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Earniva® Business Mastercard Review: Is This 1.5% Cash Back Card Worth the Premium Price?
July 1, 2025
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Finding a business credit card that accepts applicants without perfect credit creates a real challenge for sole proprietors, gig workers, and independent contractors. The Earniva Mastercard® positions itself as the solution—offering unlimited 1.5% cash back with more flexible approval requirements than traditional business cards. But does this accessibility justify the card's higher annual fee and APR? This comprehensive review breaks down whether the Earniva® Business Mastercard deserves a spot in your wallet.
What Is the Earniva® Business Mastercard?
The Earniva® Business Mastercard is a non-prime business credit solution issued by The Bank of Missouri and serviced by Concora Credit. Unlike traditional business cards that require excellent credit and extensive business documentation, Earniva targets sole proprietors, gig workers, contractors, and small business owners who may have fair credit scores or limited business history.
The card's core value proposition centers on accessibility combined with straightforward rewards: earn 1.5% cash back on every business purchase, with no spending categories to track or quarterly activations required. This simplicity appeals to busy entrepreneurs who want rewards without the administrative overhead of category-specific bonus structures.
What sets Earniva apart from other business cards in the non-prime space is its "no hard inquiry if not approved" guarantee. When you apply, the issuer performs a soft pull to evaluate your eligibility. Only if you're approved does a hard inquiry appear on your credit report—eliminating the credit score damage that typically accompanies declined applications.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "11039", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Gig Workers and Contractors", "headerHint": "Unlimited Cash Back"} ]]
How Much Does the Earniva® Business Mastercard Cost?
Understanding the true cost of this card requires examining both the annual fee structure and the ongoing interest charges:
The annual fee ranges from $75 to $175 for the first year, with subsequent years costing a flat $175. Your specific first-year fee depends on your creditworthiness at the time of application. Compared to premium business cards that waive annual fees or charge $95, Earniva's pricing sits at the higher end of the spectrum.
The APR starts at 29.99% variable, positioning this card among the highest-interest business credit options available. This rate makes carrying a balance extremely expensive—even a $1,000 balance would accrue approximately $300 in annual interest charges at this rate. For context, business cards for excellent credit typically offer APRs starting around 18.99% to 21.99%.
The cash advance fee is 5% (minimum $10), and while there are no foreign transaction fees, the high APR means international purchases quickly become costly if not paid in full each statement period.
When you calculate the break-even point, you need to spend $5,000 annually just to offset a $75 annual fee through cash back rewards ($5,000 × 1.5% = $75). With the maximum $175 annual fee, that break-even threshold jumps to $11,667 in annual spending. Any business expenses below these amounts result in net negative returns from the card.
The Real Math: When Does Earniva Make Financial Sense?
Let's examine three realistic business spending scenarios to determine when this card delivers positive returns:
Scenario 1: Low-Volume Business ($2,000/month = $24,000/year)
- Annual cash back earned: $24,000 × 1.5% = $360
- Annual fee (assuming highest): -$175
- Net annual return: $185
- Effective rewards rate: 0.77%
Scenario 2: Medium-Volume Business ($5,000/month = $60,000/year)
- Annual cash back earned: $60,000 × 1.5% = $900
- Annual fee: -$175
- Net annual return: $725
- Effective rewards rate: 1.21%
Scenario 3: High-Volume Business ($10,000/month = $120,000/year)
- Annual cash back earned: $120,000 × 1.5% = $1,800
- Annual fee: -$175
- Net annual return: $1,625
- Effective rewards rate: 1.35%
These calculations reveal an important truth: Earniva only delivers meaningful value for businesses spending at least $2,000 monthly. Below this threshold, the annual fee consumes too much of your cash back rewards to justify the card.
The effective rewards rate never quite reaches the advertised 1.5% unless you're spending $175,000 annually—at which point traditional business cards with lower fees and better category bonuses would deliver substantially higher returns.
Key Features That Actually Matter
Beyond the basic cash back structure, several features influence whether Earniva meets your business needs:
No Hard Inquiry for Declined Applications: This remains Earniva's most compelling feature. Traditional business credit cards perform hard inquiries regardless of approval outcome, potentially lowering your credit score by 5-10 points per application. Earniva's soft pull approach eliminates this risk, allowing you to apply without consequences if you don't qualify.
Credit Bureau Reporting: Earniva reports to major business credit bureaus, helping you build business credit history over time. For entrepreneurs establishing their first business credit profile, this reporting creates long-term value that extends beyond immediate cash back rewards. Consistent on-time payments can improve your business credit scores, eventually qualifying you for premium business cards with better terms.
Monthly Cash Back Credits: Unlike some cards that hold rewards until you accumulate specific thresholds, Earniva credits cash back monthly to your account. This immediate access improves cash flow for small businesses operating on tight margins.
60-Second Application Process: The streamlined application delivers approval decisions in approximately one minute, with cards arriving within 14 business days. This speed matters when you need quick access to business credit for time-sensitive purchases or opportunities.
Mastercard Benefits: Standard Mastercard protection includes Zero Liability for unauthorized transactions, Mastercard ID Theft Protection, and Mastercard Receipt Management for expense tracking. While not unique to Earniva, these benefits add value for security-conscious business owners.
Who Should Consider the Earniva® Business Mastercard?
This card serves a specific audience—business owners who face approval challenges with traditional business credit cards. You might benefit from Earniva if:
You're a sole proprietor, gig worker, or independent contractor with fair credit (typically 580-669 credit score range) who has been declined for mainstream business cards. The card's flexible approval criteria and soft pull application process make it accessible when other options aren't available.
You need to build or rebuild business credit and require a card that reports to credit bureaus. Earniva provides this credit-building opportunity while offering modest cash back rewards—a combination that subprime business cards often don't provide.
Your business generates at least $2,000-$3,000 in monthly credit card spending, ensuring the cash back rewards exceed the annual fee. Below this threshold, you're effectively paying for the privilege of building credit rather than earning meaningful rewards.
You pay balances in full each month, avoiding the crushing 29.99% APR that makes carrying balances prohibitively expensive. This card works only as a transactional tool, not a financing vehicle.
Better Alternatives for Different Business Needs
While Earniva fills a specific niche, several alternatives offer superior value for businesses that qualify:
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1098", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fee Credit Card" } ]]
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "258", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Small Business Owners", "headerHint" : "No-Nonsense Card" } ]]
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1099", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Small Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Maximize Cash Back" } ]]
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3055", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Business Travelers", "headerHint": "Zero Transaction Fees"} ]]
Strategic Considerations Before Applying
Several factors beyond the basic card features should influence your decision:
The Credit-Building Timeline: If you're using Earniva primarily to establish business credit, understand that meaningful credit profile improvement typically requires 12-18 months of consistent on-time payments. Calculate whether the cumulative annual fees ($175+ per year) justify the credit-building benefit, especially if you could achieve similar results with secured business cards charging lower fees.
The Upgrade Path: Consider Earniva a stepping stone rather than a permanent solution. Once you've built sufficient business credit history (typically 12-24 months), you can qualify for mainstream business cards with no annual fees, lower APRs, and potentially higher rewards rates. Factor this transition into your long-term credit strategy.
The Opportunity Cost: Every dollar you spend on Earniva's annual fee represents money not available for other business investments. For a business earning net margins of 20%, that $175 annual fee represents $875 in revenue you must generate to break even after taxes and operating expenses. Ensure the credit-building and accessibility benefits justify this opportunity cost.
The Payment Discipline Requirement: At 29.99% APR, a single month carrying a $2,000 balance costs approximately $50 in interest charges—nearly 30% of your annual fee. This card demands absolute payment discipline, making it unsuitable for businesses using credit cards to manage cash flow gaps.
Application Process and Approval Factors
Understanding what Earniva evaluates during the application process helps you assess your approval likelihood:
The application requires basic business information (business name, structure, annual revenue) and personal details (name, address, Social Security number). Unlike traditional business cards requiring extensive documentation, Earniva's streamlined process doesn't request business tax returns, bank statements, or detailed financial projections.
The soft credit pull examines your personal credit history since most sole proprietors and small business owners personally guarantee business credit cards. While Earniva advertises fair credit acceptance, applicants with credit scores below 580 may still face decline. Those with recent bankruptcies, current charge-offs, or severe delinquencies will likely not qualify despite the card's accessible positioning.
The "no hard inquiry if not approved" protection activates automatically. If Earniva declines your application, you receive notification without any hard pull appearing on your credit report. Only approved applicants see the hard inquiry, making this a genuinely risk-free application for credit score purposes.
How Earniva Stacks Up in the Non-Prime Business Card Space
When comparing Earniva to other business cards serving fair credit applicants, several distinctions emerge:
Traditional secured business cards require cash deposits ranging from $200 to $10,000, with your deposit typically determining your credit limit. Earniva eliminates this upfront capital requirement, preserving business cash flow for operational needs. However, secured cards often charge no annual fees and offer paths to upgrade to unsecured cards with better terms.
Store-specific business cards (Office Depot, Staples, Amazon Business) provide approval accessibility similar to Earniva but restrict purchases to specific retailers. While these cards often charge no annual fees, their limited acceptance makes them supplementary rather than primary business credit solutions.
Subprime business cards from regional banks and credit unions sometimes offer terms comparable to Earniva—fair credit acceptance, modest rewards, and higher fees. Shopping these local options before committing to Earniva may uncover better regional alternatives, especially if you maintain existing banking relationships that improve approval odds.
Bottom Line: When Earniva Makes Sense
The Earniva® Business Mastercard serves a legitimate purpose in the business credit card market—providing accessible credit-building opportunities and cash back rewards to entrepreneurs who cannot qualify for traditional business cards. However, this accessibility comes at a premium price through the $175 annual fee and 29.99% APR.
The card makes financial sense only if: You need to establish business credit and have been declined for mainstream options; Your business generates at least $2,000-$3,000 in monthly credit card spending; You maintain absolute payment discipline, avoiding interest charges at all costs; You view the card as a 12-18 month stepping stone to better credit options.
For businesses meeting these criteria, Earniva delivers value through credit building and modest cash back rewards. The net annual return of $185-$1,625 (depending on spending volume) combined with improved business credit scores justifies the card's premium pricing.
However, if you have good credit or can secure no-annual-fee alternatives, Earniva's high fees and mediocre rewards rate make it an expensive choice. The $175 annual fee effectively reduces your rewards rate from 1.5% to 1.21% on $60,000 in annual spending—significantly below what mainstream business cards offer.
View Earniva as a credit-building tool with cash back benefits rather than an optimal rewards card. Use it strategically to establish business credit, then graduate to premium business cards with better terms once your credit profile improves. This approach maximizes Earniva's accessibility while minimizing the long-term cost of its premium pricing.
FAQ
What credit score do you need for the Earniva® Business Mastercard?
While Earniva doesn't publish specific minimum credit score requirements, the card generally accepts applicants with fair credit (typically 580-669 FICO score range). Some applicants with scores in the low-to-mid 600s report approval, while others below 580 may still face decline. The soft credit pull application process allows you to check your approval odds without risking a hard inquiry if you're not approved.
Does Earniva report to business credit bureaus?
Yes, Earniva reports your payment history to major business credit bureaus, helping you build business credit over time. Consistent on-time payments can improve your business credit scores, eventually qualifying you for premium business cards with better terms. This credit bureau reporting represents one of the card's primary value propositions for entrepreneurs establishing their business credit profile.
How is the Earniva® Business Mastercard different from personal credit cards?
The Earniva® Business Mastercard is structured specifically for business use, reporting to business credit bureaus rather than personal credit bureaus for ongoing account activity. The card provides higher credit limits than typical consumer cards, includes business-specific Mastercard benefits like receipt management tools, and charges no foreign transaction fees—useful for businesses with international operations. However, note that the initial application requires a personal guarantee and uses your personal credit for approval decisions.
What happens if I'm not approved for the Earniva® Business Mastercard?
If Earniva declines your application, no hard inquiry appears on your credit report—your credit score remains unaffected. You'll receive notification of the decline along with the specific reasons (insufficient credit history, recent delinquencies, etc.). You can reapply after addressing the decline reasons, typically waiting 30-60 days and improving the cited credit issues. This soft pull approach makes Earniva a genuinely risk-free application from a credit score perspective.
Is the $175 annual fee worth it for building business credit?
The annual fee justifies itself only if you're spending enough to earn meaningful cash back ($11,667 annually to fully offset the fee) or if you specifically need business credit establishment and cannot access other options. For pure credit-building purposes, secured business cards often charge no annual fees and provide similar credit bureau reporting. However, Earniva's unsecured structure preserves business cash flow by eliminating security deposits, which can make the annual fee worthwhile for capital-constrained businesses.
Can I get multiple Earniva® Business Mastercards?
No, Earniva's policy limits customers to one card per applicant. You cannot hold multiple Earniva cards, even for different businesses. This restriction means you must use your single card across all business entities, which can complicate expense tracking for entrepreneurs managing multiple ventures. Consider whether this limitation affects your specific business structure before applying.
How long does it take to receive the Earniva® Business Mastercard after approval?
Approved applicants typically receive their cards within 14 business days. If you don't receive your card within 21 days after approval, Earniva recommends contacting their Lost/Stolen Department immediately at 1-800-314-6340. The card arrives inactive, requiring you to call the activation number provided with the card before making purchases.
Does the Earniva® Business Mastercard offer any introductory bonuses?
No, Earniva does not currently offer sign-up bonuses or introductory APR periods. The card's value proposition centers entirely on the unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards and accessible approval requirements. This lack of welcome bonus makes the card less attractive compared to mainstream business cards offering $500-$750 in bonus value for new cardholders.
Can I use the Earniva® Business Mastercard for cash advances?
Yes, subject to credit approval, you can use your Earniva® Business Mastercard for cash advances at financial institutions. However, cash advances incur a 5% fee (minimum $10) and immediately begin accruing the 29.99% APR with no grace period. Given these expensive terms, cash advances should be reserved for genuine emergencies when no other funding options exist.
What should I do if my Earniva® Business Mastercard is lost or stolen?
Contact Earniva's Lost/Stolen Department immediately at 1-800-304-3096 if your card is lost or stolen. Zero Liability protection means you're not responsible for unauthorized charges made on your card. Earniva will deactivate the compromised card and issue a replacement. The card includes Mastercard ID Theft Protection monitoring, which can help detect fraudulent activity early.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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