Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
Business credit cards issued by banks that don’t report card activity to your personal credit won’t impact your personal credit score. You can use these cards as you normally would to earn introductory rewards, access cheap financing, and keep your business expenses separated. While all the cards listed in this article still require a personal credit check and personal guarantee, your personal credit score won’t be damaged by ongoing business activity.
The best business credit cards that don’t report to personal credit are:
- Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card: Best overall for earning rewards and accessing an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR) period
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines rewards
- Wells Fargo Business Elite Card®: Best for lowest ongoing APR on larger businesses
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card: Best for earning gas and travel rewards as a Costco member
- Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: Best for boosting poor business credit scores
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card: Overall Best Business Credit Card That Doesn’t Report to Personal Credit
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card
BEST FOR
Choosing cash-back or points rewards with no annual fee
- Get a one-time $500 cash back bonus or 50,000 bonus points when you enroll in the Business Card Rewards Program and spend $3,000 in the first three months of account open date; $0 annual rewards fee
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent
- 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
- No annual card fee, plus up to 99 employee cards (no additional fee)
- Cash management tools
- Spending reports available online
- Online banking and bill payment options
Pros
- Excellent introductory bonus offer
- No-interest financing period
- Ongoing bonus rewards for meeting monthly spending requirements
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards
- Airline ticket redemption fees
- Points have an expiration
- Purchase security: Wells Fargo offers coverage for purchased items that have been damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. They may repair, replace, or reimburse you for the items. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per item and up to $50,000 per year.
- Wells Fargo design studio: Wells Fargo allows you to design your card by uploading an image that represents your company. For example, the image could be your business logo or storefront.
Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card helps you build business credit without reporting ongoing activity to your consumer credit report. You’ll get to choose between earning points or cash back rewards. Plus, with the excellent welcome bonus offer, this is a solid business credit card for any business owner.
This card earns flat-rate rewards on all purchases you make, also making it a great startup business credit card for owners with fluctuating monthly expenses. It’s an affordable card as well, offering no annual fee and a 0% APR period long enough to save significantly on interest. With all you get out of this card, it’s clear it has the most to offer for owners who want their personal credit unaffected by business activity.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines Rewards
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
BEST FOR
Frequent American Airlines flyers who want premium airline perks
- 2 AAdvantage® miles on telecommunications, car rental, gas station purchases
- 2 AAdvantage® mile on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1 AAdvantage® mile on other purchases
- First checked bag free
- Terms Apply
Pros
- Excellent introductory bonus offer
- Free first checked bag
- Priority boarding on American Airlines flights
Cons
- No airport lounge access
- Blackout dates for select booking
- Some rewards redemption fees may apply
- Free checked bag: Check one bag for free for you and up to four companions traveling with you to domestic itineraries if they are listed on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding: You and up to four traveling companions will be able to board once priority boarding is complete but before the rest of economy boards
- American Airlines companion certificate: Earn one $99 domestic economy fare—plus $21.60 to $43.40 in government taxes and fees—after you make at least $30,000 in eligible purchases each 12-month period before your card anniversary date
- Savings on inflight purchases: Receive a 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases you make with your CitiBusiness credit card
Why we like it: If you’re into travel, it’s best to get a card that offers travel perks and maximizes rewards while building business credit. If you’re a fan of American Airlines, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® is one of the best cards for traveling owners looking to lower the impact on personal credit. Frequent American Airlines flyers will get free checked luggage and preferred boarding that makes business travel much more comfortable.
This card is the perfect business card for earning miles that you can redeem for free flights. It also offers a 25% discount on in-flight purchases and a chance to earn a complimentary companion ticket once you meet the spending requirements. However, these card benefits come at the cost of an annual fee, but when you factor in the travel benefits this card offers, it’s worth the cost.
Wells Fargo Business Elite Card®: Best for Lowest Ongoing APR on Larger Businesses
Wells Fargo Business Elite SignatureCard®
BEST FOR
Businesses with over $1 million in annual sales
- Get a one-time $1,000 cash back bonus or 100,000 bonus points when you enroll in the Business Elite Card Rewards Program and spend $15,000 in the first three months of account open date; $75 annual rewards program fee waived for the first year
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every $1 spent
- Up to 200 employee cards
- Bill payment options
- Online Business reporting tool
- $0 additional card fee
Pros
- A large introductory bonus offer
- Low ongoing APR
- Up to 200 free employee cards
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards
- Offers no bonus category rewards
- Cannot apply online
- Spending controls: Set transaction limits, time limits, and spending category restrictions on any employee card.
- Business Elite Online Reporting: Convenientiently Review and track business analytics and spending habits.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Receive coverage for stolen or damaged rental vehicles, when you waive the rental car merchant’s insurance, up to the cash value of the vehicle.
- Purchase Security: Get items repaired or replaced that were damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, or get reimbursed for the value of the item, up to $10,00 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Visa will double the length of warranty protection offered by the manufacturer, up to one year, for warranties three years or less.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance: The cardholders, their spouse, and dependents get free access to emergency, medical, travel, and legal assistance 24 hours a day.
Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Business Elite Card® is designed for businesses that make more than $1 million in annual revenue. It offers decent ongoing rewards with the flexibility to earn either points rewards or cash back. Although the ongoing rewards are not the best, this card offers a lower purchase APR than most business credit cards, which can be a selling point for some.
This card charges an annual fee that’s the highest on the list, which may deter some business owners. However, big spenders have a crack at earning one of the highest introductory bonuses on a business card that can offset the annual cost for the first year. Plus, you’ll get a $100 annual reimbursement for travel expenses that makes sticking with this card long-term even more beneficial.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card: Best for Costco Members
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
BEST FOR
Existing or new Costco members
- 4% Cash back on eligible gas worldwide, including gas at Costco, for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% Cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide
- 2% Cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% Cash back on all other purchases
Pros
- Top gas rewards at Costco stations
- No annual fee
Cons
- Rewards must be redeemed at a Costco location
- No introductory rewards
- Car rental insurance: Offers primary coverage, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept insurance offered by the rental agency. Coverage is limited to $50,000.
- Purchase protection: The issuer may repair or reimburse for items purchased with your business Costco card ― or your reward certificate ― that are damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase or 90 days for New York residents.
Why we like it: Another heavy hitter from Citi is the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card. This card offers great rewards for regular Costco shoppers, and especially for those who spend regularly on gas. You’ll earn this card’s best rewards not only on Costco gas purchases but also on gas from anywhere else. Additionally, the travel rewards you’ll earn are stellar for a card that charges no annual fee.
This card packs quite a punch, earning great rewards on all Costco expenses in addition to second-tier rewards on restaurant and eligible travel purchases. However, you will need a Costco membership to open this card, which starts at $60 per year.
On the downside, the redemption of rewards isn’t as convenient as most cards. Cardholders will receive redeemed rewards in the form of an annual certificate each February. You can redeem that certificate for cash at a Costco warehouse location or for Costco purchases. However, since you only get one certificate each year, you shouldn’t count on this card for immediate cash redemption.
Wells Fargo Business Secured Card: Best for Boosting Poor Business Credit Scores
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
BEST FOR
Business owners with poor credit
- 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
- Approval with credit scores below 580
- Your choice of fixed-rate cash back or points rewards
Cons
- Requires a security deposit of at least $500
- Has an annual fee
- 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: This secured card doesn’t boast high rewards and card perks, but it’s a great fit for owners with low credit scores who can’t get approved for a traditional business credit card. It has a credit limit equal to a cash deposit held in a collateral account, and you’ll need a security deposit of at least $500 to qualify. However, you can deposit as much as you like for the credit line you need, up to $25,000.
In true Wells Fargo fashion, this card allows business owners the option of rewards—you’ll earn points or cash back on every purchase. If you choose the points option, you can earn an introductory bonus worth approximately $100. Although this card doesn’t offer fantastic rewards, it’s the best option available for owners with credit scores below 570.
Business Credit Card Issuers That Don’t Report to Personal Credit
The two business credit card issuers that don’t report to personal credit bureaus are Citi and Wells Fargo. Business credit card activity from these issuers won’t impact your personal credit, which means you won’t be able to build your personal credit score. If you want to grow your business and personal credit scores, get a business credit card through an issuer that reports to personal credit.
Major Business Credit Card Issuers Credit Reporting Policies
Issuer | Reports to Consumer Credit Bureaus | Reports to Business Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|
Only if your account is delinquent | ✔ | |
Only if your account is delinquent | ✔ | |
Varies depending on the card* | ✔ | |
Only if your account is delinquent | ✔ | |
No | ✔ | |
Discover | All activity | ✔ |
U.S. Bank | Only if your account is delinquent | ✔ |
No | ✔ | |
Barclays | Yes | ✔ |
*For business owners who’ve opened a Capital One Spark Cash for Business card on or after October 20, 2020, Capital One will no longer report to personal credit bureaus as long as an account remains in good standing. All other Capital One Spark for Business cards report all activity to personal credit.
When Do Credit Cards Report to Credit Bureaus?
Credit card issuers typically report to the credit bureaus once per billing cycle—every 30 days. The exact date may vary per card issuer, so it’s good to confirm your bank’s reporting policy to avoid any complications. The information these issuers report includes two key factors that make up your credit scores－credit card balances and payment history.
When Business Credit Card Activity Impacts Personal Credit
Most business credit card issuers will make a hard inquiry on your personal credit during the application process, which can lower your credit score temporarily. However, ongoing business card activity like balances, payment history, and credit utilization ratio only impact your personal credit if the issuer reports it to the consumer credit bureau.
Some business credit card issuers, including American Express, Bank of America, Chase Bank, Capital One, and U.S. Bank, will report to your personal credit only if your account is delinquent. However, each business credit card issuer has its own policies regarding credit bureau reporting.
Pros of Business Credit Cards That Don’t Report to Personal Credit
- Ongoing activity won’t impact your personal credit: With business credit cards that don’t report to personal credit, you don’t run the risk of your business’s activity damaging your personal credit. This is a great way to protect your personal credit score when you own a business.
- Credit utilization won’t affect personal credit: Business credit cards typically accumulate higher balances. However, these cards won’t report this information to personal credit bureaus, which can help keep your personal credit utilization ratio low. A low credit utilization ratio is a good way to maintain a strong personal credit score.
Cons of Business Credit Cards That Don’t Report to Personal Credit
- You can’t build personal credit: Business credit cards that don’t report to personal credit won’t allow you to improve your personal credit score. If you want to build your personal credit, you’ll need to choose another credit card issuer like Capital One or Discover.
- You’ll have to provide a personal guarantee: Although these cards don’t report to personal credit, most business credit cards still require a personal guarantee. If you don’t want to be held personally responsible for business cards, consider business credit cards without personal guarantees.
How We Evaluated Business Credit Cards That Don’t Report to Personal Credit
When deciding on the best options for this list, we considered business credit cards that don’t report ongoing activity to your personal credit as the most important feature. Although these cards protect your personal credit scores, it’s also important to consider cards that offer the most benefit for your business. So, we also reviewed cards with great rewards, card perks, and low fees that also help you build business credit.
Bottom Line
Having a business credit card that doesn’t report ongoing activity to your personal credit can help you build your business credit while protecting your personal credit. The best cards also earn rewards and give you access to additional business perks. To get the most value out of a card, you should look for a card that can do all the above.
