Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
If you don’t want to risk being personally liable for your business’ obligations if the business fails to pay its debts, opt for a card that doesn’t need a personal guarantee. The best business credit cards with no personal guarantee come with low fees, rewards, and valuable benefits to your business. Your options include charge cards, store cards, prepaid cards, and debit cards.
Here are the seven best business cards with no personal guarantee:
- Brex Card: Overall best business credit card with no personal guarantee, no credit check, and flexible payment options
- Coast Fuel Card: Best for fuel expenses with customizable controls and fee savings
- Shell Small Business Fuel Card: Best for frequent 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
- Mercury IO Mastercard®: Best for business owners who prefer an online-only bank
Overview of the Best Business Credit Cards With No Personal Guarantee
Best for | Annual Fee | Best Feature | Credit Required | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brex Card | (Best overall) with no personal guarantee, no credit check, and flexible payment options | $0 | Up to 8x rewards depending on your business industry | No personal credit check required | |
Coast Fuel Card | Fuel expenses with customizable controls and fee savings | $0—only $4 per active card, per month | Up to 6 cents off per gallon and 1% cash back on non-fuel purchases | Good to Excellent | |
Shell Small Business Card | Frequent fuel purchases at Shell | $0 | Accepted at over 13,000 Shell stations nationwide | Good | |
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® | Small businesses with recurring big-box store purchases | $0—needs active membership at $50 or $110 per year | Cash back rewards on selected spending categories | Good to Excellent | |
Office Depot OfficeMax Business Credit Card | Businesses with recurring office supply and furniture purchases | $0 | Cash back rewards on eligible purchases made at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® locations and their online stores | Fair | |
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card | Nonprofit organizations | $0 | Exclusive discounts at over 200 national vendors through Charity Charge’s partnership with CHAMPs | Good to Excellent | |
Mercury IO Mastercard® | Business owners who prefer an online-only bank | $0 | Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all settled transactions | No personal credit check required |
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 | |
---|---|
Spending Limit | Load Limit |
|
|
Costs | |
| |
Why We Like It
It is our overall best business credit card with no personal guarantee for the following reasons:
- No personal credit checks: Get approved even with a low or limited credit history.
- Two payment options: Use it either as a charge card and pay your entire balance monthly or as a prepaid card and have your transactions directly deducted from your Brex Business account balance.
- Build business credit: Get your transactions reported to business credit bureaus, helping you build business credit.
- Rewards:
Paid Daily | Paid Monthly |
---|---|
|
|
Other Benefits
- FDIC protection of up to $6 million
- Exclusive discounts on selected software
- Unlimited virtual and physical cards
Who Should Consider It
- Those wanting to choose between monthly or daily payment frequency
- Businesses in tech-related industries wanting to take advantage of higher reward points
Coast Fuel Card: Best for Fuel Expenses with Customizable Controls & Fee Savings
Coast Fuel Card
BEST FOR:
Businesses with small to large fleets
- 2 to 10 cents off per gallon everywhere Visa is accepted
- 1% back on non-fuel purchases
Pros
- Universally accepted fleet card
- 1% cash back on nonfuel purchases
- Doesn’t require personal guarantee
Cons
- Charges monthly fees to active users
- Balance is due in full each month
- Doesn’t support cash withdrawals
- Customizable controls
- Spend reports
- Exclusive discounts from large partner networks
- Integrations with Quickbooks, Fleetio, Samsara, Geotab, Verizon Connect, Azuga, and more
- 2 to 10 cents off per gallon everywhere Visa is accepted
- 1% back on non-fuel purchases
Pros
- Universally accepted fleet card
- 1% cash back on nonfuel purchases
- Doesn’t require personal guarantee
Cons
- Charges monthly fees to active users
- Balance is due in full each month
- Doesn’t support cash withdrawals
- Customizable controls
- Spend reports
- Exclusive discounts from large partner networks
- Integrations with Quickbooks, Fleetio, Samsara, Geotab, Verizon Connect, Azuga, and more
Why We Like It
If your business has a small or even large fleet, owning a dedicated fuel card that can be used even at other merchants is a great idea. This card offers
- An easy-to-use spend management dashboard: Onboard new users and vehicles in just a few clicks, order new cards in seconds, and set robust controls and restrictions.
- Customizable controls: Set spending limits on employee cards, limit the number of transactions or total spending by day, week, or month, and set a requirement to provide odometer readings.
- Low fees: Pay $0 annual fees—you’ll only be charged $4 per active card, per month.
- Rewards: Get up to 6 cents off per gallon at 5,000 gas stations, 2 cents off per gallon on gas purchases everywhere else, and 1% cash back on non-fuel purchases.
Other Benefits
- Intuitive reports and charts
- Real-time alerts
- Universally accepted and can be used at any other merchants that accept Visa
Who Should Consider It
- Businesses with small to large fleets
- Those wanting a fuel card that can be used anywhere else
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
Why We Like It
You would like this business credit card with no personal guarantee if your small business makes frequent fuel purchases at Shell. Here is why you should consider it:
- Nationwide acceptance: The card is accepted at over 13,000 Shell stations and participating Jiffy Lube locations nationwide.
- Cost savings: It has $0 setup, monthly, and annual fees.
- Rewards: You can receive rebates of up to 5 cents per gallon.
Other Benefits
- Detailed fueling activity reports (including who purchased what, where, and when), making tracking business spending easier
- Robust control lets you set limits on what and how much can be purchased per employee card
- Access to online and mobile tools where you can activate, suspend, and terminate cards
Who Should Consider It
- Businesses with fleets or frequent fuel purchases that prefer to gas up at Shell stations
- Businesses that have been in operation for at least three years and have a minimum of $1 million in annual earnings—as this is a requirement 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
- $0 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
- $0 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.
Why We Like It
This card is ideal if you frequently make big-box purchases. It also offers:
- Cost savings: It charges $0 monthly or annual fees; however, you need an active Sam’s Club membership, priced at $50 or $110 per year.
- Plus perks: It offers additional cash rewards, free shipping, and free curbside pickup if you get a Plus membership for only $110 a year.
- 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
- $30 statement credit after opening a new account and making at least a $30 purchase within 30 days of account opening
- Free delivery for Sam’s Club® Plus members; you can purchase thousands of items from the site (even if you don’t live near one of 600 Sam’s Club® locations in the US and Puerto Rico)
Who Should Consider It
- Business owners with good to excellent credit
- Businesses that have been in operation for over two years, have more than $5 million in annual revenue, and have over 10 employees You can still apply for the card without these requirements, but a personal guarantee is necessary for card approval.
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.
Why We Like It
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. You’ll enjoy the following:
- Automatic rewards: Link your Office Depot® rewards membership to your credit card account to earn rewards automatically every time you use the 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
- $0 annual fee
Other Benefits
- $50 statement credit on your first purchase of $150 or more made within 60 days of opening an account
- Flexible payment terms You can learn more about this feature by visiting an Office Depot OfficeMax store or by calling (800) 729-774. let you choose between carrying a balance or paying in full
Who Should Consider It
- Government entities, nonprofit organizations, and corporations (they can qualify for the card)
- Corporations that have been in business for at least three years with more than $5 million in annual sales—this is a requirement to be eligible for an account with business-only liability
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.
Why We Like It
Nonprofit organizations would want this business credit card with no personal guarantee because it offers
- Savings with CHAMPs: It lets you enjoy exclusive 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 at selected merchants from Mastercard®
- $0 annual fee
Other Benefits
- Unlimited employee cards at no additional cost
- Access to an online account management platform to set card limits for each employee and pause or cancel the card
Who Should Consider It
- Those with an active 501(c) nonprofit status
- Nonprofits that have been in operation for 1) five years and earn $100,000 in annual revenue; or 2) two years and earn $500,000 in annual revenue
Mercury IO Mastercard®: Best for Business Owners Who Prefer an Online-only Bank
- 1.5% cash back on all settled transactions
Pros
- No personal guarantee required
- Unlimited rewards on paid transactions
- Helps build business credit
Cons
- No introductory rewards/welcome offer
- $25,000 is required in a Mercury account
- Doesn’t support cash deposits
- No personal credit check needed
- 1.5% cashback for all settled transactions
- Free employee cards
- 1.5% cash back on all settled transactions
Pros
- No personal guarantee required
- Unlimited rewards on paid transactions
- Helps build business credit
Cons
- No introductory rewards/welcome offer
- $25,000 is required in a Mercury account
- Doesn’t support cash deposits
- No personal credit check needed
- 1.5% cashback for all settled transactions
- Free employee cards
Why We Like It
This business charge card is issued by an online-only bank, which is ideal for businesses that don’t have to deal with cash transactions frequently. Here are a few reasons why we recommend it:
- Cost savings: Cardholders pay $0 annual, monthly, and overdraft fees, as well as $0 fees for sending and receiving ACH, checks, domestic wires, and international wires.
- Rewards: It lets you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all settled transactions, regardless of the spending categories.
Other Benefits
- No personal credit check as part of the application process
- Accounting software integration with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Netsuite and can automatically sync your transactions to both tools
- Robust controls; set custom spending limits and issue cards for different purposes
Who Should Consider It
- Businesses that don’t deal with cash frequently because the bank has no brick-and-mortar branches
- Business owners with sufficient cash on hand—you need to open a Mercury deposit account and maintain at least a $25,000 balance to be eligible
How We Selected the Best Business Credit Cards With No Personal Guarantee
We looked at fees, ease of application, and any rewards or benefits to determine the best business credit cards with no personal guarantee. 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.