One of the most important decisions when you are starting out with PPC is not how much you pay, but how you pay. The key is to pick a credit card that offers cash back on your advertising purchases. These rewards are getting better and better with some cards offering a solid 1%-2% or more. That way even if your campaign only breaks even, you are still making a 1%-2% profit. How much could this decision about how to pay affect the average search marketer? Say you spend $50k/mo on PPC, at the end of the year the credit card will pay you $12,000 just for using their card. You are spending the money anyways, so you might as well get something back.
So what’s my card of choice? I have always used the American Express Platinum rewards card.
You can’t beat the cash back, and the flexible credit limit, which is important for those big PPC spends. Also with AmEx you have have the Open savings which does cool things like automatically refunds your first $500 of spend at Yahoo every year. That benefit alone is worth it. Another benefit, if you want to incorporate or form an LLC, they have 20% off Bizfilings.com. One thing I have found with Amex is that terms are always negotiable so you can usually get better benefits than those listed on the site if you ask. Kind of like bumping your payouts with your affiliate managers.
If you are just starting out and worried about fees, a great choice would be the Blue cash reward card, with annual fee.
Recently, they just upgraded my old Platinum rewards card to a new Plum card. I had not even heard of it, but I was talking to a customer service rep and they sold me on it. It has some cool features like 2% cash back and no limit at all. I’m sure it will work out as great as my old card did.
It sucks that Amex only refunds the first $500 from Yahoo, but then again, $500 is better than $0.
I got an Amex Business Gold card for PPC, I tried applying for the Plum, but they quickly said “Hell No!”
I heard that Visa pays ok comissions too. Has anyone tried it yet?
I have the Plum. The only disadvantage is that the Plum cannot be used to earn Rewards Points. So, it is a matter of choosing whether you want the 2% with the Plum or the reward points with the other Amex cards. If you are spending 100K+ on PPC, I’d take the 2%. Disclaimer: I’m not even close to that level, yet.
I took the 2%, I prefer cash over rewards…
I’ve just recently picked up my first Amex card (gold) and was VERY impressed with their customer service. I’ve spent multiple times on the phone with them and each time it has been a pleasure. That alone, would make me choose Amex again over anything else.
I’ve also been hearing a lot about the Freedom Rewards card from Visa. Have you or anyone else tried it? Seems like a pretty sweet deal.
Agreed, their customer service is the best.
If you are getting the 1% – 2% cash back do you need to pay taxes on it, like its earned income? I’m a newb to PPC but was thinking about getting a cash rewards card. I asked my accountant about paying taxes on it, he said you would owe taxes on it. But since I don’t have one, he didn’t do any research on the issue and just gave a quick answer.
What’s everyone else’s accountants saying about the tax liability of cash back cards?
I agree, its great to have but it would suck having to pay out a chunk of that money in taxes.
Amex is a PPCers friend
That Plum card looks rockin!
How long did it take for them to up you?
Its not as difficult here in UK. I just slap everything onto my debit card.
i have always counted on American express card to deliver anyway
Hey, if i may ask, can nationals of other countries have aces to amex?
I asked a question here and think i deserve an answer please. I mean a country like Nigeria.
Am waiting
1-2% cashback sounds good if you are going to do any kind of PPC volume. Yet another way to maximize your profit margins, some “newfound” money that could be invested in another venture/project.