Do any banks offer cards to businesses with no annual fee?

[mat8iou]

I'm looking for a business credit card (or charge card for that matter). It'd be paid off in full every month, so the rates aren't that relevant for me. I would however really like one that doesn't charge an annual fee. It appears that MBNA used to do a few, but from what I can see on their site now, these offers are no longer there. American Express do one, but in my experience (I have a personal AMEX card), there are lots of places that don't accept them, so you'd want another fallback card to deal with those instances.

Any suggestions?

[Wanderer]

I'm looking for a business credit card (or charge card for that matter).American Express do one, but are lots of places that don't accept them

Welcome!

I thought all banks do some sort of credit card, even for businesses. So who do you bank with, surely they offer a card? Do any of them charge a fee any more? Your best bet is to stick with your current bank otherwise you might have to wait 6 months to get a card.

As you say, don't bother with Amex because they are a waste of space except if you can get a personal Amex cashback card, charge the company expenses to that and claim them back from the company (keeping the cashback).

[pmeswani]

Welcome!

I thought all banks do some sort of credit card, even for businesses. So who do you bank with, surely they offer a card? Do any of them charge a fee any more? Your best bet is to stick with your current bank otherwise you might have to wait 6 months to get a card.

As you say, don't bother with Amex because they are a waste of space except if you can get a personal Amex cashback card, charge the company expenses to that and claim them back from the company (keeping the cashback).

Some do charge a fee, like HBOS, for example. I think HSBC do charge a fee as well. It's fairly standard to charge for a business credit card. I got rid of mine earlier this year. Didn't need it. I just pay for things out of my pocket and claim it back. I might ask for a debit card instead.

[mudskipper]

My Santander (Abbey) account came with a free debit card.

[Fred Bloggs]

My Santander (Abbey) account came with a free debit card.

Yes, and as it is a VISA card can be used for on line purchases like any other card. However, I must admit to using my personal credit card because I get air-miles on it which are very handy to have. I claim any expenditure back from my co monthly.

[kaiser78]

Yes, and as it is a VISA card can be used for on line purchases like any other card. However, I must admit to using my personal credit card because I get air-miles on it which are very handy to have. I claim any expenditure back from my co monthly.

Exactly what I do, except I get cashback not airmiles as this works out better.

[swamp]

Surely you'd struggle to get a business credit card? Finding someone to lend to your company is very hard to do. I thought you usually needed a director's guarantee.

[mat8iou]

Welcome!

I thought all banks do some sort of credit card, even for businesses. So who do you bank with, surely they offer a card? Do any of them charge a fee any more? Your best bet is to stick with your current bank otherwise you might have to wait 6 months to get a card.

As you say, don't bother with Amex because they are a waste of space except if you can get a personal Amex cashback card, charge the company expenses to that and claim them back from the company (keeping the cashback).

Thanks for the suggestions.

My current business account is with Cater Allen. They do offer a card - but looking at the details I have to have had an average balance of £5k for the last 6 months. I didn't sign up for a card when I got the account, as the company was too recently established at that point.

My main reason for wanting a card, is that I have various direct debit type payments that occur on a regular basis. The firms taking the won't use direct debit though - they'll only charge to a credit card. At the moment they are on my personal cards, but I'd like to move away from that so that the charges go straight to the business.

[VectraMan]

Barclays gave me a Business Barclaycard without me asking for it. They even sent me a letter thanking me for filling out a direct debit, which I didn't.

Many phone calls later, and I gave up trying to get to the bottom of why or if it was a fraud. They didn't seem very interested.

I've got the card, never used it, no charges. I was going to fork out for Visual Studio so I might try using the card and see what happens.

[BolshieBastard]

I'm looking for a business credit card (or charge card for that matter). It'd be paid off in full every month, so the rates aren't that relevant for me. I would however really like one that doesn't charge an annual fee. It appears that MBNA used to do a few, but from what I can see on their site now, these offers are no longer there. American Express do one, but in my experience (I have a personal AMEX card), there are lots of places that don't accept them, so you'd want another fallback card to deal with those instances.

Any suggestions?

Bank of America who trade under the name of MBNA in the UK have a scheme called campanion card for amex. Its really an amex account but if you go to use the Amex card and the establishment doesnt accept it, you use the 'companion.'

Im not sure if this applied to business cards, it deffo applied to personal cards so I'd be surprised if it didnt.