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How do I Choose the Best Business Credit Card Offers?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

There’s much to consider when business owners are determining which business credit card offers they should accept. The thing peoples may want to contemplate when they’re looking at business credit offers is the actual credit offer, credit responsibility, and the way that the credit card company reports credit. Others important aspects include interest rate, fees, and points or bonuses each card may confer.

It’s important to think about the amount of credit available with business credit card offers. Lenders may offer greater or lesser amounts, and a business might want to go with the card that gives the largest credit line. This isn’t always necessary. Once business owners have determined the amount of credit they require, they may be happy with a card with a lower credit line, provided it meets credit-spending needs. The one advantage to the amount of credit offered may be that if a company uses very little of this credit, their credit score could be higher because they would have a lower percentage of credit in use. On the other hand, if the credit is paid in full each month, this may not be greatly important.

Business credit cards often feature cash back rewards.
Business credit cards often feature cash back rewards.

Business credit cards come in many types. They may be unsecured cards, usually given to companies with high credit ratings and when a lender feels certain credit issued will be paid back. Guaranteed business credit offers are those where the business establishes a bank account to the amount of credit limit. This bank account sits in place and guarantees the line of credit. Secured credit cards are usually dependent on a bank account too, but line of credit goes up or down depending on amount prepaid by the business. Another type of secured card may be assessed directly against the assets or holdings of the business.

Interest rates and other account terms are important factors to consider when selecting a business credit card.
Interest rates and other account terms are important factors to consider when selecting a business credit card.

In addition to the different types of business credit card offers, who might be responsible for the card and how it reports to credit agencies can be variable. In some cases, the owner of the business has to apply using his/her own credit standing because the business has little, and he would be responsible for any debts should the business fail. This does not reflect as favorably on business credit rating as a card that the company is able to obtain on its own. It may also negatively influence credit rating of the business owner.

Some business credit cards provide benefits like frequent flier miles.
Some business credit cards provide benefits like frequent flier miles.

After determining type of cards available to each business, other factors must be investigated. Interest rate is a very important factor, especially when people plan to maintain a balance on the card. Another valuable consideration is fees for transactions, for late payments, or simply for use of the card. People should evaluate these costs to determine which business credit card offers may be the best choice.

Some business credit card companies are partnered with hotel chains to give customers discounts.
Some business credit card companies are partnered with hotel chains to give customers discounts.

Lastly, some business credit card offers are attractive because they offer different types of bonuses. Businesses can earn things like cash back, points toward purchases in online catalogs, or travel rewards like discounts at hotels/motels or frequent flier miles. These bonuses can be fantastic, but they do have to be weighed against type of card, interest and fees to see if they prove the best bargains.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

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    • Business credit cards often feature cash back rewards.
      By: Karramba Production
      Business credit cards often feature cash back rewards.
    • Interest rates and other account terms are important factors to consider when selecting a business credit card.
      By: Kreative Photography
      Interest rates and other account terms are important factors to consider when selecting a business credit card.
    • Some business credit cards provide benefits like frequent flier miles.
      By: mimagephotos
      Some business credit cards provide benefits like frequent flier miles.
    • Some business credit card companies are partnered with hotel chains to give customers discounts.
      By: poplasen
      Some business credit card companies are partnered with hotel chains to give customers discounts.