Master Card for Business: A Comprehensive Guide

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Mastering the world of business credit cards can be overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered.

Mastercard for business offers a wide range of benefits, including rewards programs that can help you earn cash back or travel points on your purchases.

To get started, you'll need to choose a business credit card that suits your needs, and Mastercard offers several options, including the Mastercard Business Card and the Mastercard Cash Rewards Card.

These cards often come with no annual fee, making them a great option for small business owners who want to keep costs low.

If this caught your attention, see: Credit Cards with Gift Card Rewards

Benefits and Features

The Mastercard for business offers a range of benefits and features that can help simplify your bookkeeping and make your business travel safer.

You can review the Guide to Benefits for a complete understanding of the program rules, or visit www.mastercard.com for a full description of the benefits.

One of the standout features of this card is the ability to earn 1.25% Cash Back on all net purchases, with no cap on the amount earned.

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Credit: pexels.com, Laptop and smartphone with Mastercard logo, illustrating online shopping and digital payments.

Automatic rebates on eligible purchases are also available through Mastercard Easy Savings, making it easier to save money on everyday business expenses.

The annual fee for this card is $35 per card, which is a relatively low cost considering the benefits you'll receive.

Purchases made within the first 60 days of approval qualify for a 0% Introductory APR for 9 months, giving you some breathing room to pay off your balance.

After the introductory offer ends, a variable APR of 21.70% will apply, so be sure to pay off your balance before then.

Here's a quick summary of the key benefits and features:

  • Earn 1.25% Cash Back on all net purchases
  • No cap on cash back earned
  • Automatic rebates on eligible purchases with Mastercard Easy Savings
  • $35 Annual Fee per card
  • Purchases within the first 60 days of approval receive 0% Introductory APR for 9 months
  • Variable APR of 21.70% applies after introductory offer ends

Safety & Security

With Mastercard for business, you can rest assured that your account is protected 24/7. Mastercard ID Theft Protection detects potential fraud and alerts you of suspicious activity, resolving identify threats promptly.

You'll also have access to Mastercard Global Emergency Services, which provides 24/7 customer service assistance for Lost and Stolen Card Reporting, Emergency Card Replacement, and help with locating ATMs and account-related questions.

Discounts on McAfee protection and Stride Health are available to help you safeguard your business's digital presence and employee well-being.

Mastercard Easy Savings offers automatic rebates on business spending, including dining, hotels, and fuel, giving you more bang for your buck.

Travel

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Traveling for business can be a hassle, but with a Mastercard, you can make it smoother and safer. MasterRental Car Rental Collision Damage Waiver Insurance provides coverage for damage due to collision or theft when renting a car, at no additional cost.

This insurance is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company, and is subject to terms, conditions, and limitations. To make a claim, visit the Mastercard website or call 1-800-Mastercard (1-800-627-8372), or 1-800-633-4466 for Spanish support.

Additionally, Mastercard Airport Concierge offers savings on airport meet and greet services, taking some of the stress out of traveling.

Card Management

You can manage your business expenses with your Mastercard for business, earning rewards and more by taking advantage of everything your card offers.

To adjust employee spend limits, call the Cardmember Service number on the back of your card or use the mobile app to log in and click on "Services", then "Manage Employees", and finally "Edit Spending Limit".

Rewards Card

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If you're looking to earn rewards with your business credit card, you have options. There's the Business Rewards Card, which earns unlimited reward points.

You can earn one point per dollar on net purchases with this card. These points can be redeemed for merchandise, rental cars, travel, and more.

The Business Rewards Card is a great choice if you want to earn rewards without any limits.

Platinum Company Rewards

The Platinum Company Rewards card is perfect for large corporations, non-profits, and municipalities, with no annual fee.

To qualify, you'll need to meet the credit approval requirements, and the card is issued by TCM Bank, N.A.

Make sure to review the card application's Terms and Conditions for the most up-to-date information on rates and fees.

Your account must be open and in good standing to access rewards, so keep your card active and payments current.

The Mastercard Guide to Benefits for Credit Cardholders is a great resource for learning more about the rewards program and its details.

Authorized Representative

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The Authorized Representative plays a key role in managing your company's credit card accounts. They're typically an office manager, controller, or someone in accounts payable who's given the authority to perform various administrative tasks.

Their responsibilities include updating company account information, adding or closing employee accounts, adjusting employee credit limits, and making payments or requesting statements. They can also handle many other tasks on behalf of the Authorized Officer or company.

The good news is that the Authorized Representative doesn't need to be a cardmember. This makes it easier for them to manage the accounts without having to worry about their own card details.

Here are some of the tasks the Authorized Representative is authorized to perform:

  • Updating company account information
  • Adding or closing employee accounts
  • Adjusting employee credit limits
  • Making a payment or requesting statements

Employee Cardmember

You can provide your employees with company business cards to help them efficiently track their business purchases, including client entertainment, travel expenses and more.

Every employee will have a unique credit card account number and separate spend limit as designated by the Authorized Officer or Authorized Representative.

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To adjust an employee's spend limit, simply call the Cardmember Service number on the back of your card or use the mobile app to log in and make the change.

By managing employee spend limits through the mobile app, you can easily keep track of who has access to what limits and make changes as needed.

Central Bill Accounts

Central Bill Accounts offer a convenient way to manage employee spending.

Each company has a credit limit for the entire Central Bill Account.

Individual employee spend limits can be adjusted from $100 to the maximum of the company credit limit.

The sum of all employee spend limits may exceed the company credit limit.

Here's an example to illustrate this:

In this example, the sum of all employee spend limits ($10,000) exceeds the company credit limit ($10,000).

Payment and Control

You can customize each employee's business card to control where, when, and how they use it, minimizing company risk while giving employees freedom.

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Payment controls allow you to limit card use by time of day or day of week, geographical location, merchant type, transaction dollar amount, and transaction types.

To adjust employee spend limits, call the Cardmember Service number on the back of your card or log in through the mobile app, under "Services" click on "Manage Employees", then "Edit Spending Limit".

With payment controls, you can easily set limits on card use, giving you peace of mind and helping you manage your company's expenses.

Operational Efficiency

With Mastercard Receipt Management, you can ditch paper receipts for good and capture, upload, sort, and share business receipts in a flash using your mobile phone.

You can also snag discounts on business services like Adobe, Microsoft Advertising, Intuit software, and more.

Say goodbye to tedious expense tracking with Mastercard's Receipt Management feature, which lets you upload and organize receipts in a snap.

Take advantage of discounts on services like Uber Freight, Uber for Business, and Zoho Social, all made possible through your Mastercard card.

By using your Mastercard card, you can earn rewards and more, taking your business to the next level.

Payment Controls

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Credit: pexels.com, A detailed view of a shiny brass window lock against a blurred outdoor background. Perfect for home and security themes.

Payment Controls allow you to customize each employee's business card to control where, when, and how your employees use them, minimizing your company's risk while giving them the freedom to use their cards appropriately.

You can set controls to limit card use by time of day or day of week, geographical location, merchant type, transaction dollar amount limits, and transaction types, such as cash advances or cash withdrawals.

Payment controls can be set to restrict purchases at specific locations, both domestically and internationally. For example, you can limit card use to "gas station only" purchases.

You can also set transaction dollar amount limits to prevent employees from making large purchases without your approval. This can be especially helpful for employees who handle large transactions or travel frequently.

Here are some examples of the types of payment controls you can set:

  • Time of day or day of week
  • Geographical location—both domestic and international
  • Merchant type—for example the ability to allow "gas station only" purchases
  • Transaction dollar amount limits
  • Transaction types, such as cash advances or cash withdrawals

By setting these controls, you can help your employees use their business cards responsibly and efficiently, while also protecting your company from unnecessary risks.

Reporting and Tools

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With our Mastercard for business, you'll have access to online reporting tools that let you easily monitor and analyze your company's credit card spending annually.

These tools provide a clear picture of your business's financial health, helping you make informed decisions about your company's spending habits.

You can use these online reporting tools to track your company's spending patterns and identify areas where you can cut back on unnecessary expenses.

Central Bill Memo

The Central Bill Memo is a key feature that helps Authorized Officers and Employee Cardmembers stay on top of expenses. Each Employee Cardmember receives a memo statement detailing their individual expenses.

This statement is a crucial tool for Employee Cardmembers to track their spending and ensure they're staying within their limits. Authorized Officers can also use this information to make informed decisions about employee expenses.

The memo statement is separate from the Central Bill Account, which pools the earnings from all Employee Cardmember expenses. This means that only the Authorized Officer can view and redeem rewards, giving them full control over the account.

Employee Cardmembers can continue to spend on their individual accounts, knowing that their earnings will roll into the Central Bill Account. This setup provides a clear and transparent way to manage employee expenses.

Online Reporting

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Credit: pexels.com, Low angle side view of positive young female entrepreneur in formal wear using laptop and performing online payment with credit card while sitting at table at workplace

With online reporting tools, you can easily monitor and analyze your company's credit card spending annually.

You can track your spending in real-time, making it easier to stay on top of your expenses and make informed financial decisions.

Online reporting tools often provide detailed analytics, allowing you to break down your spending by category, merchant, or date, giving you a clear picture of where your money is going.

This level of transparency can help you identify areas where you can cut back and make adjustments to optimize your spending.

Offers and Tools

As a business owner, you're always looking for ways to save time and money. That's why having the right tools and offers at your fingertips is essential.

One of the best ways to save is through the Mastercard Easy Savings Program. This program allows you to save on qualifying purchases at participating merchants, and your savings appear automatically as a credit on your future account statements.

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You can enroll in the Mastercard Easy Savings Program today and start saving.

If you're looking for more ways to streamline your business finances, you can take advantage of exclusive discounts on Intuit small business financial tools. With your Business Mastercard, you can save 30% on QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Self-Employed, or QuickBooks Online Payroll for 12 months.

Visit quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/mastercard to learn more.

You can also save 20% off TurboTax.

Visit turbotax.com/affiliate/mastercard1 to take advantage of this offer.

For current offers and terms and conditions, be sure to visit mastercard.us/businessoffers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my LLC get a credit card?

Yes, your LLC can get a business credit card, which helps separate personal and business finances and builds your business credit.

Why don't businesses accept Mastercard?

Businesses may not accept Mastercard due to the requirement to set up a Merchant Account and pay a percentage of sales as a fee. This can be a barrier for some businesses, making it worth exploring alternative payment options.

Wilbur Huels

Senior Writer

Here is a 100-word author bio for Wilbur Huels: Wilbur Huels is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in finance and investing. With a strong background in research and analysis, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, making complex topics accessible to a wide range of readers. His articles have been featured in various publications, covering topics such as investment funds and their role in shaping the global financial landscape.

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