What Brex Credit Cards Are and Who They're Built For
Brex issues credit cards designed primarily for business owners and employees at startups and established companies. Unlike most business card issuers, Brex does not require a personal credit score or Social Security number to open an account — instead, they assess your business's cash flow and revenue. This makes Brex cards accessible to newer businesses that might not may have access to through traditional banks.
Brex offers several card products: the Brex Card (their core business card), the Brex Corporate Card (for larger teams with spending controls), and the Brex Visa Card (a simpler option for sole proprietors). Each card carries different rewards structures, spending limits, and fee arrangements. The cards work like any other business credit card — you charge purchases, receive a monthly bill, and pay it back — but the underwriting process and feature set differ from what you'd find at Chase, American Express, or Citibank.
Key Takeaways
- Brex cards do not require a personal credit score or Social Security number, making them an option for newer businesses that traditional banks might decline.
- Brex assesses your business based on bank account history and cash flow rather than credit history, so you'll need to connect your business bank account during signup.
- Rewards vary by card type: the Brex Card offers cash back on different spending categories, while the Corporate Card focuses on spending controls and reporting for larger teams.
- Brex charges an annual fee on most cards, though the fee amount and what it covers depends on which product you choose.
- Brex cards are issued by Brex Bank, which is FDIC-insured, but Brex itself is a fintech company, not a traditional bank.
How Brex Decides Whether to Issue You a Card
Brex's underwriting process skips the traditional credit check. Instead, they ask for your business bank account login credentials so they can review your transaction history and cash flow directly. This typically takes a few minutes during the online signup process. Brex looks at how much money flows through your account, how consistently you receive deposits, and whether you've had overdrafts or returned checks.
You'll also provide basic business information: your legal business name, the type of business, your annual revenue estimate, and the business address. If you're a sole proprietor, Brex may ask for your personal information as well, but they won't pull your personal credit report. Brex's decision is usually made within minutes to a few hours. If you're declined, Brex typically tells you why — for example, "insufficient transaction history" or "cash flow too low" — and you can reapply after your business has been operating longer or your cash flow has grown.
What Rewards and Benefits Come With Each Card Type
The Brex Card offers cash back on specific spending categories. Typically, you earn a higher percentage (often 3% or more) on categories like software subscriptions, shipping, and advertising, and a lower percentage (often 1%) on everything else. The exact categories and percentages change, so check Brex's current terms when you review your options. Cash back is usually credited monthly to your account and can be used to pay your bill or transferred to your bank account.
The Brex Corporate Card is designed for companies with multiple employees. It includes spending controls (you can set limits per employee or per card), detailed reporting and analytics, and integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Netsuite. Rewards are typically lower than the standard Brex Card, but the focus is on visibility and control rather than cash back.
The Brex Visa Card is a simpler option with lower or no annual fees and basic cash back rewards. It's aimed at sole proprietors and very small businesses that want a straightforward card without the complexity of category-based rewards.
All Brex cards include some combination of the following: purchase protection, fraud monitoring, expense management tools (you can photograph and categorize receipts in the Brex app), and integration with accounting software. Brex does not offer travel insurance, lounge access, or other premium travel benefits that you might find on high-end business cards from American Express or Chase.
Annual Fees and Other Costs
Most Brex cards carry an annual fee. The amount varies: the standard Brex Card typically costs between $0 and $300 per year depending on the current offer, the Corporate Card costs more (often $500 or higher) because it's designed for larger teams, and the Brex Visa Card may have no annual fee or a lower one. Brex sometimes waives the first-year fee as a promotional offer, so check what's current when you review your options.
Beyond the annual fee, Brex charges no foreign transaction fees, no late fees (though interest accrues on unpaid balances), and no cash advance fees. Interest rates on unpaid balances vary based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Brex publishes a range (for example, 7.99% to 21.99% APR) but your actual rate depends on their assessment of your business.
How to Sign Up and What Happens Next
To open a Brex account, visit brex.com and click the button to start a new process. You'll provide your business name, type, and address, then connect your business bank account by entering your login credentials. Brex uses a find connection and does not store your password — they access your account history and then disconnect. The entire process typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Once you submit your process, Brex reviews your bank history and makes a decision, usually within a few hours. If you're approved, you'll see a virtual card number when ready in the Brex app that you can use to make online purchases right away. Your physical card ships separately and typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days. If you're declined, Brex explains the reason and tells you whether you can reapply.
After approval, you'll set up your billing address, choose whether to receive paper or electronic statements, and link your business bank account for automatic payments. Brex sends your monthly bill via email and gives you a due date (typically 30 days from the statement date). You can pay the full balance, a minimum amount, or any amount in between through the Brex app or website.
Brex vs. Traditional Business Credit Cards
The main difference between Brex and cards from Chase, American Express, or Citibank is the underwriting process. Traditional banks pull your personal credit report and require a minimum credit score (usually 670 or higher). Brex skips this and looks at your bank account instead, which means newer businesses or those with limited credit history have a better chance of approval.
Brex cards also tend to have simpler reward structures than premium business cards from American Express (like the Platinum Card for Business), which offer travel perks, lounge access, and higher cash back on specific categories. Brex focuses on straightforward cash back and spending controls rather than travel benefits. If your business travels frequently and you value lounge access or airline credits, a premium American Express or Chase card might be a better fit. If you want cash back on everyday business expenses and don't need travel perks, Brex is often simpler and easier to may have access to for.
Brex also integrates more deeply with accounting software and expense management tools than many traditional cards, which appeals to businesses that want to automate bookkeeping. Traditional banks have caught up in recent years, but Brex's app-first approach means the integration is often smoother.
What Happens if You Close Your Account or Stop Using the Card
You can close your Brex account at any time by contacting Brex support through the app or website. If you have an outstanding balance, you'll need to pay it before the account closes. If you've paid an annual fee and close the account within a certain window (usually 30 to 60 days), Brex may refund the fee — check their current policy when you sign up.
If you straightforward stop using the card but keep the account open, Brex may eventually close it due to inactivity, though they typically give you notice before doing so. Closing your account does not hurt your business credit score the way closing a personal credit card might, because Brex does not report to the major business credit bureaus in the same way traditional lenders do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a personal credit score to get a Brex card?
No. Brex does not pull your personal credit report or require a minimum credit score. They assess your business based on your bank account history and cash flow. However, if you're a sole proprietor, Brex may ask for your personal information for identity verification purposes, but they won't use a credit score to make their decision.
What if my business is brand new and has almost no transaction history?
Brex typically requires at least a few weeks of bank account history to assess your business. If your account is very new, you may be declined, but you can reapply once you've been operating for longer. Some newer businesses have better luck explore after 30 to 60 days of activity.
Can I use a Brex card for personal expenses?
Brex cards are issued as business cards, so they're intended for business expenses only. Using a business card for personal expenses can complicate your accounting and may violate the card's terms. If you need a personal card, you'll want to open a separate personal credit card account.
Does Brex report to credit bureaus?
Brex does not report to the major personal credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). They may report to business credit bureaus, but the impact on your business credit is limited compared to traditional business lenders. This means opening a Brex card won't help you build personal credit history.
What if I'm declined — can I reapply?
Yes. If you're declined, Brex tells you why. You can reapply after your business has more transaction history, higher cash flow, or a longer operating history. Most businesses that are declined initially can reapply successfully after 30 to 90 days of additional activity.