Business credit card fees explained: what each charge means
FLD is not a lender or a credit broker and does not arrange credit. This is general information, not advice to borrow. Any representative APR shown is an example, not a personal quote: the rate you are offered depends on your circumstances and may be higher.
Important: This guide provides general information, not personalised financial advice. Financial products, rates and eligibility rules can change, so check the provider’s current terms before applying. You can check a firm’s details on the FCA Register.
Quick answer
Business card costs come in two kinds: fixed fees (annual or per-card fees) and usage fees (cash withdrawals, foreign transactions, late payments and interest). The fixed fees are easy to spot; the usage fees are where costs creep up.
Our pick for low fixed fees: Barclaycard Select Cashback (£0 annual fee) or Capital on Tap’s free card (£0, with no FX or ATM fees). Our pick if you want to avoid foreign transaction fees: Capital on Tap.
Fees by type, with examples
| Fee type | What it is | Example (as of 3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual or account fee | A yearly charge for holding the card | Amex Business Gold: £0 in year one, then £195. Capital on Tap Pro: £299 |
| Per-card fee | A charge for each card on the account | NatWest: £30 a card (waived in year one; and from year two if you spend £6,000+) |
| Cash fee | A charge for using the card to get cash | Barclaycard Select Cashback: 3% (minimum £3) |
| Foreign transaction fee | A percentage added to spending in other currencies | Capital on Tap: no FX fees |
| Interest | Charged on balances not paid in full by the due date | NatWest: purchase rate 16.9% p.a. (variable) |
| Admin fees | Charges for things like statement copies | Barclaycard: £2 for a statement copy |
Figures as of 3 October 2026, taken from each provider’s own website. Rates, fees and eligibility change and depend on your circumstances — check the provider before applying.
Who it’s for
- Owners reviewing what their card actually costs each year
- Businesses adding employee cards and checking per-card fees
- Anyone using a card abroad or for cash
- Businesses deciding whether an annual fee earns its keep
Who should skip it
These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:
- You only want the headline APR — see the APR and fee comparison
- You want a full side-by-side table — see the comparison table
- You need help with existing card debt — speak to a free debt adviser
- You want tax treatment of card fees — ask your accountant
Full explanation
Fixed fees: is it worth paying?
An annual fee pays off only if the rewards or perks you’d actually use are worth more than the fee. Capital on Tap says its £299 Pro fee is covered by cashback alone at £23,920 of preloaded spend at 1.25%, or £29,900 of regular spend at 1%. Do that sum with your own figures.
Usage fees
Cash withdrawals, foreign spending and late payments are the fees most people don’t plan for. If you travel or pay overseas suppliers, a card without foreign transaction fees can save more than a cashback rate earns.
Interest is usually the biggest cost
Interest-free periods — up to 56 days on NatWest’s card, up to 42 days on Capital on Tap — only apply if you pay the full balance on time. See Business credit card APR and fee comparison for how rates compare.
More: Business fees FAQs, Business credit card comparison table and business credit cards explained.
The catch
Annual fees can come back. NatWest waives its £30 card fee in year one; from year two it applies unless you spend £6,000 or more that year.
Cash is expensive on a card. Barclaycard Select Cashback charges 3% (minimum £3) on cash, and interest may start straight away.
Points cards cost more to hold. American Express Business Gold is £195 a year after the first year; Capital on Tap Pro is £299 a year.
Work out what a balance would really cost you:
FAQs
Do all business credit cards have an annual fee?
No. Barclaycard Select Cashback and Capital on Tap’s free card have no annual fee. Rewards cards like American Express Business Gold do charge one after the first year.
What are per-card fees?
A charge for each card on the account, including employee cards. NatWest’s card is £30 a card, with waivers in year one and for higher spenders.
Do business cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Many do. Capital on Tap says it charges no FX fees. Check the terms of any card you use abroad.
Are business card fees tax deductible?
Card fees used wholly for business may be allowable expenses. Ask your accountant.
How do I avoid interest?
Pay the full statement balance by the due date every month.
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