250K Welcome Offer on the American Express Business Platinum

One of the most overlooked strategies for gaining more points is applying for, and utilizing, business credit cards. You may think that you are not eligible because you don’t have what you think of as a “business,” however, a business for the purposes of a business credit card is anything that makes you money. 

Any side-hustle will qualify, no matter how small. Just don’t lie on the application. I received a Business credit card from selling items on OfferUp with a gross annual business income of only $1,000, and many people have reported getting approved with $100 or even $0 revenue. 

So, if you sell items online, walk dogs, babysit, if you drive for Uber, or if you’re a blogger or content creator with the intention of making money, you can apply! This list doesn’t include everything. Anything you do that makes you money qualifies, so go for it! Even if you just started your business today for the purposes of getting a business credit card.

The application may look intimidating, but here is a guide to help you with your application:

Role/ Authorizing Officer Title: Owner

Tax ID #: Your Social Security Number

Type of Business: Sole Proprietor

Business Name: Write your exact legal name. Do not make anything up unless you have legal paperwork

Business Revenue: How much money your business makes in a year (not subtracting costs).

Business Address: Your Home Address

Time in Business: Length of time you have been in business (since date you started).

Business Industry: Choose whatever is closest to what you do.

WHY YOU WANT BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS

(1) More Points! These cards often come with high Welcome Offers. These are points that can be combined with the points you gain from the same bank with your personal cards as well. Even if you don't have a personal card, if you have the ability to transfer your points, you can transfer to get great value and use those points to travel!

(2) Keeps you Under 5/24

If you’ve never heard of 5/ 24, its something that you need to be very aware of in the world of points and miles.

This is a rule specific to Chase bank and what it means is that they will not approve you for one of their credit cards if you have received 5 or more credit cards in the past 2 years. This is important to know (and keep track of) because this bank often has good points-earning cards. You DO have to be UNDER 5/24 to get approved for a business credit card with Chase. HOWEVER, the interesting thing about business credit cards is that a vast majority of them actually don’t count towards your 5/24 status.

The known business credit cards that don’t count against your 5/24 status are business cards opened with Discover, TD bank, and any Capital One small business credit card except for Capital One Spark Travel Elite card and Capital One Spark Cash Plus. So, business credit cards (for the most part) are a great strategy for staying under 5/24, while still getting welcome bonus points