Picking Out the Right Business Credit Card

One of the biggest mistakes that a business owner can make is to use his personal credit card for business financing. Combining both your personal and business accounts will not only prove to be difficult but confusing as well. This is especially true as your company starts to grow and your expenses increase. Even worse, such a move can put your own personal credit history at risk.

If you’re a business owner, it is strongly recommended to get a credit card that is especially designed for business. Start by finding a business credit card that matches your business’s spending style and needs. Here is a checklist that should help you pick out the right credit card for your business:

Choose a credit card that reports to the business credit bureaus. Before applying for a credit card, make sure that you have registered your company with major credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet or Experian. Next, make sure that your credit card company will report your monthly payment to the business credit bureaus. Take note that personal credit reporting agencies works separately from business credit bureaus. Also, bear in mind that this is the only way that you can build up your credit history.

Compare different credit cards and find the one with the best deal. Not all business credit cards in the market are the same. Some have greater offers while others may offer less. The only way you can compare accurately is to check the complete Terms & Conditions of the credit cards you’re considering. Remember that the ads won’t tell you everything. It is up to you to examine the real deal that the credit card offers.

Consider your payment habits. How do you intend to pay off your credit card charges? It’s best to pay off your monthly balances in full to avoid the extra interest rate and late penalty charges. However, you’ll still want to get a card with a low APR just in case you need carry over your balance for the month. Also, consider getting a card with no annual fees and reasonable late penalty charges.

Don’t submit many credit card applications at once. Only submit an application to the credit card company that you seriously want to get. Why is this important? Each time you submit a credit card application, the credit card company would check on your credit report. Too many inquiries in your report will only hurt your credit score especially if your application gets denied. Add to this, don’t forget to check your credit rating first and see if you’re qualified to apply for the business credit card you want.

Choose a credit card with the best features. Don’t forget to choose a business credit card that offers important features such as the no liability protection for unauthorized charges, emergency card replacement, travel insurance, online account access, year-end account report, downloadable account reports, free supplementary cards for your employees, extended warranty and purchase protection, and a reliable customer service.