How to Apply for a Business Credit Card without an LLC or full time business- and why you should do it

💳 The Hidden Goldmine of Travel Points (That No One Told Me About!)

When I first started dabbling in the world of credit card points, I thought I was doing pretty well. I had my fancy new personal card, a few thousand points rolling in, and I was feeling very jet-set.

But then I discovered the real jackpot: business credit cards.

We’re talking huge bonuses, insane perks, and the best part? Opening or closing them barely makes a dent on your personal credit.

Game. Changer.

🚫 The Chase 5/24 Rule (a.k.a. the Fun Police) and what it has to do with Business Cards

Chase has some of the best business cards for points out there... and they also have this little thing known as the 5/24 rule — meaning if you’ve opened five or more cards (from any bank!) in the past 24 months, they'll will start handing out denials faster than airport security confiscates water bottles. You can read more about that here, but here's the great part. Most business cards don't count toward this number, which is yet another reason why these cards should be a part of your points and miles strategy.

✈️ Why Business Cards Are a Traveler’s Best Friend

Beyond the bonuses (hello, free flights and hotels!), many business cards come loaded with perks that make travel way smoother:

• Access to airport lounges — because who wants to sit by the gate when you could sip champagne in peace?

• Travel insurance and rental car coverage

• Free checked bags and priority boarding

• All the little things that make travel feel first class — without actually paying for it.

  
  

📝 How to Apply for a Business Card (No LLC Required!)

No LLC? No problem. You can still apply as a sole proprietor, even if your “business” is selling things on Facebook Marketplace, creating content on social media, or running a side hustle that makes you a few extra bucks or one that you think will in the future.

Here’s the cheat sheet for your application:

1. Legal Name of Business: Your full name

2. Business Name on Card: Yep, same as above

3. Address: Your home address works just fine

4. Type of Business: Sole Proprietor

5. Tax ID: Use your SSN or grab a free EIN on the IRS website (it takes 5 minutes — seriously)

6. Business Category: Pick something that fits your side hustle vibe

7. Employees: Zero

8. Revenue: Estimate what you’ve made or expect to make

9. Years in Business: One (totally acceptable!)

10. Authorizing Officer: Owner (that’s you, boss 👑)

11. Gross Annual Income: Include your total household income (Everything that you get a W-2 or 1099 for)

    
    

Fun fact: since we started applying, neither my husband nor I have ever been denied. A few went to “pending,” but that’s totally normal — don’t panic if it happens.

🤫 Can You Use a Business Card for Personal Expenses?

Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room here. Most points-and-miles pros will tell you: yes, you can. Banks aren’t combing through receipts. They don't have time for that. They make money from the merchant every time you swipe so they want you to use it, and they make even more if you don’t pay it off in full (but we always pay our cards in full each month, right?). So all that to say, let your conscience be your guide.

💼 My Favorite Business Cards (a.k.a. The Secret Weapons in My Wallet)

Before you go… let’s talk about my go-to business cards — the ones I’d recommend to literally anyone who loves free travel, sweet bonuses, and not paying annual fees.

💸 Why I Love Them

Because they have zero annual fee and some of the best point bonuses out there right now. That’s basically the dream combo — big rewards, no recurring costs.

🏆 My Top Picks

• Chase Ink Business Cash® — Great for everyday business (or side hustle) expenses. It earns 5x points on things like internet, phone, and office supplies, which adds up fast.

• Chase Ink Business Unlimited® — Simple and powerful. You earn a flat 1.5x on every purchase — no categories, no mental math, just pure points power.

Both cards play perfectly with Chase’s Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, meaning you can pool points from these cards with your other Chase cards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (personal card) or the Chase Ink Business Preferred (another business card)) for maximum travel redemption value (hello, business class seats ✨).

🌍 Final Thoughts

If you’ve been ignoring business credit cards because you thought you needed a “real” business — surprise! You’ve been leaving points on the table. These cards are the secret weapon of every savvy traveler, and once you unlock that world… let’s just say your next trip might be flying you for free. 🛫✨