Business credit cards

The range of rewards, perks and features is unusually strong for a business credit card with no annual fee. A few other free cards may match its unlimited 1% cashback on all spending, but none match its travel benefits, the ability to preload cards to earn cashback, or expense management tools. Approval rates are higher than competitors’, and as can be expected from a digital-first provider, decisions are made very quickly and involve only a soft credit check. 

The main cards likely to challenge it on overall quality are the Funding Circle Cashback card for pure value, the Amex Gold Business for premium benefits (in the first free year only), and some spend-platform alternatives for finance workflow. Their lowest APR, 13.86% (variable), is competitive, but the rate you are offered depends on several factors.

While many business credit cards rely on travel rewards, loyalty programmes, and premium perks to stand out, the Funding Circle Cashback card focuses on delivering straightforward value. The combination of its market-leading introductory cashback, ongoing uncapped rewards, and no annual fees makes it one of the strongest cashback propositions currently available. In terms of pure economics, it rivals or exceeds many of its better-known competitors.

It is less compelling for companies that place a high premium on perks or advanced expense-management capabilities. For businesses that pay their balance in full each month, it is one of the strongest cards available. Interest rates start at 14.9% per year. 

Capital on Tap Pro retains everything that makes the free card attractive, including credit limits of up to £250,000, cashback on spending (1% on standard but with an additional 0.25% on pre-loaded spend), no foreign transaction fees, employee cards, virtual cards, and strong spend-management tools, whilst combining it with one of the most attractive perks packages available.

The upgraded rewards programme is impressive, including a 10,000-point welcome bonus for eligible users, a 1:1 Avios and Virgin points conversion rate, unlimited airport lounge access for the main cardholder, and  Radisson VIP status. The question is whether you or your business will actually use the premium features. Companies that rarely travel or simply want straightforward cashback may find the free Capital on Tap card offers better overall value. Businesses looking for low-cost borrowing should note that this card is best used as a spend-management and rewards product rather than a long-term financing solution.

In our view, Capital on Tap Pro ranks among the strongest premium business credit cards on the market, offering competitive interest rates as low as 13.86% (variable and subject to status). However, its suitability depends on the level of annual card spend and whether a business can make full use of the travel perks, rewards programme, and premium benefits that underpin its annual fee.

Amex Gold Business occupies an interesting position in the market. It is not the best value card as it doesn’t offer cashback rewards like leading no-fee cards, nor does it offer the strongest spend-management platform. Still, it remains one of the leading options for businesses that prioritise rewards over pure cashback. The flexibility of its membership rewards programme is one of the card’s biggest strengths, allowing membership points to be used for travel, gift cards, shopping, and even to reduce the balance. Unlike straightforward cashback cards, the value you receive depends on how effectively you redeem the rewards points. 

The first year is particularly attractive thanks to the waived annual fee, but the proposition becomes more difficult to justify once the £195 annual charge kicks in. At that point, businesses need to be actively using the rewards programme, complimentary employee cards, and travel benefits to extract value. For lower spenders, this may be a one-year-use card due to its minimum thresholds for some rewards, limited software integration, and no cashback. The interest-free period of up to 54 days is longer than that of many of their competitors. However, if the balance is not paid off in full during this period, they have one of the highest interest rates at 29.1% APR (variable).

While many business cards compete on cashback, rewards, and travel perks, Moss differentiates itself by focusing on operational efficiency. The Moss credit card does not look to maximise rewards, but to give finance teams greater visibility, control, and oversight of company spending.

Moss offers one of the standout operational products on the market. The combination of unlimited virtual cards, approval workflows, spending controls, automated receipt collection, and accounting integrations. Moss focuses on giving businesses greater control over spending and reducing administrative burden through automation. The time savings and improved oversight could easily outweigh the value of a more generous cashback programme elsewhere.

Companies seeking rewards, airline points, or premium travel benefits are unlikely to find sufficient value in the proposition. Even its cashback offering of up to 0.5% (for customers with high transaction volumes) feels secondary to the broader finance-management platform. 

The British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card offers some of the strongest travel reward potential in the market. Card members can earn a 30,000 Avios introductory bonus, up to 30,000 Avios annually (for every £20,000 you spend, get 10,000 bonus Avios up to 3 times each calendar year), and ongoing earning rates of 1.5 Avios per £1 plus double On Business Points on eligible spending.

While this makes it one of the most rewarding cards available for travel-focused businesses, it is also one of the more expensive options, with an APR of 104.9% (variable). For businesses that spend little, travel infrequently, or carry balances beyond the interest-free period, the cost can quickly outweigh the benefits. Low spenders, infrequent flyers, and those going over the 56-day interest-free period will find it very expensive. The American Express British Airways Accelerating Business Card is a specialist product rather than a market-leading all-rounder. For businesses committed to earning Avios, it’s one of the best options available. For everyone else, there are more versatile alternatives.

A straightforward cashback card which has no annual fee, 1% uncapped cashback on eligible spend, and up to 56 days of interest-free credit on business purchases. For businesses with monthly card usage above £2,000, the economics are attractive, making it a credible everyday line of credit.

The cashback structure is threshold-dependent, meaning lighter spenders may not consistently unlock cashback rewards, making it less attractive than simpler no-fee cashback cards. On the operational side, Barclaycard offers a set of spend controls through MyControls, free additional cardholders, and a functional app for managing limits, transactions, and card security.

Santander offers a 1% uncapped cashback rate, no FX fees on purchases abroad when paying in local currency, up to 56 days’ interest-free credit, and a low £30 annual fee. For businesses that clear their balances each month, it is easy to understand and justify. Cashback is earned on all eligible spend, avoiding complicated tiers or thresholds. Applications are restricted to existing Santander business current account holders, which limits its accessibility as a standalone product. 

Operationally, the card offers basic but functional controls, including additional cards with adjustable spending limits, online and mobile banking, and account alerts. 

What we like about the Bank of Scotland business credit card is that it strikes a sensible balance between simplicity and value. 1% cashback on fuel and EV charging and 0.5% cashback on general purchases provide a modest return on spending, and up to 56 days’ interest-free credit and borrowing of up to £25,000 make it a useful tool for managing short-term cash flow. After the first year, an annual fee of £32 per cardholder is charged, unless you spend £6,000 or more across all cards each year. For businesses that prefer dealing with an established high street bank, the proposition is familiar and easy to understand.

The downside is that the card feels relatively traditional. Cashback rates are modest compared with leading specialist providers, rewards are subject to spending thresholds, and the spend-management tools appear fairly basic. Businesses looking for advanced expense controls, virtual cards, premium travel benefits, or market-leading rewards will find stronger alternatives elsewhere.

What we like most about the Lloyds business credit card is its balanced proposition. It combines 1% cashback on fuel and EV charging, 0.5% cashback on all other eligible purchases, and additional merchant discounts through Mastercard, delivering meaningful value without relying on complex rewards schemes. For existing Lloyds customers, it also integrates seamlessly into an established banking relationship, making it a convenient and straightforward option for managing everyday business spending.

The card offers a competitive 15.9% (variable) APR and a 14.9% p.a. purchase rate, making it suitable for new businesses. However, the card is not without its drawbacks. The 2.5% cash withdrawal fee and 2.95% foreign transaction fee can make it expensive for businesses that frequently access cash or make overseas purchases, and the 0.5% cashback rate on non-fuel purchases is relatively modest compared with leading cashback cards. Cashback is also tied to spending thresholds, and the card lacks the advanced expense-management tools, virtual cards, and premium travel benefits offered by many specialist business card providers.

What we like most about Metro Bank’s offering is its simplicity. With no annual fee, a single representative APR of 18.9%, and up to 56 days’ interest-free credit on purchases when the balance is paid in full, it’s an easy card to understand and use. The availability of fee-free spending in most European countries is another benefit for businesses that occasionally travel or make overseas purchases.

However, beyond its straightforward pricing, there is little to set the card apart. There is no cashback, rewards programme, or welcome offer, and the spend-management functionality is relatively limited compared with newer fintech providers. While it’s a dependable choice, we think most businesses will find stronger overall value elsewhere.

What we like about the RBS business credit card is its simplicity: it offers a low annual fee of £30 (waived for the first year), up to 56 days of interest-free credit, and 1% cashback on fuel and EV charging. 

Cashback is relatively limited compared with leading specialist credit card providers. Modest perks are available to cardholders through the Business Savings with Mastercard programme, a merchant discount programme. Cardholders can also gain visibility and control over their accounts using the free ClearSpend spend management app. Existing RBS customers may appreciate the familiarity and convenience of keeping their banking and borrowing with the same provider.