As previously written.....NEVER!!
Even during my ppl training, the company gave a company Chevron (California) fuel credit card to students doing cross countries....same for the Part 135 pilots.......this is just an insane idea, potentially, as it has in the past, leaving YOU holding the bag! :ugh::=

Don't do it! After operating a Europe - Miami schedule I positioned with my crew of eleven on AA to Cancun to operate the first of a series of return charter flights to Europe. The agent was not at the airport to meet us as promised, so we had no idea which hotel had been booked. We picked a nice one and spent three very pleasant days in the sun after being assured by ops that the bill would be settled by the company. Something went wrong and I was forced to pay the very large bill with my personal credit card. It took six weeks for the money to reach my account, including a CC interest payment. Had the company gone bust during that time, like my previous employer, I would have been stuffed!

This brings back a memory of diverting into Boston. Aircraft handling, navigation fees and pax catering. I had just introduced Amex cards for the RAF VC10 fleet. Proffered my 'company' card, 'Sorry Captain we don't take Amex' :D I created such a fuss they put it all on the Shell fuel card. No idea how they sorted that one out :confused:

:ooh: In retrospect, the question is reasonable, considering the new world of the many ready, willing and able pay-to-fly boys.

NEVER NEVER
 

Hi wiggy

Interesting that you get the card and the paperwork at the same time. Did anyone try to activate it without sending the paperwork back? Just wondering as I would have thought that if the company requested it and the bank sent it as a result of this request then if you don't sign the paperwork but have to use it, then the liability for the payment rests with the company??!!

Don't take this advice as gospel however (although would be interesting if it were true)!

Mate of mine, on Final Line Check as DEC with the CP, forced into diversion after major malfunction. CP explained that the Company would pay for Crew bed/breakfast & 20 quid each (for a T shirt). Pax were looked after by Charterer or other insurances but, generally, did very well out of it. At Dinner, all crew showed up (willing to spend their 20 quids, no doubt), and, pax at the same hotel, enjoying their freebee meal. CP with my mate bought a bottle of wine each. During ensuing merriment, pretty young thang, the waitress, presumably, appears at the table & asks "Are you the XYZ airlines crew ?", 'Yes' replies CP. " I just wanted to know what we do about drinks"............'Ah', says CP, ' let the passengers pay for their own f-----n drinks !! ' , to which Popsy replies..." I AM one of the passengers" ! Pay for nothing guys. You will get saddled !

Don't be tempted to buy a fridge/freezer either. 10 Captains together in a Tech Refresher were asked to pop up to Accounts and have their Company floats checked. One didn't bother. At the end of the day he was asked by Chief Accountant to comply. " I can't"..........."Why not" ."Er, it is downstairs".." Well, go & get it".............."er, I can't"..........(losing patience)..."WHY NOT?".................."Er, it's a car". He was sacked.