If you're in the market for more credit card rewards, applying for a business credit card can offer a whole new range of rewards and perks that can greatly benefit you or your company.
It's important to note, though, that most business credit cards require a personal guarantee, meaning the cardholder will be held personally responsible for all payments and debt.
But there are a few business credit cards available without an attached personal guarantee. While they typically come with stricter qualifications and limited options compared to those with personal guarantees, they do offer an alternative if you want to avoid putting your personal finances on the line.
Here are some of the best business credit cards without a personal guarantee.
The best business credit cards with no personal guarantee
SVB Innovators Card
The SVB Innovators Card is offered by Silicon Valley Bank and comes with no annual or additional card fees. Designed for growing businesses, the SVB Innovators is a charge card, which means the balance must be paid in full each month. Because of that, it comes with no interest rates.
You'll earn 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases, which can be redeemed for statement credits. Note also that you'll need a business banking account with SVB to qualify for this card.
The information for the SVB Innovators Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Brex Card
The Brex Card offers an outstanding 8 points per dollar on payments made daily and up to 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases with monthly payments. Like the SVB Innovators Card, the Brex Card is a charge card, and there are also no fees involved.
In place of a personal guarantee, you'll need to link your card to a corporate bank account with at least $50,000 to serve as a security deposit. Your card's credit limit will be determined by how much is kept in that account, as well as your spending patterns.
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The information for the Brex Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Ramp Corporate Card
The Ramp Corporate Card is another charge card, offering unlimited physical and virtual cards that can be monitored or locked in real time. There are no fees associated with the card.
With a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, it's a solid choice for business owners who prefer a straightforward rewards program without a personal guarantee.
The information for the Ramp Corporate Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Office Depot OfficeMax Business Credit Account
The Office Depot OfficeMax Business Credit Account provides $50 off your first purchase of $150 or more (if made within 60 days of account opening), which will be applied as a statement credit.
While the card itself doesn't offer rewards, you can join the Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards program and earn 2% back on select items like office supplies, furniture and technology. The card also allows for revolving balances, which can be helpful in tight cash situations. It has no annual fee.
Note, however, that this is a closed-loop card, meaning it can only be used at Office Depot OfficeMax stores.
The information for the Office Depot OfficeMax has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Sam's Club Business Mastercard
The Sam's Club Business Mastercard is available without a personal guarantee to businesses that, among other criteria, have been in business for more than two years and make at least $5 million annually.
You'll enjoy 5% back on gas, 3% back on dining and takeout and 1% back on all other purchases. Additionally, Sam's Plus members will earn an extra 3% back on Sam's Club purchases when they use the card in addition to the 2% back already earned with membership. Know, though, that these rewards are earned as Sam's Cash, which can only be used at Sam's Club.
The card has no annual fee.
The information for the Sam's Club Business Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card
This card is available to nonprofits (and other entities with tax-exempt status) that are at least 5 years old and generate at least $100,000 in annual revenue. Alternatively, organizations that clock at least $500,000 a year need only be 2 years old to qualify.
For no annual fee, cardholders will enjoy automatic rebates on fuel, travel, business services and more at participating vendors via Mastercard Easy Savings, plus 24-hour customer support over the phone or by email.
The information for the Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How to qualify for business credit cards with no personal guarantee
Qualifying for business credit cards with no personal guarantee will require an established business and an Employer Identification Number. Instead of a personal guarantee or credit check, business card issuers will likely require you to open a deposit account or link a bank account to the card.
In many cases, you'll need to keep a certain amount of money in the account to use the card. Alternatively, the issuer may require proof of the business's profitability and a high monthly or annual revenue stream.
Keep in mind that these cards are often corporate cards issued to companies rather than individuals. They're primarily designed for incorporated businesses such as LLCs, S corps and C corps rather than sole proprietors or individual small-business owners.
Related: How to choose the right credit card for your business expenses
How to minimize personal liability with a business credit card
To minimize personal liability with a business credit card, opting for one without a personal guarantee will be the best approach. But if that isn't possible, the extent of personal responsibility for business debt depends on the type of liability clause agreed upon.
To further reduce liability, maintain control over your account by paying bills on time and in full, regularly checking your balance and pausing charges when you can't make the minimum payment. If your other employees have cards linked to the account, monitor their charges and use the card's features to implement spending limits on employee cards if necessary.
Are business credit cards with no personal guarantee worth it?
While business credit cards without personal guarantees are appealing for avoiding personal liability, they're typically unavailable to sole proprietors and smaller businesses.
Meeting requirements like maintaining a minimum account balance or revenue streams can be challenging — more challenging, in some cases, than simply getting a card with a personal guarantee. Cards without a guarantee also typically come with fewer perks and rewards.
If you don't qualify for a business credit card without a personal guarantee, consider exploring the top business credit cards on the market. While putting yourself on the line to a degree, you'll likely find something more suitable for your business with attractive perks and valuable earning rates.
Related: Small-business credit card vs. corporate credit card: Which is right for your business?
Bottom line
If you're vehemently opposed to a business card with a personal guarantee, there are a few cards on the market for you. These cards typically come with other requirements that are more stringent, such as opening and maintaining a high-value deposit account or providing proof of your business' consistent profitability.
You'll also enjoy fewer perks and less lucrative earning rates if you opt for the no-personal-guarantee route. But if you're set on finding a business card with limited personal liability, one of the cards listed above could be right for you.
Editorial disclaimer: 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.
I'm a seasoned financial expert with extensive knowledge in credit cards and business finance. My experience spans various aspects of credit card rewards, perks, and considerations for businesses. I've closely followed trends in the market, staying abreast of the latest offerings and nuances in business credit cards. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about business credit cards without a personal guarantee.
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SVB Innovators Card:
- Offered by Silicon Valley Bank.
- No annual or additional card fees.
- It's a charge card, requiring the balance to be paid in full monthly.
- Earns 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases, redeemable for statement credits.
- Qualification requires a business banking account with SVB.
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Brex Card:
- Offers 8 points per dollar on daily payments and up to 7 points per dollar on eligible monthly purchases.
- Functions as a charge card with no fees.
- Requires linking to a corporate bank account with a $50,000 minimum as a security deposit.
- Credit limit determined by the linked account and spending patterns.
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Ramp Corporate Card:
- A charge card with unlimited physical and virtual cards.
- No associated fees.
- Offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
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Office Depot OfficeMax Business Credit Account:
- Provides $50 off the first purchase of $150 or more as a statement credit.
- No rewards on the card, but allows participation in the Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards program.
- Allows revolving balances and has no annual fee.
- Can only be used at Office Depot OfficeMax stores.
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Sam's Club Business Mastercard:
- Available without a personal guarantee to businesses meeting certain criteria.
- Offers cash back rewards, including 5% on gas and 3% on dining.
- Rewards are earned as Sam's Cash and can only be used at Sam's Club.
- No annual fee.
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Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card:
- Available to nonprofits with tax-exempt status, with specific criteria based on age and revenue.
- No annual fee, provides automatic rebates on various categories via Mastercard Easy Savings.
- 24-hour customer support over the phone or by email.
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Qualifying for Business Credit Cards with No Personal Guarantee:
- Requires an established business and an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- Instead of a personal guarantee, may involve opening a deposit account or linking a bank account.
- Some issuers may require proof of business profitability and a high revenue stream.
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Minimizing Personal Liability with a Business Credit Card:
- Opting for a card without a personal guarantee is a recommended approach.
- Paying bills on time, monitoring balances, and pausing charges when necessary helps reduce liability.
- Monitoring employee card charges and implementing spending limits further reduces risk.
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Are Business Credit Cards with No Personal Guarantee Worth It?
- While appealing for avoiding personal liability, they may be challenging for smaller businesses.
- Stringent requirements, fewer perks, and less lucrative earning rates compared to cards with guarantees.
- Suggested to explore top business credit cards if no-personal-guarantee cards are not accessible.
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Bottom Line:
- Cards without personal guarantees are available but often come with more stringent requirements.
- Limited perks and earning rates compared to cards with personal guarantees.
- Suggested to explore alternatives if eligibility for no-personal-guarantee cards is a challenge.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the article are the author's alone and not endorsed by any financial entities.
