Yes, Discover offers business credit cards for small business owners and self-employed people
Discover has two main business credit cards: the Discover it Business Card and the Discover it Business Secured Card. The Discover it Business Card is their standard offering and does not require a security deposit. The Discover it Business Secured Card is designed for business owners who are building or rebuilding business credit and requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.
Both cards report to the business credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet), which means they help establish a separate credit history for your business rather than relying only on your personal credit. This separation can matter if you plan to borrow larger amounts later or want to keep business and personal finances distinct.
Discover business cards do not charge an annual fee on either product. They also do not charge foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States, which can be useful if your business involves international purchases or travel.
Key Takeaways
- Discover offers the Discover it Business Card (no deposit required) and the Discover it Business Secured Card (requires a cash deposit) for different credit situations.
- Both cards report to business credit bureaus and help you build a credit history separate from your personal credit file.
- Neither card charges an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, which keeps costs predictable for small businesses.
- Rewards vary by card: the standard card offers cash back on rotating categories and flat-rate cash back on other purchases, while the secured card offers a flat cash back rate on all purchases.
- You will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) to open an account, along with basic business information.
What the Discover it Business Card includes
The Discover it Business Card offers cash back rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus an additional 1% cash back on the first $25,000 you spend in your first year (then 1% thereafter). This means in your first year you earn 2.5% cash back on the first $25,000 in purchases, then 1.5% on everything after that.
The card comes with a 0% introductory APR period on purchases for the first six months, after which a standard variable APR applies. There is no grace period language in Discover's standard terms, so interest may accrue on cash advances from the day you make them. You can view your FICO score for free through your online account, and Discover provides access to your business credit report.
The card works with Discover's online business portal, where you can track spending by category, set purchase controls, and manage multiple user cards if you add employees or contractors to the account.
What the Discover it Business Secured Card includes
The Discover it Business Secured Card requires a cash deposit between $500 and $25,000, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. For example, if you deposit $2,500, your credit limit is $2,500. This card is meant for business owners whose credit history is limited or who have had past credit problems and want to rebuild.
The secured card offers 2% cash back on the first $1,000 in combined purchases in your first year (then 1% thereafter), plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. Like the standard card, it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
After you demonstrate responsible use — typically 7 to 12 months of on-time payments — Discover may convert your secured card to an unsecured card and return your deposit. There is no may provide this will happen or on a specific timeline, so you should not count on it. You can contact Discover to ask about conversion may be able to access, but the decision is theirs to make based on your account history.
How to open a Discover business card account
You can open an account online through Discover's website or by phone. You will need either an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS or your Social Security Number (SSN) if you are a sole proprietor. You will also need your business name, business address, the date you started your business, and your estimated annual business revenue.
Discover will pull your personal credit report to make a decision, even though the card itself reports to business credit bureaus. This means your personal credit score affects whether you are approved. The approval decision usually comes within minutes if you explore online, though some applications may take longer and require additional information.
Once approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up your online account before the card arrives and link it to your business bank account if you want to track spending right away.
What credit score or history Discover typically looks for
Discover does not publish a minimum credit score requirement for the standard Discover it Business Card, but most approvals go to applicants with a personal credit score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but it depends on other factors like your income, how long your business has been operating, and your overall credit history.
The Discover it Business Secured Card is designed for people with lower credit scores or limited credit history, so there is no stated minimum score. However, Discover still reviews your process and may decline it if they see recent late payments, charge-offs, or other serious credit problems. Having a secured card approved is more likely than being approved for the unsecured card if your credit is damaged, but it is not may provide.
How Discover business cards compare to other issuers
Discover is one of the few issuers that offers both a standard and a secured business card with no annual fee. American Express, Chase, and Capital One all offer business cards, but many of their cards charge annual fees ranging from $95 to $595. Discover's zero annual fee structure appeals to small business owners watching cash flow closely.
Discover's rewards rates are competitive but not the highest available. Some business cards offer 2% or 3% cash back on specific categories like shipping, internet, or office supplies. Discover's flat 1.5% rate (or 2.5% in the first year on the first $25,000) is simpler to track but may not maximize rewards if your business has heavy spending in bonus categories.
One limitation: Discover is not accepted everywhere. Some merchants, particularly outside the United States, do not take Discover cards. If your business relies on vendors or suppliers that only accept Visa or Mastercard, a Discover card alone may not be enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EIN to open a Discover business card, or can I use my Social Security Number?
You can use either an EIN or your Social Security Number. If you are a sole proprietor with no employees, using your SSN is common and acceptable. If you have formed an LLC or corporation, you may have an EIN, but Discover will still accept your SSN as the identifier for the account.
Will opening a Discover business card hurt my personal credit score?
Discover will perform a hard inquiry on your personal credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. However, the business card itself reports to business credit bureaus, not personal credit bureaus, so once the account is open and active, it does not appear on your personal credit report and does not affect your personal credit score going forward.
Can I add employees or contractors to my Discover business card account?
Yes, you can request additional cards for employees or contractors. These user cards draw from your main credit limit and appear on your statement. You can set spending limits and controls for each user card through the online portal, and you can cancel individual cards without closing the main account.
What happens if I do not use my Discover business secured card for a while?
Discover may close inactive accounts, though they typically give notice before doing so. To keep your account active and in good standing, use the card at least once every few months. Regular, on-time payments are what lead to conversion from secured to unsecured status, so inactivity works against that goal.
Can I transfer a balance from another business credit card to Discover?
Discover does not offer balance transfer options on their business cards. If you want to move an existing balance, you would need to pay it off with another method or keep both cards open. This is one area where other issuers may offer more flexibility.