Compare business credit cards for fair credit

Capital One offers a good product. Plus, you can consider alternative business funding.

You may have had little luck getting a business card if you have fair credit. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Check out our recommendation for the best fair-credit business card, and consider other types of business funding.

Best business credit card for fair credit: Spark® Classic for Business

Spark® Classic for Business

Get the credit you want for your business and unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase, every day.

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The Spark® Classic for Business might offer an opportunity. It’s the rare business card that’s specifically aimed at business owners with average credit. And it comes with the added bonus of cashback rewards.

• The perks

  • Apply with average credit.

    Capital One specifically targets this card to business owners with average credit.

  • No annual fee.

    You can start making purchases and building your business credit at no initial cost.

  • Rewards.

    Earn 1% cash back on all purchases, with no minimum to redeem.

  • No balance transfer fees.

    However, consider the balance transfer APR, which is a high 24.74% variable.

• What to watch out for

  • High APR.

    Your purchase and balance transfer APR will be 24.74% variable — a high rate considering the average credit card APR is around 16%.

What to do if the Spark® Classic for Business isn’t an option

If you’re not approved for the Spark® Classic for Business, you may want to raise your personal credit score before applying for another business card.

One of the best ways to do this is by getting a secured credit card. Because it requires an upfront security deposit, more providers are willing to approve those with less than perfect credit. By keeping balances low and consistently making on-time payments, you can steadily improve your credit. With your credit score boosted, you’ll likely have more success when applying for a business card.

If you need immediate funding, consider a small business loan. There will likely be business-specific requirements to get one, but some providers won’t disqualify you because of your personal credit.

How to determine if a business credit card for fair credit is right for you

• Credit limit. Some business owners have reported getting low credit limits for fair-credit business cards. Providers try to limit their risk, and setting low limits is one way they do so. Anticipate how much your business might spend in the near future and consider whether a business card will help you with all of your expenses.
• Annual fee. When finances are tight, you might not want to pay an annual fee. Consider how much a card costs before applying.
• APR. Fair-credit business cards often have very high interest rates because providers want to make sure they’re getting a return on their risk. Check a card’s APR before making a balance transfer or maintaining balances long term.

Compare business balance transfer credit cards

• Other options. Don’t settle on a fair-credit business card just because you think there are no other options. Research other avenues of funding before applying.

Compare business credit cards

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Name	Product	APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for Purchases	Introductory Purchase APR	Annual Fee
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card		17.99% to 22.99% variable		$95	80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®	Apply nowView details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card		15.24% to 21.24% variable	0% for the first 12 months (then 15.24% to 21.24% variable)	$0	$500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening	Apply nowView details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card		15.24% to 21.24% variable	0% for the first 12 months (then 15.24% to 21.24% variable)	$0	$500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months	Apply nowView details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®		17.74% to 25.74% variable		$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)	70,000 AAdvantage® miles after making $4,000 in purchases in first 4 months of account opening	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Business Platinum Card® from American Express		None (Charge Card)		$450	New cardholders can earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points by spending $10,000 on purchases for the first 50,000 points and then another $10,000 for the next 25,000 points on their new card in the first 3 months.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

It’s more difficult to get a business credit card if you have average credit. However, there’s a card that may fit: the Spark® Classic for Business. If you’re not sure that’s right for you, check other business financing options before applying.

Frequently asked questions

• Am I personally liable for debt I’ve accrued with a business credit card?

  With most providers, the answer is yes. To stay on the safe side, it’s often best to spend only as much as you can personally pay off.

• Why is Capital One willing to accept business owners with average credit?

  Capital One may have decided it’s worth the risk to approve fair-credit business owners. The company may believe it’s profitable or a good way to acquire new customers.

• Why is the Spark Classic for Business’s APR so high?

  Providers typically offer attractive interest rates to cardholders with good or excellent credit. That’s because these customers are generally seen as less likely to default on their debt. A consumer with average credit is assigned a higher likelihood of default, so providers charge higher interest rates to account for the risk.