Facts About Business Credit Cards

Credit cards are fixtures in society today. What started out as a means of
convenient payment when ready cash was unavailable has now evolved into a
staple means of paying for almost anything in modern times. Whether it's the
monthly house bills or the groceries, or a new sound system or car, credit
cards have become widely accepted as a primary mode of payment in almost
every possible financial transaction.

For those who run their own businesses, credit cards even provide the means
to pay for the day to day overhead costs involved in running the said
business. However, for the most part, while business owners will have their
own personal credit cards, it's generally a good idea to have a seperate
card for the company itself. This is akin to a business owner having his own
bank account, then setting up a seperate company account from which
operating expenses are drawn. Business Credit Cards are a type of credit
card designed for this very purpose.

When selecting a business credit card, look for some of the following
features to help you choose one that will best serve your company and help
it flourish.

Interest Rates and Credit Limit - look at the interest rates of the card,
and make sure that, measured against your company's projected monthly
overhead and income, it is one that won't put a strain on your resources.
Also look at the credit limit of the card and make sure that it is one that
will allow not only for coverage of monthly operating expenses, but can also
cover any additional expenses that may be incurred by sudden unforseen
business emergencies.

Annual Fees - some credit cards also have annual fees as part of their cost,
as a charge not only for the services provided by the card itself, but also
for any additional perks and features that possession of the card entails
the holder to.
Look at the annual fees of the credit card, and weigh them against the
features offered by the card to find the best deal you can.

Introductory rates - some credit cards also offer 0% interest rates for
purchases made within a given introductory period.
The period covered usually lasts 6 months to a year. This is a good factor
to consider if the business credit card you're getting is meant for a brand
new business, as it helps to minimize budgetary strain during the initial
growth stages of your company's development.

Security Features - since business credit cards are meant for more than just
personal use, many companies offer additional security measures for them, as
protection against the possibility of their being stolen, misplaced, or used
without the willful knowledge of the owner. Look at the security measures
offered by the credit card provider. The more, the better.

Merchant Discounts - Since running a business usually involves interaction
with other business entities, some business credit cards have tie-ins with
merchants who provide discounts for purchases made through the said card. If
the credit card you're looking at offers merchant discounts, look at their
list and see if any of the involved parties are ones that can provide goods
and services you'll be needing in your business operations.
These discounts can help minimize your overhead costs and maximize your
company's profits in the long run.

Reward Options programs - lastly, look at reward programs offered by the
business credit card. Reward programs let card holders accumulate points for
transactions made with the card, and these points in turn can be turned in
for various rewards that may be used for your company's benefit. Airline
points, for example, can be earned from some credit cards, and these can be
very useful if your company intends to send personnel abroad. Look at the
rewards that can be earned for using the credit card, and if possible make
sure they are ones that can correspond with your company's operations.

The tips given above are actually applicable to credit cards in general, not
just businesss credit cards. However, they take on a whole new light when
the card isn't meant for the use of just one person, but instead is being
used to help a living, breathing business.

About The Author: Sue Hunt has written many articles on the credit card
industry and is the webmaster of a website offering information regarding
credit cards. If you are are interested in learning more about credit cards
log onto http://www.searchcreditdeals.com