A number of readers have reached out to us to let us know that they applied for a Barclays business credit card, were approved, received & activated the card only to try to use it and be informed that the card has been blocked and can’t be used. After calling Barclays helpline they were told that a security block had been put on the card until they could prove that they own a legitimate business. These people applied as a sole proprietor using an SSN and Barclays is now saying that this does not qualify and the card will be unusable until they can prove their business.
I imagine a lot of readers have applied for Barclays recently with the increased business card bonuses available. At this stage it’s not entirely clear how common this actually is, so please share your experiences in the comments below. I do find it weird that Barclays is requesting this documentation after approval, if it’s necessary it would make sense to request it during the application process. I’m also not sure how they can claim that as sole proprietor isn’t a legitimate business but I’m not a legal expert.
Same as above happened to me, but with an Aviator personal MC. After being approved, they won’t let me use it until I mail copy of SS Card, ID, and recent utility bill. Not Sure what Barclay’s has going on, but if remember correctly, this shady practice was what got Wells Fargo in trouble. It seems they may be trying to qualify as many as possible to meet their numbers and satisfy their stock holders (which btw I am one of them.)
Recent update for me – submitted 2 forms of ID, and my EIN confirmation doc, and they approved my business for the card. Only took them a month to do it. I’m not very high on Barclays as a credit card company.
Did you send them in by mail or was there an online portal for submission?
Well, I already had a bad experience with Barclay’s, so this just completely removed them from any future consideration. I run a small business, but that doesn’t mean I “enjoy” getting bogged down in mountains of paperwork and hassles. Very shady thing to approve you for a card, and then block access to it. Someone else mentioned US Bank being difficult and I concur 1,000%. The heck with all that nonsense. Just stick with Amex and Chase. Boycott Barclay’s, US Bank, Wells Fargo, etc. Let them go out of business and have a better bank buy them out at pennies on the dollar. For those wanting AA miles, Citi instantly approved me for both the personal + business AA cards on the same day with limits of 19k and 20k with no hassles at all. Now that’s how a valued customer SHOULD be treated!!!
I mean it’s super easy to create an llc depending on the state. $50 filing fee in michigan + $25 a year gets you a single member LLC + an EIN.
Applied and approved 5/16 Aviator bus as a sole prop with SSN. Card activated and used with no issues so far. Several years in business. Minimal profit. Always file Sched C but no other business doc required for my area.
Applied for Hawaiian Airlines Business Card and Barclays asked me to send in copies of my driver’s license, SSN, and utility bill respectively. Sent the docs today. Will wait for approval/denial and will post update.
My application was auto approved without issue. I also reported $350 business revenue on the application, which is accurate and I have financial records should they request them.
somewhat unrelated but how do we create an online account for barclays business credit card account? I tried doing it but got a message saying card information is incorrect while filling out the form, even though i am filling it correctly and its activated and usable.
For AA Biz:
https://aviatorbusinesscard.com/businesscard/Login.do?promoCode=AA
For JB Biz:
https://www.jetbluebusinesscard.com/businesscard/Login.do?promoCode=JetBlue
Barclays Aviator Biz with 75k SUB, applied 5/8 (SSN, Sole prop, no employees, 1 year $1k, no Barclays history), initial status was needs time to review, eventually auto-status went to denied, called recon 5/13, first person I talked to said she’d recommend for approval but I had to talk to their verification department when they were open after the weekend. They’d been open less than 2 hours on Monday, and I hadn’t called yet, when I got an email saying I was approved. I’ve already hit the MSR, and even added and used an employee card.
So this is definitely not ubiquitous.
My wife applied for the Barclay aadvantage 75k bonus using her EIN on a legit llc company. Can I apply for it as well using the same EIN as I am 50/50 partners in the business?
No one here can tell you if you can/can’t, only Barclay’s is the one decision that matters. Try it.