6 Best Instant Approval Business Credit Cards of 2022
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Benilyn has over a decade of experience as a banking officer. Her expertise is featured throughout Fit Small Business in personal finance, credit card, and real estate investing content.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
The best instant approval business credit cards are those that offer an approval decision within minutes and other benefits like introductory rewards, ongoing rewards, and an introductory annual percentage rate (APR). When choosing the best one for your business, consider the ongoing APR, annual fee, and additional features. Your options include regular business credit cards, charge cards, and secured business cards.
Here are the six best instant approval business credit cards and what each is best for:
- American Express Blue Business CashTM: Best overall instant approval business credit card
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best charge card with generous introductory bonus
- Capital One® Spark Classic® for Business: Best for business owners with fair credit
- First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition® Secured® Visa Card: Best secured card with fast prequalification process
- Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: Best secured business card with ongoing rewards
- Shell Small Business Card: Best for fuel expenses and businesses with fleets
To see how these cards stack up against others we reviewed on our site, click Add to Compare on a card below and choose up to two additional cards for comparison.
American Express Blue Business CashTM: Overall Best Instant Approval Business Card
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
16.24% - 24.24% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.24% - 24.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
16.24% - 24.24% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.24% - 24.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Why we like it: The American Express Blue Business CashTM Card is our best overall instant approval business credit card because it has one of the most straightforward cash back rewards with no annual fee. You can earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 per calendar year, then earn 1% cash back thereafter. This will be credited to your billing statement automatically. In addition, you can receive a $250 statement credit when you spend $3,000 within the first three months of card membership.
The card comes with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months and is a great option if you make frequent purchases at Amazon—making it one of our best business credit cards for Amazon purchases. Note that you’ll need a good to excellent credit score for American Express to approve your application, but once done, you can start using the card immediately because nearly all American Express business cards offer instant card numbers.
Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus: Best Charge Card With Generous Introductory Bonus
Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus Card
BEST FOR:
Businesses that want purchasing power and can pay their balances in full every month
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
None. There's no APR because your balance is due in full every month. Otherwise, you'll be charged a 2.99% monthly late fee
Annual Fee
$150
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Earn up to $1,000 in the first six months; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first six months.
- Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more.
Pros
- No preset spending limit
- Up to $1,000 cash bonus
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Opportunity to earn annual cash bonus
Cons
- Requires an annual fee
- Need to pay in full every month
- Requires excellent credit
- $0 foreign transaction fee: No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States
- $0 fraud liability: Advance emergency replacement for lost and stolen card plus cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Emergency services such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
None. There's no APR because your balance is due in full every month. Otherwise, you'll be charged a 2.99% monthly late fee
Annual Fee
$150
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions.
- Earn up to $1,000 in the first six months; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first six months.
- Earn an annual $200 cash bonus every year you spend $200,000 or more.
Pros
- No preset spending limit
- Up to $1,000 cash bonus
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- Opportunity to earn annual cash bonus
Cons
- Requires an annual fee
- Need to pay in full every month
- Requires excellent credit
- $0 foreign transaction fee: No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States
- $0 fraud liability: Advance emergency replacement for lost and stolen card plus cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Emergency services such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
Why we like it: Capital One Spark Cash Plus provides a substantial introductory bonus of up to $1,000 cash in the first six months of card ownership. Spend at least $5,000 in the first three months and earn $500—then after spending $50,000 in the first six months, receive another $500. You can also earn unlimited 2% cash back on your business-related purchases and unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Keep in mind that this is a pay-in-full card, which means your balance is due in full each month, and it has an annual fee of $150. It has no preset spending limit, making it an excellent option if you want flexible buying power, and your credit limit adjusts based on your usage, payment behavior, and credit history. Note that you need to have an excellent credit score to get approved instantly.
Capital One® Spark Classic® for Business: Best for Business Owners With Fair Credit
Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Fair credit business owners (580 to 669)
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
26.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Average, Fair, Limited
- 1% cash back every time you swipe
- Build your business credit through responsible usage
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- Opportunity to build business credit
- Only requires fair credit
- No annual fee
Cons
- No 0% introductory APR
- No sign-up bonus
- High APR
- Purchase protection: Capital One will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items in the event of theft or damage within the first 90 days of purchase.
- Extended warranty protection: You’ll get additional warranty protection on eligible items that are purchased with your business card, up to 1 year past the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You’re covered for damage due to collision or theft when you rent an eligible car with your Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business card.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
26.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Average, Fair, Limited
- 1% cash back every time you swipe
- Build your business credit through responsible usage
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- Opportunity to build business credit
- Only requires fair credit
- No annual fee
Cons
- No 0% introductory APR
- No sign-up bonus
- High APR
- Purchase protection: Capital One will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items in the event of theft or damage within the first 90 days of purchase.
- Extended warranty protection: You’ll get additional warranty protection on eligible items that are purchased with your business card, up to 1 year past the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You’re covered for damage due to collision or theft when you rent an eligible car with your Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business card.
Why we like it: If you have fair credit, Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business can help you finance your small business while your earn rewards and grow your credit score if you use it responsibly. You’ll receive an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. The card doesn’t have an annual fee, helping you reduce your overall credit cost.
According to Capital One’s website, you’ll often get a response within 60 seconds if you apply by phone or online. However, a credit check is required to determine approval. The good news is that you only need a fair credit score to be approved. The Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is our best business credit card for fair credit and startup businesses.
First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition® Secured® Visa Card: Best Secured Card With Fast Prequalification Process
First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition Secured Visa Card
BEST FOR:
Secured credit lines of as much as $100,000
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$39
Credit Needed
N/A
- Request your own credit limit between $2,000 and $100,000―multiples of $50―when you apply, subject to credit approval.
- Security deposit is 110% of the amount of your credit limit, between $2,200 and $110,000―multiples of $50―subject to credit approval.
- $39 annual fee
- Earn interest on your security deposit.
- Variable 19.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers based on the prime rate.
- Get automatic rebates with Visa SavingsEdge® on purchases that you make at qualified merchants.
- United States citizenship isn’t required but you must have a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (TIN) and a valid US address.
- Online access to view transactions, pay your bill, view up to seven years of prior statements, and more.
Pros
- Accepts a wide range of credit scores
- You can set your own credit limit
- Offers user-friendly management reports
- You’ll earn 0.05% annual percentage yield (APY) on your security deposit account balance
Cons
- Requires an annual fee
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
- Doesn’t offer rewards
- Automatic discounts: Good on purchases you make at qualified merchants. Rebates will be applied as statement credits.
- Visa Zero Liability: It covers you when fraudulent charges are made with either your card or your account information.
- Free management reports: Be able to track your expenses and spending, identify tax deductions, prepare tax filings, and predict costs with ease
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$39
Credit Needed
N/A
- Request your own credit limit between $2,000 and $100,000―multiples of $50―when you apply, subject to credit approval.
- Security deposit is 110% of the amount of your credit limit, between $2,200 and $110,000―multiples of $50―subject to credit approval.
- $39 annual fee
- Earn interest on your security deposit.
- Variable 19.99% APR on purchases and balance transfers based on the prime rate.
- Get automatic rebates with Visa SavingsEdge® on purchases that you make at qualified merchants.
- United States citizenship isn’t required but you must have a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (TIN) and a valid US address.
- Online access to view transactions, pay your bill, view up to seven years of prior statements, and more.
Pros
- Accepts a wide range of credit scores
- You can set your own credit limit
- Offers user-friendly management reports
- You’ll earn 0.05% annual percentage yield (APY) on your security deposit account balance
Cons
- Requires an annual fee
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
- Doesn’t offer rewards
- Automatic discounts: Good on purchases you make at qualified merchants. Rebates will be applied as statement credits.
- Visa Zero Liability: It covers you when fraudulent charges are made with either your card or your account information.
- Free management reports: Be able to track your expenses and spending, identify tax deductions, prepare tax filings, and predict costs with ease
Why we like it: The First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition® Secured® Visa Card is a secured credit card that allows you to prequalify online. If you have bad credit, you can check if you can prequalify in as quick as one minute. It’s one of our top-recommended bad credit business credit cards because it comes with a low annual fee of $39 and offers a high credit limit option.
Once qualified, you can request a credit limit of $2,000 to $100,000, in multiples of $50. Since this is a secured credit card, you need to make a security deposit of 110% of the amount of your credit limit, subject to approval. You’ll also earn interest on your security deposit, so it’s a great way to save your extra business funds. However, it doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus or ongoing rewards on your purchases, unlike the other cards on our list.
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: Best Secured Card With Ongoing Rewards
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Business owners with poor credit
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
Prime + 11.90% on purchases
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
N/A
- Cash Back option:
Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent - Reward Points option:
Earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 1,000 bonus points when your company spend is $1,000 or more in any monthly billing period - $0 annual rewards program fee
- $500 to $25,000 credit line
- Zero liability protection
Pros
- Businesses with low or bad credit scores can qualify
- Your choice of fixed-rate cash back or points rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Requires a security deposit of at least $500
- Credit limit will be based on the security deposit
- Purchase assurance: Wells Fargo will repair, replace, or reimburse you for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
- Design studio: Include a personal image or business design on your credit card.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
Prime + 11.90% on purchases
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
N/A
- Cash Back option:
Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent - Reward Points option:
Earn 1 point on every $1 spent and receive 1,000 bonus points when your company spend is $1,000 or more in any monthly billing period - $0 annual rewards program fee
- $500 to $25,000 credit line
- Zero liability protection
Pros
- Businesses with low or bad credit scores can qualify
- Your choice of fixed-rate cash back or points rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Requires a security deposit of at least $500
- Credit limit will be based on the security deposit
- Purchase assurance: Wells Fargo will repair, replace, or reimburse you for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
- Design studio: Include a personal image or business design on your credit card.
Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Business Secured Card is great for business owners with bad credit who want ongoing rewards. You can either earn 1.5% cash back or 1x point per dollar on qualifying purchases. If you choose to earn points rewards, you’ll receive 1,000 bonus points every billing cycle when you spend at least $1,000 on eligible purchases. Additionally, you can enjoy earning unlimited rewards without having to pay an annual fee. This landed it a spot in our roundup of the best secured business credit cards.
This card requires a security deposit ranging from $500 to $25,000―similar to the First National Bank of Omaha Business Edition® Secured® Visa Card―), and the amount of your security deposit will determine your credit limit. Using this card responsibly can help you build your business credit because Wells Fargo reports your transactions to the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE). However, it cannot help to improve your personal credit as it doesn’t report to the major consumer credit bureaus. For a quick application process, you need to have an eligible Wells Fargo business checking or savings account.
Shell Small Business Card: Best for Fuel Expenses & Businesses With Fleets
Shell Small Business Card
BEST FOR:
Larger businesses
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
23% - 26%
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good
- 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
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
23% - 26%
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good
- 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
Why we like it: If your business has significant fuel expenses, or if you own fleet vehicles, you may want to consider the Shell Small Business Card. It has no setup, monthly, or annual fees and is accepted at more than 14,000 Shell stations across the US. You can earn rebates of up to six cents per gallon at Shell stations and get discounts at participating Jiffy Lube® locations. It’s worth noting, however, that you can only use it at Shell stations as it isn’t affiliated with either Visa or Mastercard.
The Shell Small Business Card doesn’t require a personal guarantee, making it one of the best business cards with no personal guarantee. Plus, it allows you to carry a balance each month with interest. Depending on your credit score and the document presented, you may receive conditional approval and an immediate decision on your application.
How We Evaluate Business Credit Cards With Instant Approval
When choosing the best instant approval business credit cards, we take into account the application process, whether online application or pre-qualification is available, and the requirements, fees, rewards, and features. We also included charge cards and an exclusive cobranded credit card on the list as these options may still be helpful for your business, depending on your needs and expenses.
Bottom Line
Banks and card issuers don’t offer instant approval for business credit cards—in the brief time between application and the approval decision, the issuer is rapidly verifying your credit and identity. However, these on our list offer an easy application process and fast decisions, usually in less than a minute, which is as close to instant approval as you’ll find when shopping for any form of business financing.
Before applying for an instant approval business credit card, be sure that your credit score—poor, fair, good, or excellent—aligns with the card’s requirements. If you’d like to see a broader selection of cards, see our guide to the best small business credit cards.
