Sunday, April 6, 2008

Advanta Business Credit Cards: Is Advanta Right for Your Business?

Advanta Business Credit Cards: Is Advanta Right for Your Business?
Advanta opened for business in 1951. Its founder, Jack
Alter, ran the company from a spare bedroom of his home.
Today, more than 50 years after its initial start, the
company has grown into a large corporation, specializing in
credit cards for small business owners. If you have a
company and are thinking about getting a credit card to
help with finances, Advanta is one of the options you'll
find. Here's a closer glance at the pros and cons of an
Advanta business credit card.

Made for Businesses

Advanta cards are geared to small business owners, and many
of their features reflect that. Some of them are designed
so that all of the company expenses can be placed on just
one account. This helps streamline operations, making it
easier to calculate finances. The credit lines that Advanta
offers are remarkably high for the credit card industry,
reaching up to $50,000. You also may have the option of
including your company's name on the card.

Comparable Rewards

If you do not usually carry a balance, you may be able to
take advantage of some of the rewards that Advanta offers.
A number of this company's cards include a reward program.
With the Advanta Platinum BusinessCard with Rewards, for
example, you can choose between earning cash back or points
through purchases. With the cash back plan, you'll receive
up to a 5% rebate on business-related items, such as
computers, electronics, gas and diesel fuel, utilities,
telecommunications, and online advertising services. You'll
get 1% cash back on other purchases. If you choose the
point system, you can earn one point for every dollar that
you spend. The points can then be redeemed for travel items
or pre-paid bonus cards.

Not for Everyone

While Advanta does offer specific benefits for small
business owners, applying for a credit card through them
may not be your best option. Generally speaking, you'll
need a solid credit background to receive one of their
cards. So if you have a history of credit trouble, you may
want to look at applying for a different card.

The APR, or annual percentage rate, of many Advanta cards
is reasonable. However, it is usually a variable rate,
fluctuating with the prime rate. The card's rate is based
on the highest prime rate during a 90-day period. This may
mean higher interest rates on your card, depending on the
status of the economy.

Read the Fine Print

Generally speaking, it's a wise idea to read through the
attached terms and conditions before applying for a credit
card. The same is true for Advanta Business credit cards.
While they offer many benefits, they may have potential
drawbacks as well. The reward plans or interest rates may
not fit your business needs. If this is the case, search
online for other options. Many websites carry a variety of
cards geared toward small business owners.

Whatever you decide, take the time to carefully weigh the
options before you apply. If Advanta has what you need,
apply for the card. If not, find a card that suits your
business and send in an application for it. When the actual
plastic arrives in your mailbox, you'll have a card that
can help advance, and not hurt, the small business you've
worked so hard to create.


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To View Advanta Business Credit Card Offers click the
following link:
http://www.credit-card-surplus.com/advanta.php . Ed
Vegliante runs http://www.credit-card-surplus.com , a
directory helping consumers to compare and apply for credit
cards.

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