Business credit cards with cashback: how the 1% really adds up
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
Three mainstream UK business cards pay cashback: Barclaycard Select Cashback (1% in months you spend £2,000 or more), Capital on Tap (1% on all card spending, companies only) and NatWest (1% at fuel and EV charging).
Our pick for flat cashback on everything with no spending threshold: Capital on Tap, if you’re a limited company. Our pick for sole traders and others who spend £2,000+ a month: check Barclaycard Select Cashback.
Cashback cards compared
| Card | Cashback | Annual fee | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital on Tap | 1% cashback on card spending (Pro: 1.25% on preloaded spend) | Free card: £0. Pro: £299 a year | Directors or 25%+ shareholders of a UK Ltd, LLP or PLC; not sole traders |
| Barclaycard Select Cashback | 1% uncapped cashback in statement months you spend £2,000 or more | £0 annual fee | Subject to Barclaycard’s checks; minimum limit £1,000 |
| NatWest Business Credit Card | 1% cashback at eligible fuel and EV charging | £30 a card; waived in year one, and from year two if you spend £6,000+ a year | NatWest business account holders (same legal entity), turnover up to £2m |
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
- Businesses that clear their card in full every month
- Companies with steady monthly card spending
- Businesses with high fuel or EV charging costs
- Owners who prefer simple cash rewards over points
Who should skip it
These are general points to weigh up, not advice. You may want to look elsewhere if:
- You might carry a balance — interest wipes out 1% fast
- Your card spending is under £2,000 a month and you’re looking at Barclaycard
- You’re a sole trader looking at Capital on Tap
- You’d use points for travel and value them above cash
Full explanation
The maths
At 1%, £3,000 a month of card spending earns £30 a month, or £360 a year. On Barclaycard, a month with £1,900 of spending earns nothing. One month of interest on a carried balance can cancel out several months of cashback — the Credit card repayment calculator shows the effect.
Cashback versus fee-paying cards
Capital on Tap Pro costs £299 a year and pays 1.25% on preloaded spend. Capital on Tap says the fee is covered by cashback alone at £23,920 of preloaded spend. If your spending is lower, the free card may leave you better off.
Personal cashback cards
If you’re comparing with personal cards, see cashback credit cards — but keep business and personal spending separate.
More: Business credit cards with rewards, Business accounts with cashback and Business credit card fees explained.
The catch
Thresholds: Barclaycard pays nothing in a statement month where you spend under £2,000.
Eligibility: Capital on Tap is only for Ltd, LLP and PLC companies.
Narrow categories: NatWest’s 1% applies only at eligible fuel and EV charging providers.
Check a cashback card’s current terms:
These go straight to each provider’s own website. They aren’t referral links and we don’t earn from them.
FAQs
Which business credit card pays the most cashback?
As of 3 October 2026, the mainstream cards we checked pay 1%. Capital on Tap Pro pays 1.25% on preloaded spend for a £299 annual fee.
Do I have to spend a minimum to get cashback?
On Barclaycard Select Cashback, yes — £2,000 in a statement month. Capital on Tap has no stated minimum.
Is business cashback taxable?
It depends on how it’s treated in your accounts. Ask your accountant.
Can sole traders get cashback business cards?
Not Capital on Tap. Check Barclaycard and bank cards like NatWest’s, which is for NatWest business account holders.
Is cashback worth it if I carry a balance?
Usually not. Interest typically costs far more than 1% cashback earns.
How does a business cashback credit card work?
A business cashback credit card pays back a percentage of eligible business spending, sometimes with a fee, a cap or a minimum spend. It only adds up if you clear the balance each month, because interest usually outweighs the cashback. See business credit card fees explained.
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