Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
When you have a fair credit score (ranging from 580 to 669), your options for small business credit cards are limited. To choose the best small business credit cards for fair credit, consider the fees and offer features that may be valuable for your business. Take into account your regular expenses, the credit limit you’ll need, and whether you prefer to earn rewards on purchases. Our recommendations include regular business cards, a secured business card, a co-branded fuel card, and corporate charge cards.
Here are the seven best business credit cards for fair credit:
- Capital One Spark 1% Classic: Overall best business credit card for fair credit with up to 5% cash back
- Ramp Card: Best for no personal credit checks and no personal guarantee designed for large businesses
- Capital on Tap Business Credit Card: Best for registered business owners not wanting a hard credit pull
- Brex Card: Best for daily or monthly payment options
- Coast Fuel Card: Best for frequent fuel purchases and businesses with fleets
- Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card: Best secured business credit card with unlimited cash back and 0% APR
- BILL Divvy Corporate Card: Best for high rewards and multiple payment frequencies
Best Business Credit Cards for Fair Credit of 2024 At a Glance
Best For | Annual Fee | Ongoing Rewards | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Capital One Spark 1% Classic | Overall best business credit card for fair credit with up to 5% cash back | $0 | None | Up to 5% cash back | |
 Ramp Card | No personal credit checks and no personal guarantee designed for large businesses | $0 | None | 1.5% cash back on purchases | |
 Capital on Tap Business Credit Card | Registered business owners not wanting a hard credit pull | $0 | $200 cash back | 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases | |
 Brex Card | Daily or monthly payment options | $0 | Up to 8x points on selected categories | ||
 Coast Fuel Card | Frequent fuel purchases and businesses with fleets | $0 annual fee—only $4 per active card, per month | None | Up to 6 cents off per gallon on fuel and 1% cash back on all other purchases | |
 Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card | Secured business credit card with unlimited cash back and 0% APR | $0 | None | 1% cash back on all eligible purchases | |
 BILL Divvy Corporate Card | High rewards and multiple payment frequencies | $0 | None | Up to 7x points |
Capital One Spark 1% Classic: Overall Best Business Credit Card for Fair Credit with Up to 5% Cash Back
Capital One Spark 1% Classic
BEST FOR:
Those with fair credit
- 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 to qualify
- Doesn’t charge annual and balance transfer fees
Cons
- Charges high ongoing APR
- Has no 0% introductory APR
- No welcome offer
- Automatic payments: Setting up AutoPay in the Capital One mobile app will save you from having to worry about signing in to your account every month
- $0 fraud liability: If your card is either lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement and cash advance.
- Purchase records: You can download all purchase records quickly and securely in multiple formats, including Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®.
- Extended warranty: Get free additional warranty and protection on eligible items purchased with your business credit card.
- Free employee cards: You can create multiple employee cards, track employee spending, and customize spending limits while earning all the rewards from their purchases.
- 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 to qualify
- Doesn’t charge annual and balance transfer fees
Cons
- Charges high ongoing APR
- Has no 0% introductory APR
- No welcome offer
- Automatic payments: Setting up AutoPay in the Capital One mobile app will save you from having to worry about signing in to your account every month
- $0 fraud liability: If your card is either lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement and cash advance.
- Purchase records: You can download all purchase records quickly and securely in multiple formats, including Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®.
- Extended warranty: Get free additional warranty and protection on eligible items purchased with your business credit card.
- Free employee cards: You can create multiple employee cards, track employee spending, and customize spending limits while earning all the rewards from their purchases.
Why we like it: This is our overall best business credit card for fair credit because of its easy application and approval process and unlimited cash back rewards. It charges $0 annual and foreign transaction fees, providing you with ways to save on credit costs. Moreover, it helps you build and strengthen your credit when you use the card responsibly and make on-time payments consistently.
Consider the Capital One Spark 1% Classic if you:
- Want a card with simple rewards program
- Can pay your balance in full each month—the card comes with a high ongoing APR so carrying a balance can be costly
Ramp Card: Best for No Personal Credit Checks & No Personal Guarantee Designed for Large Businesses
Ramp Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who are using Ramp as their main financial management tool
- Up to 1.5% cash back on purchases, regardless of spending categories
Pros
- Offers rewards for cardholders
- Does not charge additional fees
- Offers direct integrations to notable accounting tasks
Cons
- Requires paying balances in full each month
- Is unavailable to sole proprietors and unincorporated businesses
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator at (800) 397-9010 if you are in the United States or (303) 967-1093 if you are outside of the US if you need emergency assistance.
- Purchase security: Receive a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder in cases of theft or damage to purchases made with your card.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: When using this card for renting a car, you can be reimbursed for damages caused by theft or collision up to the Actual Cash Value of most rented cars. Note that rental periods of 31 consecutive days are covered.
- Extended warranty protection: Extend warranties for eligible purchases made with your covered account and/or rewards programs associated with your account.
- Up to 1.5% cash back on purchases, regardless of spending categories
Pros
- Offers rewards for cardholders
- Does not charge additional fees
- Offers direct integrations to notable accounting tasks
Cons
- Requires paying balances in full each month
- Is unavailable to sole proprietors and unincorporated businesses
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator at (800) 397-9010 if you are in the United States or (303) 967-1093 if you are outside of the US if you need emergency assistance.
- Purchase security: Receive a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder in cases of theft or damage to purchases made with your card.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: When using this card for renting a car, you can be reimbursed for damages caused by theft or collision up to the Actual Cash Value of most rented cars. Note that rental periods of 31 consecutive days are covered.
- Extended warranty protection: Extend warranties for eligible purchases made with your covered account and/or rewards programs associated with your account.
Why we like it: It is a corporate charge card designed for businesses with at least $50,000 cash in an account linked to Ramp. It doesn’t perform personal credit checks and requires no personal guarantee, making it an ideal option for keeping your business and personal obligations separate. What’s more, it lets you earn unlimited, fixed-rate cash back on all eligible purchases, regardless of spending categories.
Consider the Ramp Card if your company can:
- Pay your balance in full each billing cycle—since this is a charge card, you are not allowed to carry a balance to the next billing cycle
- Meet the deposit requirement of at least $25,000 in an account that will be connected to your Ramp account
Capital On Tap Business Credit Card: Best for Registered Business Owners Not Wanting a Hard Credit Pull
Capital On Tap Business Credit Card Visa
BEST FOR:
Those who want fixed-rate cash back rewards
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Boost cash back to 2% by switching to weekly AutoPay
Pros
- No annual, foreign transaction, and cash advance fees
- Low starting APR
- High credit limit available
Cons
- Balance transfers aren’t allowed
- Sole proprietors and nonprofit organizations are not eligible
- Unlimited, free cards for employees
- Instant, virtual card is available right after approval
- Credit limits up to $50,000
- Uncapped 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Boost cash back to 2% by switching to weekly AutoPay
Pros
- No annual, foreign transaction, and cash advance fees
- Low starting APR
- High credit limit available
Cons
- Balance transfers aren’t allowed
- Sole proprietors and nonprofit organizations are not eligible
- Unlimited, free cards for employees
- Instant, virtual card is available right after approval
- Credit limits up to $50,000
- Uncapped 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Why we like it: Issued by WebBank, this card is great if your company is registered, generates at least $2,500 in monthly revenue, and needs instant virtual cards minutes after approval. It offers fixed-rate cash back rewards, flexible redemption options, lenient credit requirements, and high credit limits of up to $50,000 (which will be based on your creditworthiness). Plus, applying will not affect your personal credit because it doesn’t perform a hard credit pull on your account. However, using the card responsibly can help improve your credit score.
Consider the Capital On Tap Business Credit Card if:
- Your business is a registered company, has been in operation for at least 6 months, and is earning a revenue of $2,500 or more per month
- You need to use your credit card right away—you’ll receive your virtual card immediately after approval and your physical card within 4 business days
Brex Card: Best for Daily or Monthly Payment Options
 Brex CardBEST FOR: Those who want daily or monthly payments | |
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Spending Limit | Load Limit |
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Why we like it: It is unique because it can either be used as a charge card, which lets you pay your balance on a monthly basis, or as a prepaid card, which directly deducts your Brex Business Account cash balance for any transactions charged on the card. It offers points-based rewards based on the expense categories, and it charges $0 annual fees.
Consider the Brex Card if your business:
- Has sufficient cash on hand because you need to open a Brex Business Account or link a bank account to your Brex Card
- Is related to tech or life sciences so you can take advantage of the premium rewards and perks
Coast Fuel Card: Best for Frequent Fuel Purchases & Businesses with Fleets
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: This charge card is designed for businesses with significant fuel expenses and small to large fleets. Besides offering generous rebates on fuel expenses, it lets you earn a fixed-rate cash back on all purchases and has a smart platform that can help you track your expenditures. Additionally, it does not report your card transactions to personal credit bureaus—this means your business transactions will not affect your personal credit score.
Consider the Coast Fuel Card if you:
- Spend for gas frequently or your business owns one to over 100 fleets
- Can pay your balance in full each month—Coast Fuel Card is a charge card so you cannot carry your balance to the next billing cycle
Valley Visa Secured Business Credit Card: Best Secured Business Credit Card with Unlimited Cash Back & 0% APR
Valley Visa® Secured Business Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who need a secured business credit card with fixed-rate cash back rewards
- 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases
- 110% percent of your approved credit limit
- $1,000 to $25,000, based on customer request
Pros
- Applicants with poor or limited credit history can still qualify
- Offers 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for six billing cycles
- $0 annual fee
- Offers 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases
- Report to major credit bureaus
Cons
- Credit limits are capped to $25,000
- Requires refundable security deposit of 110% credit limit
- Up to 25 free employee cards only
- Charges foreign transaction fee
- Online account access: Manage your account conveniently through online access.
- Fraud protection alerts: Immediate alerts for suspected fraudulent transactions.
- Visa purchase alerts: Receive near real-time notifications via email or text message for transactions made with your enrolled Visa card.
- Report to major credit bureaus: The card reports account information and transactions to major credit bureaus each month, helping users build credit with responsible use.
- 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases
- 110% percent of your approved credit limit
- $1,000 to $25,000, based on customer request
Pros
- Applicants with poor or limited credit history can still qualify
- Offers 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for six billing cycles
- $0 annual fee
- Offers 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases
- Report to major credit bureaus
Cons
- Credit limits are capped to $25,000
- Requires refundable security deposit of 110% credit limit
- Up to 25 free employee cards only
- Charges foreign transaction fee
- Online account access: Manage your account conveniently through online access.
- Fraud protection alerts: Immediate alerts for suspected fraudulent transactions.
- Visa purchase alerts: Receive near real-time notifications via email or text message for transactions made with your enrolled Visa card.
- Report to major credit bureaus: The card reports account information and transactions to major credit bureaus each month, helping users build credit with responsible use.
Why we like it: It is ideal for those who need to rebuild their credit and can make a security deposit. The card requires a 110% security deposit of your desired credit limit, up to $25,000. It lets you earn unlimited cash back, and it also comes with 0% APR on purchases for the first six months of opening an account.
BILL Divvy Corporate Card: Best for High Rewards and Multiple Payment Frequencies
 BILL Divvy Card | |
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Qualifications | Terms |
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Why we like it: This corporate charge card offers credit limits ranging from $500 to $5 million, making it a great option for scalability. Aside from this, it comes with multiple payment frequencies—you can choose to pay your bill either weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. Plus, it lets you earn points rewards depending on how frequently you will be paying your credit card bill.
Consider the BILL Divvy Corporate Card if you:
- Can pay your entire balance each billing cycle depending on your chosen payment frequency
- Are a fast-growing company that may need a credit limit as high as $5 million in the near future
How We Selected the Best Small Business Credit Cards for Fair Credit
In choosing the best small business cards for fair credit, we looked at cards that have a low or 0% annual fee and offer features that your small business may find valuable. We also took into account their interest rates, introductory and ongoing rewards, and other features and benefits, as well as whether they report to the credit bureaus and help grow your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fair credit has credit scores between 580 and 669 under the FICO or a 601 to 660 under VantageScore.
Having a fair credit score is considered a step higher than poor credit (between 300 and 579). Business owners with fair credit scores generally have limited financial opportunities when applying for loans and business credit cards. Meanwhile, having a good credit score (between 670 and 739) often means that you are eligible to qualify for business credit cards with higher rewards, benefits, and perks. It is important for business owners to find ways to reach at least good credit quickly.
Bottom Line
When you have a fair credit score, some business credit cards can help improve your credit if you use them responsibly and pay your bills on time. After approval, take advantage of free online and mobile banking to track your expenditures and create reminders to pay your credit card bill. Once your credit score improves, you’ll be eligible for a wider variety of cards with richer rewards and benefits.
