Key Things to Know About Business Credit Cards
Business credit cards can help separate company spending, streamline bookkeeping, and build a credit profile for your enterprise. Understanding how applications work, what fees to watch, and how to connect your card to expense tracking software can prevent surprises and keep cash flow steady. Here are the essentials for US businesses of all sizes.
Business credit cards are designed to keep company and personal finances distinct while adding tools like spending controls, rewards, and automated bookkeeping feeds. Unlike personal cards, some issuers report activity to business credit bureaus, which can help establish a profile for your company over time. Knowing how applications, fees, and integrations work will help you choose a card that fits your operations and risk tolerance.
Applying for a business credit card
When applying for a business credit card, expect to provide legal name, business structure, industry code, address, and tax identifiers such as EIN if available. Sole proprietors can typically apply using a Social Security number and a legal name or trade name. Most issuers evaluate the owner’s personal credit and may require a personal guarantee, which means you are responsible for the balance if the business cannot pay. Lenders may also ask about revenue, time in business, and average monthly spend to gauge risk and set limits. Submitting accurate information and aligning your projected spend with realistic cash flow makes approval and ongoing use smoother. After approval, enable account alerts, set up autopay to avoid missed payments, and request employee cards only as needed with appropriate controls.
Business credit card with no foreign transaction fee
If you or your team travel internationally or pay non‑US vendors, a card with no foreign transaction fee can prevent added costs on every purchase. Beyond fees, consider network acceptance in your destinations, as some regions favor specific card networks. Turn on travel notifications to reduce the chance of declines abroad, and confirm whether the card supports contactless or chip‑and‑PIN for unattended kiosks. Review whether the card offers emergency card replacement and travel assistance, which can matter when resolving issues far from home. Even with no foreign fees, watch for dynamic currency conversion at checkout and select local currency to avoid extra markups.
Business expense tracking software
Pairing your card with business expense tracking software streamlines reconciliation and tax prep. Most business cards can connect via secure data feeds to accounting platforms such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, or Zoho Books, and to dedicated expense tools like Expensify. Look for features like automatic categorization rules, receipt capture by mobile app or email, and the ability to tag expenses to projects, clients, or locations. If you issue employee cards, choose software that lets you set per‑card limits, merchant category restrictions, and approval workflows. Export options such as CSV or direct bank feeds help your bookkeeper close the books faster and reduce manual data entry errors.
Responsible use helps protect both personal and business credit. Keep utilization reasonable relative to your limit, especially near the statement closing date, because high balances can signal risk even if you pay in full later. Autopay at least the statement balance to avoid interest on purchases, and review statements monthly for duplicate charges or unauthorized transactions. Many cards include purchase protections such as extended warranty or damage coverage, but terms vary by issuer and product, so verify details before relying on a benefit. If your issuer reports to business credit bureaus such as Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax Business, consistent on‑time payments may support a stronger company credit file over time.
Below are examples of US providers and typical services. Offer details can change, and features vary by specific product within each issuer’s portfolio.
| Provider Name | Services Offered | Key Features/Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | Business credit cards, rewards, expense tools | Flexible rewards options, travel benefits on select products, employee card controls, some cards include no foreign transaction fees |
| Chase | Business credit cards and banking | Points or cash back programs, broad travel partnerships on select cards, receipt capture in app, account alerts |
| Capital One | Business credit cards and spend controls | Flat‑rate rewards on many cards, no foreign transaction fees on select products, virtual card numbers for online purchases |
| Bank of America | Business credit cards and banking | Cash back or points options, integration with accounting software, customizable alerts, administrator dashboards |
| U.S. Bank | Business credit cards and payment solutions | Travel and cash back options, mobile receipt capture, spending category controls, selected cards with no foreign transaction fees |
A thoughtful selection process starts with goals. If your priority is smoother bookkeeping, focus on clean data feeds, robust receipt capture, and granular employee controls. If travel is central to operations, weigh network acceptance, airport lounge access where offered, primary auto rental coverage, and international support. For new or smaller enterprises, consider how a personal guarantee and credit checks affect your overall risk profile, and whether a lower limit with strong controls might be a safer first step. Over time, review whether rewards align with your highest spend categories and whether annual fees are justified by the value you actually use.
In summary, business credit cards can be a practical tool for separating finances, managing cash flow, and generating useful data about company spending. Understanding application requirements, evaluating fees like foreign transaction charges, and connecting the account to expense tracking software will help you run a tighter, more resilient operation while minimizing avoidable costs and administrative friction.
