Best credit cards in the UK, 2026
Independent comparisons of every major UK credit card — for businesses and individuals. Filter by reward type, fees, and card type to find your best match.
Showing 8 of 12 cards
Annual fee
£195/yr
APR
56.6% variable
FX fee
None
Welcome bonus
20,000 Membership Rewards points
- No FX fees — great for international spend
- 2x points on travel bookings
- Points transfer to BA Avios, Virgin, and 15+ airlines
- £195 annual fee
- Not widely accepted (Amex)
- Only 2 lounge visits per year
Annual fee
£595/yr
APR
56.6% variable
FX fee
None
Welcome bonus
40,000 Membership Rewards points
- Unlimited Priority Pass lounge access
- 40k welcome bonus — best Amex business offer
- £200 Dell credit offsets the fee
- £595 annual fee — hard to justify under £50k spend
- Not widely accepted (Amex)
- £10k spend required for welcome bonus
Annual fee
Free
APR
28.2% variable
FX fee
3.5%
Welcome bonus
None
- No annual fee — free to hold
- Still earns Membership Rewards points
- Integrates with Xero and QuickBooks
- 3.5% FX fee on international spend
- No travel insurance or lounge access
- Lower earn rate than Gold/Platinum
Annual fee
Free
APR
29.9%–49.9% variable
FX fee
None
Welcome bonus
£75 welcome offer
- No annual fee and no FX fees
- Instant approval — often within minutes
- Credit limits up to £250k
- Points (not direct cashback) — less flexible
- APR can be high (up to 49.9%)
- Visa — no Amex transfer partners
Annual fee
Free
APR
N/A (debit/prepaid)
FX fee
Interbank rate (free tier limits apply)
Welcome bonus
None
- Best FX rates in the market — interbank rate
- Multi-currency accounts in 30+ currencies
- Virtual cards for online subscriptions
- Not a credit card — no credit facility
- Free tier has monthly FX limits
- No rewards or points earning
Annual fee
Free
APR
34.9% variable (representative)
FX fee
None
Welcome bonus
2% cashback for first 6 months (capped at £2,000)
- No FX fees — rare for a cashback business card
- 1% uncapped cashback on everything
- Free employee cards with individual spend limits
- Requires 1 year trading history and £40k+ turnover
- Representative APR of 34.9% — don't carry a balance
- Limited companies only (no sole traders)
Annual fee
Free
APR
25.5% variable (representative)
FX fee
2.99%
Welcome bonus
None
- 1% uncapped cashback — no cap on earnings
- No annual fee
- Mastercard acceptance everywhere
- 2.99% FX fee on foreign transactions
- Must spend £2,000+/month to earn cashback
- No welcome bonus
Annual fee
£250/yr
APR
104.9% variable (representative, incl. fee)
FX fee
2.99%
Welcome bonus
30,000 Avios
- 30k Avios welcome bonus — strong for a business card
- 1.5 Avios/£1 base rate — best direct BA earn rate
- Open to sole traders (unlike most Amex business cards)
- £250 annual fee
- 2.99% FX fee on foreign transactions
- Not widely accepted (Amex)
Frequently asked questions about UK credit cards
What is the best business credit card in the UK?▼
The best UK business credit card depends on your spend pattern. For cashback, the Funding Circle Cashback Card offers 1% uncapped with no fees. For Avios, the BA Amex Accelerating earns 1.5 Avios per £1. For high spenders, the Amex Gold Business gives 2x on travel.
Which UK business credit card has no annual fee?▼
Capital on Tap, Funding Circle Cashback, Barclaycard Select Cashback, Revolut Business, and the Amex Basic Business Card all have no annual fee. Capital on Tap and Funding Circle also charge no foreign transaction fees.
What is the best credit card for earning Avios?▼
The BA Amex Accelerating Business Card earns 1.5 Avios per £1 with a 30,000 Avios welcome bonus — the highest direct BA earn rate. The Amex Gold Business earns transferable Membership Rewards that convert 1:1 to Avios.
Which business credit card has no foreign transaction fees?▼
Capital on Tap, Funding Circle Cashback, Revolut Business, and all Amex business cards (Gold, Platinum, Basic) charge no foreign transaction fees. Barclaycard Select Cashback and HSBC cards charge 2.99%.
What credit limit can I get on a business credit card?▼
Credit limits vary by card and your business profile. Capital on Tap and Funding Circle offer limits up to £250,000. Most other cards assess limits individually based on turnover, credit history, and time trading.
Is a business credit card worth it for a sole trader?▼
Yes, if you choose the right card. The BA Amex Accelerating is one of the few premium business cards open to sole traders. Capital on Tap and Funding Circle also accept sole traders and offer cashback with no annual fee.
How do I compare credit card rewards fairly?▼
Compare the effective value per £1 spent. Cashback is straightforward — 1% means 1p per £1. For points, check transfer ratios: Amex Membership Rewards transfer 1:1 to Avios, so 1 point per £1 ≈ 1 Avios per £1.
Can I get a business credit card with bad credit?▼
Options are limited but not impossible. Capital on Tap uses a soft credit check for initial eligibility and considers business performance, not just personal credit. Prepaid alternatives like Revolut Business don't require a credit check.
Our methodology
QuidClever compares UK credit cards using publicly available data from card issuers. We assess annual fees, earn rates, welcome bonuses, FX fees, and real-world acceptance. We are independent and do not accept payment for rankings. Cards are updated quarterly and last reviewed in March 2026.