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Cards aren’t just for travel and expenses anymore. Used well, they boost cashflow, reduce admin and can even help you negotiate better terms. Below are 7 reasons why businesses could benefit from paying suppliers with a credit card, and how Bluechain can turbo-charge this process.
1. Extend cashflow
Pay the supplier on time. Settle your card later. You don’t need to rely on your accounts receivable being paid to be able to pay your accounts payable.
Example
You receive a 30-day invoice. You schedule the payment in Bluechain for the due date at day 30. Your card then gives you up to 56 days interest-free, provided you pay the statement in full and on time. That’s up to 86 days between invoice and when you actually settle your card statement. A simple way to create headroom without opening a new facility.
How Bluechain helps
Choose the supplier’s payment date. We charge your Visa or Mastercard and send your supplier a normal bank transfer with your reference. You keep the card’s interest-free days. Your supplier is paid on time.
2. Earn rewards or cashback on bills that usually earn nothing
Bank transfers don’t earn points. Cards do. If your business uses a rewards or cashback card, routing eligible invoices through it turns everyday bills into value.
Example
Spend £20,000 in a month on a 1.5%cashback card and you’ll receive £300 back. Many teams put that towards flights or hotels for sales trips, event tickets or client meetings. If you prefer points, the same logic applies for converting points into flights or hotel nights that trim your travel budget.
How Bluechain helps
Use the card you already have. We charge your card and pay your supplier by bank transfer, so you can collect rewards even on suppliers that don’t accept cards directly.
3. Improve on-time payments and supplier relationships
On-time payment cuts late fees and builds trust. When suppliers see reliable payment behaviour, conversations about better prices, improved service or priority allocation get easier.
Example
Pay recurring suppliers right on the due date to avoid late fees. Pay strategic suppliers a little earlier when you want to secure stock or delivery slots. Both can be scheduled and predictable.
How Bluechain helps
Create the payment in minutes, set the date and we handle the transfer plus remittance. Suppliers get paid exactly when you said they would.
4. Unlock early payment discounts
All businesses value cashflow today, even the big ones. Many will trade a small discount for earlier certainty of cash. That discount can more than offset payment fees when you pick your moments. Barclays research has suggested UK firms leave roughly £6.7bn of early-payment discounts unclaimed each year because processes are slow or clunky. That’s money on the table.
Example
Negotiate 1-2 %off if you pay a supplier 7 to 10 days early. You still hold your cash until the card statement date, while your supplier gets funds sooner and reduces their credit risk.
How Bluechain helps
Target the invoices where a discount makes sense. Pay early by card. Keep the discount and still benefit from the card’s interest-free period.
5. A convenient way to access short-term financing
When cash is tight you have choices. Overdrafts, invoice factoring and short-term loans all work, but they can be slower to set up, require extra paperwork or add complexity. Card-funded payments are often simpler day to day. You use an existing limit, gain interest-free days when you pay on time and may pick up rewards on top.
Example
A seasonal business routes a batch of invoice to be paid by credit card near to the start of their statement cycle, utilising the maximum interest-free period. The receipts from the customers arrive before the card is due, avoiding the need to use an expensive overdraft.
How Bluechain helps
No new credit applications. Use the card your team already manages. Plan your float around your statement cycle for predictable headroom.
6. Build and improve your business credit rating
Regular, well-managed card use can help demonstrate positive repayment behaviour and responsible use of credit. That track record may support future access to finance on better terms, especially for growing SMEs.
Examples
Keeping utilisation sensible relative to your limit, avoiding late payments, and showing consistent spend-and-repay patterns are all positive signals. Cards also give you clear monthly statements that make it easy to evidence repayment history.
How Bluechain helps
By making it straightforward to route eligible supplier payments through your existing business card and pay on time, Bluechain helps you keep a clean repayment rhythm that supports healthy credit behaviour.
7) Lower exposure to certain fraud risks
Every time you onboard a new supplier and key in bank details you carry some risk of error or interception. With card-funded payments you use established card controls and a known workflow, while your supplier still receives a standard bank transfer.
Example
For new or occasional suppliers you don’t need to share your card details. You pay Bluechain with your card. We pay the supplier by bank transfer with your reference. This reduces the chance of misdirected payments and reduces the opportunity for fraudulent activity.
How Bluechain helps
You pay by card, suppliers get a normal bank transfer. Less back-and-forth on bank details and fewer places for mistakes to creep in or opportunity for fraud to take place.
Quick FAQs
Do suppliers need to accept cards
No. You pay by card. Your supplier receives a normal bank transfer and reference. That keeps your existing relationship and terms intact.
How many interest-free days can I expect
Many UK cards business card offer up to 56 days interest-free credit, provided you pay your statement in full and on time. Scheduling payments just after your statement date helps maximise the number of days before settlement. Always check your card’s terms.
Is this only for larger companies
No. SMEs and larger firms use the same playbook. The difference is invoice size and how much you want to automate the process.
Make it work with Bluechain
Pay any UK supplier by credit card, even if they don’t accept card
Line up supplier due dates with your statement cycle to maximise cashflow headroom
Use early-payment discounts to offset fees while your card’s grace period does the heavy lifting
