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It's important to keep your business and personal finances separate. And while you don't technically need to use a business credit card for business expenses, avoid using the card you designated for business for personal purchases as well.
To help you choose the right option for your company, here are the key differences between business credit cards and personal credit cards.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
1. Business credit cards usually have higher credit limits.
Small business credit cards often have higher credit limits than personal credit cards, giving businesses more purchasing power. This is especially useful if your business has fluctuating operating costs, for example, if you spend a lot of money on inventory in preparation for the holiday season.
2. Business credit cards may have more targeted benefit categories
Certain reward bonus categories, such as gas, travel, and restaurant spending, are common to both personal and small business credit cards. However, business credit cards are more likely to offer bonus benefits on spending categories like office supplies and online advertising.
However, if you're spending too much, a flat-rate points card that offers cash back on every purchase may be your best choice. This option is available for both personal and small business credit cards, and works equally well for both types of cards.
Some personal and business cards have reward limits, such as 3% cashback up to a certain amount and 1% cashback after that. Business cards usually have higher limits for these to account for the company's high overhead costs, meaning the more you spend, the more you earn.
3. Business credit cards help build your credit score
There are two main exceptions to this rule.
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Most business credit cards base approval on your personal credit score. A hard investigation can cause a small temporary hit to a person's credit score.
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Business card issuers may report negative activity to consumer credit reporting agencies, so late payments or significant delinquencies can lower personal and business credit scores.
4. Business credit cards may offer spending control and other bookkeeping benefits
5. Consumer cards tend to have longer 0% introductory APR periods
There are many 0% APR introductory periods for personal cards, and they tend to be very long-term, often lasting 15 months or more.
6. Personal credit cards have more consumer protections
For example, with a small business card, your APR can change overnight or you can be charged exorbitant late fees for small violations. If you are unsure of your issuer's policies, call and ask.
Common points between business credit cards and personal credit cards
Here's what the two types of credit cards have in common:
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In most cases, a personal credit check is required. Credit card issuers want to make sure you pay back the money you borrow, whether it's for personal or business expenses. Corporate credit cards are an exception, but these are typically only available to large companies with venture capital funding or millions of dollars in annual revenue.
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You are personally on the verge of repayment. For personal credit cards, that's probably obvious. But business credit cards typically require a personal guarantee, a promise to repay what you borrow even if your business is unable to do so. If you're looking for a business credit card without a personal guarantee, you may need a business card.
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Both can be used as business expenses. There is no law against using a personal credit card for business expenses, and if you use the card for business expenses, both annual fees and interest are tax deductible. A personal card may be a better choice for some freelancers, independent contractors, and sole traders. However, whichever you choose, make sure that the card assigned to your company is only used for business purchases, not personal purchases.
