Updated: December 7, 2024
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Adding employee cards to your company credit cards can turn employee purchases into valuable rewards. It's also a great way to control and track each employee's spending, but it puts you on the hook for charges made on every employee card.
The process to add authorized users is straightforward and similar to personal credit cards. In most cases, you can request employee cards through your online account or over the phone.
Requesting employee credit cards is the same as adding authorized users to your card.
Employers, not employees, are responsible for any charges made on employee credit cards.
Employers have the ability to set card limits and track spending on employee credit cards.
Some of the links on this page will take you to one of our partner's sites, where you can compare and apply for a selected credit card.
There's little difference between adding an authorized user on a personal credit card and adding employee cards to your business card account. In both cases, you're authorizing someone else to make purchases on your account. The primary account holder is also responsible for payment of all purchases on personal and business credit cards, so only add people you trust.
One difference between personal and business cards is how they are reported to credit bureaus. Most business cards, including employee cards, aren't reported to consumer credit bureaus and don't appear on your personal credit report. The opposite is true for authorized users on personal cards, who can often boost their credit score by being added to someone else's credit card.
You can add employee cards onto your business card by accessing your account online. In many cases, you can click "add cardholder" or "request employee card" within your account. Other card issuers may require you to contact customer service to request additional employee cards. Employees don't need to have an account with the card issuer to be eligible.
When adding an authorized user, you'll be asked for the employee's full name and other personal information like their physical address, date of birth, and Social Security number. At this time, you can also set a spending limit for the employee credit card.
Depending on the card issuer, there may be an additional annual fee or charge when you add employee cards to your account, although some issuers provide this service free of charge. Also, the same terms and conditions apply to the primary cardholder and authorized users. Card issuers may also limit how many employee cards you can add to your account.
Many of the best business credit cards allow you to add additional employee cards free of charge. Not only does this save money, but it also helps you maximize your rewards through employee spending.
While adding employee cards to your business account can empower your employees and help your business, there are also drawbacks to consider before requesting employee credit cards from your card issuer.
As your business grows, it may be time to think about adding employee cards to your account. This is especially true if you aren't the primary purchaser for your company. If another employee handles most purchases for your business, an employee card streamlines the purchasing process.
Adding employee cards can also help you avoid having to reimburse employees for purchases made on their personal cards. Plus, it allows you to track their spending in real time, set limits and adjust account settings and privileges as needed.
When adding employee cards to your account, take advantage of any tracking, budgeting or spending tools included with your business card. Some business cards allow you to assign a designated employee as an account manager to help manage employee card features and settings. — Kevin Payne
There are other options if you're not ready to add employees to your business card account yet. For example, you can opt for prepaid cards, which allow you to load a specific amount of money on the card for spending. These cards are reloadable, too, so you can add more funds as necessary.
Another alternative is using procurement cards. A procurement card, or purchasing card, is a card designed for purchases, usually from a specific business like an office supply store or home improvement store. If you have a vehicle fleet, your employees can use a procurement card to pay for fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. Procurement cards are typically used for smaller, everyday purchases. Most procurement cards are considered charge cards. Unlike a standard credit card, the balance on a procurement card must be paid in full each billing period. Business owners can designate a procurement card to particular employees authorized to make purchases on behalf of the company.
Looking for more information on business cards and adding employee cards? Finding the answers to common questions about business credit cards can help you determine if it's worth adding employees to your card account.
In most cases, there is no extra charge to add employee cards to your business credit card. The exception is American Express, which does add an annual fee for some business cards.
Most card issuers that charge an annual fee on the primary card offer free employee cards. One exception is American Express, which does charge a fee for adding employee cards to existing business credit cards. For example, employee Business Platinum Cards carry a $300 annual fee while Business Gold Cards carry a $45 annual fee.
Yes, you can add an authorized user to your business credit card by requesting an employee card from your card issuer.
No, being an authorized user on a business credit card won't affect your personal credit score.
No, having an employee card through your employer won't affect your personal credit or credit score.
No, all financial responsibility for employee cards lies with the primary cardholder.
Yes, you can add an employee to your business credit card at any time.
You can add an employee card through your online account or by calling the card issuer.
Employee card limits vary depending on the card issuer.
Yes, you can add employee cards to your corporate business cards at any time. Depending on the size of your business, you may want to consider a corporate credit card.
Examine your business to find out if you should add employee cards to your account or find a new business card that fits your growing business needs.
MoneyGeek experts analyze spending trends based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also have carefully reviewed the offers, rates and fees of 545 business credit cards to date to help you make the most informed decision when shopping for the right business credit card for your needs.
The MoneyGeek editorial team works hard to stay on top of the latest financial trends to provide answers to common questions about business credit cards and other relevant topics for our readers. We aim to deliver insightful content to help you better understand how credit cards work and how to use them more effectively.
About Kevin Payne
Kevin Payne is an award-winning finance writer and the founder of FamilyMoneyAdventure.com, specializing in credit cards, banking and student loans. His works have been published on Forbes Advisor, The Ascent and Investing Answers. He also writes personal finance content for MoneyGeek.
Payne is in the process of completing his Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification.
