5 Best Startup Business Credit Card (UK 2025)

Startup business credit cards can help new businesses in the UK to manage cash flow and business expenses more easily. Credit cards for startups tend to have lower turnover requirements compared to some cards aimed at corporate-level businesses. Plus, the business credit card interest rate may also be on the lower side - although this depends a lot on your company’s credit score and turnover.

Let’s explore the best startup business credit cards in the UK in detail.

If you’re not sure that new business credit cards are right for you, you could also benefit from a Wise Business account and card, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and spend in 150+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees every time.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

What are business credit cards for startups?

Before we get into the details of the best business credit cards for startups in the UK - what exactly are they?

Generally, startup credit cards can differ from regular business cards because they’ll be available for newly registered businesses which may not yet have a high turnover, or which may not have VAT registration in place as yet.

As startup businesses may need ways to manage cash flow and expenses with low friction and relatively low costs, there are startup credit cards with options to let you issue employee cards for free, or to roll over payment for a relatively long grace period before penalties or interest creep in.

You’ll need to weigh up a few different options to decide which is right for you - this guide is here to help.

Startup credit card: features, types and eligibility

The types of business credit cards that can be a good fit for startups in the UK include charge cards which don’t usually cap your spending as long as you can repay every statement, and cards which have great cash back opportunities to allow you to earn as you spend.

Common eligibility criteria are based around your business turnover, your residence and your own credit history, so you’ll need to check which provider will offer you a business credit card before you start to apply.

Best startup business credit cards in the UK

In this guide we've looked at 5 UK credit cards for businesses, thinking of the following features to help you pick which may suit your specific business stage:

• Fees
• Eligibility criteria
• Rewards
• APR
• International spending fees

We’ll start with an overview of the business credit cards for startups we selected, and then there’s plenty more information on each right after the table.

Card name	APR	Best for
American Express Business Gold Card	NA - charge card, so no credit is extended	New startups which have just registered and may not have started to trade yet
British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card	Simple Rate 24.84%	Newer businesses which have not yet registered for VAT
Barclaycard Select Business Cashback	Representative 26.8% APR (variable)	Relatively new businesses which expect to grow quickly and which want to keep the same card for an extended period of time
Capital on Tap Free Rewards Card	From 14.67% (variable)	New businesses looking for a free card which get cash back on spending with lifestyle benefits like air miles thrown in
Capital on Tap Pro Rewards Card	From 14.67% (variable)	Larger businesses which want more lifestyle perks and benefits including travel features

*Details correct at time of writing - 05 June 2025

New business credit cards

Entrepreneurs with new startups looking for a credit card may want to consider credit cards that don't have a minimum turnover as eligibility criteria, as this makes the application easier if you’re yet to start trading.

Charge cards are another option which can let you get some short term support with cash flow, as long as you can re-pay your bill at the end of the statement period. Here are a couple of options to consider:

American Express Business Gold Card

The American Express Business Gold Card¹ is a charge card rather than a credit card. This means you need to re-pay your spending at the end of the statement period which can be up to 54 days long. There are not usually limits on your spending, as long as you're confident you can meet your commitments when the bill comes in.

• Fees: 195 GBP annual fee, waived in year one²
• Eligibility criteria: UK registered businesses, UK resident owners over 18 years old
• Rewards: AmEx reward points as you spend
• APR: NA - charge card, so no credit is extended - re pay in full every time to avoid penalties
• International spending fees: 2.99%
• Good for: New startups which have just registered and may not have started to trade yet - charge card structure which allows you to spend freely as long as you can re pay your bill at the end of the statement period

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card

To get the British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card³ you don’t need to be VAT registered which can mean that this suits new startups which have low turnover, or which have only just registered with Companies House. Other eligibility criteria still apply, but this card lets you earn rewards you can trade for Avios benefits like flight upgrades, as well as business rewards.

• Fees: 250 GBP annual fee, 3% cash advance fee at an ATM⁴
• Eligibility criteria: For UK registered businesses which meet the British Airways On Business requirements
• Rewards: Earn Avios and AmEx Business reward points as you spend
• APR: Simple Rate 24.84%
• International spending fees: 2.99%
• Good for: Newer businesses which have not yet registered for VAT

Low revenue business credit cards

Let’s move on to a card aimed at startups that have launched and now generate relatively low revenue, and which are looking for a credit card.

While some of the cards in this guide have variable minimum turnover rules, looking for a lower minimum turnover as eligibility criteria can help you get a foot in the door. This card also has a high ceiling for turnover, so you can keep on using it as your business grows if you choose to.

Barclaycard Select Business Cashback

The Barclaycard Select Business Cashback credit card⁵ could be available for companies which only generate under 10,000 GBP annually, right through to much more established businesses which have a high turnover in the millions. This can be really helpful as it will allow you to hold on to the card for as long as you like, if you like the user experience and the credit terms suit your specific business needs.

• Fees: No annual fee, 3% cash advance fee for ATM use
• Eligibility criteria: Annual turnover of 10,000 GBP to 6.5 million GBP - final decision is based on your financial circumstances and borrowing history
• Rewards: 1% cashback on all eligible business spend over 2,000 GBP per month
• APR: Representative 26.8% APR (variable)
• International spending fees: 2.99%
• Good for: Relatively new businesses which expect to grow quickly and which want to keep the same card for an extended period of time

Credit cards for startups generating revenue

More mature startups that are already generating revenue may be looking for a credit card to smooth out cash flow and make day to day expense management more straightforward.

For growing startups there are some tailored credit cards that have a higher minimum turnover as eligibility criteria, but which come with additional benefits which may be useful for a business which is beginning to get more established.

Capital on Tap Free Rewards Card

Get yourself a Capital on Tap Free Rewards Card⁶ to benefit from cash back on your spending and also Capital on Tap Rewards⁷ which you can use for flights and flight upgrades with BA, or to buy gift vouchers. This card offers the option to preload your card, which means that if you need to make a purchase which costs more than your card limit you can add money to your account in advance, to allow you to make your card purchase and benefit from the cash back.

Get your own card, and generate unlimited free employee cards to allow your team to manage their business spending conveniently too.

Capital on Tap offers both a free version of this card, and a Pro version, which we will look at in a moment. Here’s a roundup of the free card details:

• Fees: No annual fee, no ATM fee
• Eligibility criteria: For owners of private limited company (Ltd) or limited liability partnership (LLP), with turnover of 2,000 GBP/month or more
• Rewards: 1% cash back on all spending, 1 point for every GBP spend, which can be converted to Avios points or to purchase gift cards for employee rewards
• APR: From 14.67% (variable)
• International spending fees: No foreign transaction fee
• Good for: New businesses looking for a free card which get cash back on spending with lifestyle benefits like air miles thrown in

Capital on Tap Pro Rewards Card

You can also upgrade your account to get the Capital on Tap Pro Rewards Card⁶ which is a premium metal card with 24/7 dedicated support on hand and extra perks like airport lounge access. You get the same benefits as the free card, but can also try out a free Xero subscription, and get Radisson Rewards VIP status.

• Fees: 299 GBP annual fee, no ATM fee
• Eligibility criteria: For owners of private limited company (Ltd) or limited liability partnership (LLP), with turnover of 2,000 GBP/month or more
• Rewards: Additional bonus points on sign up, unlimited airport lounge access for card holder with some guest access, 1% cash back on all spending, Rewards points as you spend
• APR: From 14.67% (variable)
• International spending fees: No foreign transaction fee
• Good for: Larger businesses which want more lifestyle perks and benefits including travel features

Alternative to Startup Credit Cards: Wise Business debit cards

If your startup operates internationally or has eventual cross-boarder expenses - like software subscriptions charged in USD - Wise Business cards could be the ideal solution.

These contactless international debit cards work for spending and cash withdrawals in 150+ countries worldwide, with no foreign transaction fees or subscription fees.

Whenever someone spends or withdraws cash overseas, the currency is converted at the mid-market exchange rate, with just a small conversion fee to pay.

There’s also 0.5% cashback paid on all eligible spending.

You can open a Wise Business account online and order unlimited expense cards for just a one-off fee of £3 a card, no balance requirements or annual fees! You can add employees to your account and you get full control over their spending limits.

What’s more, it’s easy to integrate Wise with your accounting tools, and your accountant can view team spending for smarter collaboration.

Get started with Wise Business 🚀

FAQs - best startup business credit cards in the UK

What is the best credit card for a startup business?

There’s no single best startup credit card for UK businesses - you’ll need to weigh up a few different options to decide which is right for you. Consider your eligibility, the annual or ongoing fees and the costs of transactions.

Does opening a business credit card hurt your credit score?

Credit card applications may involve a credit check but this is not always the case - check with the bank. If you have a business credit card and use it responsibly you could actually improve your credit score over time, to allow you access to more credit products in future.

How long do I need to be in business to get a credit card?

Different credit cards have their own eligibility requirements, and some startup cards can be available for very new business owners. Review some different card options and ask the providers directly if you’re unsure whether or not you;re a suitable candidate.

Can a debit card be an alternative for startups?

A debit card, such as the international debit card from Wise Business could be a good alternative to a credit card for international transactions. Check out Wise if you want to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and spend in 150+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees every time.

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There are many different startup business credit cards in the UK, which means you’ll be able to find one which suits your business without too much of a problem. The key is to compare a few looking at the features and fees which matter to you, before you sign up - this guide can help.

Sources used in this article:

1. American Express Business Gold Card
2. American Express Business Gold Card fees
3. British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card
4. British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card fees
5. Barclaycard Select Business Cashback
6. Capital on Tap business credit cards - Free and Pro
7. Capital on Tap Business Rewards

Sources last checked 05/06/2025