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- Do business cards show up on your credit report?
- Does the AMEX 4/5 card rule count business cards?
- What impact does a Delta business card have on MQD exempt spending? <- Coming soon
In the last post I said it was a simple choice for me to go for the current Delta AMEX card offer (the business one) since I had not had it before and since all AMEX bonus offers are now once in a lifetime.
But do you have to have an EIN number to get a business card including Delta AMEX ones, that is, the Gold, Platinum or Reserve cards? The simple answer is no. Take a look at shots from the application page:
On the first page of the application is shows you clearly that if you run a corporation or partnership and have an EIN number you fill it in here. But notice one more option for those who are sole proprietors, that is, they do whatever like buying and selling on eBay for example (even if no income is net earned):
When you select Sole Proprietor the box for an EIN number goes away, that is, you do NOT have to fill in an EIN number to get AMEX business cards.
On the next page, you will fill in your SSN as well as your gross income from whatever sources you earn your living. It is just that simple.
Now what IS needed is a good or very good credit score to be approved for either of the Delta GOLD AMEX offers. Depending on the source I used it is telling me my score, despite having dozens and dozens of travel cards, is more than high enough to be approved for this offer. And as you can see from the opening screenshot – I was approved instantly.
Are you considering business travel cards in your mileage earning portfolio? – René
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
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So, basically this is a personal guaranteed card using a personal credit profile, which is subject to a personal credit approval, in lieu of your business’ credit profile (which in my case is a “C” corporation, with an EIN, with a D&B credit profile, and with multiple shareholders & employees). In other words, why should I sacrifice my credit profile for the sake of a corporation, where there are other shareholders? Why bother? This really is the same old, same old product from AMEX.
@Cathy – Yes and more points
Thanks so much for this post, Rene. Got approved for the Business Platinum.
Last year, when spend on my Delta Reserve card went up, I received a Financial Review from AMEX. The information I provided in my application was all accurate, so at the end, everything became back to normal. However, If I don’t have a business per se, would I survive a FR for Amex Business cards?
@TJ – The key thing is CORRECTLY, as you did, provide your total gross income. The ability to pay is the key. Plus, if you attend the talks I give at Chicago Seminars and others, you will learn ways around the FR 😉
Hi Rene,
I’ve almost completed my $25K annual spend on my delta platinum amex. At that point I will need just under 8K MQMs to get gold status.
Am I better off starting w the business gold offer or going straight to the personal delta reserve?
@Mel – I would, at least for now, go for the Platinum Delta AMEX card because the bonus is so huge. You can always get the Reserve card down the road. Welcome to GOLD btw 🙂
Hi Rene
I am almost at my $25K spend for my delta platinum amex card. Once I receive the credit, I will be less than 8K MQMs away from gold status.
Am I better off trying for the business gold or going straight for the personal delta reserve amex upgrade (or both)?
Thanks!
Thanks Rene, I agree.
Thanks for sharing such an insightful article. An EIN is a nine digit number assigned by the IRS and anyone can easily apply for it. To get your EIN at http://renespoints.boardingarea.com/2014/03/05/rookie-wednesday-apply-ein-number-employer-identification-number/
What should I do now ?
I was approved for Amex platinum business and gold business with no real business and now I’m on FR !
Please Help.
@Mesh – As long as you were honest with your income totals with your business (even at zero) and your total other income there is no issue. You can comply. Or, you can choose not to and close all your accounts. Your call.