Business credit cards that don't report to personal credit bureaus
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As a business owner, it's essential to separate your personal and business finances. One way to do this is by using a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit bureaus. This can help protect your personal credit score and keep your business and personal credit activity separate.
In this article, we'll explore which business credit cards don't report to personal credit bureaus, which ones report to business credit bureaus, and the pros and cons of using a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit.
Which business credit cards report to personal credit bureaus?
Here's a table of some popular business credit card issuers and whether they report to personal credit bureaus:
As you can see, only a few card issuers, such as Ramp, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo don't report any activity to personal credit bureaus. This means that using these cards responsibly won't impact your personal credit score, but it also means that any negative activity, like late payments or high balances, won't show up on your personal credit report.
Which business credit cards report to business credit bureaus?
While some business credit cards don't report to personal credit bureaus, most do report to major business credit bureaus. Reporting to commercial credit bureaus can help you build your business credit profile, making it easier to qualify for loans, lines of credit, and other financing options in the future. Here's a table showing which business credit cards report to which business credit bureaus:
Business credit cards that don't report to personal credit bureaus
Now that we've seen which card issuers report to personal credit bureaus, let's take a closer look at some specific business credit cards that don’t.
Pros of using a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit bureaus
Separating personal and business finances
Using a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit bureaus helps keep personal and business expenses separate, making it easier to track and manage business finances. This separation is important for maintaining a clear distinction between personal and business credit, which is crucial for legal and tax purposes.
Protecting personal credit score
When using a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit bureaus, the card activity won't impact the cardholder's personal credit score, as long as payments are made on time and the account is managed responsibly. This prevents potential negative effects on personal credit, such as high credit utilization or late payments on the business card.
Higher credit limits
Business credit cards often have higher credit limits compared to personal credit cards, providing more purchasing power for business expenses. These higher credit limits can be beneficial for businesses with significant expenses or those looking to make large purchases.
Cons of using a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit bureaus
No positive impact on personal credit score
Responsible use and timely payments on a business credit card that doesn't report to personal credit bureaus won't contribute to improving the cardholder's personal credit score. This means missing out on the opportunity to build personal credit through business credit card use.
Personal guarantee requirement
Some business credit cards, including those that don't report to personal credit bureaus, may still require a personal guarantee from the business owner. This means the business owner is personally responsible for the debt incurred on the card, blurring the line between personal and business finances.
Limited options
The number of business credit cards that don't report to personal credit bureaus may be limited compared to those that do. This can restrict the choice of cards with specific rewards, benefits, or features that may be advantageous for the business.
Does a business credit card affect your personal credit score?
In most cases, a business credit card will not go off your personal credit score as long as you make payments on time and keep your account in good standing. However, if you default on your business credit card or make late payments, the card issuer may report this negative activity to your personal credit report, which could hurt your personal credit score.
Build business credit with Ramp
If you're looking to build business credit without impacting your personal credit, Ramp is a great option. Ramp provides a corporate card that doesn't require a personal credit check or personal guarantee, making it an attractive choice for business owners with less-than-perfect personal credit.
Once you're approved for a Ramp card, you can start making purchases and earn cashback on transactions. Ramp also offers a variety of expense management and accounting software integrations to help streamline your business finances.
While Ramp doesn't report to personal credit bureaus, it does report to major business credit bureaus. This means that using your Ramp card responsibly can help you build your business credit profile over time.
In addition to building business credit, using a Ramp card can also help you:
- Manage employee expenses with custom spend controls and real-time alerts
- Automate expense reporting and receipt matching
- Integrate with popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct
- Access higher credit limits than traditional business credit cards
FAQs
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The Ramp corporate card offers an all-in-one platform that automates expense management, enforces spending policies, and helps businesses save an average of 5% on their expenses, without requiring personal credit checks or founder guarantees.
- Unlimited physical and virtual employee cards with custom limits
- Acceptance in 200+ countries through the Visa global network
- Provides $350k+ in perks and negotiates merchant discounts to reduce business expenses
- Syncs with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct for seamless accounting
- Not available to sole proprietors
- Must have $50,000 in liquid assets
The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card features a noteworthy $750 cash back enrollment bonus when you spend $6,000 on eligible net purchases within 180 days of opening.
- $100 annual credit for recurring software subscriptions
- 3% cash back on categories like gas, office supplies, cell phone service, and dining
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- $3 transaction fee
- Limited benefits compared to other cards
- You lose all cashback earned if your account gets closed for any reason
The Bank of America credit card offers flexibility to earn bonus cash back in the category of your choice. With valuable rewards, practical perks, and no annual fee, this card provides a tailored solution for many small business owners.
- $300 online statement credit bonus offer
- 1-3% cash back on specific purchases
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles
- $50,000 annual cap on 3% and 2% categories
- No introductory rate for balance transfers
- Requires foreign transaction fee
The Ink Business Cash Credit Card is aimed at business owners seeking generous cash back rewards, with up to $750 in bonus cash back and no annual fee.
- 5% cash back in select business categories
- 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- 5% and 2% cash back categories have a combined annual spending cap of $25,000
- Requires excellent credit for approval
- 10% Business Relationship Bonus is only available if you have a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
The Well Fargo Active card offers a generous $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, providing a valuable incentive on top of its unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months
- Up to $600 cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your bill with the card
- Redeem for purchases as little as $1
- Balance transfers need to be made within 120 days to qualify for the intro rate and fee
- $3 transaction fee
- Cell phone protection is subject to a $25 deductible
The American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card is a simple yet rewarding business credit card with no annual fee, offering flexible points on all purchases and a generous introductory APR period, making it an attractive option for small business owners looking to save on interest while earning valuable rewards.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- Expanded buying power with the ability to spend above credit limit
- Access to valuable Amex Offers for additional savings
- Charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad
- 2x points earning is capped at $50,000 per year, then drops to 1x
- Requires good to excellent credit for approval
The Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi offers generous cash back rewards on gas, dining, travel, and Costco purchases, with no annual fee for Costco members and valuable travel and purchase protections.
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging worldwide (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%)
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
- Requires an active Costco membership to apply and maintain the card
- No special introductory offer
- Cash back rewards are only distributed annually as a credit card reward certificate
This is a rewarding business credit card for companies with frequent travel on American Airlines, offering a generous sign-up bonus, enhanced earning rates on select categories, and valuable travel perks.
- Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first 4 months
- 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, telecommunications, cable, car rentals, and gas stations
- 25% savings on American Airlines inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- Rewards are focused on American Airlines, limiting flexibility
- High annual fee after the first year
- No 0% introductory APR