It’s always easier to spend someone else’s money.

When it comes to a corporate credit card, though, don’t become reckless. Otherwise, you could put your credit history at risk or be on the hook for charges.

In 2004, on average, organizations that used corporate cards gave one — often referred to as a travel or purchase card — to 23 percent of their employees, according to the most recent Corporate Travel Card Benchmark Survey conducted by RPMG Research Corp.

And not all companies run their card programs the same. More than half the programs have a corporate liability, meaning your employer is on the hook for the bill. If payment is late, it won’t affect your credit report.

Thirty-seven percent of card programs, though, place the responsibility on the employee.

That’s not to say your boss won’t reimburse you for business expenses. But if the bill is paid late and the issuer reports it to the credit bureaus, it will reflect on your personal credit history.

Large companies are more likely to follow this policy.

It allows them to check that you didn’t raid the hotel minibar before picking up the tab, as well as create a paper trail to negotiate lower rates with repeat vendors.

Confused? Try these tips:

Talk to the bean counters. Ask your company’s finance department whether the corporate card will be your liability or the employer’s.

Also, “look at your credit report and see if that card is listed at all,” said Ed Mierzwinski, a consumer advocate with the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups. “Even if it’s not, and the company pays late, a delinquency could be reported even if regular on-time payments are not.”

You can request a free report from each of the three main credit bureaus once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Learn spending guidelines. Make sure you know what expenses your employer will reimburse.

Some companies or organizations won’t pay if you use a personal card. Or you may be restricted to doing business with approved vendors.

Keep track of receipts. That way, if there is a question, you’re prepared.

E-mail Carolyn Bigda at yourmoney@tribune.com.