An easy way to build credit for your business is by using credit cards. A credit card is a means of purchasing items on credit and then making monthly payments toward overall purchases and the interest that incurs over time. While they aren’t for every business owner, those who are responsible can use a credit card to keep track of business expenses in a more efficient way.

General Electric (GE) offers a variety of credit cards to meet your business needs and is worthy of consideration. As you search for the right credit card company for your business, learn more about the following GE credit cards basics available:

1. There are several different types of credit cards by General Electric, so you can likely find one that meets your needs.

2. A GE credit card offers rewards programs that help make having the card worthwhile.

3. You should always be responsible when dealing with GE credit card services.

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Sign up for GE credit cards with rewards programs

Credit cards by GE offer several different rewards programs. The Earth Rewards Mastercard allows you to contribute up to 1% of your purchases to emission reduction processes that offset the emissions of your purchases and activities. The Net Rewards programs give you a choice of cash, gift cards, merchandise or travel as your rewards options.

I recommend: Joel Makower, who specializes in greening business, provides further information about the idea and process behind the GE Earth Rewards card. Apply for a GE credit card with the Net Rewards program on GE Money.

Compare the different types of credit cards by GE

The majority of GE's credit cards are platinum cards, meaning that they offer higher limits and more rewards than standard credit cards. In addition to the credit cards with Earth and Net Rewards, GE also offers a Cash Rewards Mastercard and a Low APR Mastercard. With the Cash Rewards card, you earn 1% cash back on purchases. GE sends you a check in your statement every time you earn $10. The Low APR card focuses on a 0% interest rate for up to 12 months on balance transfers, as well as a significantly lower interest rate on purchases than most other credit cards.

I recommend: Finance Globe lays out the details regarding the GE Low APR card that you can’t find on GE’s website. If you choose to apply online for GE credit cards, go to GE Money to apply for the Cash Rewards card.

Be responsible when using General Electric credit cards

Regardless of the type of card or rewards program that you choose, the important thing is that you're responsible when it comes to using a credit card by GE. It's simply good business practice to use the card as a means of building credit and not as a means of building your company. You should always be able to pay off what you spend each month and avoid putting your business in a lot of debt.

I recommend: GE Money provides tips for managing your credit cards responsibly. If things get out of hand and you find your business with too much debt, Bankrate.com offers advice to help you pay off that credit card debt more quickly.

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• •  There are also GE credit cards available that offer co-branding with organizations like the American Nurses Association. These credit cards offer rewards programs with normal selections, such as cash rewards or merchandise, and rewards associated with that particular organization, such as nursing specific rewards.

GE credit cards are issued by GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company. GE issues MasterCard and Visa credit cards and teams with merchants that offer co-branded General Electric credit cards. Many co-branded cards come with incentives, such as discounts on merchandise and services. There are also GE credit cards called affinity cards that carry the logo of non-profit organizations, such as colleges and charities. A small percentage of each transaction made using an affinity card goes to the organization.

GE credit cards are available for personal and business uses and come with a variety of attractive features, including low rates, no annual fees, rewards and more.

When shopping for credit cards by GE, consider the following:

1. Take advantage of low fixed-rate balance transfer offers from GE credit cards if you’re sure you can pay off the balance before the low rate expires.
2. If you frequently use your credit cards to make purchases from overseas vendors, apply for GE credit cards from GE credit card providers with low international transaction fees.
3. When you apply for business GE credit cards, your personal credit history may be taken into account if your company is too new to have a credit history.

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Pick your personal GE credit cards

GE credit cards for personal use include basic cards with low rates and no annual fees.

I recommend: Consider general purpose GE credit cards if you only need a basic credit card. GE credit cards for personal use also include a large selection of alumni and university cards as well as association cards.

Get rewarded for using your GE credit cards

Looking for free goodies? GE Rewards credit cards give you plenty of options.

I recommend: With shop cards from merchants ranging from Ikea to Brooks Brothers, you can take advantage of special discounts. With the GE Money Earth Rewards Card, a small portion of your purchase amount will go to buying offsets that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Another credit card by GE, the GE Money Net Rewards Card, lets you earn rewards for airline flights, gift cards, cash and more.

Take advantage of a business credit card by GE

With a business credit card by GE, you can make all kinds of purchases for your business - from office supplies and equipment to business travel and dining. GE credit cards for business can also help a growing venture manage cash flow more effectively.

I recommend: With the GE Money Business Credit Card, you can order multiple cards for employees, restrict employees’ purchasing categories and receive discounts on office supplies, travel and other purchases. With this credit card by GE, points are earned on every purchase and can be used for cash, travel, merchandise and gift cards. Another option is the GE Money Business Charge Card, which offers online account management and lets you set credit limits for cards issued to employees. You can also put restrictions on the type of merchants your company patronizes. In addition, this business credit card by GE comes with an optional rewards program.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  With a fixed rate, General Electric credit card providers must give you 15 day's notice if your interest rate changes. A variable rate can change without warning.
• •  When applying for credit cards by General Electric, remember that affinity cards usually don't come with reward offers.
• •  If you have multiple GE credit cards, pay down the balance of cards that carry the highest interest rates first.

GE credit card services offers a number of cards to meet your business needs. There are rewards programs available, such as cash back and earth rewards. It also offers a low APR credit card. Additionally, GE gears the business cards it offers toward specific needs, including business trips or fleet cards for delivery companies.

Regardless of your industry, there are a number of areas where using GE credit cards can help you to keep your business more organized. As you examine the various types of business credit cards by General Electric, remember the following ways they can help:

1. Keep track of what your employees are spending by providing each of them with a General Electric credit card.

2. Credit cards by GE are a great way to itemize business purchases, such as supplies and equipment.

3. Travel the globe for business needs using a GE credit card.

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Track employees' expenses with General Electric credit cards

Some companies reimburse their employees for expenses they incur while on the job. However, another option is to give your employees a GE credit card to use for business expenses only. Have the limits on their cards preset, based upon the usual necessary spending each month, so that no one has the temptation to go overboard. That way, you can keep track of the purchases they make and, as the card owner, can verify those purchases any time to make sure they were legit.

I recommend: CreditCards.com provides five tips for making sure your employees don’t abuse the privilege of a credit card for business expenses. The GE Productivity Card for businesses allows you to set specific spending limits on your employees’ cards.

Use a credit card by GE to purchase supplies and equipment

In a similar way that a GE credit card will help you to track employees' expenses, you can also use it to purchase business supplies and equipment. This will make it easier to write off such purchases when it comes tax time, as you can refer to your credit card statements to make sure that you remembered everything. Request a year-end transaction statement from GE rather than depending on a stack of receipts. It can also help you to stick within a budget for these products.

I recommend: GE Money Corporate Payment Services offers the purchasing credit card, geared toward use for business purchases. Complete Tax offers a list of typical business expenses that you should watch your credit card statements for and keep track of for later.

Pay for your business trips with your GE credit card

When you travel for business, it is simply much easier to pay for your flight, lodging, meals and entertainment by using your GE credit card, rather than trying to carry around cash or depend on funds in your business checking account with your debit card. Pay for expenses on your trip with your credit card and pay off the total upon your return. It just gives you one less thing to worry about while traveling. It also, as before, helps you to keep track of expenses for tax purposes.

I recommend: Apply online for GE credit cards with the corporate travel rewards program on GE Money Corporate Payment Services. Silicon.com offers tips for making your business trips go smoothly, including using your credit card to book your travel arrangements early.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be responsible with your GE credit card. It's simply good business practice to use a credit card as a means of building credit and not as a means of building your company. You should always be able to pay off what you and your employees charge each month to avoid putting your business in a lot of debt.

GE credit cards are issued by GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company that has been lending for more than 50 years. GE, which offers credit cards for individuals and small businesses, has several different kinds of cards to choose from depending on the needs and preferences of particular individuals and businesses. If you're shopping for a credit card, GE credit cards key terms will provide you with the information you need to choose the right card.

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General Electric

GE Money is owned by General Electric (GE). GE did not begin its finance unit until 50 years ago, relatively new for company that is over 100 years old.

I recommend: GE's company website will inform you of all its activities.

Low APR

The GE Low APR card offers a 0% interest rate for up to 12 months on balance transfers, as well as a significantly lower interest rate on purchases than most other credit cards.

I recommend: The GE Low APR is discussed in detail at GE Money.

Earth Rewards

GE's Earth Rewards credit card has a reward program that buys reliable greenhouse gas emission offsets. This eco-friendly card allows you to leave a smaller carbon print than if you use another credit card.

I recommend: Green Technology explains the terms of the Earth Rewards card and explains the ecological benefits of buying gas emission offsets.

Net Rewards

The GE Net Rewards card allows you to get a point for every dollar you spend. The points accumulate and the rewards can be redeemed for all sorts of things, including flights on major airlines with no blackout dates.

I recommend: GE provides more information on its Net Rewards program on its website. You can also click on the online net rewards catalog and actually see what rewards are offered.

Co-branded credit cards

Co-branded credit cards are sponsored by a bank and a business and issued at less cost than typical retail credit cards. These cards can be used anywhere, not just at the sponsoring business.

I recommend: All Business defines co-branded credit cards. Find information on GE's co-branded cards at GE Money.

Credit protection

Credit protection is offered by many lenders, including GE. Essentially, credit protection covers some of your monthly balance if you become ill or lose your job.

I recommend: GE credit protection will cancel 5% of your monthly balance up to $10K.