A Visa platinum charge card can be a major lifeline, especially to new and small businesses that need the credit. It only works, however, for those who use it well. You can't rack up debt with the card that your business can't handle.

Most platinum cards offer multiple rewards and bonuses for extensive use. Making the most of Visa platinum cards means taking every advantage of these rewards to benefit your business. This includes:

1. Knowing the business Visa card high limit rewards that fit your business needs

2. Tallying frequent flyer miles to use on business travel

3. Using a debit card if you prefer avoiding credit debt

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the rewards of your Visa platinum credit card that benefit your particular business need

When you apply for Visa platinum credit card for your business, look for a card that meets a particular need for your business. Perhaps you or your employees travel often and need auto, airline or hotel rewards to help save on travel expenses. Or, you want to motivate your employees with incentives using reward programs offered by a particular card, rather than pulling it directly from cash flow. Most cards provide similar bonuses, but Visa platinum credit card issuers can offer their own specials, depending on the financial institution that backs the card.

I recommend: The Chase Bank Flexible Rewards Platinum Visa starts at a 0 percent APR, and its point rewards include gift cards and cash like $25 for every 3,500 points. With a credit limit of up to $25,000, State Farm's Platinum Rewards Visa Card earns points on every purchase and includes travel accident insurance and free insurance on rental cars. Compare various Visa platinum cards and rewards at CreditCard321.com.

Build and use frequent flyer miles from your Visa platinum business credit card

If your business involves airline travel, choose a Visa platinum card that awards frequent flyer miles. Many cards allow you to rack up miles for many purchases. Using these cards not only leads to free business flights over time but other business travel rewards, too.

I recommend: Congressional Federal Credit Union offers a Visa Platinum With Rewards card that accumulates points for use on any airline-1 mile for each dollar. New York Life's platinum card, offered through Chase (formerly First USA) offers Flexible Rewards travel benefits of up to 8,000 miles a month and 60,000 miles a year. WorldPerks Visa Platinum includes a variety of reward benefits including 10,000 enrollment bonus miles, no limit on miles earned and award tickets with all the SkyTeam member airlines (including Delta and Northwest).

Choose a Visa platinum debit card over a credit card

A debit card may work better for small businesses with limited budgets. You'll be forced to exclusively use only the money you currently have instead of putting your business in debt. See if your financial institution provides such cards.

I recommend: The California-based USE Credit Union offers the Platinum Visa Xpress check card with their premier checking accounts, including purchase protection since the money comes straight from your business account. The United Federal Credit Union has branches across the Midwest and Great Plains. Its Platinum Plus card earns interest on accounts, offers many CardPerks like gift cards and travel discounts rewards and is backed by the Verified by Visa program. Review InfoMerchant's site which explains many of the advantages of the debit card over a credit card.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider a Visa platinum account for multiple cardholders, especially if your business is a joint venture. Put your most important executives on the account to simplify your expense accounting.

Visa Platinum cards are available to people with excellent credit. A Visa Platinum card is especially appealing to avid travelers and others who like to visit fine restaurants, hotels and spas throughout the world. Visa Platinum cardholders get help arranging hotel reservations, golf outings and other aspects of their travel planning.

Visa Platinum credit card applications can be made directly through Visa or through banks, retailers or airlines that offer co-branded Visa Platinum credit cards. Many co-branded cards come with incentives, such as discounts on merchandise and services. There are also Visa Platinum 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.

Additional benefits of the Visa Platinum credit card include:

1. If your Visa Platinum card is lost or stolen, Visa will deliver an emergency cash advance, usually within 24 hours.
2. Travel emergency assistance, including medical referrals and emergency transportation assistance is available to Visa Platinum Business cardholders.
3. If you have a Visa Platinum card, the Concierge service, which offers assistance for a host of lifestyle services, is available to you worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the Visa Platinum card for personal use

In addition to a high credit limit, the Visa Platinum credit card helps you get more out of your leisure time.

I recommend: The Visa Platinum credit card offers discounts and special privileges on dining and golf and offers a Concierge service that takes the hassle out of travel planning. With the Visa Platinum credit card, you’re also eligible for special promotions that offer more opportunities to save. To fill out a Visa Platinum credit card application, click on one of the links to Visa Platinum card providers.

Get rewarded for using your Visa Platinum card

Looking for free goodies? Apply for reward cards from Visa Platinum credit card providers.

I recommend: To earn points for cash as well as airline miles, hotel stays and other purchases, check out co-branded Visa Platinum credit cards. Wells Fargo Visa Platinum offers cash rebates, airlines miles and gift cards for major retailers. If books are your thing, consider the Borders 3-2-1 Visa Platinum Card, which offers reward points for purchases at Borders and Waldenbooks as well as gas, dining and grocery purchases.

Get what you need from a Visa business card: high limit, rewards and much more

The Platinum Visa business card gives you everything you need from a business Visa card: high limit; rewards on travel, dining and merchandise; and more. Use your Platinum Visa business card for all kinds of business expenses - from purchasing equipment to dining out with clients. A Platinum Visa business card can also help a growing business manage cash flow more effectively.

I recommend: With the U.S. Bank Travel Rewards Platinum Visa business card, you can earn reward points for airline tickets, restaurant and hotel certificates and merchandise discounts. Earn airline miles as well as car rental and hotel certificates with the Platinum Visa business card from Chase, which comes with no annual fee.

Shop for the Visa Platinum card at comparison sites

Comparison sites let you search for the best Visa Platinum card.

I recommend: At CreditCards.com, compare the features and benefits that are offered by various Visa Platinum card providers, including Platinum Visa business card providers. Other comparison sites that let you see how the Visa Platinum card stacks up against other Visa cards include CardFusion and CreditCardGuide.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Strengthen your protection against online identity theft by signing up for Verified by Visa. It requires an extra password when making online purchases with your Visa Platinum card.
• •  When applying for a Visa Platinum credit card, remember that affinity cards usually don't come with reward offers.
• •  Although there is no Visa Platinum debit card, you can get the same benefits with a Visa Check Card. It's available in Visa Platinum. Anything you purchase with the Visa Check Card is deducted from your checking account.

If you are interested in obtaining the Visa Platinum credit card, make sure you do some research first. Fortunately, Visa Platinum advice and ratings are easy to find on the Internet and allow you to make an informed decision. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of the Platinum Visa business card before you apply.

Whether you seek business Visa card high limit rewards or just want a basic Visa Platinum credit card, you can find out if the credit card is right for you by checking free online resources. Consider the following ways to find Visa Platinum advice and ratings:

1. Read reviews about the Visa Platinum card.
2. Find blogs that provide information about Visa Platinum advice and ratings.
   
3. Search for the Visa Platinum credit card on ratings lists of top credit cards.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out reviews before you apply for a Visa Platinum credit card

Even if the Visa Platinum's features look like a good fit for you, it is best to get the opinions of consumer experts and real users before signing up for the credit card. Find out about Visa Platinum's customer satisfaction by reading reviews written by people who already have the card. Some professional credit card gurus also provide reviews online.

I recommend: CreditCardFlyers.com offers an in-depth review of the IberiaBank Visa Platinum rewards card. Check out AskMrCreditCard.com for a review of the Chase Visa Platinum business card.

Read blogs to get more Visa Platinum advice and information

Another way to get the opinions of real credit card owners is to read blogs. Many bloggers and credit card professionals alike share their personal experiences with the Visa Platinum card, so pay attention to their advice.

I recommend: Read CreditMattersBlog.com for a review and posted comments on the BMW Visa Platinum credit card. MyCardBlog.com discusses the features of the Visa Platinum charge card offered by Washington Mutual.

Scan top credit card ratings lists before you fill out a Visa Platinum credit card application

If signing up for one of the best credit cards available sounds good, consider checking out lists of the top cards. The Visa Platinum card does show up on several such lists, but make sure the awards it has won appeal to you. For example, if you want a simple, hassle-free card, check out lists of user-friendly credit cards to find out if the credit card Visa Platinum makes the list.

I recommend: The Kiplinger Washington Editors names the Simmons First Visa Platinum Travel Rewards as the card with the best travel rewards on its 2008 list of best cards. According to AOL Money & Finance, the Simmons First Visa Platinum ranked as one of the top 5 credit cards in the "No Frills, Low Rates" category.

Visa Platinum for beginners is the approach to use if you've decided you want to begin exploring various credit card options for your business. If you have never owned a credit card and are looking for information on how to approach this topic, you will need to start with a list of criteria so you can compare and contrast all the alternatives

First ask yourself what benefits would you like to receive from your card. Credit card companies offer a wide variety of benefits including fuel and travel rewards, cash back and even travel emergency assistance. The next thing you’ll want to consider is the APR (annual percentage rate) offered and whether or not you want to pay annual fees. If you really want to save money on interest rates and fees, you might consider a prepaid Visa Platinum debit card. Include some of these factors as you explore this topic:

1. Basic benefits of a Visa Platinum card such as fuel rewards, cash back, travel awards or concierge services.

2. Affording the APRs and annual fees.

3. Assistance with getting a Visa Platinum Card for beginners.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Evaluate the various benefits of a Visa Platinum card

Deciding on your criteria will help you prioritize what you want your card to do for you. Some cards offer emergency cash advances if you lose your card and concierge services assistance with a wide variety of lifestyle requests. If you will have a need for large ticket items for your business there are even some business Visa card high limit rewards offered that can help you collect points quickly.

I recommend: Go to CreditCard321 to see an easy to use guide to various Visa Platinum charge cards. You can apply for a Visa Platinum credit card on this site. CreditCards.com has a website that contains an explanation of prepaid cards and where you can compare one Visa Platinum debit card with other companies' cards.

Compare one Platinum Visa business card with others

There is a plethora of credit cards available and it can be difficult as you start your search for the best one for your business or your personal needs. An excellent place to begin your research is to go to a site that does the comparison for you.

I recommend: NexTag provides a simple to search websites where you can do your comparison and get some Visa Platinum information. CreditCardGuide.com is a great place to compare various credit cards as well.

Find out what Visa Platinum credit card issuers can provide to new customers

As a brand new credit customer you can benefit from seeking out Visa Platinum info before you sign up for a card. Those sites that make the application process easy and provide straightforward comparisons of the benefits will be the most favored.

I recommend: Credit-Card-Surplus offers an easy-to-navigate site for completing the application process. Streetdirectory has a good article on what brand new customers should consider.