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Compare business credit and charge cards
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Company credit cards help keep track of work expenses, simplify accounting, keep track of spending across different departments and ultimately streamline the accounting processes. With benefits for both individuals and businesses, this type of credit card allows employees to separate their work and personal spending.
What is a company credit card?
Company credit cards are just like personal credit cards, except they’re designed with specific perks and tools to benefit businesses.
With company credit cards you can easily analyse and manage your employee spending and earn rewards on business-specific purchases like office supplies and business travel.
Depending on how big your business is, you can choose between different card solutions. You can usually give additional cards to your employees. Employee credit cards allow you to streamline the expense process and keep it under control more easily, while also helping your cash flow.
Subject to the credit or charge card you opt to apply for will depend on how many employee cards you could get and whether they will come at an additional cost. Some cards that come with a chunky rewards programme do limit the number of additional cards you can access.
What types of credit cards are available for employees?
Most employee credit cards are business or corporate credit cards assigned to specific employees. We’ve outlined the key differences between these cards below:
Small business credit cards
Business credit cards are linked to a main account and can be assigned individual spending limits from a centralised system. Providing employees with business credit cards reduces the need for expense reports and reimbursement processes, as only business funds are being used.
Business credit cards can also be linked to rewards programmes, allowing employers and employees to earn cash back, points or frequent flyer miles for their spending. Additionally, business credit cards can provide a range of extra benefits, including liability insurance, spending reports and compatibility with popular accounting software programmes such as Xero.
Business charge cards
Business charge cards, although they’re not technically a credit card, offer a short-term borrowing solution for many businesses.
These cards often come with higher credit limits and exclusive rewards benefits for both business owners and employees. Unlike a credit card, you will have to repay your balance in full and on time to avoid late payment fees. And to reach those top tier rewards programmes, there is normally a large annual fee to pay.
But used correctly, these cards can be a good tool to track employee spending, monitor cash flow and earn points for the team’s rewards pot.
Corporate credit cards
Corporate credit cards are fairly similar to standard business credit cards, but they’re meant for bigger businesses – getting one may require a turnover of £2 million or more.
This type of card offers higher spending controls and powerful analytics tools to help you monitor and optimise your company expenses. This is a great choice for companies with a large number of employees where tracking your business expenses can be difficult.
Personal credit cards
Employees may choose to use a personal credit card for their work expenses. The main benefit of this is that you can choose your own card. If you want to save money on spending, you may choose a low rate or a low fee option. If you want additional benefits, a rewards or frequent flyer card might suit your needs. Usually, this is the best option for an employee card as you’ll get to earn rewards for business spending.
The downside of using a personal credit card for work spending is that you’ll be responsible for keeping your account in order by submitting statements or expense reports to your employer in order to claim reimbursement for spending on your card. Also, work-related purchases can put a strain on your utilisation ratio, especially if you have a low credit limit.
How to choose your company credit card
When you’re looking for company credit cards, you should consider what they offer. Primary consideration factors should include:
- Reporting tools. Consider getting cards with solid reporting tools if your company has many employees. This can help you optimise your spending and negotiate better terms at merchants where you spend the most money.
- Spending controls. Opt-in for a card with spending controls for your employees. Controls usually include times and locations that the employee can use their card, or controls on specific categories, like gas, office expenses, travel and more.
- Interest rates and fees. The variable interest rates for purchases, cash advances and balance transfers, as well as the card’s annual fee — both for primary and additional cardholders — can sometimes determine whether the company cards you’re looking at are worth having.
- Rewards schemes. Company cards can offer a wide range of rewards that can be earned by all cards, but the rewards are usually added to the main account.
- Complimentary extras. Some cards offer travel insurance, car rental insurance and even business liability insurance; just be sure to check whether these perks only apply to the primary account holder or if they’re available to the authorised users as well.
- Other fees. Credit cards may apply a range of other fees, including late payment and overlimit charges, foreign transaction fees, emergency card replacement fees and printed statement fees.
Four tips for using a company credit card
In case the company card you’re using doesn’t have active spending limits, be sure to:
- Stick to work spending. It’s essential that you only use your card for business expenses. Otherwise, there could be legal implications and other issues if it’s misused.
- Check what transactions are approved. Ask your boss or the appropriate work colleague before you use your card so that you know the cost will be covered.
- Track your spending. Keep an eye on your account spending so that you can make sure you have enough credit available for all your transactions. If you find you’re regularly maxing out the card, you may want to request a credit limit increase.
- Keep your receipts. In case there’s an error or if any issue arises, you’ll always have proof of your spending.
The bottom line
Company credit cards can be a great choice for your business if you have a number of employees and you want to simplify their spending process. With a company card, you’ll get better spending controls and limits, and you’ll be able to monitor and track employee card activity with ease.
If you’re not certain which credit card can serve your business best, check out our business credit card guide and compare your options.
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