50,000
- cannot secure a traditional business loan
- doesn’t have the necessary collateral for an SBA loan
- wants to take advantage of the rewards a credit card can offer
There are many advantages to using a credit card over a bank loan, as well as risks, but any way a large sum of money is borrowed has its own pros and cons. We’ve identified 19 credit cards that are suitable for any entrepreneur looking to get a card to finance their business. Use these links to jump ahead to the category you’re interested in:
Credit Cards for Financing an Existing Business | Credit Cards if Denied Business Credit Cash-Back Credit Cards | Credit Cards for Fair Credit
4 Credit Cards for Financing an Existing Business
These credit cards are best suited for entrepreneurs who already have their businesses up and running and have excellent credit history. These cards offer higher credit limits than personal credit cards, cash back on purchases, generous sign-up bonuses, and other perks especially beneficial to business owners:
- no foreign transaction fees
- no annual fee
- quarterly and year-end summaries
- employee cards at no additional cost
Here are four of the top expert-reviewed business credit cards currently available to help finance your existing business:
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases–with no limit to the amount you can earn
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more – your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- No foreign transaction fees
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.74% - 22.74% Variable | $95 | Excellent Credit |
- Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Named "Best Rewards Card for Small Business Owners" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2017
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 12 months | 14.99% - 20.99% Variable | $0 | Excellent Credit |
- Earning unlimited 1.5% cash back could mean thousands of dollars each year going back into your business
- Plus, a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Save on interest with 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months; 14.74% - 22.74% variable APR after that
- No annual fee
- Use Spark Cash Select across all your business spend, with no categories to limit your purchasing
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 9 months | N/A | 14.74% - 22.74% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent, Good |
- Earn 1.5 miles per $1 on every purchase, every day
- Plus, a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account, and there are no categories to limit where or what you buy
- Save on interest with 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months; 14.74% - 22.74% variable APR after that
- Pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- Get online Quarterly and Year-End Summaries
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 9 months | N/A | 14.74% - 22.74% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent, Good |
+See more business credit cards
5 Consumer Credit Cards if You’re Denied Business Credit
Business credit cards generally require excellent credit because of the increased risk to the issuer that comes with such a high credit limit, making them harder to obtain. A consumer credit card with top-notch benefits is a good option if you’re unable to secure a line of business credit.
Plenty of consumer cards possess many of the same benefits as a business card, like sign-up bonuses and no annual fees. One notable advantage of a consumer card over a business card is 0% intro APR offers. A 0% intro APR means the issuer is not charging interest on any of your purchases for a period of time, and some issuers offer interest-free purchasing for up to 18 months. This is essentially a free loan, which you won’t find at any bank.
Here are five of our favorite consumer cards with perks that rival those of a business credit card:
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 16.90%-26.74% variable APR; balance transfer fees apply
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card
- Free access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online®
- Zero Liability protection for promptly reported unauthorized transactions
- Convenient tools to help create a budget and manage your spending with My Money Map
- $0 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 18 months | 0% for 18 months | 16.90%-26.74% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase - it's automatic
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.74-25.49%. Balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.74% - 25.49% Variable | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
- Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.74-25.49%. Balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.74% - 25.49% Variable | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Receive FREE Social Security number alerts—Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 0% for 14 months | 13.74% - 24.74% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- We'll match all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 30,000 Miles, you get 60,000 Miles.
- Unlimited 1.5x Miles per dollar on all purchases, every day, with no annual fee.
- No Blackout Dates - fly any airline, stay at any hotel.
- Redeem your Miles as a statement credit towards travel purchases.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 10.99% for 14 months | 13.74% - 24.74% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
+ See more consumer credit cards
4 Cash-Back Credit Cards to Maximize Business Funding
If you really want to maximize your business funding, earn cash back for what you’re spending. These types of cards are best for business owners who pay their credit card statements in full each month. Apply for a card with high cash-back potential like the Chase Freedom, and every month you’ll earn a percentage of what you spent in the form of statement credit or rewards – the choice is yours.
Here are four consumer credit cards with generous cash-back offers:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase - it's automatic
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.74-25.49%. Balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.74% - 25.49% Variable | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on purchases
- Enjoy 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases, like Apple Pay® or Android Pay™, during the first 12 months from account opening
- No category restrictions or sign ups and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
- 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 14.74%-26.74% variable APR; balance transfer fees apply
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 12 months | 0% for 12 months | 14.74%-26.74% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back earned at the end of your first year, automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Receive FREE Social Security number alerts—Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 0% for 14 months | 13.74% - 24.74% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, 2% on groceries and 1% on all other purchases
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 16.24%-24.99% variable APR after that
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 16.24%-24.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No annual fee
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 15 months | 0% for 15 months | 16.24% - 24.99% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent, Good |
+See more cash-back credit cards
5 Credit Cards for Entrepreneurs with Fair Credit
So maybe your credit isn’t in the best shape and you’re not having much luck obtaining a business credit card or a top-tier consumer card. You still have options for financing your business with a credit card. These cards offer the opportunity to build your credit by paying your statement on time each month. In time, as your credit begins to improve, you can apply for a business credit card or one with better rewards.
Below are five of the best credit cards for fair credit that still offer benefits such as cash back and 0% intro APRs:
- Pay no annual fee
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
- Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen
- Use online banking to access your account, even from your smartphone, with our mobile app
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 24.99% (Variable) | $0 | Average, Fair, Limited |
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Earn cash rewards without signing up for rotating categories
- Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
- Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
- $0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- No limit to how much cash back you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 24.99% (Variable) | $39 | Average, Fair, Limited |
- Find out if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- Eligible purchases earn 1% cash back rewards automatically, terms apply
- Get a credit line between $300 and $3,000 based on your credit history
- Looking for more credit? Get credit line increase opportunities, a fee may apply
- Choose your monthly payment due date for added convenience, terms apply
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.49% - 25.49% Variable | $0 - $99 | Fair |
- See if you Pre-Qualify without harming your credit score
- This unsecured card requires no deposit and can help build your credit
- Track your progress with free online access to your Experian credit score, terms apply
- Build your credit history—we report to the credit bureaus monthly
- Looking for more credit? Get credit line increase opportunities, a fee may apply
- Enjoy the flexibility to choose your payment due date, terms apply
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.49% - 25.49% Variable | $0 - $99 | Fair |
- Find the card that’s right for you without affecting your credit score.
- Show off your personality by selecting from a variety of card designs, a fee may apply.
- Get 1% cash back rewards on eligible purchases including gas, groceries, and services such as mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV, terms apply.
- Set up custom email or text alerts so you'll always be aware of your payment due date, when your payment posts, or if your available credit runs low.
- Don’t get stuck with a payment date that doesn’t work with your schedule. Credit One Bank allows you to choose your monthly payment due date. Terms apply.
- Take advantage of free online access to your Experian credit score and credit report summary so you can track the key factors impacting your credit health. Terms apply.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 17.49% - 25.49% Variable | $0 - $99 | Fair |
+ See more credit cards for fair credit
Final Thoughts on Using a Credit Card to Finance a Business
If you need more than $50,000 to finance your business, a credit card isn’t your solution. You’re better off looking at bank and SBA loans that can lend you as much as $250,000. Credit cards are better suited for business owners with smaller purchasing needs.
And while a credit card may offer a lower interest rate than other loan types, especially with a 0% intro APR card, keep in mind that credit card rates can change at any time. With most business loans your rate is fixed. However, a credit card offers flexibility that a loan cannot: You only need to borrow from a credit card as needed, and your monthly payments will be lower.
No matter which card you choose, remember that if you pay your balance in full each month, you’ll avoid paying interest altogether. Other types of loans can’t offer that, and they certainly won’t offer you any rewards. If you borrow from your card wisely, it can definitely be a smart way to finance your business.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Share This Article
About the Author