Why does the issuer look at you, not the LLC?
A new LLC has no credit file and little or no revenue, so issuers underwrite the owner: their personal credit score, income and existing debt. Most small business cards also require a personal guarantee, which makes you liable for the balance if the LLC cannot pay. The LLC's liability protection does not cover a debt you have personally guaranteed.
Which types of card are there?
| Type | Based on | Personal guarantee | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small business credit card | Owner's credit and income, plus business revenue | Usually yes | Owners with good US credit |
| Corporate card from a fintech provider | The LLC's cash balance and revenue | Often no | New LLCs with money in the bank; some non-resident owners |
| Secured business card | A cash deposit held by the issuer | Varies | Building credit with no history |
| Charge card | Paid in full each month | Varies | Businesses with steady cash flow |
How do you apply?
Open the LLC's bank account first
Many issuers check it, and corporate cards depend on it.
Have the details ready
Legal name, EIN, formation date, revenue and your personal details.
Choose the card type
Based on your credit history and whether you will accept a guarantee.
Use it only for business
And pay it from the LLC's account.
What if the owner has no SSN or US credit?
Most consumer-style business cards are hard to get without an SSN and US credit history; some issuers accept an ITIN. Corporate cards that underwrite on the LLC's bank balance are the usual route for non-resident owners, along with secured cards. See US business bank account for non-residents.
How should card spending be recorded?
As a liability account in your books, with each charge categorized as an expense and each payment from the bank reducing the balance. Reconcile the statement monthly. Personal charges on a business card are owner draws, not expenses. See how to categorize business expenses and how to do a bank reconciliation.
The entries are shown in how to record loans, credit cards and interest.
Do consumer protections apply?
Many of the federal protections for consumer cards, such as limits on rate increases, do not apply to business cards. Read the terms, especially on rates, fees and the guarantee.
Want your card spending kept clean?
We connect your business card to your books, categorize every charge, and reconcile the statement each month.
Questions people ask
Can a new LLC get a business credit card?
Yes, usually based on the owner's personal credit and a personal guarantee, since the LLC has no credit history.
Does a business credit card affect my personal credit?
It can. Issuers usually check your personal credit, and some report the account to personal credit bureaus.
Can I get a business credit card without an SSN?
It is harder. Corporate cards based on the LLC's bank balance, and secured cards, are the usual options.
Do I need a personal guarantee for a business credit card?
Most small business cards require one. Many corporate cards based on bank balance do not.
Sources
Every fee, date and rule on this page was taken from these official and primary sources.
- U.S. Small Business Administration: Business credit and financing
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Credit cards
- IRS: Recordkeeping
Rules and fees change. If you are reading this long after October 1, 2026, confirm the figures with the source before you rely on them.
Related guides
More in Banking and payments
This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.