Business Credit Cards
So if you’re an uber PPC’er like I am, you’re going to be spending a nice chunk of change. Don’t make the noob mistake that I did when I first started, and bust out your debit card to pay for Adwords. Use credit cards! With all the cash back, reward points, and flyer miles out there, you can get a lot of cool stuff just for using a credit card. So I’ll share with you all the current credit cards I use, why I use them, and give a couple other suggestions for cards that I may get.
American Express Platinum Card
The Platinum is a solid card with a mid-range annual fee. I think I pay around $450 to have it. I get reward points with it and get to buy cool things. It’s got travel perks, road side assistance anywhere, shopping perks, and a few other nice things. There’s no pre-set limit which is nice, and goes up as you spend more.
Actually I’m lying to you, I’m salty that they won’t give me a Black card (have to be a member for a year) so I got this to make me feel a little better.
This card is a beast if you travel. I have like 400,000 spg points from the past two months, which should last me any event I go to next year. To put it into perspective, that’s almost 40 stays at a 5-star hotel, depending on location. The New York Sheraton was 12,000 a night, and one I’m staying at soon is 7,000, so it varies. You can exchange points for flights anywhere in the world as well which is sweet. If you plan on attending any events, grab this card and rake up some points for a couple months, you won’t regret it.
This is a brand spanking new card from Amex, and they were initially issuing 10,000 of them so basically I just wanted to feel special, and that’s why I have it. 2% of on all business expenses is nice though, and it’s a solid cash-back card. No pre-set spending limit is another perk for someone who doesn’t want a limit but doesn’t want to pay $450 for a Platinum. I’ve started spending a little on it to get some of that PPC money back…Adwords 2% off! The card looks pretty cool, I don’t really like the name “Plum Card”, but it gets the job done for a PPC’er.
Ah the good ‘ol Blue Cash. This was my first serious credit card (I’ve had $500 student MasterCards) and I basically just wanted to get approved by Amex. I had no credit history and I’m 19, so I’m not really sure how they approved me. You can get up to 5% cash back on things like gas and groceries, and then it’s 1.5% cash back on other things (like PPC). So if you’re going to go for a cash back card, just get the extra 0.5% and go with the Plum. The limit on the Blue Cash starts out pretty crappy initially too. Looks pretty neat though.
Other Cards to Consider
So as you can see I’m an Amex junkie, and I’ll probably be getting a Black card in May once I’ve been a card member for a year. I don’t know what it is about me, I just have a strange obsession for acquiring good credit cards. The Black card probably isn’t going to be worth the annual fee to me, but I can’t control my urge to get a credit card that comes in it’s own briefcase. Kids these days…
I’m actually going to seriously look into (and probably get) one of these cards for 3 months. 5% cash back on EVERYTHING…yes that includes PPC…for the first 3 months. So if you’re spending 300k/month in advertising costs, that’s $15,000 profit for 3 months! Yes mommy, I’d like an extra $45,000 for just using this credit card. Props to my man Grayh.at for letting me know about this little gem.
So I’m sure there’s a zillion other good credit cards to have, and the whole point of this article was the make sure that you guys are in fact using credit cards and not your bank card. You can get a bunch of cool things, each card has different benefits. Most people say that Amex is the card for a business person, and I’ve hopped on that train. Just explore around and you may find something nice. Feel free to share any other cards that you use and why.
I’ll be picking the $100 Adwords voucher winner soon as well.
Great post. Will definitely look into this in the future when I get into some heavy PPC.
~ Dave
Nice post. I just recently was blogging about this on my blog.
Link here.
Good stuff. I want one of those Amex’s! ;)
~Jonathan
Thanks for this post, very useful to me. I didn’t know about the plum card. I’m using a Well’s Fargo business card which is unlimited 1.25% cash back or 1 mile per dollar.
My goal in life is to have an AMEX black someday.
And i will.
You said, “There’s no pre-set limit which is nice, and goes up as you spend more.”
I don’t understand what you mean… if there’s no pre-set limit, what goes up?
There’s no pre-set limit, but they do cut your spending off (it’s a little deceptive). So it’s not like you can go out and charge for a $300,000 Ferrari and expect it to go through. No pre-set limit just means that you can go over your limit without any fees as long as you pay it off. Then they gradually increase your limit as you’re spending/paying off more.
man it would just be good to break even and get those points :)
Nice post. If/when I ever learn enough about PPC to get started and spend enough to warrant the annual fee of an Amex charge card I’ll remember this post; an Amex Gold/Platinum has had a reserved spot in my wallet for some time. Right now I’ve got an Amex Blue (not cash) that I use for screwing around with, and it brings me just 1 point per $.
Thanks again. By the way, isn’t the Amex Black card made of titanium?
The Plum Card is a bit deceiving. The 2% back only works if you pay your full balance within 10 days of the period’s closing date.
For PPC, by that point a lot of advertisers won’t have paid you. So unless you’re getting paid weekly/bi-weekly by your networks, or you’ve got a good sized cash reserve to pay out of, you won’t get your cash back.
Also, your total monthly spending has to be >$5k to qualify, so if this isn’t your only card, make sure you’re spending enough to go over.
I doubt that citi card will give you a $100,000 spending limit off the bat, but if they do, the more the merrier. I was curious as to if you had the black. Finally got the answer. Seems it might not be that much better for you other than the first class upgrades, as it cost a bunch more a year.
I’m just using an Amex Gold right now to pay for mine. But those Blacks are just so beautiful ;). There is NO reason to have one except to show off. Or if you travel A LOT you might get access to special clubs I think.
Anyway… I want one too. A titanium credit card. Count me in!
– Tevin
P.S. Revealed: The exact techniques I used to get a 6.8% CTR.
Probably not, I’ll actually have to call soon and see what I can get as far as limits go.
Although Amex publicly says you have to have another American Express card for at least 1 year before you can qualify for a Centurion card, that isn’t accurate. If you’ve met the annual spending requirement in less time on a Plat card (currently 125k) call them up and they can override the year requirement and issue it sooner. You don’t get the cash-back advantage of a Blue, but the concierge service alone is worth the annual fee, and the travel upgrades are great if you book through your Centurion rep.
Hey,
I love Amex. I started using the card for all my business expenses about a year ago, and haven’t paid for travel since. I just upgraded to the Platinum card. The $450/year fee is no big deal, as I will take advantage of the free companion air fares. This will pay for itself with just 1 or 2 trips. I read the Platinum card will also get me free room upgrades. We shall see. Enjoy Reading your blog.
Regards,
Wyatt
Why would you only get a Citi card for 3 months?
Because it’s unlimited cash back 5% for the first 3 months, then the percentage drops down.
that citi card wouldn’t be bad to pull off some sort of arbitrage stunt… i haven’t done anything shady like this in a while – but this post got me thinking.
take that card – most people with good enough credit who have used cards for business expenses could get $25k to $50k fairly easy by calling up – maybe even more. just charge it in full – and then pay it off with funds that you have set aside from a bank acct. typically takes a day or two to pay off…
the only trick would be to get yourself setup as a front co. with a credit processing unit to funnel back to your bank account – i’m sure in these days and times you could “negotiate” paying no-fee or very little like 1% or so to some aggressive sales guy/gal… therefore you’re just paying yourself.
i’m thinking with a little thought and proper planning this stunt could possibly put quite a few hundred thousand bucks (theoretically) into your pocket. i’m sure at some point you’d get flagged. but after 3 months – cancel card, and re-apply… (wash/ rinse/ repeat)…
sounds good at least… it still would require some thought.
Do you need a business license or name….Most of us I assume own domain so would our domain name be our business name?
Desmond
I’ve called and they stated they’ve changed their policy. They’re extremely strict on the fact that you have to be a card member for a year.
When will you be doing a follow up post about your Dad? Im looking forward to hearing about his progress :)
When he starts affiliate marketing :).
You can also get a affiliate marketing master card for free, instead of using paypal or something else they can transfer right to that. Thats what I use. I’ve also used AMEX, which is another really good one.
Paul,
Do you hire out a contract writer? I’m gettin ghit by google quality score!
LOL, 4 credit cards. Man, that’s just overkill…
The only cards I have these days beside my trusty Bank of America debit card are my American Express Platinum and Discover card. I have alsp have a couple of “expendable” Visa cards from HSBC and Capital One for internet related stuff but *GOOD GOD* I’d never use my AMEX online. Paul, I know you’re young and hopefully you’ll never have to learn the hard way but *NEVER* use your AMEX for online business.
Daaaaamn. I need to get one of those MasterCards, 5% cashback!!!!!!!
-Dave
LetMeAdvise.com
You are right when you say even if you don’t make money but play breakeven on PPC, then still you can benefit a lot from your credit cards points!
Yeah, I had this dilema. I’m starting up aff marketing and I was stuck on what to get. This has helped a lot Paul ;)
Great post. Will definitely look into this in the future when I get into some heavy PPC. Thanks for this post, very useful to me. I didn’t know about the plum card. My goal in life is to have an AMEX black someday. And i will. There’s no pre-set limit, but they do cut your spending off (it’s a little deceptive). So it’s not like you can go out and charge for a $300,000 Ferrari and expect it to go through. I doubt that citi card will give you a $100,000 spending limit off the bat, but if they do, the more the merrier. I was curious as to if you had the black.
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