Corporate Credit Cards in the UK: A Practical Guide for Businesses

Managing employee spending can be complex, especially when relying on manual processes like receipts and expense sheets. Are corporate credit cards the most effective way for UK businesses to stay in control of company spending?

In this guide, we've broken down how corporate credit cards work, how they compare to small business cards, the types available, key UK providers, and alternative solutions to help streamline expense management.

We've also explained how Wise Business can support businesses with managing employee spending through flexible expense card solutions.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

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Key takeaways

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What is a corporate credit card?

Corporate credit cards are a type of credit card given to employees by business owners to incur business-related expenses. They are typically designed for larger organisations to manage business expenses in an efficient way.

Banks and other issuers provide them to the business entity, not the employees. They are generally issued to corporations with established creditworthiness¹. However, small businesses with solid revenue streams may also be eligible depending on the provider².

Corporate credit card vs small business credit card

The basic difference between small business and corporate credit cards is which party is responsible for payments, fees, and other charges. In a corporation, it is the company that bears the liability, whereas small business credit cards often require a personal guarantee from the business owner, meaning they may be personally liable².

How do corporate credit cards work?

Corporate credit cards work similarly to small-business credit cards in many aspects. Both cards can be used to make purchases and may offer features such as rewards or cashback, depending on the provider.

However, corporate cards are typically designed for larger organisations and often include features like spending controls, reporting tools, and expense tracking².

Many corporate cards are structured as charge cards, meaning the balance must be paid in full each billing cycle³.

They may also allow companies to track employee expenditure, set spending limits, and monitor transactions³.

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Types of corporate credit cards

There are two main types of corporate credit cards: individual liability and corporate liability.

Individual liability cards

With individual liability cards, employees are responsible for paying the bill and then seeking reimbursement.

This model allows businesses to issue cards while keeping financial responsibility with the employee, although it may increase administrative work due to reimbursement processes.

Corporate liability cards

With corporate liability cards, the company is responsible for repayment.

This allows businesses to:

• Track employee spending centrally
• Set limits and controls
• Reduce the need for reimbursement processes

Corporate cards can also be structured with full corporate liability or shared liability, depending on the provider³.

Main corporate credit cards issuers in the UK

Corporate credit cards in the UK often involve detailed applications, with providers reviewing company revenue, structure, and financial profile⁴.

Here are some key providers:

1. The American Express Business Gold Card⁵

• Type: Charge card
• Representative APR: 29.1% (variable)
• Fees: No annual fee for the first year, then £195/year⁵

2. Capital On Tap⁶

• Maximum credit: Up to £250,000
• Rates: From 13.86% APR (variable)
• Fees: No annual fee⁶

3. Metro Bank Business credit card⁷

• Representative APR: 18.9% APR
• Fees: No annual fee
• Additional: Metro Bank currently states that it does not charge fees for card use in most European countries⁷

4. Barclaycard Select Cashback credit card⁸

• Representative APR: 25.5% APR (variable)
• Fees: No annual fee⁸

Fees and features may vary and should be checked on the provider’s website before applying.

How to request a business credit card in the UK?

The process for requesting a business or corporate credit card can vary depending on the provider.

Some providers may require:

• Business and personal details
• Financial information
• Company structure and revenue

For example, providers currently require details such as company revenue, ownership structure, and financial history as part of the application process⁴.

Corporate card applications may also involve speaking to a specialist or applying via phone rather than fully online³.

How to manage corporate credit card expenses?

Using corporate cards effectively typically requires clear processes.

Best practices include:

• Setting spending limits
• Tracking transactions
• Using expense management tools
• Maintaining accurate records

Without appropriate controls, businesses may face risks such as mismanagement or fraud.

Business credit card policy

A business credit card policy defines how cards can be used and helps ensure compliance.

For tax purposes, HMRC currently requires employers to report taxable expenses or benefits provided to employees⁹. This includes reporting and paying any associated tax and National Insurance where applicable.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited, its subsidiaries or affiliates. It should not be treated as advice from, or a communication with, HMRC, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining business advice from a tax advisor or any other professional.

Other business cards options

Alternatives include:

• Debit cards
• Prepaid cards
• Purchase cards (P-cards)

These may suit businesses that prefer not to use credit.

Considering an alternative to corporate credit cards in the UK?

Wise Business Expense Cards (available on the Advanced plan) are designed for tracking employee expenses and managing spending.

They allow businesses to:

• Issue physical and virtual cards to employees
• Set individual spending limits and permissions
• Track transactions in real time from a central dashboard
• Approve or restrict payments instantly

Unlike traditional corporate credit cards, Wise Business expense cards are debit-based, meaning spending comes directly from your business account rather than a credit line. This can help businesses avoid debt accumulation while maintaining control over cash flow.

You can also:

• Order employee cards for a £3 one-time fee per card
• Give team members controlled access to your account with customised roles
• Monitor all spending across teams in one place
• Receive instant notifications for every transaction

Wise Business expense cards also integrate with accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks, helping automate reconciliation and reduce manual admin. Employees can also upload receipts directly after making purchases, simplifying bookkeeping workflows.

And because the cards are linked to a multi-currency account, businesses can:

• Spend in 40+ currencies
• Avoid foreign transaction fees when spending in a currency you already hold
• Convert currencies using the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees

Additional features include:

• 0.5% cashback on eligible card transactions in the UK
• The ability to freeze or unfreeze cards instantly
• Real-time visibility of team spending across locations

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*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Streamline Your Business Spending with Wise

Managing employee expenses across teams and borders can become complex without the right tools.

Wise Business gives you the ability to issue employee cards, set spending limits, and track transactions from one place.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://payout-surge.live/gb/interest/%3C/a%3E to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

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*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Sources:

1. What is creditworthiness?
2. Small business vs corporate credit cards
3. Compare business and corporate credit cards
4. Apply for business credit cards
5. American Express Business Gold Card
6. Capital On Tap Business Credit Cards
7. Metro Bank Business Credit Card
8. Barclaycard Select Cashback credit card
9. Reporting expenses and benefits for employers

Sources last checked on 24 April 2026