Implementing some simple strategies can help maximise the rewards points you earn on your business card.

Whether choosing a business credit card or a charge card, a first consideration should be to look at limitations placed on rewards. Look for a card that doesn't cap the number of points you can earn and that does not let points expire after a certain date.

Once you've chosen a card that allows such flexibility, you can then plan how to capitalise on the points you can earn.

Use Your Business Card More Often

One effective strategy for increasing your points is to put as many business expenses as you can onto your business card, from supplier payments for stock, to day-to-day office expenses and utilities, to travel and miscellaneous expenses.

Tip: Look at where you may be using cheques or other payment methods for opportunities to pay by card and earn more rewards.

Work With Suppliers and Earn More Points

One strategy, which can be overlooked, is to reach out to any of your existing suppliers who don't currently accept card payments. Negotiating with them for acceptance of your preferred business card payment option gives you the opportunity to earn more rewards points.

Tip: Discussing payment options with suppliers could help you earn more rewards points, while also strengthening your relationship with them.

More Cards = More Points

If you have employees accruing out-of-pocket business expenses on their personal credit cards or paying cash, these are missed opportunities to earn business rewards. An effective way to increase the business points earned is to issue additional employee cards.

With all the business expenses charged to the one central account, the additional supplementary cards can accumulate rewards points for the primary card holder's account.

Tip: Issuing additional business cards to employees can help increase the business rewards earned.

Use Points to Grow your Business

So how can maximising your rewards help you improve your bottom line? Some of the ways you can use your rewards points to grow your business include:

• Pay down the Card balance with your points and free up cash for growth
• Transfer points to a partner airline to reduce travel expenses
• Reward top employees with gift cards or items bought with your points
• Make office equipment purchases (such as a coffee machine) with points

When looking to maximise your business rewards points, it's important to first choose the business card benefits that best suits your business. By discussing your plans with your provider, they may be able to help make your card work harder for you.