Are you a small business?

If the Capital One Spark piqued your interest, but you’re unsure if you’d qualify, you’re not alone. Thousands of small-business owners miss out on excellent travel cards every year under the mistaken impression that these products are solely for traditional business models.

In reality, a far greater portion of the population falls under the specifications required to use a business credit card. Let’s break down who can use one.

Who can open a business credit card?
The three easy-to-understand categories of businesses eligible for credit cards are partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. Any company operating under these classifications can open company credit cards with banks.

The fourth category is a sole proprietorship. You probably fall into this group if you aren’t sure if you qualify for a business card. We can break it down into a further three types of a sole proprietorship:

• Self-employed – online vendors, farmers, bloggers, even babysitters

• Freelancers and independent contractors – freelance writers, web developers, builders

• Gig workers – Uber drivers, personal trainers, delivery drivers

Why open a business card?

There are many reasons for opening a business card. The most straightforward of which is to separate your personal and business spending. This uncomplicates tax season and helps you stay on track with your spending habits.

But a business card can also help with the following:

• Building your business’ credit history

• Getting around Chase’s 5/24 rule (business cards don’t count towards the number)

• More opportunities for points = more travel

• Better credit limits than a personal card