The complete UK guide to paying suppliers by credit card when they do not accept cards

If you want to pay suppliers by credit card but they do not accept cards, this guide shows exactly how to do it in the UK. You will see what bills you can pay, how the flow works, costs versus value, and simple ways to create up to 86 days of cashflow headroom with Bluechain.

Who this guide is for

Owners, finance leads and bookkeepers who want to keep suppliers paid on time while protecting cashflow. If customers pay later or you prefer the convenience and rewards of a credit card, this is for you.

How the flow works

1. Add a supplier bill to Bluechain or import it from your accounting software
2. Choose to pay by Visa or Mastercard
3. Bluechain charges your card
4. Bluechain pays your supplier by standard bank transfer with your remittance
5. You settle your card statement on its due date

Your supplier does not need to accept cards. They receive a normal bank payment on the date you choose.

Create up to 86 days of headroom

Here is the simple timing play many businesses use.

1. Receive a bill on 30 day terms
2. Schedule it in Bluechain to be paid on the due date using your business credit card
3. Your supplier is paid on time by bank transfer
4. You settle your card statement on the last day of the interest free period

That is 30 days from when you receive the bill to the due date, plus up to 56 days on your card until the statement is due. Total headroom is up to 86 days when you pay your card statement in full and on time.

Tip
Scheduling payments just after your card statement date usually gives the longest period before settlement.

What you can pay

• Wholesalers and distributors
• Rent and utilities
• Insurance and professional services
• Freight and logistics
• Contractors and trades
• HMRC and other government bodies where permitted
• One off or occasional suppliers

Group larger invoices just after your statement date to maximise headroom.

Costs versus value

There is a payment fee when you fund supplier bills by card. The value usually comes from three places.

• Extra headroom from the 86 day timing play when you pay the statement in full and on time
• Rewards or cashback on spend that normally earns nothing
• Early payment discounts where a supplier trades a small percentage for earlier certainty of cash

A simple way to weigh it

• If rewards plus any discount are greater than fees, you are ahead even before you count the value of headroom
• If rewards plus any discount are close to fees, the cashflow headroom and admin savings can tip the balance

Maximising headroom

Plan payments around your statement cycle to reach up to 86 days.

Example
You receive a 30 day invoice on the first of the month. You schedule the payment for the due date through Bluechain. After we pay your supplier you have up to 56 days before your card statement is due. That adds up to as many as 86 days from invoice to settlement when you pay the statement in full and on time.

Quick planner

• Right after your statement date usually gives the longest runway
• Mid cycle still gives useful headroom but fewer days
• Always check your card terms for exact timing

Accounting and reconciliation

• Manage everything from one Bluechain dashboard
• Connect Xero or Sage to pull in unpaid bills
• Pay by card in Bluechain and send suppliers a clear remittance
• Bluechain pushes back payment info so bills are marked as paid and reconciliation is faster

Controls, approvals and fraud reduction basics

• Set who can create and approve payments so there is a clean trail
• Reduce risk from new payee details by using a card funded flow with a bank transfer to the supplier
• Suppliers receive a familiar bank payment with your references and notes

Frequently asked questions

Do suppliers need to accept cards
No. You pay with your business credit card. Bluechain pays your supplier by standard bank transfer with your remittance.

How many days of headroom can I get
You can create up to 86 days when you combine a 30 day invoice paid on its due date through Bluechain with up to 56 days interest free on your card. This assumes you pay your card statement in full and on time. Exact timing depends on your statement cycle.

Will I earn rewards or cashback
Yes if your card offers them. Many customers use rewards to offset travel, events or other business costs.

Can I get early payment discounts
Often yes. Many suppliers value quicker, predictable cash and will offer a one to two percent discount for early payment. That saving can offset fees.

What limits apply
Your card limit and any Bluechain settings. Larger invoices can be split across dates if needed.

What does my supplier see
A standard bank transfer and a remittance with your references and notes. No change to their process.

Make it work with Bluechain today

• Pay any UK supplier by credit card even when they do not accept cards
• Schedule due date payments and keep suppliers happy
• Create up to 86 days of cashflow headroom and earn rewards on the spend
• Connect Xero or Sage so bills flow in and reconciliation is tidy

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