Upgrading your computer network? Looking to replace your copier or other piece of equipment? Need another cash register for your checkout counter? Then you're facing a capital expense common to many small businesses.

Once you've decided to make the investment, the next step is to determine how you?re going to pay for it. Using your business card can be an increasingly beneficial way to pay for capital expenses such as office equipment or business-to-business goods and services.

Review the following benefits of using a business card for a capital expense to determine if it makes sense for you.

Learn more about business Charge and Credit Cards from American Express.

Earn reward points

The ability to receive award bonuses - through programs such as the Membership Rewards® program or Delta SkyMiles can be a powerful incentive to put your capital purchases on your business card. The points or miles you accumulate through these qualified purchases can be turned into travel rewards you can use for your business, merchandise that can be used as incentives for your employees, or other rewards. Another option is to use a cash-back card such as the American Express Blue Cash® for Business Credit card to earn money back on your purchases and reduce their overall cost.

Get exclusive savings

Using your business card may net you exclusive savings with certain vendors through exclusively negotiated partnerships between your card provider and the vendor.For example, through the OPEN SavingsSM program, Cardmembers save at AT&T, FedEx, Hertz,Staples, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and more when they use their Business Card. No coupons or codes are needed and the savings are in addition to other discounts your business may already receive.*

Track your spending

Payments made on a business card are captured electronically, which helps make them easier to track. Expenses can be viewed online as they occur, or you can use expense reports such as American Express' Expense Management Reports to view charges and help you with expense projections and cash management. At tax time, these reports can be used to help ensure you are able to take your deductions.

Broaden your supplier choices

No business wants to pay more than it has to for equipment. Using a business card to make equipment purchases can potentially broaden your supplier base. You can use the Internet to research suppliers who may offer the best prices or the best delivery terms, then use your card to buy through their Web sites.

Extend your payments

No business wants to pay more than it has to for equipment. Using a business card to make equipment purchases can potentially broaden your supplier base. You can use the Internet to research suppliers who may offer the best prices or the best delivery terms, then use your card to buy through their Web sites.

When you use a business credit card, you have the flexibility to pay your bill immediately or extend it over time. This can be a boon to cash flow, allowing you to float payments over several months so a large capital expense doesn't take too big a chunk out of your cash reserves.

These are five important reasons to consider putting capital expenditures on your business card. You may wish to keep a separate business card for this purpose, and can choose one with the specific product features you want for capital expenditures. For example, if you want the option to extend payments, choose a card with a line of credit.

Learn more about business Charge and Credit Cards from American Express.