Business cards vs. personal cards: Key differences
Editor's Note
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the differences between business credit cards and personal credit cards. How different are they? Who can apply for a business card? And what are the pros and cons of each?
Let’s go over the main differences between personal and business credit cards and show you how you can benefit from — and maximize — both card types.
Business vs. personal cards: Target audience
The first key difference is that business credit cards (naturally) are designed for business use. Meanwhile, anyone can use personal credit cards.
You may assume that you don’t qualify for a business card. However, even if you don’t have a formal business with a tax ID number, you can still open a business credit card.
Do you regularly sell products on eBay or Amazon? Are you a freelancer? Do you work as an independent contractor? In any of these cases, you might prefer to separate your business expenses from other purchases.
Even without an employer identification number, you can apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor and use your Social Security number. Card issuers such as Chase even encourage you to do so with some cards.
Just remember that any card issuer can ask for additional information about your business. Citi, in particular, tends to place increased scrutiny on its business card applications.
Don’t sweat it, though; if you have a good reason for applying, you shouldn’t encounter any extra difficulty getting approved.
Business vs. personal cards: Applications and welcome bonuses
As a general rule, you usually can’t earn a welcome bonus from the same card more than once in your lifetime. If you earn a welcome offer for The Platinum Card® from American Express, for example, you almost definitely won’t be able to earn it again down the line.
However, business cards are treated as separate products in the same card family, so you can earn a welcome bonus on both the personal and business versions of a card — the Amex Platinum and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, for example.
There are also differing rules when it comes to application windows. The general rule of thumb with Citi applications, for example, is that you must wait at least eight days between applications for personal cards, and you can’t apply for more than two cards in a 65-day period.
However, business cards follow different rules, so you can only apply for one Citi business card every 95 days.
It's important to keep these differences in mind when applying, especially since you’ll want to maximize the one welcome bonus you do get on a given card. But fear not: If you already have the personal version of a card, you’ll still be able to land the business version, along with its welcome offer.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses
Business vs. personal cards: Effect on credit score
A business card application will count as a hard inquiry on your personal credit report, but the card activity shouldn’t show up on the same report.
This is important because if you’re starting a business and run up a large balance on the card, it means that it won’t lower your overall credit score by raising your credit utilization (a key factor used to determine your FICO score).
That said, if you default on a business card, an issuer can come after you. Therefore, you’ll want to keep up with payments on a business card just as you would a personal card and avoid taking on too much debt.
Business vs. personal cards: Benefits and earnings rates
One of the easiest ways to maximize your points and miles is by using credit card category bonuses. Business credit cards tend to have different categories than their personal counterparts.
These earnings rates are typically more geared to, as you might guess, business expenditures. This includes bonus earnings on office supplies, shipping and transit, unusually large purchases and more.
There are even specialized business cards that can earn rewards on purchases made on a particular product or service.
In addition to different bonus categories, business cards offer unique perks that apply to businesses but may also be valuable to individuals.
For example, the Amex Business Platinum offers annual statement credits with Dell (up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. purchases made directly with Dell and an additional up to $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 or more per calendar year) and Adobe ($250 adobe statement credit after spending $600 or more on U.S. purchases made directly at Adobe per calendar year; subject to auto-renewal) — Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Business credit cards typically are not monitored or regulated as closely as personal credit cards. As a result, issuers provide fewer protections and can charge higher interest rates than for comparable personal products.
These companies can change your annual percentage rate or tack on additional fees and penalties without warning.
If you follow TPG’s 10 commandments for travel rewards credit cards and never carry a balance on your card, the relative lack of protections shouldn’t be much of a concern. Still, it’s something to keep in mind.
Related: How many business credit cards should you have?
Bottom line
Business credit cards can help various businesses — large and small — maximize purchases by offering bonus points and miles in relevant categories. You can also access additional perks and welcome bonuses, helping to pad your loyalty accounts.
Is it time to add a business credit card to your wallet? If so, check out our list of the best business credit cards available right now.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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.