Brex Business Card Review for 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.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Brex Business Card is a charge card best for businesses in the tech and life sciences industries and those wanting to pay bills daily or monthly. While the issuer doesn’t charge any annual fees, it doesn’t have an interest-free financing scheme. Payments to your card will be deducted directly from your Brex Cash account balance.
If you wish to compare one card over another, choose a maximum of three cards on this page and click Add to compare to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
Brex Business Card
BEST FOR:
No personal guarantee required
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Poor to Excellent
- No personal liability or security deposit needed―no credit score impact
- Earn points on spend with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 5x on Brex Travel, 4x on restaurants, 3x on software subscriptions, and 1x on the rest
- Easy, online application―get a virtual card in 5 minutes or less and a physical card in the mail shortly thereafter
- Embedded expense management software―never save receipts again and integrate with all major accounting software
- No foreign transaction fees
- Build business credit―Brex partners with Experian to report your on-time payments
Pros
- No additional fees
- Sign up bonus
Cons
- Requires a Brex Cash account
- Bonus rewards are not as extensive compared to other cards
- Protection against fraudulent transactions
- Expense tracking that makes sure you are able to match receipts automatically, close books in half the time, and root out excess spending
- Discounts on software such as QuickBooks, AWS, and others.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Poor to Excellent
- No personal liability or security deposit needed―no credit score impact
- Earn points on spend with industry-leading multipliers: 7x on rideshare, 5x on Brex Travel, 4x on restaurants, 3x on software subscriptions, and 1x on the rest
- Easy, online application―get a virtual card in 5 minutes or less and a physical card in the mail shortly thereafter
- Embedded expense management software―never save receipts again and integrate with all major accounting software
- No foreign transaction fees
- Build business credit―Brex partners with Experian to report your on-time payments
Pros
- No additional fees
- Sign up bonus
Cons
- Requires a Brex Cash account
- Bonus rewards are not as extensive compared to other cards
- Protection against fraudulent transactions
- Expense tracking that makes sure you are able to match receipts automatically, close books in half the time, and root out excess spending
- Discounts on software such as QuickBooks, AWS, and others.
How We Evaluate Business Charge Cards
When evaluating business charge cards such as the Brex Business Card, we first consider the ongoing rewards and then grade the introductory rewards. Additionally, we take into consideration whether it charges an annual fee, offers introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs) and has additional card benefits.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 15 | 30 |
Introductory Rewards | 10 | 20 |
Additional Features | 10 | 15 |
Annual Fee | 15 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 10 | 10 |
Ongoing APR | 10 | 10 |
Total Score | 70 | 100 |
If you think this card is not fit for you, then you can check our guide to the best small business credit cards.
Who the Brex Business Card Is Best For
- Business owners wanting to pay daily or monthly: Those whose budget is laid out on such a basis would want to consider getting the Brex Business Card as it lets you pay your bills daily or monthly.
- IT and tech or life science businesses: Businesses in the tech or life sciences industry will find the card advantageous as it offers comprehensive perks for both types (discussed in detail in our rewards section below).
Brex Business Card Paid Daily vs Monthly
Brex Business Card is one of the few cards that offer daily or monthly payments. Below, we highlight the differences between paying your daily or monthly in terms of qualifications, credits, limits, rewards, and costs.
Brex Business Card Fees
This is one of the few business cards that doesn’t have APRs for new and existing business cardholders and fees when you pay your bills at a later time.
It should be noted that while Brex and its partner banks don’t charge fees to send or receive international wires, third-party banks may cover costs.
Brex Business Card Rewards
- Receive a welcome offer: Get a $250 Amazon gift card after spending $1,000 on your card
- Redeem Brex points for miles and save on travel with the following airlines: Aeromexico, Air France KLM, Avianca, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Asia Miles, and Qantas
- Get additional rewards: For members with a Brex Cash account making daily payments, you get 8x on rideshare, 5x on Travel, 4x on restaurants, 3x on eligible Apple purchases through the Brex Rewards Portal, 1.5x on ads, 1x on everything else
It also offers comprehensive rewards for tech and life science businesses.
Tech rewards | LIfe sciences rewards |
|---|---|
|
|
Brex doesn’t put a cap on how many points cardholders can earn—when your business grows, so does your Brex Business Card. This is unlike other card programs that cut off the multipliers after hitting a certain spending limit.
The redemption rate for gift cards and travel is 1 cent per point ($1 per 100 points).
How To Make Payments in the Brex Business Card
- Daily: Payment will be made directly from your Brex Cash account balance
- Monthly: Payment will be billed monthly and can be paid with your chosen account
Brex Business Card Additional Features
Protection Against Fraudulent Transactions
Brex allows you to file a dispute for fraudulent transactions through its mobile app, letting you terminate the card automatically. You’ll receive an email regarding your dispute’s status anywhere from one to two business days, though some cases’ resolutions take 90 days. Requesting a new card takes anywhere from five to seven business days.
Expense Tracking
Aside from offering unlimited virtual cards to your employees, Brex has a powerful expense tracking system. It tracks all of your expenses, matches receipts automatically, and roots out excess spending.
Software Discounts
Get discounts when using your Brex Card to pay for purchases from
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): Up to $100,000 credits through AWS Activate, on top of the $5,000 AWS credits for all new Brex customers
- Apple: 3x cash back on eligible purchases—including Watch, Mac, iPhone, and iPad
- QuickBooks: 30% off on your first 12 months
- Slack: 25% discount for 12 months of eligible plans
- Google Ads: Up to $150 in Google Ads credit
- Freshworks: $10,000 credits on its suite of products
Pros & Cons of the Brex Business Card
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| No additional fees. It’s one of the few business cards that doesn’t charge interest rates, annual fees, and late payment fees. | Requires a Brex Cash account. A Brex Business Card is best if you have an existing Brex Cash account as all transactions made with it are charged to the account. |
| Sign-up bonus. Receive a $250 Amazon gift card after spending $1,000 on your card. | Bonus rewards are not as extensive compared to others. While it offers a lot of rewards suitable for tech and life sciences businesses, it is not as noteworthy compared to others such as Chase, Capital One, and American Express. |
Brex Business Card Alternatives
Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus
Capital One® Spark® Cash Plus is a good alternative for business owners who want to pay their balance in full every month but want better cash back rewards. Aside from the 2% cash back on all business-related purchases without limits and category restrictions, it offers a signup bonus of up to $1,000 in the first six months after opening an account, $500 after you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and $500 after you spend $50,000 in the first six months. It’s one of our leading instant approval business credit cards, though excellent credit is required in applying.
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
Chase Ink Business Cash®
Chase Ink Business Cash® is best for new businesses that are in the process of setting up an office. It offers 5% cash back on office supplies, internet, cable, and phone of up to $25,000 for each account anniversary and a welcome offer of $750 cash back reward after spending $7,500 on purchases within the first three months after opening an account. These reasons make it our top pick for the best business credit cards for startups.
Ink Business Cash® 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:
Office-based businesses that want top cash back rewards
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
14.74% - 20.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- Top rewards for office supply spending
- Introductory APR on purchases
- Cash sign-up bonus
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- High balance transfer fee of 5%
- Designed mainly for office-oriented companies
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the United States and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
14.74% - 20.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- Top rewards for office supply spending
- Introductory APR on purchases
- Cash sign-up bonus
Cons
- 0% APR doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- High balance transfer fee of 5%
- Designed mainly for office-oriented companies
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the United States and abroad.
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
American Express Blue Business CashTM
American Express Blue Business CashTM is best suited for those who want better cash back rewards as it offers 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% after that. Cardholders can also earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in qualifying purchases within the first three months of account opening, which is why the card made our list of the top-recommended cash back business credit cards.
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
15.49% - 23.49% 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, 15.49% - 23.49%, 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
15.49% - 23.49% 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, 15.49% - 23.49%, 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.
Bottom Line
The Brex Business Card is one of the few charge cards that let business owners pay in full daily or monthly as it’s connected to their active Brex Cash account. It’s a great card for those whose budget was set for monthly payments of expenses and businesses in the tech and life sciences industries that are building their credit.
If it isn’t right for you, check out our credit card marketplace or head over to our guide on the best small business credit cards to find one that suits your business type and preferences.
