What Ramp Credit Card Is
Ramp is a business credit card designed for small business owners and freelancers who want to manage spending and build business credit. Unlike personal credit cards, Ramp reports to business credit bureaus rather than personal ones, which means the card activity does not affect your personal credit score. The card comes with no annual fee and offers cash back on purchases.
Ramp targets owners who need to separate business and personal spending, track expenses for tax purposes, or establish a credit history under their business name rather than their own. The card works through a connected app that shows real-time spending, receipt capture, and team spending controls if you add other users.
You do not need an established business or a specific legal structure to open an account. Sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, and C-corps can all open Ramp cards. The company also does not require a personal may provide, which means your personal credit score is not checked during the approval process.
Key Takeaways
- Ramp reports to business credit bureaus, so the card builds business credit without affecting your personal credit score.
- There is no annual fee, and the card offers cash back on most purchases, with higher rates on certain categories like software and internet.
- The approval process does not require a personal credit check, though Ramp does verify your business information and bank account.
- The app lets you set spending limits per team member, automate expense categorization, and export data for accounting software.
- You need a valid Social Security Number, a business bank account, and proof of business ownership to open an account.
Who Should Consider Ramp
Ramp works best for business owners who spend money regularly on software, cloud services, internet, or shipping. The card offers 3% cash back on software and internet, 2% on shipping, and 1% on everything else. If your business does not spend much in those categories, the cash back benefit is smaller.
The card is also useful if you want to keep business and personal spending completely separate, or if you need to give employees or contractors their own cards with spending limits. Ramp lets you create virtual card numbers for one-time purchases or subscriptions, which adds a layer of security and tracking.
Ramp is less useful if you need a card that reports to personal credit bureaus, if you want rewards beyond cash back, or if you do not have a business bank account yet. The card also requires an active business bank account to fund payments, so you cannot use a personal checking account.
How to Open a Ramp Account
Start by visiting Ramp's website and clicking the sign-up button. You will enter your name, email, and business information. Ramp asks for your business type (sole proprietor, LLC, S-corp, or C-corp), your business name, and your Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you have one. If you do not have an EIN, you can use your Social Security Number instead.
Next, Ramp verifies your identity by asking for your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. The company then connects to your business bank account to confirm it exists and that you are the account holder. This step requires you to log into your bank's website or app through Ramp's find connection.
After your bank account is verified, Ramp reviews your information and typically sends a decision within one business day. If you are approved, the physical card ships to your address within 5 to 7 business days. You can use a virtual card number in the app when ready while you wait for the physical card to arrive.
What Documents and Information You Need
Gather these items before you start the sign-up process. You will need your legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. You also need your business name, business type, and either an EIN or your Social Security Number if you do not have an EIN yet.
You must have an active business bank account in your name or your business name. Ramp will ask you to log into your bank account to verify it, so have your banking login information ready. If your bank account is in a different name than your business (for example, a personal account you use for business), Ramp may ask for additional documentation to prove you own the account.
If your business is a corporation or LLC, you may need to provide your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization. Ramp does not always ask for these upfront, but having them available speeds up the process if the company requests them during review.
Cash Back and Rewards Structure
Ramp offers cash back on all purchases, with higher rates in certain categories. The rates are 3% on software and internet services, 2% on shipping and shipping-related services, and 1% on all other purchases. Cash back is calculated on the full purchase amount and deposited into your business bank account monthly.
There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and there is no annual fee to offset the rewards. The cash back appears as a credit on your monthly statement and is automatically applied to your balance. You do not have to redeem it or transfer it manually.
The card does not offer travel rewards, purchase protection, or other benefits beyond cash back. If you need travel insurance, extended warranties, or other perks, Ramp is not the right fit. The focus is on simplicity and cash back for everyday business spending.
How Ramp Reports to Credit Bureaus
Ramp reports your payment history to business credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. This means the card helps you build a business credit profile separate from your personal credit. Making on-time payments strengthens your business credit score, which can help you borrow money in your business name later.
Ramp does not report to personal credit bureaus, so the card does not appear on your personal credit report and does not affect your personal credit score. This is different from most small business credit cards, which report to both personal and business bureaus. For Ramp, only your business credit history is affected.
If you miss a payment, Ramp will report the late payment to business credit bureaus, which will lower your business credit score. Late payments also trigger interest charges on the unpaid balance. To avoid this, set up automatic payments from your business bank account, or pay the full balance manually before the due date each month.
Fees and Interest Rates
Ramp charges no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no fees for adding team members or creating virtual cards. There are no fees for late payments either, but late payments do trigger interest charges on the unpaid balance.
The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and is disclosed during sign-up. Ramp does not publish a standard APR range on its website, so you will see your specific rate only after you complete the process. If you pay your full balance each month, you will not pay any interest.
If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. The best way to avoid interest is to pay the full statement balance by the due date each month. Many business owners use Ramp's app to set up automatic payments from their business bank account on the due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ramp check my personal credit score?
No. Ramp does not pull your personal credit report or check your personal credit score during the approval process. The company verifies your identity and your business bank account, but your personal credit history is not part of the decision. This makes Ramp an option for business owners with lower personal credit scores.
Can I use Ramp if I am a sole proprietor with no EIN?
Yes. You can use your Social Security Number in place of an EIN. Ramp does not require you to have a formal business structure or an EIN to open an account. Many sole proprietors use Ramp to separate business and personal spending even without an EIN.
How long does it take to get approved?
Ramp typically sends an approval or denial decision within one business day of submitting your process. If you are approved, the physical card ships within 5 to 7 business days. You can use a virtual card number in the app when ready after approval, so you do not have to wait for the physical card to start making purchases.
What happens if I close my business bank account?
If you close the bank account linked to your Ramp card, you will need to connect a different business bank account to continue using the card. Ramp uses the linked account to verify your identity and to process payments, so the card cannot function without an active bank account connection. Contact Ramp support to update your bank account information.
Can I add employees or contractors to my Ramp card?
Yes. Ramp lets you create additional cards for team members and set individual spending limits for each person. You can also create virtual card numbers for one-time purchases or subscriptions. Each card or virtual number can be tracked separately in the app, making it straightforward to see who spent what and on what.