How to get a business credit card with just an EIN
Editor's Note
When you apply for a business credit card, the issuer will request a Social Security number during the application process. Your SSN helps issuers check your personal credit to determine your creditworthiness for a small-business credit card.
When filling out a credit application for your business, you can also include an employer identification number. An EIN is a number that credit bureaus and the IRS use to identify businesses — the same way an SSN identifies individuals and is unique to each person.
Based on your business legal structure, you may have an EIN or not need one at all. However, if you want to separate your personal and business finances, you may not want to include your SSN and be subject to a personal credit check.
Let's discuss how an EIN works and how you can use one to open a business credit card.
How to get an EIN
Businesses of all sizes use an EIN to file taxes. A business must obtain an EIN if it has an employee other than the business owner, if it's a corporation or partnership, or if it files a certain type of tax return. If you don't have an EIN, your first step is to obtain one.
Luckily, the process of getting an EIN is simple. Businesses can request an EIN from the IRS at no cost. The IRS' online application is the best way to get an EIN. The information you provide is validated in real-time, and an EIN is issued immediately at the end of the application.
While the online request form is the quickest way to obtain an EIN, you can also request it by mail. If you work with a business formation company, they may include or offer this service.
Can I get a business credit card using an EIN only?
You can open a business credit card with an EIN only; however, your choices will be limited as most small-business credit card issuers require either an SSN, EIN or both during the application process.
Note that while sole proprietors can get an EIN, it's not necessary, as they must use their SSN to be eligible for a business credit card.
I have applied for and been approved for both the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card using my SSN without the need for an EIN due to my business structure as a sole proprietor.
The information for the Ink Business Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For new businesses without an established credit history, getting approved for a card using just an EIN is difficult. Additional requirements may include meeting specific criteria for monthly revenue or holding a specific amount of money in your business checking accounts. Businesses with established credit have a much better chance of being approved for a card, specifically a corporate card, with an EIN only.
Related: Best business credit cards
Types of EIN business credit cards
There are several types of EIN-only credit cards available to businesses, including corporate credit cards, fuel cards and secured business credit cards.
Corporate credit cards are linked to the corporate account rather than an individual. Generally speaking, corporate credit cards are available to businesses with an annual revenue of $4 million or more and have an established business credit history.
A popular choice is the Brex Corporate Card for startups, thanks to its bonus-earning categories for large businesses. However, card eligibility requires applicants to have at least $100,000 in a business bank account to qualify. A corporate credit card is the right choice for LLCs, S-Corps, or C-Corps, as there is almost no reason why a sole proprietor would need one.
The information for the Brex Corporate Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Fuel companies issue fuel credit cards to help businesses manage their gasoline purchases. Fuel cards are unique because they can only be used to fill at a specific company's gas stations and cannot be used for other types of purchases. If you find a fuel card too restrictive in terms of use, consider a corporate card to charge fuel expenses to.
A secured business credit card may be the right choice for businesses with a limited credit history when looking for an EIN-only card. A secured card requires a deposit with the issuer, and it's held as collateral if the cardholder does not pay their statement for purchases they've made.
Out of all the types of EIN-only cards, secured business credit cards are easier to obtain due to the added security the collateral provides. The credit limit on secured business credit cards equals the security deposit amount, and the issuer reports payments to business credit reporting agencies.
Benefits of an EIN-only credit card
The benefit of using a credit card only associated with an EIN is that it helps differentiate your personal finances from your company's. An EIN-only credit card helps establish your business credit score, strengthening your company's creditworthiness and making it easier for you to access additional lines of credit in the future.
A benefit of separating your personal and business finances when opening business credit cards with an EIN is that it protects your personal assets if your business fails or faces a lawsuit. This includes derogatory marks on your personal credit history, such as late payments.
Cons of an EIN-only credit card
Although opening a business credit card with an EIN may appeal to some, there are some drawbacks.
The biggest downsides of applying for a credit card with only an EIN: There aren't that many to choose from, and they may be more difficult to qualify for. This places EIN credit cards out of reach for many small and medium-sized businesses.
Another drawback to EIN-only credit cards is that your business' good credit history will not be reflected on your personal credit report. Factors such as length of credit, credit limit and timely payments will not be displayed on your personal credit report. Thus you could miss out on potentially strengthing your FICO score and overall credit profile.
Bottom line
It is entirely possible to obtain a business credit card with an EIN only, but be aware of the caveats. EIN-only credit cards are limited in their offerings and often include additional requirements that may be hard to meet. Despite being able to get an EIN quickly and easily from the IRS, there may be little benefit to your personal credit and FICO score should you choose to open a business credit card with an EIN.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.