The Corporate Credit Card: For Your Business Needs

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

When employees of corporations need to purchase something, they have to course their requests for funds through several divisions and departments before they can receive the money. Although this may appear to be a bureaucratic trap, it is a system that nearly all corporations use to make sure that all requests are met in an organized manner.

This system is a good way for businesses to save money, and to make sure that the money that the company has worked hard to make is well spent. However, it cannot be avoided that money will be needed at inopportune times, and for emergency purposes. A computer can crash at a critical time, so that an annual report may not be written in time for an important review. A finance system can suddenly collapse, so that accounts important to the company may not be closed, opened, or edited. A printer may suddenly run out of ink, a copier may run out of toner, and the store room may run out of paper.

When such emergencies arise, a corporate credit card can come in handy. With a corporate credit card, you will not need to course requests through several departments and wait for a response and funding before you can make any purchase. A corporate credit card can ensure that a computer is fixed immediately, so that the annual report can be printed out, photocopied, and presented to reviewers on time. A corporate credit card can also make sure that the faulty finance system is repaired immediately, so that company business will be up and running. With purchases using a corporate credit card, a printer can be used again, a copier can work again, and the store room will not lack any paper.

A corporate credit card, moreover, can benefit traveling employees who may need to make emergency purchases while on a business trip. Instead of carrying large amounts of cash, or waiting for approval for additional funding, a corporate credit card can allow traveling employees to make purchases and settle their bills later.

Corporate credit card packages are fairly common, and can be viewed and scrutinized online. Such packages come with financial rewards, including cash back guarantees. Some corporate credit card packages are also given airline miles, allowing more miles to be added whenever purchases are made using the corporate credit card. Several corporate credit cards already have miles on them when they are purchased.

Corporate credit cards also have much higher credit limits than ordinary credit cards. They are also subject to more discounts and privileges. For instance, some credit card companies have partner restaurants, airlines, and travel agents. If you use the corporate credit card at these establishments, you may be able to get discounts, or even gifts. Credit card companies also commonly link up with office supply providers and bookstores, where your employees may also purchase items at discounted prices.

Corporate credit cards, with their high credit limit, can be easily abused. If you set strict rules and regulations for your employees, however, you can limit the purchases made using the corporate credit card. Although corporate credit cards are difficult to maintain, and even more difficult to track, the rewards you will receive as a corporation will be great. If you think that your company will benefit from the use of corporate cards, contact your credit card company, and examine their corporate credit card packages. If you know the rewards that your corporate credit card can give, and if you and your employees know how to use the corporate credit card wisely, then you can enjoy its advantages to the maximum.