Qualifications for a Southwest/Chase business card

[leebee]

What qualifies as a business for a business card? I provide "support services" for those submitting grants; I do editing, ghost writing, etc. I don't have a tax ID number for this or have registered this business anywhere, but I do claim the info on my personal taxes because I sometimes do work for companies from which I receive a 1099 (don't want to tempt fate with the TaxMan!). Anyhoo… How much "proof" does Chase require to qualify you for a business card? I don't have business cards or anything; much of the work I do comes to me via word of mouth due to my employment history, local contacts, etc. I would LOVE to get the 50,000 bonus via a business card (and would actually use it for business-stuff… I need to buy updated budgeting software, etc.) so I was wondering if anyone knows how Chase qualifies you as a business.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Read the terms and conditions. They will/could investigate your company's finances.

 

[deide71]

We have a rental property, no separate tax ID number, and we're able to get a Chase Business card. We were initially declined but I called the reconsideration line. They asked a number of questions about the business. How long have you had it, income, expenditure, etc. the questions are quite easy to answer with a prior years tax return. I think they just wanted to verify that we did, indeed have a business. Good luck.

 

[leebee]

Read the terms and conditions. They will/could investigate your company's finances.

I did read the terms and conditions, but I still wasn't sure, so I came here to ask if anyone had experience with this. I don't care if they investigate- it's a legit business and I report the income- but wasn't sure how Chase felt about this without an EIN. Usually the DISboards are quite helpful in providing information on others' experiences. That's why I ask!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I did read the terms and conditions, but I still wasn't sure, so I came here to ask if anyone had experience with this. I don't care if they investigate- it's a legit business and I report the income- but wasn't sure how Chase felt about this without an EIN. Usually the DISboards are quite helpful in providing information on others' experiences. That's why I ask!

You don't need an EIN, you just enter you social security number and list it as a sole proprietorship. If you haven't legally registered a business name then you put your name for the business name as well. As PP said, they may not instantly approve online, but just call the reconsideration number and talk through it with an agent and you'll likely be approved.

 

[Marionnette]

What qualifies as a business for a business card? I provide "support services" for those submitting grants; I do editing, ghost writing, etc. I don't have a tax ID number for this or have registered this business anywhere, but I do claim the info on my personal taxes because I sometimes do work for companies from which I receive a 1099 (don't want to tempt fate with the TaxMan!). Anyhoo… How much "proof" does Chase require to qualify you for a business card? I don't have business cards or anything; much of the work I do comes to me via word of mouth due to my employment history, local contacts, etc. I would LOVE to get the 50,000 bonus via a business card (and would actually use it for business-stuff… I need to buy updated budgeting software, etc.) so I was wondering if anyone knows how Chase qualifies you as a business.

The level of "proof" is up to Chase and could vary. We just applied, and were approved, a Chase Ink Plus for our business. We're replacing our Diners Club card. Whenever we've applied online for personal CCs, the approval has been immediate. We waited for over a week while they considered our business for approval - and we're an established LLC with a TID, at the same location for 25+ years! During the application process, they asked several questions pertaining to the type of business, the revenue and whether it was "in home" or at another address. They also needed the SS# for one of the owners and all employees for whom a business card would be issued.

We got the email that we were approved 10 days after applying but we are still waiting for the actual CCs two weeks after starting the application process.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Go for it. You're not doing anything illegal or unethical. We got the Chase personal and business cards with the 50k sign-up bonus about 1 1/2 years ago. The points and companion pass have provided multiple free trips for our family of 4, and Chase has made a fortune off the purchases we've put on these two cards. We used a rental property and the desire to separate business and personal expenses to justify the need for two cards. No problems at all. After a year we cancelled the business card, as it was not worth the second annual fee. We still have the personal as our very, very well-used primary card. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship.

Don't worry, just apply for it. The worst that could happen is they turn you down.