Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
Most business credit card issuers require a personal guarantee, which makes you liable personally for your business’ debts in case it fails. If you don’t want to take this risk, you can opt for a business card that doesn’t require a personal guarantee. An established small business with substantial annual revenues can usually qualify for business credit cards without a personal guarantee. Your options include charge cards, store cards, prepaid cards, and debit cards.
Here are the five best business cards with no personal guarantee:
- Brex Card: Overall best business credit card with no personal guarantee, no credit check, and flexible redemption options
- Shell Small Business Fuel Card: Best for fuel purchases at Shell
- Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®: Best for small businesses with recurring big-box store purchases
- Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card: Best for small businesses with recurring office supply and furniture purchases
- Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card: Best for nonprofit organizations
Best Business Credit Cards With No Personal Guarantee At a Glance
Best For | Annual Fee | Best Feature | ||
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Brex Card | (Best overall) with no personal guarantee, no credit check, and flexible payment options | None | Up to 8x rewards depending on your business industry | |
Shell Small Business Card | Fuel purchases at Shel | None | Accepted at more than 13,000 Shell stations across the country | |
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® | Small businesses with recurring big-box store purchases | None, but Sam’s Club PLUS membership fee is $110 | Cash back rewards on selected spending categories | |
Office Depot OfficeMax Business Credit Card | Businesses with recurring office supply and furniture purchases | None | Cash back rewards on eligible purchases made at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® locations and their online stores | |
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card | Nonprofit organizations | None | Exclusive discounts at over 200 national vendors through Charity Charge’s partnership with CHAMPs |
Brex Card: Overall Best Business Credit Card With No Personal Guarantee, No Credit Check, and Flexible Payment Options
Brex CardBEST FOR: Those who want daily or monthly payments | |
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When To Consider the Brex Card
Issued by Emigrant Bank and Fifth Third Bank, NA, and backed by more than 10 partner banks, which are all Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured (see Brex’s partner banks), this is our overall best business credit card with no personal guarantee. It does not require personal credit checks, offers payment flexibility, and lets you earn up to 8x points depending on your chosen payment frequency.
While its limit is dependent on your available cash balances from your Brex Business Account, Brex Card reports your payment history to business credit bureaus, making it easier to build business credit. This is why this card is also included in our roundups of the best business credit cards with no personal credit check and leading business credit cards for startups.
Rewards:
Paid Daily | Paid Monthly |
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Other benefits:
- Switch between a monthly payment cycle and a daily payment cycle
- Receive FDIC protection of up to $6 million
- Get exclusive discounts on selected software
- Issue unlimited virtual and physical cards
Important considerations:
- Brex Card is treated as a credit card with your payment history being reported to business credit bureaus to build your business credit.
- It requires an active Brex Business Account. Learn more about the business checking product and its features by reading our Brex Business Account review.
- It does not allow ATM withdrawals.
Shell Small Business Fuel Card: Best for Fuel Purchases at Shell
- Earn rebates of up to 5 cents per gallon
Pros
- Zero card fees
- Discounts at Jiffy Lube locations
Cons
- Businesses need to earn at least $1 million annually to qualify
- Total savings capped at $300 per billing cycle
- Online and mobile account management
- Cancel stolen or lost cards in real time online
- 24/7 customer service available
- Payment flexibility―revolve your balance or pay in full each billing cycle
- Earn rebates of up to 5 cents per gallon
Pros
- Zero card fees
- Discounts at Jiffy Lube locations
Cons
- Businesses need to earn at least $1 million annually to qualify
- Total savings capped at $300 per billing cycle
- Online and mobile account management
- Cancel stolen or lost cards in real time online
- 24/7 customer service available
- Payment flexibility―revolve your balance or pay in full each billing cycle
When To Consider the Shell Small Business Fuel Card
You would want this business credit card with no personal guarantee if your small business frequently makes fuel purchases at Shell. It is accepted at more than 13,000 Shell stations and participating Jiffy Lube locations nationwide and does not charge setup, monthly, or annual fees. It is not surprising that it is one of our top-recommended fuel cards for small businesses.
Reward:
- Rebates of up to 5 cents per gallon
Other benefits:
- Pull up detailed fueling activity reports, making tracking business spending easier
- Know who purchased what, where, and when—making it easier to track all financial transactions
- Set limits on what and how much can be purchased per employee card; you can also activate, suspend, and terminate cards through online and mobile tools
Important considerations
- It is only viable if you purchase fuel at Shell.
- It requires businesses to earn at least $1 million annually to qualify.
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®: Best for Small Businesses With Recurring Big-box Store Purchases
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®
BEST FOR:
5% back on gas at United States gas stations and Sam's Club and Walmart fuel stations
- Earn 5% back on gas at United States gas stations and Sam's Club and Walmart fuel stations, 3% on all Sam’s Club purchases, 3% back at restaurants, and 1% on all other eligible purchases
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Need to be a Sam’s Club member to qualify
- Does not have 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Must be a Sam’s Club Plus membership to maximize rewards
- 600 branches: Sam’s Club has around 600 branches across the US and Puerto Rico.
- 2-in-1 card: This credit card can also be your Sam’s Club membership card.
- Authorized user: You can add an authorized user to help manage your Sam’s Club online management account.
- Protection against identity theft: At no charge, you can request copies of your application and business records at Sam’s Club or SamsClub.com if you’re a victim of identity theft.
- Earn 5% back on gas at United States gas stations and Sam's Club and Walmart fuel stations, 3% on all Sam’s Club purchases, 3% back at restaurants, and 1% on all other eligible purchases
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Need to be a Sam’s Club member to qualify
- Does not have 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Must be a Sam’s Club Plus membership to maximize rewards
- 600 branches: Sam’s Club has around 600 branches across the US and Puerto Rico.
- 2-in-1 card: This credit card can also be your Sam’s Club membership card.
- Authorized user: You can add an authorized user to help manage your Sam’s Club online management account.
- Protection against identity theft: At no charge, you can request copies of your application and business records at Sam’s Club or SamsClub.com if you’re a victim of identity theft.
When To Consider the Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®
This card is ideal if you frequently make big-box purchases. It lets you earn cash back rewards on selected spending categories and does not charge monthly or annual fees, which is why it’s one of our best business store credit cards. If you get a Plus membership, which costs $110 a year, you can enjoy additional cash rewards, free shipping, and free curbside pickup.
Rewards:
- 5% cash back on eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations anywhere for the first $6,000 spent per year, then 1% if the cap is met
- 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases with Plus membership (1% cash back for Club members only) and dining and takeout
- 1% cash back on other purchases
Other benefits:
- Receive a $30 statement credit after opening a new account and making at least a $30 purchase within 30 days of account opening
- Enjoy no monthly or annual fee aside from the annual Plus membership fee
- Purchase thousands of items from the site, even if you don’t live near one of 600 Sam’s Club® locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as delivery is free for Sam’s Club® Plus members
Important considerations:
- It requires you to have an active Sam’s Club membership to qualify.
- It does not have a 0% introductory period on purchases and balance transfers.
- You must have a Sam’s Club PLUS membership to maximize rewards.
Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card: Best for Businesses With Recurring Office Supply & Furniture Purchases
Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who regularly make purchases at Office Depot and OfficeMax
- 2% back on supplies, furniture, technology, and other eligible items
- Members-only savings that are only available to Rewards members, such as 100% back in rewards on batteries and 20% back in rewards on qualifying purchases
- $2 in rewards if you recycle both your ink and toner cartridges (with a minimum $10 purchase and up to 10 cartridges per month)
Pros
- With rewards for new and existing cardholders
- Available to applicants with Fair credit
- Charges $0 annual fees
Cons
- Need for you to be enrolled in the Rewards Program to get cashback rewards
- Can only be used at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores
- Office Depot® OfficeMax® Rewards Program: A free program where active members can get up to 2% cashback in rewards on their go-to supplies, furniture, equipment, and more.
- Itemized billing statements: Office Depot provides relevant information that can help business owners do proper budget allocation and forecasting of expenses when using their credit cards.
- 2% back on supplies, furniture, technology, and other eligible items
- Members-only savings that are only available to Rewards members, such as 100% back in rewards on batteries and 20% back in rewards on qualifying purchases
- $2 in rewards if you recycle both your ink and toner cartridges (with a minimum $10 purchase and up to 10 cartridges per month)
Pros
- With rewards for new and existing cardholders
- Available to applicants with Fair credit
- Charges $0 annual fees
Cons
- Need for you to be enrolled in the Rewards Program to get cashback rewards
- Can only be used at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores
- Office Depot® OfficeMax® Rewards Program: A free program where active members can get up to 2% cashback in rewards on their go-to supplies, furniture, equipment, and more.
- Itemized billing statements: Office Depot provides relevant information that can help business owners do proper budget allocation and forecasting of expenses when using their credit cards.
When To Consider the Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card
This is an excellent business credit card with no personal guarantee if you have recurring office supply and furniture purchases and if you frequently shop at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® locations and their online stores. Linking your Office Depot® rewards membership to your credit card account, you’ll earn rewards automatically every time you use your card.
Member-only Rewards:
- 2% back on supplies, furniture, technology, and other eligible items
- $2 in rewards if you recycle both your ink and toner cartridges (with a minimum $10 purchase and up to 10 cartridges per month)
- $2 back for product reviews on up to a maximum of three reviews per month
- Members-only savings available to Rewards members, such as 100% back in rewards on batteries and 20% back in rewards on qualifying purchases
Other benefits:
- Earn a $50 statement credit on your first purchase of $150 or more made within 60 days from opening an account.
- Choose between carrying a balance or paying in full. You can learn more about this feature by visiting an Office Depot OfficeMax store or by calling (800) 729-774.
- Unlock VIP status after spending $500 within 12 months and receive the following:
- 5% back on ink, toner, paper, and print services
- Get free 2-day delivery with no minimum purchase
- Receive exclusive perks such as birthday offers and more
Important considerations:
- It can only be used at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores.
- It does not have a 0% introductory period on purchases.
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card: Best for Nonprofit Organizations
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card
BEST FOR:
Nonprofits that want to receive exclusive vendor discounts and rebates
- While Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card does not offer cash back or points rewards for its new and existing cardholders, it offers discounts and rebates through Mastercard® Easy Savings and CHAMPS GPO
Pros
- Does not charge annual fees
- Offers automatic rebates and discounts
Cons
- Balance is due in full each month
- Has strict eligibility requirements
- Does not have 0% introductory period
- First four months free for Microsoft 365: Get the first four months free after getting a one-year subscription to Office apps such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- No personal guarantee: This card requires no personal guarantee, which means it doesn’t require a personal credit check. Plus, you aren’t personally liable for the company’s debt obligations.
- Employee cards: You can order as many employee cards on your original application or after your account is established. You can also adjust individual cards and set temporary limit adjustments in real time.
- While Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card does not offer cash back or points rewards for its new and existing cardholders, it offers discounts and rebates through Mastercard® Easy Savings and CHAMPS GPO
Pros
- Does not charge annual fees
- Offers automatic rebates and discounts
Cons
- Balance is due in full each month
- Has strict eligibility requirements
- Does not have 0% introductory period
- First four months free for Microsoft 365: Get the first four months free after getting a one-year subscription to Office apps such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- No personal guarantee: This card requires no personal guarantee, which means it doesn’t require a personal credit check. Plus, you aren’t personally liable for the company’s debt obligations.
- Employee cards: You can order as many employee cards on your original application or after your account is established. You can also adjust individual cards and set temporary limit adjustments in real time.
When To Consider the Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card
Nonprofit organizations would want this business credit card with no personal guarantee as it offers exclusive discounts at over 200 national vendors through Charity Charge’s partnership with CHAMPs. It also offers Mastercard® Easy Savings, which lets you earn automatic rebates from Mastercard®. While it requires you to pay in full each month, it does not charge annual fees. Its rebates and $0 annual fees are why it made it to our list of the top credit cards for nonprofits.
To qualify, nonprofits must have an active 501(c) nonprofit status and fulfill at least one of the following criteria to qualify for the card:
- Five years in operation and $100,000 in annual revenue.
- Two years in operation and $500,000 in annual revenue.
Rewards:
- Rebates and discounts to over 50,000 nationwide vendors on everyday products and services:
- CHAMPS GPO: Enjoy 10% to 20% discounts on various spending categories, including office supplies, medical supplies, shipping, and transportation, when you use CHAMPS Group Purchasing to manage pricing with your preferred vendors.
- Mastercard® Easy Savings: Earn automatic rebates from Mastercard®. When you use your Mastercard business card to pay for eligible purchases at any participating merchant, your rebates will be applied to your account automatically.
Other benefits:
- Order as many employee cards as they need at no additional cost
- Access its online account management to set card limits for each employee and pause or cancel the card
Important considerations:
- It requires you to pay your balances in full each month.
- It has strict eligibility requirements.
- It does not have a 0% introductory period.
How We Selected the Best Business Credit Cards With No Personal Guarantee
To determine the best business credit cards with no personal guarantee, we looked at fees, ease of application, and any rewards or benefits. We also considered the versatility of where the card could be used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Credit card issuers are protected from the risk of unpaid debt by personal guarantees. A personal guarantee transfers that risk to the business owner directly, which is why nearly all business credit cards require a personal guarantee.
Lenders and credit card issuers need assurance that someone will be liable to pay the business debt even if the business fails. If your business defaults on payments, a personal guarantee means that the issuer can attempt to collect the debt directly from you.
As a business owner, you can limit your personal risk by using a no-personal-guarantee credit card if your business meets the size and revenue requirements. You also have the option to use a business charge card, business debit, or prepaid card if you want to avoid a personal guarantee. These cards are much less likely to have restrictions on who qualifies for the card.
You will need to show the issuing bank that your business is stable, can produce consistent earnings, has a significant cash flow, and has a flawless payment history. Some of the specific measures that you can take to remove a personal guarantee from your business credit card are as follows:
- Getting and maintaining several credit cards with personal guarantees: Showing the issuing bank that you have other credit cards that you maintain and pay promptly will help increase your chances of removing personal guarantee from your next business credit card.
- Applying for third-party guaranteed lending: Third-party guarantees, such as SBA loans, can help improve your business credit scores.
Here are a few tips a small business owner can follow to reduce exposure to unpaid debt and personal liability:
- Make payments on time: Making prompt payments is crucial to avoid negative reporting on your personal credit. For charge cards where payments are withdrawn from your account automatically when the bill is due, ensure you have enough funds to cover the balance.
- Spend responsibly: Overspending increases the possibility that you’ll be unable to make your payments in full or on time. See to it you only charge expenses that you can afford to pay back right away.
- Manage employee spending: Most business credit cards offer online account management tools that you can use to apply spending controls and limits on employee cards. Limit the number of cards to only necessary users, and review employee card usage constantly.
A business credit card without a personal guarantee ensures that business owners are not personally liable for any debts incurred by their business. However, business credit cards with no personal guarantee offer limited perks and rewards.
Bottom Line
Business credit cards with no personal guarantee are the right option if you don’t want the issuer to go after your personal assets in case you’re unable to pay your debts. However, your business assets may be seized if you fail to make payments on your card. As with any credit card, it’s important to use the card responsibly and in line with your budget.