How to get a business credit card with just your EIN
Many business credit cards require personal credit checks and Social Security numbers, but some issuers offer EIN-only credit cards designed for businesses with strong revenue and financial history.
These business credit cards with EIN-only requirements allow you to apply using just your Employer Identification Number, often skipping personal guarantees and protecting your assets from business debt.
This guide explores how to get the best business credit cards with EIN-only requirements, compares EIN-only business credit cards, and provides expert advice for managing your new card responsibly.
Key takeaways
- Some business credit cards let you apply using just your EIN and skip personal credit checks and guarantees
- A few financial technology companies, like Expensify, Brex, or Ramp, offer corporate cards that don’t require an SSN or personal guarantee
- Your EIN is crucial for establishing business credit and allows you to separate your business and personal finances, so you stay tax compliant
- Qualifying for an actual EIN-only card requires proactive financial management
- Using a business credit card that doesn't involve a personal credit check won't affect your personal credit score
What is an EIN, and why does it matter for credit cards?
An EIN is like a Social Security number for businesses. The IRS uses a nine-digit code to track a company's taxes and financial activities. Businesses need it to pay taxes, open bank accounts, and handle employee benefits.
Getting a business credit card with your EIN offers significant advantages over using personal cards for business expenses. Here's why it matters:
Separation of personal and business finances: Small businesses often use credit cards for financing, but many still mix personal and business expenses. One of the biggest benefits is keeping your finances completely separate. This separation is crucial for legal protection and simplifies accounting and tax preparation.
Building business credit: Establishing a positive credit history for your business helps you secure better financing options and terms in the future, strengthening your business's credit profile independently of your personal score.
Read more: Does a company credit card affect your personal credit score? Find out.
Higher credit limits: Business credit cards typically offer higher credit limits than personal cards. This can be essential for businesses requiring substantial funds for operations, inventory, or expansion.
Rewards and benefits: Many business credit cards have rewards programs tailored to business spending, offering cash back, travel rewards, or discounts on business-related expenses.
Liability protection: Using a business credit card provides personal liability protection. In most cases, your personal assets aren't at risk if the business defaults on credit card debt.
5 popular EIN-only business credit cards to consider
These business credit cards with EIN-only options may allow businesses to apply using an EIN only, often without a personal credit check or guarantee. Requirements can vary based on company revenue, age, and cash flow, so always confirm eligibility before applying.
1. Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Overview: Entry-level card designed for new businesses building credit
Key features:
EIN accepted; SSN used for verification only (no hard pull)
1% cash back on all purchases
No annual fee
Reports to business credit bureaus
Pros:
Accessible for newer businesses
Helps build business credit history
Simple rewards structure
Trade-offs:
Lower rewards rate than premium cards
Limited additional perks
Who it's for: New businesses focused on building credit rather than maximizing rewards
2. Sam's Club® Business Mastercard®
Overview: Warehouse-focused card with strong fuel and dining rewards
Key features:
EIN-only application available in-store
5% back on gas (up to $6,000/year)
3% back on dining, 1% everywhere else
Requires Sam's Club membership
Pros:
Excellent fuel rewards for fleet businesses
Strong dining category bonus
Access to warehouse bulk purchasing
Trade-offs:
Requires membership fee
Limited to Sam's Club ecosystem
Who it's for: Businesses with regular fuel costs and warehouse supply needs
3. Shell Small Business Card
Overview: Fleet-focused card with no personal credit check
Key features:
No personal credit check required
Realtime driver controls and purchase limits
Fraud monitoring and notifications
Fuel-specific spending controls
Pros:
Strong fleet management tools
Accessible for businesses with limited credit
Excellent spending controls
Trade-offs:
Limited to fuel purchases
No rewards program
Who it's for: Transportation-heavy businesses needing fleet control
4. Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card
Overview: Store-branded card for office supply purchases
Key features:
EIN and business documentation accepted
Revolving credit line for supplies
Reports to business credit bureaus
Special financing options available
Pros:
Easy approval process
Builds business credit
Useful for routine supply needs
Trade-offs:
Limited to Office Depot purchases
No rewards program
Who it's for: Businesses with consistent office supply needs
5. Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard®
Overview: Customizable rewards card for established businesses
Key features:
3% back in a category of your choice (gas, office supplies, etc.)
2% back on restaurants, 1% everywhere else
EIN accepted for qualified businesses
Customizable bonus categories
Pros:
Flexible rewards structure
Strong category bonuses
Established issuer reputation
Trade-offs:
Requires good business credit profile
Typically needs $75,000+ annual revenue
Who it's for: Established businesses with strong revenue wanting customizable rewards
Good to know: These options are EIN-preferred, but not guaranteed to be EIN-only. If you're looking for cards that don't require a personal guarantee, be sure to filter for "no PG" specifically when applying.
Read more: The best credit cards for LLCs
Types of EIN-only business credit card options
EIN-only business credit cards come in various types, each designed to cater to specific business needs and preferences. Understanding these categories helps you identify the best EIN-only business credit cards for your company's situation.
Rewards cards
Ideal for companies with high monthly spend, these best business credit cards with EIN-only programs offer rewards in the form of cash back, points, or miles for every dollar spent. Rewards can often be customized to align with your business priorities, such as travel, office supplies, or dining expenses. These work best for established businesses that can maximize category bonuses.
Cash back cards
These business credit cards that use an EIN only provide a percentage of your business spending back in cash. Many providers also offer a savings calculator to help you understand how much money these types of cards can help you save and earn on a regular basis. The simplicity makes them popular among small business owners who want straightforward rewards.
Travel cards
If your business involves frequent travel, these startup business credit cards with EIN-only options can be valuable assets. They offer travel-related perks like airline miles, airport lounge access, no foreign exchange fees, and travel insurance, helping you reduce travel expenses while building business credit.
Secured cards
Ideal for new businesses or those with limited credit history, secured business credit cards for LLCs, EIN-only applications require a security deposit. They're an excellent way to establish or rebuild credit while enjoying the benefits of a credit card. These provide the most accessible path to business credit for startups.
Charge cards
Unlike traditional credit cards, charge cards require you to pay the balance in full each month. While they don't offer revolving credit, they can help with cash flow management and instill discipline in managing expenses. Many charge cards offer EIN-only business credit cards with no personal guarantee structures.
Store-branded cards
If your business frequently shops at specific retailers or suppliers, store-branded business credit cards can provide discounts, special financing terms, and rewards tailored to your industry. However, their use is limited to specific merchants, making them supplementary rather than primary business credit solutions.
Corporate cards
Designed for larger businesses with significant financial needs and higher revenue requirements. Corporate business credit cards with EIN-only options offer high credit limits and customizable features, often without personal guarantees for qualified businesses. These typically require substantial annual revenue.
No-personal-guarantee cards
These EIN-only business credit cards with no personal guarantee options are especially appealing for business owners who want to keep their personal and business finances separate. They don't require a personal guarantee, reducing personal liability and protecting your assets from business debt.
Virtual cards
A virtual card is a newer category that's great for remote teams or software subscriptions. These startup business credit cards with no credit or EIN-only requirements provide instant digital access and enhanced security controls for online purchases.
Gas and fleet cards
These business gas credit cards with EIN-only options are especially useful for businesses with drivers or vehicle-heavy operations. They offer fuel discounts, driver controls, and detailed reporting for transportation expenses. They're particularly valuable for delivery services and mobile businesses.
Can you really get a business credit card with just an EIN?
The short answer is yes, but with important caveats. There's a difference between traditional business credit cards and true small business credit cards using EIN-only requirements.
EIN-only credit cards are rarer and often come in the form of corporate charge cards or specialized commercial cards. These genuinely don't require an SSN or personal guarantee, but they have stricter eligibility requirements focused on business revenue and cash flow.
Traditional business credit cards typically require both your SSN and EIN. Even when marketed as "business cards," most still require a personal guarantee and personal credit check, making them less appealing for business owners seeking complete financial separation.
Clarifying eligibility: The best startup business credit cards with no credit, EIN-only options often require substantial revenue and positive cash flow. Most of these programs require businesses to have at least $100,000 in annual revenue. Some may still perform soft credit checks on the business entity itself, though they won't check your personal credit.
The key is understanding that few cards are in the category of startup business credit cards with EIN-only requirements and are bad-credit-friendly. Most that advertise this still require some form of verification or have revenue requirements that effectively screen out newer businesses. However, options do exist for businesses willing to meet the eligibility criteria.
Read more: How to get a business credit card + what to know before applying
How to qualify for an EIN-only business credit card
Getting business credit cards with EIN-only and no credit check approval requires preparation and patience. Here are the key steps to improve your chances of approval for the best business credit cards with EIN-only and no credit check requirements:
Register your business: You'll need a legally registered business entity such as an LLC, S Corp, or corporation. Sole proprietorships may qualify but have fewer options among business credit cards that only require EIN verification.
Get your EIN from the IRS: Apply for your EIN through the IRS website or by mail. This nine-digit number becomes your business's tax identification and is essential for all EIN-number-only business credit card applications.
Build business credit: Open a business bank account and establish relationships with vendors who report to business credit bureaus. Pay bills and loans on time to build a positive credit history that will support your business credit card applications for LLCs and EIN-only programs.
Clean up financials: For business credit cards with EIN-only options, revenue and cash flow matter more than credit scores. Ensure your financial statements show consistent income and positive cash flow that meets the requirements of best business credit cards with EIN-only programs.
Gather documentation: Collect your articles of incorporation, EIN letter, business registration documents, and recent financial statements. Some issuers may require a business plan or summary of your business's financial health for their business credit cards that use EIN-only applications.
Apply with EIN-only issuers: Focus on issuers who specifically advertise EIN-only business credit cards or no-personal-guarantee options. Research their specific requirements before applying to maximize your chances with the best EIN-only business credit cards available.
The approval process may still include a review of your business's credit history and financial health, even without a personal credit check for these specialized EIN-only credit card programs.
Using your EIN-only card responsibly
Once you've secured your EIN-only business credit card, following best practices ensures you maintain good standing and continue building business credit:
Budget management
Set clear spending limits for your business credit card
Create monthly budgets to manage expenses effectively
Ensure you can pay off balances in full to avoid interest charges
Payment discipline
Pay at least the minimum amount due by the due date every month
Set up automatic payments to avoid late fees
Remember that late payments negatively impact your business credit score
Credit utilization control
Keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% of your limit
Low utilization demonstrates responsible credit management
Consider making multiple payments per month if spending is high
Statement monitoring
Review statements monthly for unauthorized charges or errors
Report discrepancies immediately to your card issuer
Track spending patterns to identify potential fraud early
Strategic rewards maximization
Take full advantage of cash back, travel rewards, or business discounts
Align card usage with bonus categories when possible
Consider how rewards can offset business operating costs
Regular strategy assessment
Review card performance quarterly against business goals
Adjust spending strategies as your business evolves
Consider upgrading or switching cards as revenue grows
Avoid these common mistakes with EIN-only business cards
Even with EIN-only cards, there are potential issues to watch for:
Hidden credit requirements
Some "EIN-only" cards still perform soft credit checks on business entities
Read application terms carefully before applying
Verify whether your SSN is used for verification or credit checking
Misleading fee structures
Cards may offset no-personal-guarantee convenience with higher annual fees
Complex rewards programs can hide poor value propositions
Calculate total cost of ownership, including fees and interest rates
Credit building gaps
Not all business cards report to business credit bureaus
Store cards and specialized cards often skip credit reporting
Confirm reporting practices before choosing a card
Technology integration issues
Poor integration with expense management software creates extra work
Manual data entry reduces efficiency gains from business cards
Test integration capabilities during the card evaluation process
Comparing the Expensify Card with other EIN-only options
Looking for a hassle-free business card option? The Expensify VisaⓇ Commercial Card is designed specifically for businesses that want smart spend controls without personal guarantees.
No personal guarantee required: The Expensify Card doesn't ask for a personal guarantee, protecting your personal assets from business expenses and debt.
Smart expense management: Built for realtime expense tracking, the card automates expense reporting, receipt capturing, and approval workflows. Say goodbye to manual tracking and monthly reconciliation headaches.
Intelligent spend controls: Set spending limits for your team and restrict where cards can be used. Category controls, merchant restrictions, and realtime notifications give you complete visibility and control.
Competitive cash back rewards: Earn cash back on your business spending with straightforward rewards that don't require complex category tracking or quarterly activations.
No hidden fees: Transparent pricing means no surprise charges. Budget with confidence, knowing exactly what you're paying for.
Instant virtual cards: Get unlimited virtual cards instantly through the mobile app for online purchases, software subscriptions, or remote team expenses.
Seamless mobile experience: Manage your card and expenses from your smartphone with the Expensify mobile app, available on iOS and Android.
The Expensify Card isn't technically a credit card; it's a commercial card that requires connecting your business bank account. This approach eliminates personal guarantees while providing the spend control and tracking features growing businesses need.
Ready to get started? Download Expensify by clicking on the button below to access the Expensify Card and start managing your business expenses more efficiently.
Frequently asked questions about EIN-only credit cards
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Yes, several issuers offer EIN-only credit cards, though they typically require established business revenue and cash flow. The best business credit cards with EIN-only requirements focus on business creditworthiness rather than personal credit history.
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Store-branded cards like the Office Depot® Business Credit Card and fuel cards like the Shell Small Business Card tend to have the most accessible business credit card EIN-only application processes, though they're limited to specific merchant categories.
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Due to revenue requirements, startups may find it challenging to qualify for true startup business credit cards and EIN-only programs. Consider secured business cards or cards that require minimal personal guarantees while you build business credit and revenue.
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Few cards offer absolutely no credit checks. Shell Small Business Card and some store-branded options represent the closest to business credit cards with EIN-only and no credit check programs, though they may still review business credit or banking relationships.
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Corporate charge cards from major issuers, select fuel cards, store-branded cards, and specialized commercial cards like the Expensify Card (not a credit card) offer corporate cards that only require EIN verification or no-personal-guarantee options for qualifying businesses.
Get started with smarter spend management
Take control of your business expenses. Whether you choose an EIN-only credit card or a commercial card solution, the key is finding an option that protects your personal assets while providing the spending power and controls your business needs.
Already using business credit cards? Unlock the full power of realtime expense tracking with the Expensify Card's integrated expense management platform. Fill out the form below to get started, and we’ll take it from there.
