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Updated on 25 September 2025•Published on 21 November 2024•13 minutes

The top 7 corporate business cards compared by fees and features

Alex Hammond
Content Marketing Manager (EMEA)

The top 7 corporate business cards compared by fees and features

Paying for business expenses, travel spend, and all of the other costs across your business is complicated. When you first start out, reimbursing for expenses and tracking expenditures may be easy, but you’ll likely need support as you grow.

This is where corporate card convenience comes in. 56% of businesses use cards for financing to make business spending easier¹. Cards may include a rewards programme, offer card controls, and expense management features. But all corporate cards aren’t equal.

If you're looking for the best corporate cards for your business, you're in the right place. Keep reading for a deep dive on the key features, costs, and extras for popular corporate card options across the UK.

What is a corporate card?

A corporate card is a type of business debit or credit card that typically has higher eligibility requirements than personal cards. The card is tied to the business and its financials, meaning employees can spend on behalf of the company without putting their own personal credit score on the line. However, it does then mean that your business credit score could be affected.

Aside from the company owning the card account and a few business-specific features, it operates a lot like your personal card. Similarly, some corporate card issuers offer perks. For example, Airwallex provides cashback on your business spend, while some others may offer rewards points, entry to airport lounges or airline miles that can offset your spending.

Give your business and employees corporate debit cards.

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The main types of corporate cards used in the UK

UK businesses typically choose between three main types of corporate cards, each designed for different spending patterns and business needs.

Corporate credit cards provide a revolving credit line, allowing you to carry balances month-to-month with interest charges. These cards offer flexible repayment terms and often include comprehensive reward programmes, making them ideal for businesses managing variable cash flow or larger purchases.
Charge cards require full balance payment each month, eliminating interest charges and promoting spending discipline. They typically offer no pre-set spending limits and are perfect for businesses with predictable cash flow and larger annual revenue that want to avoid debt accumulation.
Debit or prepaid cards provide excellent spending control through different mechanisms – debit cards draw directly from your business bank account, while prepaid cards use preloaded funds separate from your bank accounts. They are ideal for smaller businesses or those prioritising budget control, often featuring lower eligibility requirements, immediate expense visibility, and no debt or interest.

Pros and cons of corporate cards in 2025

Corporate card pros:	Corporate card cons:
✅ Improved oversight	❌ Can sometimes come with some fees
✅ Easier to account for spending	❌ Extensive application and approval process
✅ Higher spending limits than personal credit cards and business cards
✅ Can come with reward programmes

How do corporate cards work?

Corporate card programs help businesses give their employees a simple and controlled way to buy things and manage money. Here's a simplified breakdown of how they typically work:

Issuance: The company applies for corporate cards from a financial institution. Once approved, the company can issue these cards to employees who need them for business-related expenses.
Spending: Employees use the corporate cards to make purchases for business purposes, such as travel, meals, or office supplies. The company can pre-set spending limits and allow purchase categories to control expenses.
Tracking: Each transaction made with a corporate card is recorded, making it easy for the company to track spending in real time. This helps in monitoring expenses and ensuring compliance with company policies.
Reconciliation: At the end of the billing cycle, the company receives a consolidated statement that includes all employee-made transactions. This statement can be reconciled with the company's accounting system to ensure accuracy.
Payment: The company pays the card issuer for the total amount spent by employees during the billing cycle. This is usually done through a single payment, simplifying the process compared to reimbursing individual employees.
Expense reporting: Employees may still need to submit expense reports, but the process is streamlined because the transactions are already recorded. Modern platforms like Airwallex reduce administrative burden with expense management features.
Rewards and benefits: Some corporate cards offer rewards, cashback, or other benefits based on spending, which can provide additional value to the company.

Corporate cards help businesses manage expenses more effectively, improve cash flow, and provide a convenient way for employees to make the necessary purchases. This is critical as organisations’ recurring monthly expenses increase.

7 best corporate cards in the UK for 2025

To save you time, we've compiled a list of our top corporate card picks and their key details below, including:

Airwallex Borderless Card is a multi-currency debit card that pays from existing currency balances to reduce FX fees.
Amazon Business Prime American Express is a corporate credit card for Amazon Prime members and best suited for companies with significant spending on Prime stores.
American Express Business Gold is a well-recognised business charge card with strong rewards, but a relatively larger annual fee.
Barclaycard Select Cashback Business Credit Card is a corporate credit card with no annual fee, with a 1% cashback after a minimum spend.
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card is a corporate card that’s FX free and offers 1% cashback on card purchases.
Metro Bank Business Credit Card is a business card that covers purchases in most European countries at no extra cost.
Santander Business Cashback Credit Card offers 1% cashback and four cards for a £30 annual fee.

Card	Key features	Multi-currency company cards	Multi-currency employee cards	Card controls to limit spending and freeze/cancel cards	Expense management for cards and reimbursements	Fees
Airwallex Borderless Cards	Debits from existing currency balances and therefore reduces FX fees 1% unlimited cashback	✅ Unlimited on the Accelerate plan	✅ Unlimited on the Accelerate plan	✅	✅	£0/month if you hold a minimum balance of £10,000 or from £19p/m
Amazon Business Prime American Express	1.5% cashback on purchases on Amazon with Business Prime² 0.5% cashback for purchases outside of Amazon²	❌	❌	❌	❌	£0 in the first year. £50/year thereafter²
American Express Business Gold	Earns rewards and travel points with spend Exclusive savings and benefits with select companies, including Dell Technologies and more	❌	❌	❌	❌	£195/year after 12 months³
Barclaycard Select Cashback Credit Card	1% cashback on eligible business purchases after spending £2,000+/month	❌	❌	✅⁴	✅⁵Free FreshBooks accounting plan	£0 annual fee 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee⁵
Capital On Tap Business Card	1% cashback on all card purchases⁶	❌	❌	✅	✅⁷Auto-sync with select accounting software, 3 months Xero free	No annual fee No FX fee Free cards⁷
Metro Bank Business Credit Card	No FX fees in 30+ SEPA countries, 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee for excluded countries⁸	❌	❌	❌	❌	0 annual fees Free purchases in Europe 2.99% foreign transaction fee otherwise⁸
Santander Business Cashback	1% cashback⁹	❌	❌	✅	❌	£30 annual fee No foreign transaction fee with local currency⁹

A detailed look at the top 7 corporate cards in 2025

Airwallex Borderless Cards

Most traditional banks with business accounts offer corporate cards, but end-to-end financial solutions like Airwallex support financial operations more holistically. Our Business Accounts support multi-currency capabilities so you can hold up to 23 currencies and spend from held balances. This reduces your exposure to volatile FX rates, and you can also avoid international payment fees altogether.

Business Accounts also come with access to our multi-currency company and employee cards. With employee cards, your team can cover international expenses, as well as travel costs, so you can take care of global business without a sweat. It’s a virtual debit card that covers costs with an existing balance rather than a line of credit, so you can stick to your budget and skip expensive annual percentage rate fees (APRs).

With Airwallex company cards, you can manage company expenses and shared team purchases, such as software, in one place. By setting limits, creating custom approval workflows and freezing/cancelling cards when needed, you can avoid unexpected overspend.

Combined, Airwallex corporate cards help you track your cash position and spend smarter. They’re the ideal solution for businesses looking to grow internationally, but are also liked by small UK businesses that want to control their budgets thanks to our expense management and bill pay features.

Amazon Business Prime American Express

Existing eCommerce companies like Amazon are now also popular credit card issuers. The global marketplace has partnered with American Express to offer the Amazon Business Prime American Express card. Cardholders receive 1.5% cashback on all Amazon purchases up to £120,000 a year, as well as 0.5% back on other transactions. However, you need either a personal or Business Prime account to get a Business Prime card.

However, if you make outside of the United Kingdom, you will be subject to a 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee, as well as an American Express Exchange Rate for any transfers in anything other than the currency of your account or U.S. Dollars¹⁰. For multi-currency needs, businesses often use specialised cards or services that offer lower FX fees and better currency conversion rates.

American Express Business Gold

American Express is synonymous with premium cards, offering cardholders rewards points and exclusive savings at Hilton Hotels and Adobe. Not only do you earn a reward and travel point for every £1 spent, but you can earn extra membership points with quarterly spending goals.

Once you’ve collected significant points, you can use them to reduce your monthly card balance and/or cover the cost of a purchase¹¹. The card also shares your point balance with PayPal, so you can conveniently spend points from your PayPal wallet if you own a PayPal account¹¹.

If you need to make frequent international payments or manage multiple currencies, you might want to consider other financial products designed explicitly for foreign currency spending. Amex Business Gold charges a 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee, as well as charges on international withdrawals.

Barclaycard Select Cashback

Like many corporate cards on the market, the Barclaycard Select Cashback offers 1% cashback on purchases. However, this only applies once you spend £2,000 or more a month.

The Select Cashback card includes one free company card, and you can request additional cards for any employee that needs one. You can also oversee all account cards and spending.

The card integrates with mobile wallets and includes a FreshBooks software plan to streamline payments and accounting. These integrations make expense management easier, but you’ll still be working with multiple separate tools. This can complicate accounting and oversight when there are several all-in-one solutions to opt for instead.

Capital on Tap Business Card

Capital On Tap designed a small business credit card for entrepreneurs to earn rewards and streamline spending. You can track spending in real-time, place spend controls on an unlimited number of employee cards, sync your cards with accounting tools, and preload the card with your own money.

Capital on Tap’s Business Card gives you cashback of 1% on business spend, which you can use to redeem against your balance. It also allows you to issue an unlimited number of employee cards for free⁶, so the team can spend on business expenses without using their personal funds. Individual card limits for each card can be predetermined so that you don’t run the risk of accidental overspend.

While Capital on Tap also doesn't charge foreign exchange fees, you may have to pay foreign transaction fees⁶. The fine print also suggests that eligible businesses must have a minimum £2,000 monthly turnover and will require a personal guarantee. This means that the owner of the business is personally liable for debt. It’s also not suitable for all business types such as sole traders who are ineligible to apply⁶.

MetroBank Business Credit Card

The MetroBank Business Credit Card is a straightforward business card with no annual fee. However, you’ll need a Metro Bank account before you can become eligible for MetroBank’s corporate card.

While the card doesn't charge fees for non-sterling transactions in countries that are part of the Single European Payments Area (SEPA), you may be charged if you’re making purchases outside SEPA. Similar to the other card offerings, there's a 2.99% foreign transaction fee for payments outside of Europe, which can add up if you make frequent international transactions.

It's also good to note that the contactless payment feature is limited to payments of up to £100, which might not be enough for larger transactions¹². Physical cards are also limited to a maximum of nine cardholders¹².

Santander Business Cashback Credit Card

The Santander Business Cashback Credit Card is designed for small-and medium-sized businesses. It has an annual fee of £30 but offers an uncapped 1% cashback on eligible purchases. It’ll exclude things like balance transfers, cash withdrawals, and refunds¹³. There are no foreign transaction fees applied to purchases where you’re paying in local currency.

If you’re already a customer of Santander, then you may be eligible for this card. However, you’ll be limited to four cards, and each business owner is required to have a corporate card – if you have four owners, you’ll hit your maximum allowance. This might be a concern if you have several departments or specific card needs that you want to organise with designated cards.

Is it worth getting a corporate card in 2025?

The answer is likely yes if you're managing multiple employee expenses or frequently dealing with reimbursements. Corporate cards solve real operational problems that’ll likely worsen as you grow.

Often, the clearest indicator you need one is if employees are regularly using personal credit cards for travel-related expenses, online purchases or paying suppliers. This can create administrative headaches, delays at month-end, high FX costs, and blur financial boundaries that complicate your bookkeeping.

The time saved on expense reports and reconciliation typically justifies the cost of a corporate card within months. Plus, you can access cashback and spending controls that help manage outgoings better.

Solo traders or very small operations with minimal expenses may find traditional business banking options sufficient. The eligibility requirements and setup complexity for corporate card programs can outweigh the benefits for companies with simple spending patterns.

How to compare and choose the top corporate cards in the UK

Business needs vary by size, spending, and accounting processes, so take stock of your goals and needs as you compare card providers. While you shop around for corporate cards, think about:

Multi-currency support: Look for cards that support multiple currencies so you can transact in different currencies without incurring foreign exchange fees or international transaction fees.
Foreign exchange rates: Prioritise cards that offer low foreign exchange rates. This can result in significant savings, especially if you frequently transfer funds internationally.
Cashback and rewards: Look for additional benefits like cashback, air miles, or rewards points that can offset some of your spend.
Spending habits: Determine who needs access to cards, what you’re spending on, and if you need multi-currency features for international transactions.
Spending controls: Some cards allow you to see and manage employee spending, and can even integrate with accounting software.
Customer support: Evaluate the quality and availability of customer support for each card. Quality support can be crucial for resolving time-sensitive issues.
Security features: Consider the offered security features like fraud protection, chip-and-PIN technology, and virtual card capabilities to protect your business.

How to apply for a corporate card

After you select your preferred card, you can apply online. The process varies between providers, but it'll generally follow these steps:

Research and compare options to determine what features are important for your business, such as multi-currency support or low foreign transaction fees.
Confirm eligibility with the card provider based on business size, spending, and location. Some cards may be restricted to certain types of businesses.
Gather business documents including your business’s legal status, financial statements, and supplementary documents.
Apply online or in person by providing all the required information and submitting all the necessary documentation.

Approval can take one to five business days, though most providers will have a card sent to you within that timeframe.

Corporate card alternatives for different business types

Whilst corporate cards are available to businesses of varying sizes, they aren’t a fit for everyone. You may find simpler alternatives better suited to your specific needs.

For solo operators (freelancers and sole traders), standard business debit cards provide expense separation and professional banking without the multi-user management features (or cost) of corporate cards. Since you don't need employee spending controls or centralised billing, a basic business card often does the job.

Very small teams with simple and predictable spending might also prefer standard business debit cards. Even though some corporate cards are designed for small businesses (like Capital on Tap), you might not need the corporate-level reporting and controls. Why complicate things if you don’t need to?

For businesses with credit constraints, prepaid business cards, which typically offer spending controls and expense tracking without credit checks or minimum turnover requirements, can be a good alternative.

For project-based spending or a one-time purchase, you may prefer combining business loans with basic business bank accounts rather than maintaining ongoing card programmes.

If you require specialised financing, you may benefit more from invoice finance, asset-based lending, or sector-specific financial products that address your particular cash flow patterns better than general corporate card solutions.

Streamline your international business transactions

Corporate cards are tools to carry out business and work-related expenses without using your or your employees’ personal line of credit. They can also help you gain visibility of your businesses spending and allow you to put in customised card controls.

This can sometimes come at a cost, with expensive credit card interest rates, FX charges, and foreign transaction fees. Consider alternatives like Airwallex’s virtual cards for flexible international spending without the hidden fees.

These are included with your Airwallex Business Account, which also gives you access to Global Accounts. Our Global Accounts are local currency accounts that provide local bank details so you can collect and hold payments in multiple currencies. This means you can eliminate FX fees if you spend from your existing balances.

Airwallex also has integrations with accounting software and offers expense management and bill pay features so that you never have to manage components of your financial operations on disparate systems.

Disclaimer

We updated this article in Q3 2025. The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex wasn't able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]].

Airwallex (UK) Limited is authorised by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (‘EMRs’) (firm reference number 900876). If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

FAQs

What is the difference between a business card and a corporate card?

Business cards suit small businesses, while corporate cards are for midsize and large companies with complex needs. A key difference is who holds liability—the business or the company.

What is the best business credit card in the UK?

Airwallex Borderless Card: Multi-currency debit, reduces FX fees.
Amazon Business Prime Amex: For heavy Amazon Prime spenders.
Amex Business Gold: Strong rewards, higher annual fee.
Barclaycard Select Cashback: No annual fee, 1% cashback.
Capital on Tap: FX-free, 1.5% cashback.
Metro Bank Business Card: Free purchases across most of Europe.
Santander Business Cashback: 1% cashback, £30 annual fee for four cards.

Do corporate cards affect credit score in the UK?

No. In most cases, corporate cards don’t impact an employee’s personal credit score. The company’s credit history—not the individual’s—is linked to the card, and accounts aren’t reported to personal credit bureaus.

Sources

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Alex Hammond
Content Marketing Manager (EMEA)

Alex Hammond is a fintech writer at Airwallex. He specialises in creating content that helps businesses navigate global and local payments, and scale at speed.

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