Business credit cards are designed to suit the financial needs of different types of companies, ranging from small startups to major corporations. These cards allow you to keep your business and personal expenses separate, assign cards to employees, manage your cash flow, track your finances and earn rewards.
Just as with personal credit cards, there is a range of factors to consider before deciding if a business card is right for you. You can use this guide to learn more about business credit cards and how to compare them so that you can find an option that suits the needs and objectives of your business.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 39.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 39.9% APR (variable).
With cashback credit cards, you earn cashback every time you use your business card, no matter what for. Cashback is usually paid into your business current account, so you can use it as you wish – perhaps to take your team for lunch? These cards often come with an annual fee and may also offer added rewards or perks, such as travel insurance.
These cards reward you for paying with a credit card, usually offering reward points for every £1 spent on eligible purchases. Unlike personal credit cards, a business credit card with rewards will let you earn points on your work spending (potentially even on your PPC spending – who’d have thought it?!). It’s important to remember that these cards usually come with higher annual fees and interest rates though, so you’ll need to make sure that the value of the rewards outweighs the costs.
This type of rewards business credit card is linked to an existing frequent flyer programme, such as Avios. Some frequent flyer schemes are tied to a specific airline, while others allow you to get points that can be redeemed at a number of airlines. This kind of business credit card can be particularly lucrative for companies that do a lot of travelling.
These cards can offer a credit facility to your company even if a few funding issues in the past mean that your credit score is less than ideal. Bad credit credit cards tend to have a high rate, so it’s imperative that you clear your card balance in full every month. Using a bad credit credit card correctly for a while will help your business rebuild its credit history and improve its credit score.
These credit cards charge no interest on your purchases for a few months, allowing you more time and flexibility to pay them back. Unlike with personal 0% purchase cards, the introductory deal won’t usually be super long, but if you need to buy, say, a piece of equipment, it’ll give you a bit more time to even out your cash flow. Don’t forget to set an alarm for when the 0% period ends, because that’s when your balance will go back to accruing interest.
These business credit cards have low standard variable interest rates for purchases and can give companies a more affordable option if they need to pay off spending over a longer period of time. Some options even offer the same standard interest rate for purchases, cash advances and balance transfers. Many low rate business credit cards also have a low annual fee.
Foreign transaction fees can quickly amount to a small fortune if you use your business credit card abroad. They can be up to 3%, which means that if you spend, say, £500 in a currency other than sterling, you’ll be charged £15 in fees. With these cards instead, making payments abroad is free; if you’re lucky, you may be able to find a travel credit card that also gives you reward points for your spending.
With business credit cards, it’s the business entity that is responsible for managing the account. If there’s an issue with the account, the entire business will be held responsible, rather than one individual person who’s linked to the account. Likewise, rates and credit limits can be based on the turnover and credit background of the company, rather than the individual.
Unlike personal credit cards, business credit cards are designed specifically for work spending and often include features such as additional cards for employees, customisable spending limits for different users and expense tracking. Some business credit cards may even have analytics tools designed to help with business reporting and budgeting.
But in most other ways, business credit cards are similar to personal credit cards. With either option, you’ll get access to funds up to a specified limit and be able to pay off what you spend over time (with interest charges). Both personal and business credit cards also include costs in the form of annual fees and interest rates, as well as perks such as rewards programmes or complimentary insurance.
A charge card acts as a short-term (usually monthly) loan to a business for any purchases charged on the card. These cards defer payment until the end of the statement period, when you’re required to pay off the account in full. Interest rates do not apply to charge cards as there is no revolving line of credit, but they often apply hefty late fees if you don’t pay the balance in full by the due date.
Business charge cards are designed for organisations that have the financial stability to clear their balance each billing cycle, which will typically be between 25 and 51 days. If you are looking to borrow funds over a longer period of time, business credit cards may offer more flexibility.
Despite these different account structures, charge cards do have many similar features to conventional credit cards, including expense tracking tools, supplementary cards, rewards programmes and complimentary extras. As a result, they are often put in the same category as business credit cards.
Comparing business credit cards side-by-side allows you to find an option that is suited to your business’s specific needs. Some of the core factors to compare when weighing up business credit cards include:
Choosing a card should depend, to a significant extent, on the spending habits of your business. You should aim match these spending habits to card features. For example, if your business uses a credit card to purchase flights, and regularly pays it off, then a frequent flyer card might offer competitive value. On the other hand, if your business plans to rely on the card primarily to borrow money, a card with a low interest rate, low fee or interest-free days is likely to be the most affordable option. Business cards that offer a lot of “bells and whistles” may seem appealing, but always ask yourself if they will have a positive impact on your bottom line.
Interest rates can vary hugely from card to card. Some cards charge the same rate for all transactions and others apply different rates depending on whether the transaction is a purchase, cash advance or balance transfer.
Business credit cards feature a range of fees and charges. Some of the most common include:
Business credit cards offer an interest-free period on purchases – usually around 55 or 56 days – provided you pay your balance in full by the statement due date. This can offer valuable short-term cash flow flexibility. Note that non-sterling transactions and cash advances will usually be exempt from this perk.
Business credit cards generally have minimum payments of 2% to 4% of the outstanding balance, unless they are charge cards, in which case they need to be paid in full each statement cycle.
These may include, but are not limited to:
The APR takes into consideration the default interest rate plus any mandatory, regular account fees (namely, a card’s annual fee). It basically tells you how much it is going to cost you to carry a balance on the card for one year.
There are two main catches. The first is that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) states that this rate must be what 51% (or more) of people accepted for a card receive. That means that up to 49% of those accepted for a credit card may end up paying a higher rate. This is why it’s often called “Typical” or “Representative” APR. This is especially relevant to you if your business credit score isn’t ideal or if it’s the first time you try to borrow money for your business: you may end up being offered a higher rate.
Secondly, the APR is a handy figure, but it isn’t necessarily the most useful thing to look at when comparing cards. For example, if you’re considering a rewards credit card, keep in mind that the APR doesn’t reflect the value of the points you’ll get for using it. Fees for using the card abroad are also not part of the APR. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you need the card for.
If you’re interested in getting a business credit card, the first step is to compare a range of options to find one that is convenient and affordable for your business. Once you have found one, you can usually apply online. Before you apply for a credit card, you’ll need to make sure that you meet the following eligibility requirements and have organised the necessary documents to complete the application:
Much like personal credit cards, cardholders will need to be over 18 and residents of the UK. Some lenders will also stipulate a minimum annual turnover. While cards are available for pretty much any size and kind of company, lenders may have specific products for specific categories of businesses (for example sole traders).
The other details you will be asked to provide vary depending on the card, but generally you will need to provide:
If you’re approved, you could have your card in as few as 5-10 business days (depending on the account and issuer). You can then activate the card, and start using it for your business.
With expense tracking features, additional cards, interest free periods and reward options, credit cards can be a convenient option for both big and small businesses. Now that you know more about them, you can compare your options and find a product that suits your business’ needs.
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