Feature: Corporate cards
FRIENDS Flexible
If corporate cards can help control travel spend and streamline processes, why aren't more SMEs in on the action? Colin Ellson fi nds out
WHEN Access launched its credit card as a rival to the well established Barclaycard in 1972, its TV advertising campaign described the piece of plastic as “Your flexible friend.” The company merged with MasterCard
in 1996, but the term lives on in our consciousness, describing a product we are unable to live without, its flexibility
demonstrated by a rainbow-coloured collection of cards tailored to every need, both individual and corporate. In essence, the corporate card provides an invaluable tool, particularly in managing travel and expenses budgets, according to the issuers. The ultimate benefit, they say, is greater accountability and monitoring of
individual cardholder expenditure, through simplified online billing and tracking, a secure and transparent alternative to cash payments, making administrative procedures easier. Says Niall Mackin, American Express vice- president commercial cards UK: “With even the most bullish economists referring to the economic outlook as offering modest growth
52 I THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 18 I THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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