Credit Card for work travel

[Gigi1999]

We are 2.5 years into our 5 year Ch. 13 plan. My husband used to have a company credit card for travel, but his company got bought out by a larger company and that was one of the first changes that they made - they took them away. Now we are expected to pay for travel up front and then get reimbursed. It is fine for the most part ~ we have abotu $1k set aside for him to travel on ~ but it has gotten very tight lately because they keep sending him all over the place a couple times a month and they are taking forever and a day to reimburse him.

Called the attorney's office to see about getting a credit card in his name just for travel's sake and they are going to allow us a hearing (in October) to see if we can do that. We just have to get a letter from his boss on the company letter head to show to the court.

I am sort of nervous about this. Are they going to check our numbers again? They should run the same, honestly, but I don't want to have to go thru all that work again.

And, will we even be able to GET a credit card during BK? I get offers all the time that I chunk. I personally will never have one again, but it only makes sense w/ his travel. He has been paying via debit card (w/ a visa logo) and a lot of hotels and rental car places charge you double because it isn't a credit card!! It is so stupid :/

Has anyone ever done this?

[Pandora]

What reason did they give as to why they pulled the cards to begin with? Obviously they did so because they couldnt afford to keep them for some reason or another, yet they expect their employee's to pay out of pocket to do so? Very wrong in my book.

I'd sit down with the boss and explain to them the situation you're dealing with (Ch. 13) and let them know that they must provide a card (even a pre-paid one) for hubby to travel on. The issue becomes that the card will be in YOUR name - therefore YOU will be held liable for it, regardless if used for business expenses. IMO its not worth the risk... if employer requires travel, then they should allow a per diem to do so on their dime, not on yours. If they still will not provide the funds up front, then I'd get it in writing that all reimbursements will be paid in full w/in 5-10 days from the time they were incurred, no exceptions, and all travel expenses (food, gas, rentals, hotel, etc) will not exceed XX amount per occurrence / $XX per month.

[newbie2]

It's doubtful that a credit card company would even give your husband a card at this time. I haven't heard of one yet that is issued during an active Chapter 13 plan.

[Gigi1999]

What reason did they give as to why they pulled the cards to begin with? Obviously they did so because they couldnt afford to keep them for some reason or another, yet they expect their employee's to pay out of pocket to do so? Very wrong in my book.

Well, the big company bought out the smaller company and downsized it BIG TIME. There were probably 100+ lay offs and only a small handfull remained afterwards. Fortunately, my husband was left...unfortunately, the card was pulled. I have no clue why. It just was.

I'd sit down with the boss and explain to them the situation you're dealing with (Ch. 13) and let them know that they must provide a card (even a pre-paid one) for hubby to travel on. The issue becomes that the card will be in YOUR name - therefore YOU will be held liable for it, regardless if used for business expenses. IMO its not worth the risk... if employer requires travel, then they should allow a per diem to do so on their dime, not on yours. If they still will not provide the funds up front, then I'd get it in writing that all reimbursements will be paid in full w/in 5-10 days from the time they were incurred, no exceptions, and all travel expenses (food, gas, rentals, hotel, etc) will not exceed XX amount per occurrence / $XX per month.

His boss is very aware of our situation as he has had to cover a hotel stay or two because of our funds running out. They absolutely will not provide a credit card nor will they front the funds. In fact, we have had it to where he was leaving in a few days and they had to overnight his funds back to him from the stay the week before. It is just getting to be a hassle. You know it is wrong, I know it is wrong...but there isn't much we can do if we want him to keep his job. Travel is just part of it.

[frogger]

They absolutely will not provide a credit card nor will they front the funds. In fact, we have had it to where he was leaving in a few days and they had to overnight his funds back to him from the stay the week before. It is just getting to be a hassle. You know it is wrong, I know it is wrong...but there isn't much we can do if we want him to keep his job. Travel is just part of it.

Typical. They will not provide a card, they will not front the funds, they are going to use your money for a month.

It may be a hassle, but you're probably being paid enough to put up with the hassle, and you are getting reimbursed.

Is it wrong? I don't know that you can say that. You just need to build up more funds to work with, because the odds are 99.9999999% that you're not going to get a credit card while under bankruptcy.

[Gigi1999]

Typical. They will not provide a card, they will not front the funds, they are going to use your money for a month.

It may be a hassle, but you're probably being paid enough to put up with the hassle, and you are getting reimbursed.

Is it wrong? I don't know that you can say that. You just need to build up more funds to work with, because the odds are 99.9999999% that you're not going to get a credit card while under bankruptcy.

That is what I am afraid of. It wouldn't be a big deal if they would pay us back within a 2 week window. We have waited up to 3 months before to be reimbursed. The only time they will light a fire to get it going is if he has to be somewhere for them in a few days. I guess it wouldn't be any different if he were to get a card, right?

But then ~ the attorney did say that they did these things from time to time. If it weren't possible, then why would they bother?