Compare business card types
| Type | Funding and repayment | Key checks |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | A credit facility with repayment rules | Interest, fees, minimum payments and liability |
| Charge card | Usually requires the statement balance to be paid in full | Payment timetable, spending terms and missed-payment consequences |
| Prepaid or debit expense card | Uses available account or loaded funds | Account fees, controls and treatment of held funds |
Choose for your actual spending
List expected monthly expenditure, overseas transactions and the employees who need cards. Establish whether the business expects to repay in full each period.
If balances will be carried, model borrowing cost before rewards. For a large planned purchase, compare other funding routes and repayment terms as well.
Compare the complete cost
Ask for the current schedule of interest, annual or monthly fees, employee-card charges, foreign exchange fees and cash-transaction charges. Check introductory terms and what follows them.
Evaluate rewards only against eligible spending and any caps, exclusions or redemption limits. A reward that requires unsuitable spending is not a saving.
- Interest-free conditions and repayment timing.
- Direct debit arrangements and cash-flow impact.
- Late-payment and over-limit treatment.
- Employee-card limits and card freezing.
- Accounting exports and receipt capture.
Read the liability and protection terms
Identify the borrower, any individual liability and any personal guarantee. Confirm what credit checks are involved before applying.
Do not assume consumer-card protections apply to every business card or legal structure. Ask the issuer about the exact agreement and use professional advice where the obligations are unclear.
Put spending controls in place
Set limits, approval rules and a process for missing receipts. Review permissions when staff change roles or leave.
Reconcile statements promptly and keep enough cash for the agreed repayment. If a card is routinely covering an operating shortfall, review the underlying cash-flow position.
Frequently asked questions
Is a charge card the same as a credit card?
No. A charge card usually requires full repayment each statement period, while a credit card may allow borrowing subject to its repayment and interest terms.
Check the exact product agreement.
Are these live card offers?
No. This is a comparison guide, not a priced product table.
Verify current eligibility, fees, credit terms and guarantees directly with the issuer.