Brex vs Ramp vs Divvy: Best Expense Cards for New Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Hosts
As a new Airbnb or VRBO host, tracking every penny spent on your rental property is key for profit and tax time. Expense cards like Brex, Ramp, and Divvy aren't just for big companies anymore. They offer smart ways to control spending on cleaning supplies, maintenance, and listing fees, plus make tax prep easier. But each one has different rules for rewards, credit, and who can get approved for their first short-term rental.
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The Quick Answer
For most first-time Airbnb or short-term rental hosts, Ramp is the strongest choice. It offers best-in-class expense automation for property costs, has no fees, and focuses on saving you money on things like cleaning services or utility bills rather than just earning points. Brex works well for hosts who've invested a lot of capital into their property upfront and want high spending limits, possibly with travel rewards for scouting new locations. Divvy (now BILL Spend and Expense) is the right fit if you need both expense management and a credit line for your rental property without a huge cash reserve, helping cover costs like unexpected repairs or monthly landscaping.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Ramp: This platform is free. It's a charge card, meaning you pay off your balance monthly in full. Credit limits are based on the cash in your rental property's bank account, usually 50-75% of your balance. So, if your property account holds $50,000, you might get a $25,000-$37,500 limit for sudden repairs or amenity restocks. It offers 1.5% cashback on all spending. Ramp has top-notch features for matching receipts for every cleaning or repair and linking with accounting software. No personal guarantee is required.
Brex: Free for startups, but offers premium features for $12 per user per month. It's also a charge card. Credit limits are based on your property investment or cash position – offering high limits for hosts who have put significant capital into their property. It offers tiered rewards, which can be good for travel if you often visit your property or scout new ones. No personal guarantee is required for well-funded property ventures.
Divvy (BILL Spend and Expense): This platform is free. It offers a revolving credit line, meaning you can carry a balance if needed. Your credit limit is set by BILL's review process, making it accessible even if you don't have a large property cash reserve. Rewards are earned by paying off your balance weekly rather than monthly, which can be useful for managing regular property expenses like recurring cleaning services.
When to Choose Ramp
Choose Ramp if you have significant cash set aside for your rental property (e.g., $50,000+ in a dedicated account for repairs, supplies, and initial setup) and want your spending limit tied to that cash. It's ideal if you want to easily track all your rental property expenses, from cleaning supplies to utility bills, and get ready for tax time without sifting through shoeboxes of receipts. Ramp's automated system helps match receipts for every guest turnover and maintenance visit. You'll like Ramp if you care more about finding ways to cut down on property operating costs, like getting alerts when a cleaning service charges more than usual, rather than just earning rewards points. It integrates smoothly if you use QuickBooks or Xero for your property accounting.
When to Choose Brex
Brex is a good fit if you've invested a large sum into your property, perhaps bought it outright, or completed a major renovation, and have significant funds in a dedicated property account (e.g., $100K+). This allows for higher spending limits for big purchases like new appliances, luxury furniture, or smart home tech. If you plan to travel often to scout new rental properties, attend host conferences, or manage properties that are far away, Brex's premium travel rewards can be a big plus. It's also suitable if you want a card that makes buying big items or working with specialized vendors, like high-end interior designers, feel more streamlined.
When to Choose Divvy
Consider Divvy if you are starting your first short-term rental property without a huge upfront cash reserve but still need a reliable credit line to cover initial setup costs or unexpected issues. It's suitable if you need a credit line for monthly operating expenses like professional cleaning, gardening, or emergency repairs between guest stays, and might occasionally need to carry a small balance. Divvy can be a good choice if you're comfortable with the BILL ecosystem or need a flexible credit option that grows with your property's income, even if you're just starting out.
The Verdict
For most first-time Airbnb or short-term rental hosts: Ramp offers the best automation for tracking property expenses and smart features to save money on running your rental. Choose Brex if you've made a big investment in your property and want high spending limits, especially if you travel for property-related activities. For hosts starting out with less upfront cash or those needing consistent credit for ongoing property expenses and the flexibility to carry a balance, Divvy is the better option. The core platform is free for all three; the key differences are in how they decide your credit limit, what kind of rewards you get, and how you pay back what you spend on your property.
How to Get Started
Ramp: Apply online in under 10 minutes. You'll connect your rental property's bank account. Ramp uses your property's cash balance to set your initial spending limit. Your first cards for things like cleaning supplies or a property manager are typically issued within 1-3 business days.
Brex: Apply at brex.com. If you've made a substantial investment in your property, have your financial documentation ready. Limits are set at the start and can grow as your property's cash position or profitability increases.
Divvy: Apply through BILL. The review process usually takes 1-3 days. Limits may start lower than Ramp or Brex for new hosts but can increase as you build a strong payment history for your rental property expenses.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Ramp
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Brex
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Divvy
Business credit + expense management by BILL
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do Ramp and Brex require a personal guarantee?
Generally no, for charge cards. Ramp and Brex use your business cash position or funding to underwrite limits without requiring a personal guarantee. Divvy may require one for newer businesses or lower credit profiles.
Can I use these alongside my existing bank account?
Yes. None of these are banks (except Brex, which has its own cash management product). You keep your business bank account and use the card platform on top of it.
What happens to my Brex account if I run out of runway?
Brex monitors cash position and can reduce limits if cash falls significantly. If you shut down, any outstanding balance is due immediately. Charge cards require full payoff and cannot be used as a bridge.