P-card (procurement card)

A p-card, or procurement card, is a type of company-issued credit card that employees use specifically for business-related expenses, eliminating the need for traditional procurement processes such as purchase orders or manual invoicing. 

P-cards enforce strict controls upfront, such as merchant category restrictions, spending limits, and pre-authorized vendors.

This is not to be confused with corporate cards designed for travel expenses, where purchases are less predictable. A traveler may need to book a last-minute train, pay for a rideshare, cover a client meal, or extend a hotel stay.

In contrast, p-cards are used for predictable, repeatable purchases such as office supplies, maintenance services, or software subscriptions.