Is 1% cashback a good rate for a UK business credit card?

Yes. 1% with no annual fee and no FX fees is the realistic top of the UK market for unlimited, uncapped cashback. Anything claiming higher rates usually has caps, category restrictions, or annual fees that erode the headline number.

Can a sole trader get a UK business cashback credit card?

Most cashback business cards (Capital On Tap, Barclaycard Select) are limited to LTDs and LLPs. Sole traders are usually limited to debit-card alternatives like Tide or Starling, or carefully-managed personal cashback cards.

Comparisons

Best UK Business Credit Cards for Cashback in 2026

By Afshin · 3 April 2026 · 9 min read

Cashback business cards are one of the easiest ways for a UK limited company to get a few hundred pounds back per year on spend you'd be doing anyway. Here are the best options for 2026, ranked by net return after fees.

1. Capital On Tap — Best Overall

Reward rate: 1% on everything · Annual fee: £0 · FX: 0% · Welcome bonus: £75 with code 2REFY893A52.

Capital On Tap wins for most UK businesses because of the combination of unlimited 1% cashback, no annual fee, no FX fees, and a guaranteed welcome bonus. Limited companies and LLPs only.

2. Barclaycard Select Cashback — Best for Established Businesses

Reward rate: 1% on everything · Annual fee: £0 · FX: 2.99% · Welcome bonus: typically none.

A traditional bank card from Barclays with 1% cashback. No annual fee but no welcome bonus, and FX fees apply. Better suited if you already bank with Barclays and prefer a high-street provider.

3. Amex Business Cashback — Best for High Spenders

Reward rate: 1% on the first £10k, 1.25% above · Annual fee: £50 (free yr 1) · FX: 2.99% · Welcome bonus: £100 for £3k spend in 3 months.

Amex Business Cashback shines if you spend £40k+ per year and your suppliers accept Amex. The tiered structure rewards big spend, but acceptance and the £50 annual fee from year two are real considerations.

4. Funding Circle FlexiPay — Best for Pay-Later Flexibility

Reward rate: none (it's a credit line, not a cashback card) · Annual fee: £0 · Fees: per-transaction.

FlexiPay is a Mastercard credit line designed to spread payments over 1, 3, 6, 9, or 12 months for a flat fee. There's no cashback, but it's useful as a complement to a cashback card when you need to spread a large supplier payment.

5. Tide Card — Best for Sole Traders

Tide is technically a debit card, not a credit card, but it's the best option for sole traders who can't get Capital On Tap. There's no cashback, but Tide is free, easy to set up, and integrates with most accounting software.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Net return on £30,000 of annual UK + EUR/USD spend:

Capital On Tap: £300 cashback + £75 bonus = £375 net (year 1)
Barclaycard Select: £300 cashback − ~£60 in FX fees = £240 net
Amex Business Cashback: ~£350 cashback + £100 bonus − £0 (yr 1 fee waived) = £450 net (yr 1) but £400 net (yr 2)
Funding Circle FlexiPay: £0 (no cashback)

Verdict

For most UK limited companies under £40k of annual card spend, Capital On Tap with referral code 2REFY893A52 gives the best net return — £375 in year one with zero risk of an annual fee eating into the rewards.

Above £40k of spend with Amex-friendly suppliers, Amex Business Cashback edges ahead. Above £40k with diverse suppliers, hold both.

Frequently asked questions

Is 1% cashback a good rate for a UK business credit card?: Yes. 1% with no annual fee and no FX fees is the realistic top of the UK market for unlimited, uncapped cashback. Anything claiming higher rates usually has caps, category restrictions, or annual fees that erode the headline number.
Can a sole trader get a UK business cashback credit card?: Most cashback business cards (Capital On Tap, Barclaycard Select) are limited to LTDs and LLPs. Sole traders are usually limited to debit-card alternatives like Tide or Starling, or carefully-managed personal cashback cards.

Ready to apply?

Get £75 free with code 2REFY893A52

Read the full Capital On Tap promo code guide for eligibility, fees and approval times.

Apply with referral link →