I have a credit card from my employer that is used to cover travel expenses. The bill comes to my residence and I am responsible for payment. My employer reimburses the travel expenses and then I pay the credit card. The entire balance is due monthly. I have made a lot of small charges on the card such as eating out etc. I have always paid it off. I know a lot of other people at work use it for personal reasons as well and nothing has ever been said. For that matter I'm not sure if my employer is even made aware. My question is this. I need to buy a couple of airplane tickets to go to London for my daughter. It is obviously in no way work related. I will have the money in 30 days to pay it off (well within in the time frame necessary). Does anyone know if the card company would flag such a transaction and report it to my employer? I'm sure that's a long shot of anyone knowing as every card and employer or different. I'm just wondering what the general consensus is.
I think the bigger question is, could you loose your job for it and are you willing to take that gamble? I have a corporate card and anything I use it for, I am expected to document. BUT, my bill goes to the corporation, not my home.
My corporate card bill comes to me, but a copy goes to the employer. It is against company policy to use the card for personal expenses, and disciplinary action can be taken against employees, up to and including termination, for using the card for personal reasons. You need to see what your company policy is. Some companies may not have a problem with it.
You also need to be certain that the card is opened in the company or business name. Check your credit reports to make sure it is not listed with you as the primary name. Some "business" credit cards are opened in the employees name, with the business backing the card (like a co-signer). Generally a true corporate card is paid directly by the business. Also, be sure to read (in full) any agreement you signed when being issued the card; like "email or internet" policies, often there are clauses against personal use. Just because others use the card for personal expenses, does not mean it is an acceptable practice.
