Business Credit Cards are a Better Way to Manage Business

Business cards still have an application and approval process, still include an interest rate on purchases, and still have an impact on credit scores. They are available with low APR, zero introductory interest rates, balance transfer options, rewards, like airline miles or cash back, and on and on. Business credit cards are similar to personal credit cards in how they are obtained, how they are used, and how they work, however business credit cards also offer unique business oriented benefits and generally offer high lines of credit. They also offer travel discounts on cars and hotels, travel insurance, and even restaurant savings. The truth of the matter is, business credit cards will help your business grow and there is no doubt about it.

Business owners also understand that securing a business credit card early on in the life of the business, helps the business to build its credit track record; and that the sooner a track record is established, the sooner the business will be able to carry the business credit card liabilities on its own. These cards have gradually become one of the most common forms of business credit that assists businesses meet their urgent requirements, even when there is a deficiency of cash. Businesses, both large and small, are no different from private consumers when it comes to the benefits of credit cards, and many businesses rely on the convenience and flexibility of these cards in order to aid the smooth running of their finances.

Business credit cards often secure preferential exchange rates to the business traveler and business credit card issuers also arrange for worldwide emergency and travel assistance. Currently, business credit cards offering zero percent interest rates and reward rich incentives are advertised widely and these types of business cards are going to be more widely marketed to small business owners in upcoming months.

Business credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, which is great for those who need equipment or supplies in a hurry. Business credit cards are usually issued to corporate executives or business owners in order to more easily keep business expenses separate from personal charges. Business cards for businesses in general, and for small business in particular, have become increasingly popular as more and more businesses start to realize the benefits. Business credit card volume has grown 20% annually since 2000 and business cards can be issued to more than one individual. They are a great way to increase cash flow and solve cash flow problems.

Business Credit Cards are wonderful financial tools for all types of business. But there are drawbacks to small-business credit card usage as well. A business credit card carries the same personal liability as a personal card. So if the business defaults on credit-card payments, a creditor can come after the person who signed the card for payment. Moreover, your small-business credit card will be noted on your personal credit reports and a few late payments could seriously damage your personal credit score, while a big debt increase by the business could make you look more overextended than you really are, regardless of the payment history. Still, no matter what, once your business has established its own credit history, you should be able to remove your small-business credit card from your personal credit reports. One other word of caution: because business credit cards are meant to be used by companies, not consumers, they come with fewer consumer protections than a personal credit card.

From the above, you can see that the vote is in. Business credit cards are wonderful financial tools for all types of businesses. And, if you do not have one for your business now, perhaps you should be considering getting one in the near future. After all, financial tools that come with great features and benefits are a business necessity.

With Credit Cards Hitting Hardest, UK Consumers Tax Themselves With Penalty Charges On Personal Finance Options

A rise in costs for users of any financial service usually results in public outcry, why is it then that so many of those same consumers allow penalty fees and charges to accrue on their credit cards, when the problem could so easily be avoided?

The financial groups Defaqto and MoneyExpert have released a report in which the startling figure that one in five consumers have had to pay just such a charge, and while credit cards were the worst offender, a number of different personal finance services also incurred unnecessary charges. These services included charges for simple personal finance errors such as allowing an overdraft to go over the agreed bank limit, or investing in an inflexible mortgage and then paying off the debt early. In both cases either better preparation beforehand with regards to choosing the right provider (such as using an online personal finance database like Moneynet (http://www.moneynet.co.uk/credit-card/index.shtml ) or Motley Fool (http://www.fool.co.uk ) ) or taking advantage of financial options now readily available would have presented more flexible options which would not have imposed the penalties.

To take an example, credit cards allow greater control over your personal cash flow – you can pay now for a product or service even if the funds you use will not be available to you until the following month, at which point you pay off the credit card. Credit cards also have valuable incentives for their use with larger purchases, featuring, as the majority do, insurance options and traceability. However when you are making smaller purchases, say clothing or household products, then the use of a credit card may not be the best use of your money: searching for a suitable personal loan would most likely result in better short-term rates and the avoidance of penalties such as those imposed on the one in five people surveyed by Defaqto and MoneyExpert.

With the survey also producing the result that one in twenty consumers faced charges in excess of £100 it would seem that this problem is more than a trifle for a large portion of the UK population and that while there are a great number of personal finance options available out there, there are very often not used to the advantage of the consumer as they could so easily be with a little research.

Disclaimer

All information contained in this article is for general information purpose only and should not be construed as advice under the financial Services act 1986. You are strongly advised to take appropriate professional and legal advice before entering into any binding contracts.

Ultimately keeping you credit card safe is you responsibility. Indeed, in a worst case scenario, if it can be proven you may have been negligent in keeping your credit card safe, you may find yourself liable for the cost of all transactions made fraudulent on your account should you lose the card. To help you avoid this, here are 5 basic credit card safety tips:

Never have more cards than you need

While it is always advisable that you have more than 1 credit card, in case it gets lost, you should never have more credit cards than you actually need to use. The principal reason why this is the case is because it becomes harder to keep a track of which cards you have and where you have kept them with the more cards you have. (more…)