What to Look for in a Business Credit Card
September 22, 2010
Do you run your own business? If you do, you’ll need access to various types of business financing. Business credit cards might be one of them. If you’re looking into getting a business credit card for your company’s purchases, what exactly should you look for in that new card?
The answer to that question will vary a bit depending on your business. For example, how will you use the card? Do you do a lot of business travelling? Do other employees need access to use the business credit card, or just you?
Let’s take a look at some of the things you might want to look for in a business credit card. Don’t feel like all of these examples apply to you. Pick and choose based on the unique qualities of your company.
1. Multiple card access
Do you have other executives or employees responsible for making purchases on behalf of your company? If so, make sure any business credit card you apply for allows you to add additional cardholders who will be authorised to make purchases on your company’s account.
2. Low interest
Business finances can be much more complicated than personal finances. And sometimes that includes taking longer than a month to deal with accounts payable. If you know it’s unlikely you’ll pay the credit card off in full every month because of a longer typical cycle in your company, it’s important to find a low interest card. However, if you don’t have that concern and you can pay it off each month, then interest probably won’t be the biggest issue for you.
3. Rewards programmes
If you or any of your employees travel a lot in the course of doing business, you might want to find a business credit card that offers a rewards programme, like the CitiBusiness credit card. You might be able to earn frequent flyer points to help your company save on future business travel expenses. Not all rewards cards will offer frequent flyer points, but even if they don’t you might get other valuable rewards for your business in addition to perks like free international travel insurance.
4. Generous (or at least adequate) credit limits
One of the reasons it’s a good idea to apply for business credit cards rather than using your personal credit cards for business purchases is that business credit cards often have more generous credit limits. That accounts for the fact that businesses often need more spending power than personal cardholders. Make sure you choose a business credit card with a high enough credit limit to let your business cover its regular expenses. Better yet, look for a card like the American Express Business credit card which has no set spending limit. Instead, individual purchases will be approved or denied on a case by case basis based on your history with them.
When comparing business credit cards it’s important to first make a list of all the things you’re looking for and all of the ways your company will use that card. Only then can you really find one that will meet your business spending needs.
Below are 3 of our most popular and recommended credit card offers:
Purchase Rate (p.a.) |
Cash Rate (p.a.) |
Balance Transfer |
Interest Free Days |
Annual Fee |
||
Citibank Clear Platinum |
11.99% | 21.74% | 2.9% for 12 months | up to 55 days | $49 | More Info |
ANZ Platinum Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 44 days | $0 first year | More Info |
Westpac Low Rate Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 55 days | $45 | More Info |
