What are the Best Business Credit Cards for Cashback & Rewards? - UK 2026
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41 min read
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Business credit card rewards come in several forms: cashback credited directly to your account, Avios that can be redeemed for flights and upgrades, flexible points convertible to multiple programmes, and category-specific bonuses on fuel or travel. The right choice depends on your spending level, business structure, and what you intend to do with the reward.

This guide covers every reward-bearing business credit card worth considering in the UK as of March 2026. It includes cashback cards, the only UK business card earning Avios, and cards with tiered spend incentives. Each card has been assessed for its reward rate, fees, real-world value after conditions and caps, and eligibility for different business types. Where a card imposes conditions that significantly affect its stated reward rate, those conditions are stated clearly.

All rates, fees, and eligibility criteria have been verified against issuer websites in March 2026. Rates are subject to change; verify current terms directly with the provider before applying. If you want a broader overview of the market before diving in, see our guide to business credit cards or our comparison of the best business credit cards across all categories.

Best Overall

Capital on Tap Pro

Annual Fee
£299
Purchases
34.65% Tooltip
From as low as 13.86% (variable)
Representative APR
110.33% Tooltip
This includes the annual fee, based on a £1,200 credit limit
see deal compare now
Best For Growing Businesses

Capital on Tap Business

Annual Fee
£0
Purchases
34.65% Tooltip
Uncapped 1% cashback
Representative APR
34.65% Tooltip
From as low as 13.86% (variable)
see deal compare now
Best Cashback and Reward Business Credit Cards illustration

Best Business Credit Cards With Rewards: At a Glance

All figures are representative APR (variable) and correct as of March 2026. Reward rates, fees, and eligibility criteria are subject to change; verify directly with the provider before applying.

CardAnnual FeePurchase RateRep. APRReward TypeEarn RateWelcome BonusApply
Capital on Tap Free£0From 13.86%34.65%Cashback/ Avios/Virgin Points1% uncapped on all spendNoneVisit Site
Capital on Tap Pro£299/yrFrom 34.65%110.33%Cashback/ Avios/travel perks1% on credit; 1.25% on preloaded funds10,000 points on £5,000 spend in first 3 monthsVisit Site
Funding Circle Cashback£034.9% variable34.9%Cashback2% for first 6 months (capped £2,000 total), then 1% uncappedNoneVisit Site
Barclaycard Select Cashback£025.5% variable25.5%Cashback1% on months when spend is £2,000 or more; capped £400/yr*NoneVisit Site
Santander Business Cashback£30/yr18.9% variable23.7%Cashback1% uncapped, no monthly minimumNoneVisit Site
RBS Business Plus£70/card/yr13.9% variable29%Cashback (tiered)3% fuel/EV; 2% trade supplies; 1% travel; 0.5% other; capped £600/yrNoneVisit Site
BA Amex Accelerating Business£250/yr26.9% variable104.9%Avios + On Business Points1.5 Avios per £1; 2 On Business Points per £1 on BA flights30,000 Avios on £5,000 spend in first 3 monthsVisit Site
Moss Business Card£0 0% interest (charge card model)N/A (charge card)Cashback (high-volume users only)Up to 1% on all spend (threshold not publicly disclosed)NoneVisit Site

*Barclaycard pays 1% cashback only in months where total card spend reaches or exceeds £2,000. No cashback is earned in months where spend falls below this threshold, regardless of how much you spend in other months. The annual cashback cap is £400.

Business Expert’s Rewards Calculator

Before diving into the full reviews, use the calculator below to see what each card would actually put back into your business at your monthly spend level, after fees, thresholds, and caps are factored in.

Our Top Picks by Business Type

Different businesses have different needs. Before comparing rates in detail, here are our recommendations by situation.

  • Best overall business rewards card: Capital on Tap Free. Uncapped 1% cashback, no annual fee, zero FX charges, and the widest accounting integrations of any no-fee card.
  • Best cashback business card: Funding Circle Cashback (for eligible businesses). The 2% intro rate for six months is the highest of any no-fee UK business credit card as of March 2026.
  • Best travel rewards business card: British Airways Amex Accelerating Business. The only UK business card earning Avios on general spend, with a 30,000 Avios welcome bonus and annual spend bonuses that can reach 2 Avios per £1 on average.
  • Best for sole traders: Barclaycard Select Cashback. No bank account requirement, accepts sole traders with as little as £10,000 annual turnover, and includes a free FreshBooks Plus accounting plan. For a dedicated guide, see our best business credit cards for sole traders.
  • Best for startups: Capital on Tap Free (for Ltd/LLP with £24,000 annual turnover) or Barclaycard (for sole traders or Ltd companies with £10,000 turnover or a credible plan). See our best business credit cards for start-ups guide for a fuller breakdown.
  • Best for no annual fee: Capital on Tap Free or Funding Circle Cashback. Both pay 1% ongoing cashback with no annual fee (Funding Circle requires 1 year trading and £40,000 turnover).
  • Best for high monthly spend: Capital on Tap Pro (Ltd/LLP spending above £30,000/year on the card and travelling regularly) or BA Amex (businesses spending £20,000 or more per year with meaningful BA travel).
  • Best for fuel or trade supply spend: RBS Business Plus. The 3% fuel cashback rate is the highest of any card in this comparison.
  • Best for international purchases: Capital on Tap Free or Santander Business Cashback. Both charge zero foreign transaction fees.
  • Best for expense management teams: Capital on Tap (either version) for unlimited free employee cards with individual limits; BA Amex for up to 20 additional cardholders; Moss for scaling finance teams that need real-time spend controls, unlimited virtual cards, automated receipt capture, and advanced accounting workflows across multiple departments.

The Best Business Credit Cards for Cashback & Rewards

Capital on Tap Free Business Credit Card – Best No-Fee Rewards Card for Ltd/LLP

Capital-on-Tap-card

Annual fee: £0
Cashback: 1% uncapped on all spending, including preloaded funds
Points conversion: Points can be redeemed as cashback, converted to Avios at 0.8:1, or exchanged for Virgin Points at 0.8:1
Purchase rate: From 13.86% variable
Representative APR: 34.65%
Interest-free period: Up to 42 days
FX fee: None
Credit limit: Up to £250,000
Employee cards: Unlimited, free, with individual spend limits
Accounting integration: Xero, QuickBooks, Sage
Network: Visa

Our Verdict: The most accessible no-fee rewards card for newly formed limited companies and LLPs. The £24,000 minimum annual turnover threshold is the lowest of any card in this comparison, making it realistic for early-stage businesses. Unlimited free employee cards, zero FX fees, and 1% cashback on everything, including preloaded funds, make it difficult to beat at the £0 price point. The 42-day interest-free window is shorter than the 56 days on Barclaycard, Santander, and RBS, and sole traders are not eligible. For businesses spending significantly more and travelling regularly, it is worth assessing whether the Pro card’s £299 fee pays for itself. If you are not yet sure whether a business credit card is the right move, our guide on whether you should get a business credit card covers the core considerations.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

Capital on Tap Pro Business Credit Card – Best for High Spenders and Frequent Travellers

Annual fee: £299
Cashback: 1% on all spending; 1.25% on preloaded funds
Purchase rate: From 34.65% variable
Representative APR: 110.33%
Intro bonus: 10,000 points on £5,000 spend in first 3 months
Interest-free period: None on credit purchases
FX fee: None
Credit limit: Up to £250,000
Travel perks: Priority Pass lounge access; Radisson Rewards VIP status; The Times digital subscription
Employee cards: Unlimited, free, with individual limits
Accounting integration: Xero, QuickBooks, Sage
Network: Visa

Our Verdict: The right choice for limited companies and LLPs spending above £30,000 per year on the card and travelling regularly. At that spend level, the 1% cashback alone covers the £299 annual fee, and Priority Pass lounge access plus Radisson VIP hotel status add further value for frequent travellers. The critical caveat: unlike the free card, the Pro carries no interest-free period on credit purchases. If there is any chance of carrying a balance month to month, the interest cost will quickly outweigh the cashback benefit. The free card is the better starting point for most businesses; upgrade to Pro when your annual spend consistently justifies the arithmetic.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

Funding Circle Cashback Business Credit Card – Best Intro Cashback Rate

Cashback+Card+3D+(1)+(1)

Annual fee: £0
Intro cashback: 2% on all purchases for the first 6 months (total cashback capped at £2,000 during intro period)
Ongoing cashback: 1% uncapped after 6 months
Representative APR: 34.9% variable
Interest-free period: Up to 42 days
Credit limit: Up to £250,000
Employee cards: Unlimited via Company Cards feature (currently in beta)
Accounting integration: Xero, Sage, FreeAgent (auto-sync)
Apple Pay: Yes
Cash withdrawals: Not permitted
Network: Visa

Our Verdict: The highest introductory cashback rate of any no-fee UK business credit card as of March 2026. For a business spending £5,000 per month, the 2% intro rate generates £600 in cashback over six months, with no annual fee to offset it. After the intro period, the 1% ongoing rate matches Capital on Tap Free. The main eligibility barrier is the requirement for at least one year of trading history and £40,000 minimum annual turnover, which rules out day-one startups. For a full breakdown, see our Funding Circle business credit card review.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

Barclaycard Select Cashback Business Credit Card – Best for Sole Traders and Startups

select cashback

Annual fee: £0
Cashback: 1% on eligible spend in months when you spend £2,000 or more; capped at £400 per year
Representative APR: 25.5%
Purchase rate: 25.5% variable
Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
FX fee: 2.99%
Employee cards: Free, with individual limits via MyControls
Accounting integration: FreshBooks Plus (free, worth approximately £260/year)
Network: Mastercard
Purchase protection: Yes

Our Verdict: The most accessible cashback card for sole traders and startups. No bank account requirement, acceptance for businesses with just £10,000 annual turnover or a credible plan to reach it, and a genuinely useful free accounting perk in FreshBooks Plus. The £2,000 monthly spend threshold is the central consideration: in any month where card spend falls below that figure, no cashback is earned. For consistent spenders above £2,000 per month, this is a strong no-fee option with a longer 56-day interest-free window than Capital on Tap or Funding Circle. For businesses with variable or lower monthly spend, Santander’s no-minimum structure may generate more total cashback. For a full comparison of all Barclaycard business products, see our Barclaycard business credit card comparison.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

Santander Business Cashback Credit Card – Best for Santander Account Holders and International Buyers

santander

Annual fee: £30 per account (not per card; up to 3 additional cardholders included at no extra cost)
Cashback: 1% uncapped on all eligible business spending, with no minimum monthly spend
Representative APR: 23.7% variable
Purchase rate: 18.9% p.a. variable
Interest-free period: Up to 56 days if balance cleared in full
FX fee: None on purchases abroad in local currency
Credit limit: £500 minimum; maximum subject to status
Cash advance fee: 3% (minimum £3); charged from day of transaction
Employee cards: Up to 3 additional cardholders, all included in the £30 account fee
Network: Mastercard

Our Verdict: The best card for businesses that already bank with Santander and want 1% cashback with no monthly spend minimum and no foreign transaction fees. The per-account fee structure means three additional cardholders are covered by the £30 annual charge, which compares favourably with RBS’s £70 per-cardholder model. The zero FX fee is a standout feature at this price point: for businesses regularly purchasing from overseas suppliers or travelling internationally, it removes a cost that compounds significantly over the year. The major constraint is the requirement to hold an existing Santander Business Current Account. If you do not already bank with Santander, the Capital on Tap Free card or Barclaycard are more accessible alternatives. For Santander account holders, this is the most straightforward and cost-effective cashback card available. For more options at this price point, see our best business credit cards comparison.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

RBS Business Plus Credit Card – Best for High Fuel, Trade Supply, or Travel Spend

rbs

Annual fee: £70 per cardholder per year
Cashback rates: 3% on fuel and EV charging at eligible stations, 2% on trade and business supplies at eligible merchants, 1% on travel and accommodation at eligible providers, 0.5% on all other spending.
Annual cashback cap: £600 per account
Representative APR: 29% variable
Purchase rate: 13.9% p.a. variable
Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
FX fee: None
Employee cards: Available with individual limits; ClearSpend mobile app for expense tracking
Network: Mastercard

Our Verdict: The right choice for businesses with material spend on fuel, electric vehicle charging, trade supplies, or accommodation. It is the only card in this comparison with a tiered cashback structure rewarding these specific categories above the standard 1% rate. At 3% on fuel, a business spending £2,500 per month at eligible stations earns £900 per year in cashback, well above the £70 annual fee, though the £600 annual cap means the 3% rate is effectively exhausted at £20,000 of fuel spend per year. For businesses whose spending is primarily general or digital, the 0.5% general rate means spending £14,000 per year just to break even on the annual fee, in which case Capital on Tap Free or Barclaycard are considerably better fits. The RBS Business Current Account requirement means this card is only available to existing RBS customers or those willing to open one.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card – Best Business Travel Rewards Card

amex-BA-accelerating

Annual fee: £250
Avios earn rate: 1.5 Avios per £1 spent on all eligible purchases
On Business Points: 2 On Business Points per £1 on qualifying British Airways flights purchased with the card
Welcome bonus: 30,000 Avios when you spend £5,000 in the first 3 months (eligible new cardmembers only; not available if you have held any American Express Business card in the previous 12 months)
Annual spend bonus: 10,000 Avios for every £20,000 spent in a calendar year; earnable up to 3 times per calendar year (maximum 30,000 bonus Avios per calendar year)
Representative APR: 104.9% variable
Purchase rate: 26.9% variable
Interest-free period: Up to 56 days
FX fee: 2.99%
Employee cards: Up to 20 additional cardholders
Network: American Express

Our Verdict: The only UK business credit card earning Avios on general business spending as of March 2026, and the natural choice for any business that flies regularly with British Airways, Iberia, or American Airlines. The welcome bonus of 30,000 Avios is worth approximately £300 in straightforward Reward Flight redemptions and more when used strategically for long-haul business class. The annual spend bonus structure is particularly compelling: spending exactly £20,000 in a calendar year earns 30,000 base Avios plus 10,000 bonus Avios, an effective rate of 2 Avios per £1 on that tranche. At £60,000 annual spend, including the welcome bonus in year one, a business can accumulate up to 150,000 Avios. The card is also the only Amex business card currently accepting sole trader applications, following the closure of Business Gold and Business Platinum to sole traders in January 2026. The £2.99% FX fee and 2.99% foreign purchase charge mean it is not the right card for heavy overseas spend in foreign currency; Capital on Tap is a better fit for that purpose.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

Moss Business Card – Best for Scaling Finance Teams and Company-Wide Spend Management

moss

Card type: Charge card / spend management platform (not a revolving credit card)
Annual fee: £0 base plan; subscription plans available for advanced modules
Cashback: Up to 1% on all card spending for high-volume users (exact threshold not publicly disclosed; discuss with Moss directly)
Interest: 0% interest; balance cleared monthly (30 or 60-day flexible repayment terms available on credit version)
Credit limit: Up to approximately £2.5 million (subject to eligibility and business size)
Cards: Unlimited physical and virtual Mastercard cards; instant issuance
Accounting integration: Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and others via automated workflows
FX fee: Not publicly disclosed; verify directly with Moss before applying
Network: Mastercard

Our Verdict: Moss is a different kind of product from the credit cards above, and it is important to understand that distinction before comparing it on cashback rate alone. Moss is primarily a spend management platform that issues corporate Mastercards with real-time controls, virtual cards, automated receipt capture, and deep accounting integration. The cashback element (up to 1%) is a secondary feature available to high-volume users, with the qualifying threshold not publicly stated. For businesses whose primary goal is earning the highest possible cashback rate on general spending, one of the no-fee credit cards above will be more straightforward. For scaling SMEs and finance teams managing spend across multiple employees and departments, Moss offers operational value that pure cashback cards cannot match. The absence of interest charges (on timely repayment) is also a meaningful structural difference from a revolving credit card.

When Moss is not the right choice: If your primary goal is earning the highest cashback rate on business spending with minimal complexity, a no-fee card such as Capital on Tap Free or Funding Circle Cashback will deliver more predictable rewards without requiring a sales conversation. Moss is the right fit when your finance team’s operational needs, spend controls, and automation outweigh the importance of a guaranteed cashback rate.

Overview

Pros & Cons

Eligibility Criteria

Cashback vs Points vs Travel Rewards: Which Is Best for Your Business?

The three main reward models on UK business credit cards work in fundamentally different ways, and each suits a different type of business.

Cashback is credited directly as a cash amount to your account, reducing your balance or paid out as a statement credit. It is the simplest reward to value: 1% cashback on £10,000 of spending produces £100, which can be used for anything. There are no programmes to manage, no points to track, and no risk of devaluation. The trade-off is that cashback is generally taxable business income in the UK (see the tax section below), and the per-pound rate is typically lower than the notional value of premium travel rewards when redeemed well.

Points and flexible rewards, such as those earned by Capital on Tap, can be redeemed as cashback or converted to Avios or Virgin Points. This flexibility is valuable: the same earning rate gives you the option of simple cashback on quiet months and travel redemptions when you have a high-value flight to book. The conversion rate from Capital on Tap points to Avios is 0.8:1, so 10,000 points becomes 8,000 Avios. For businesses that occasionally fly but do not want the discipline of a dedicated travel card, this model is a useful middle ground.

Travel rewards and Avios typically offer the highest potential value per pound of spend but require you to actually fly, and to redeem strategically. The British Airways Amex earns 1.5 Avios per £1, but Avios value varies considerably depending on what you redeem them for. Avios used for economy short-haul flights typically yield around 0.75p to 1p per Avios. Avios used for long-haul business class upgrades or premium cabins can yield 3p to 5p per Avios or more. For a business spending £20,000 per year on the card and redeeming 40,000 Avios for a long-haul business class upgrade worth £1,500, the effective reward rate is substantially higher than any cashback card in this comparison. For businesses that never fly, the comparison works the other way entirely. For a dedicated guide to this category, see our best business credit cards for travel.

Which to choose? If your primary goal is simple, predictable cash value, choose a cashback card. If you fly at least occasionally with British Airways or its partners and want to build an Avios balance, the BA Amex Accelerating Business is the only dedicated option. If you want flexibility between the two, Capital on Tap Free allows you to redeem as cashback or convert to Avios at will, at no annual fee.

How to Choose the Right Business Rewards Card

Step 1: Check eligibility first

Before comparing reward rates, confirm which cards you can actually apply for. Capital on Tap and Funding Circle require a UK-registered limited company or LLP; sole traders are not eligible for either. Santander and RBS require you to hold a business current account with them. Barclaycard is the only no-fee cashback card with full sole trader eligibility and no bank account requirement.

The BA Amex accepts sole traders (who may use a personal bank account) and does not require a business bank account. If your business structure or banking relationship limits your options, that narrows the comparison set before reward rates become relevant. If you are uncertain about eligibility, see our guide on instant approval business credit cards for cards with quick eligibility checks.

Step 2: Assess your monthly card spend and reward model

The reward rate only matters in the context of what you actually spend. At £1,000 per month, a 1% cashback card earns £120 per year. That is less than Santander’s £30 annual fee nets out, and it would not cover the BA Amex’s £250 annual fee. At £5,000 per month, the same 1% rate earns £600, making any no-fee card strongly positive and the Santander fee negligible.

For the BA Amex at £5,000 per month, you earn 90,000 Avios per year at the base 1.5 Avios per £1 rate (plus annual spend bonuses), which is worth significantly more than £600 in cashback if redeemed on premium travel. The question is whether your business actually uses those Avios.

Step 3: Factor in FX fees if you buy internationally

Foreign transaction fees compound quickly. Santander and both Capital on Tap cards charge zero FX fees. Barclaycard charges 2.99%. At £1,000 of overseas spend per month, Barclaycard’s FX fee costs approximately £360 per year, roughly wiping out all the cashback on that overseas spend.

The BA Amex also charges 2.99% FX. If a material proportion of your card spend is in foreign currency, the zero-FX options, Capital on Tap or Santander, become significantly more valuable than the headline reward rate suggests.

Step 4: Evaluate travel and perks if relevant

For businesses with directors or employees travelling regularly, the travel benefits on the Capital on Tap Pro (Priority Pass lounge access, Radisson VIP status) and the BA Amex (Avios, On Business Points, potential Companion Voucher from year two) can add hundreds of pounds of value beyond the reward rate itself. For non-travelling businesses, these perks add nothing, and the free Capital on Tap card is a better fit.

Step 5: Consider accounting software integration

If your business uses cloud accounting software, automatic transaction syncing saves time and reduces reconciliation errors. Capital on Tap (both cards) integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage. Funding Circle syncs automatically with Xero, Sage, and FreeAgent. Barclaycard includes a free FreshBooks Plus plan.

Santander and RBS have no native accounting integration beyond Open Banking. For businesses where accounting efficiency is a priority, this can influence the choice between otherwise comparable cards. For a broader look at what makes a business credit card worthwhile, see our guide on why businesses use credit cards.

How We Chose These Cards, and How to Value Rewards Properly

How we chose

Cards were selected and ranked based on the following criteria, assessed independently and without weighting in favour of any commercial relationship:

  • Reward value and flexibility, after fees, caps, and conditions
  • Accessibility and eligibility for UK SMEs and sole traders
  • Transparency of reward conditions, including spend thresholds and merchant restrictions
  • Fee cost-efficiency at different spend levels
  • Ease of redemption and accounting integration
  • Additional features, such as employee card support and travel benefits

We have only included cards where reward conditions are clearly stated and where the card is genuinely available to UK businesses as of March 2026. Cards that charge foreign transaction fees are flagged. Cards with spend thresholds or cashback caps that materially affect the stated reward rate are explained clearly. Data has been verified against issuer websites; any figures marked as variable are subject to change without notice.

How to value rewards properly

Stated cashback rates are straightforward to value, but several conditions can significantly reduce what you actually receive:

  • Monthly spend thresholds. Barclaycard pays no cashback in months when card spend falls below £2,000. A business spending £1,500 per month earns nothing on Barclaycard despite spending £18,000 per year. On Capital on Tap Free, the same spending earns £180.
  • Annual caps. Barclaycard’s £400 cap is reached at £40,000 of eligible annual spend. RBS’s £600 cap is reached at varying spend levels depending on category mix. Uncapped cards (Capital on Tap, Santander, Funding Circle) continue to reward spending above those thresholds.
  • Intro rates. Funding Circle’s 2% intro rate reverts to 1% after 6 months, and the intro cashback itself is capped at £2,000 total. The card with the highest first-year return is not always the best long-term choice.
  • Annual fees versus reward value. At low spend levels, annual fees can eliminate reward value entirely. Santander’s £30 fee requires £3,000 annual card spend just to break even. The BA Amex’s £250 fee requires spending approximately £17,000 per year at the 1.5 Avios per £1 rate to break even if you value Avios at 1p each.
  • Interest charges. Cashback is negated rapidly by interest if balances are not cleared. On any card charging over 20% APR, even a modest outstanding balance will cost more per month in interest than the cashback the same spending generates. For businesses that need to carry a balance, a low-interest business credit card is a more suitable product than a rewards card.

Is Business Credit Card Cashback Taxable?

In most cases, yes. HMRC treats cashback earned on a business credit card as taxable business income. It should be declared on your company or self-employment tax return in the same way as any other business income. You cannot treat cashback as a reduction of the original expense for tax purposes; instead, it is a separate receipt forming part of your taxable income.

Rewards that are not cashback, such as Avios points, Virgin Points, or On Business Points, are generally not treated as taxable income by HMRC, on the basis that they are benefits in kind with no direct monetary value credited to the business account. This distinction matters when choosing between a cashback card and a travel rewards card at similar spend levels: the post-tax value of cashback is lower than the headline figure, whereas travel points are typically not taxable on receipt.

Tax treatment varies depending on your business structure and circumstances. If you are unsure how to handle card rewards in your accounts, consult a qualified accountant or check HMRC’s current guidance. This article does not constitute tax advice.

Alternatives to a Business Rewards Credit Card

A rewards credit card is not always the most suitable product for your situation. Depending on your business’s needs, one of the following alternatives may be more appropriate.

Expense management cards with virtual card functionality. Products such as Soldo or Pleo offer prepaid expense cards with real-time controls, virtual cards, and deep accounting integration. They do not earn cashback in the traditional sense, but they significantly reduce the administrative cost of expense management. For finance teams managing employee spend across multiple people, the operational savings can outweigh the reward value of a credit card. For a fuller comparison, see our guide to expense cards versus company credit cards.

Business charge cards. Charge cards require the full balance to be cleared each month, which removes the risk of interest charges eroding reward value. American Express Business Gold and Business Platinum (available to limited companies and LLPs) offer Membership Rewards points with flexible conversion to Avios and other programmes. For a comparison, see our guide to the best business charge cards.

Business overdraft. For businesses primarily seeking short-term working capital flexibility rather than rewards, a business current account with an overdraft facility may be more appropriate. An overdraft does not earn rewards, but it typically has lower total cost than carrying a balance on a credit card.

0% purchase business credit cards. If you have a large planned business purchase and want to spread the cost interest-free, a 0% purchase card may offer better value than a rewards card during the promotional period. See our guide to the best interest-free business credit cards.

Prepaid business expense cards. For businesses without the credit history to qualify for a credit card, a prepaid card offers controlled spending without a credit check. See our guide to the best prepaid business expense cards.

Rewards Credit Card FAQs

It depends on your business structure, spending level, and reward preference. For no-fee cashback available to Ltd/LLP businesses, Capital on Tap Free offers 1% uncapped with zero FX fees and the widest accounting integration. For the best intro cashback rate, Funding Circle offers 2% for the first 6 months with no annual fee, subject to 1 year trading and £40,000 turnover. For travel rewards and Avios, the British Airways Amex Accelerating Business is the only UK business card earning Avios on general spend, with a 30,000 Avios welcome bonus. For sole traders, Barclaycard Select Cashback accepts the widest range of business structures with no bank account requirement. For a broader overview across all categories, see our best business credit cards guide.

Business credit card rewards include cashback (credited as cash to your account), points redeemable as cashback or transferred to loyalty programmes such as Avios or Virgin Points, air miles or Avios earned directly on spending, tiered category bonuses on specific merchant types such as fuel or travel, and welcome bonuses awarded after meeting a minimum spend threshold. The cards in this guide cover all of these reward types.

Cashback is simpler and more predictable; points can offer a higher effective return if redeemed strategically for premium travel. For a business that flies regularly with British Airways or its partner airlines, Avios earned through the BA Amex Accelerating Business can be worth significantly more per point than their cashback equivalent, particularly on long-haul business class redemptions. For a business that does not travel, cashback from Capital on Tap Free or Barclaycard Select Cashback is more practical. Capital on Tap Free offers both options: points can be redeemed as cashback or converted to Avios at 0.8:1.

The British Airways Amex Accelerating Business Card is the only UK business credit card that earns Avios directly on general spending as of March 2026. It earns 1.5 Avios per £1 spent on all eligible purchases, with a 30,000 Avios welcome bonus on £5,000 spend in the first 3 months. Capital on Tap (Free and Pro) earns points that can be converted to Avios at 0.8:1 or Virgin Points at the same rate. For a dedicated guide, see our comparison of the best business credit cards for air miles and Avios.

For most businesses, the ongoing earn rate matters more over the life of the card. A welcome bonus, however large, is a one-time benefit. The ongoing earn rate compounds year after year. That said, the BA Amex’s 30,000 Avios welcome bonus is worth approximately £300 to £600 in flight redemptions, which significantly offsets the £250 annual fee in year one. The Funding Circle Cashback card’s 2% intro rate adds up to £2,000 in additional cashback over the first six months. In both cases, the welcome benefit is substantial, but the ongoing rate should drive your long-term decision.

Yes, but with fewer options than limited companies. Barclaycard Select Cashback, Santander Business Cashback, RBS Business Plus, and the British Airways Amex Accelerating Business all accept sole traders. Capital on Tap (Free and Pro) and Funding Circle require a limited company or LLP. For a dedicated guide, see our best business credit cards for sole traders.

Yes, on all cards in this comparison. Employee card spending contributes to the main account’s reward balance on Capital on Tap (unlimited employee cards), Funding Circle (Company Cards, in beta), Barclaycard (free employee cards via MyControls), and the BA Amex (up to 20 additional cardholders). On the BA Amex, employee spend contributes to both Avios accumulation and the annual spend bonus thresholds. On Santander, up to 3 additional cardholders are included at no extra cost under the £30 annual account fee.

In most cases, yes. HMRC treats cashback received on a business credit card as taxable business income, which should be included in your annual tax return. Rewards in the form of points or Avios are generally not treated as taxable income. Tax treatment varies depending on your business structure and circumstances; consult a qualified accountant or check HMRC’s current guidance if you are unsure.

Not always. Capital on Tap (both cards), Barclaycard Select Cashback, and Funding Circle do not require a specific business bank account. The British Airways Amex accepts any UK bank or building society account, including a personal account for sole traders. Santander requires an existing Santander Business Current Account. RBS requires an existing or new RBS Business Current Account. If you do not yet have a business bank account, our guide to the quickest business bank accounts to open covers the fastest options.

Cashback is credited directly as a cash amount to your account, reducing your balance. Rewards points such as Avios or Capital on Tap points have a variable redemption value depending on how you use them, typically higher for premium flights and lower for shopping vouchers or cashback redemptions. Cashback is simpler and more predictable; points can offer a higher effective return for businesses that redeem strategically. HMRC treats them differently for tax purposes: cashback is generally taxable income; Avios and similar points are generally not.

Yes, depending on the card. Barclaycard accepts startups with a credible business plan showing £10,000 or more in annual turnover. Capital on Tap Free accepts newly formed limited companies and LLPs with £24,000 annual turnover (£2,000 per month). Funding Circle requires at least one year of trading history and £40,000 annual turnover, making it unsuitable for day-one businesses. Santander and RBS have no stated minimum trading history for existing account holders. For a full guide to startup-friendly options, see our best business credit cards for start-ups.

Advertising disclosure: Business Expert is an independent comparison site. Some products featured on this page may earn us a commission if you apply via our links. This does not influence our editorial assessments or the order in which cards are reviewed. All data is correct as of March 2026. Interest rates, fees, and eligibility criteria are subject to change. Always verify current terms directly with the card provider before applying. This article does not constitute financial advice. If you are unsure which product is right for you, consider speaking to a qualified financial adviser.

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