Best Avios Business Credit Cards

As a business owner, have you ever wondered how you can reduce the cost of travel? If you are a frequent traveller or need to do business overseas, this question might be on your mind.

There are many expenses to account for, including hotel costs and flights, which can gradually build up with each journey you take.

There is one way you can save on the cost of flights, hotels, and many more expenses as a business owner: Avios business credit cards might be the solution you need. If you have looked into credit cards for businesses with Avios rewards, you will see that there are a select few on the market. These credit cards each have different features.

In today's article, we will examine the six best Avios business credit cards and their advantages and disadvantages to ensure you pick the best one.

What Are Avios Business Credit Cards?

Avios business credit cards are handy options enabling you to accumulate Avios points you earn for each business expense.

These points are a kind of redeemable reward currency that helps you make savings for your business. Some expenses you may use the points for include hotel stays, flights, vehicle rentals, shopping vouchers, and other travel rewards.

An Avios company credit card is different from many personal credit cards. For example, the rewards structure is different from those offered by a personal credit card, as are their specific features. According to Forbes, 88.61% of new business owners had at least three business cards, and many of these offer flight rewards.

How Does an Avios Business Credit Card Work?

Avios business credit cards work by allowing you to receive points when you use the card for specific purchases, and you can build points in multiple ways.

For example, you may spend money on retailers or flights with airlines that are partnered with your Avios business credit card. 

In most circumstances, you will earn one point per pound you spend with partnered retailers; however, each card is different, so you may earn more depending on the provider. If you collect or spend a minimum of one point every 36 months, the points will not expire.

You can join Avios by selecting a partner airline club. The card issuer will then provide you with a credit card and number, which you provide to each retailer when you make a purchase.

Which Features Should You Consider When Choosing an Avios Business Credit Card?

Although there are not many business credit cards with Avios features, it is still worth reviewing the specific features of these cards before you select one. By looking at the following features, you can find the card that aligns best with your spending habits. Here are some features to consider.

• Required annual fee: Make sure you consider the required annual fee for your business credit card with Avios features. Consider whether you can afford this expense and whether the ratio of points to expense is worth it for your business.
• Transaction fees abroad: Some credit cards for businesses with Avios reward features have lower transaction fees when you use them abroad. Some do not have any foreign transaction fees. Consider each card's foreign exchange fees before deciding on your credit card, and weigh this against how frequently you travel abroad.
• Flexibility of Avios credit cards for businesses: You will find that some Avios credit cards for businesses are more flexible in their scope. For instance, you can convert 300 Avios points to 400 Nectar points to redeem in other ways, allowing you to spend your points on other expenses.
• Additional perks and advantages: When you compare Avios business credit cards, you will notice that a few provide additional perks and advantages. Some perks you may look forward to include travel insurance and the option to gain access to airport lounges.
• Bonuses for referrals: You may also consider whether your credit card with Avios reward features offers referral bonuses. This added incentive means that you can earn Avios points when you refer another business to your business credit card provider.

Avios Business Credit Cards Pros and Cons

Before we get to our list of the best Avios business credit cards for businesses, we have explored the essential advantages and disadvantages of this business credit card type.

Here are the pros and cons to consider and look for.

Pros

✔️ Various rewards available — From reward flights and wine to airport lounge access and hotel stays, various rewards are available when you spend money using your business credit cards with Avios Point features.

✔️ Receive additional cards — With credit cards for businesses with Avios rewards, you can receive additional cards for each of your colleagues. Each colleague can also set up an individual account to build Avios points.

✔️ Introductory bonus — In some cases, if you join Avios at the correct time, you can benefit from an introductory bonus, which the providers of most business credit cards that are well known think of as incentives. The bonus means earning bonus points early in your membership.

Cons

❌️ You cannot accumulate points in one account with every provider — While it's possible for each colleague to build Avios points in a separate account, you cannot collectively build them in one account for every provider. It's worth checking if this is possible before you select Avios business credit cards.

❌️ High annual fees — You can expect to pay high annual fees with credit cards with Avios features for businesses, so it's worth comparing each option to find the one with the most favourable fees.

❌️ High borrowing fees — If you need to borrow money using a business credit card with Avios features, this can also come with high fees. For this reason, it's crucial to pay your entire balance each month.

Best Avios Business Credit Cards — Reviews

To explore the best Avios business credit cards, continue reading.

This section contains the best six options, including their advantages and disadvantages.

1. American Express Business Gold Card

American Express Business Gold Card

Credit Limit

None

Representative % APR (variable)

None

• Annual fee £175 (£0 in the first year).
• Membership Rewards® points.
• Up to 99 complimentary Employee Cards.

Check my eligibility See more details

Turn business purchases into rewards and keep your cashflow flowing.

There are a couple of perks to take advantage of with this American Express Business Gold card. It makes this list for its suitability for small business owners.

Not only can your small business receive 20,000 membership rewards points when you spend £3,000 upon signing up, but you can also skip annual fees for the initial 12 months. After the 12 months, your business must pay £175 each year.

With this business credit card with flight points, you can earn two points on American Express travel for every £1 you spend. It is also possible to earn one point for your purchases for every £1 you spend. These rules also apply to your employees' cards when they use them for employee expenses.

Other perks with the American Express Business Gold credit card include earning 10,000 points on purchases when you spend £20,000 each quarter and referral bonus points. Specifically, if you refer a business to use this business credit card with flight rewards, you can earn up to 9,000 points for each (which caps at 90,000 points per year).

With the American Express Business Gold's annual £500 discounts, saving your pounds is easier. These discounts apply to selected retailers, including Airbnb, Amazon and British Airways.

Moreover, your business can receive purchase protection on goods with this credit card provider. American Express will cover faulty items' replacement or repair costs (up to £2,500 per item).

The American Express Business Gold card also comes with an app, which you can use to upload, scan, and monitor expenses in a streamlined way. If you need to sync your accounting software with the app, this is also possible, which is why this is one of the best business credit card options.

Advantages of American Express Business Gold Card

✔️ This business credit card provider offers an app to upload and scan expenses.

✔️ Repair and replacement costs apply to faulty goods with this provider.

Disadvantages of American Express Business Gold Card

❌️ An annual fee of £175 applies after one year.

2. American Express Business Platinum Card

American Express Business Platinum Card

Credit Limit

None

Representative % APR (variable)

None

• Annual fee £650.
• Membership Rewards® points.
• Business Premium Services.

Check my eligibility See more details

Enjoy a world of premium business benefits.

This credit card for businesses is ideal for business travellers with high expenses. Each £1 your business spends with the American Express Business Platinum card earns one point towards rewards such as airport lounges. In fact, after saving your points, you can access more than 1,200 lounges in more than 130 countries.

You can earn 40,000 points as a sign-up bonus when you spend £6,000 within your first three months of card membership. Your business must pay this credit card's annual fee is £650 a year.

You will receive two times as many reward points when you make purchases costing more than £10,000 a month as a double points incentive. But what makes this option one of the best business credit cards with flight rewards is the annual travel credit reward of £200 when you make purchases with the card at American Express Travel.

If you use your business credit card to pay for a hotel booking, you can access a few complimentary perks, including room upgrades plus early check-in and late check-out options.

An additional benefit of the American Express Business Platinum credit card is its travel insurance option. You can receive cover for up to 120 days on a business trip.

Advantages of American Express Business Platinum Card

✔️ This business credit card provider offers an app to upload and scan expenses.

✔️ Double points incentive applies when you spend more than £10,000 in a month.

Disadvantages of American Express Business Platinum Card

❌️ This provider expects high annual fees of £650.

3. Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

Credit Limit

Up to £250,000

Representative % APR (variable)

As low as 15.5% APR

• Earn Avios points on every purchase.
• Uncapped 1% cashback on all spend.
• Exclusive offers like savings at Hertz, Zoom, Superscript, and more.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – Your APR and credit limit vary depending on your circumstances.

An interest-free period of 42 days applies to the Capital On Tap Avios credit card for businesses. What this means is you have a 42-day period in which you can make purchases, during which Capital On Tap will not charge you interest if you successfully make your next repayment in full by the due date.

You will not have an annual fee with Capital On Tap if you select the Free Rewards option. However, you must pay £99 in annual fees to receive Avios rewards. For this latter option, you can get 10,000 bonus points as a sign-up bonus when you spend £5,000 in the initial three months.

Capital On Tap will offer a £250,000 credit limit as you grow your business. They will also offer you plenty of advantages. For example, as you spend using the card, you can earn reward points redeemable for gift cards, cashback, and many other perks.

With this card provider, you can receive multiple free cards, as many as you require, for your employees. Using accounting software with your Capital On Tap business credit card is also possible. Some examples of accounting software compatible with this credit card include Xero and FreeAgent, making it possible to sync payments.

Capital On Tap is available after a seamless application experience. Their less strict eligibility criteria for businesses mean you have a greater chance of being accepted when you apply for a business credit card from this provider.

Advantages of Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

✔️ This credit card provider offers a generous sign-up bonus.

✔️ Capital On Tap offers an interest-free period of 42 days.

Disadvantages of Capital on Tap Business Credit Card

❌️ High-interest rates apply to cash withdrawals.

4. Barclaycard Premium Plus Business Credit Card

Barclaycard Premium Plus Business Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £1,000

Representative % APR (variable)

56.8% APR

• Up to 56 days’ interest-free credit when you pay in full and on time.
• £150 annual fee.
• 0.5% cashback on all eligible spend, up to £400 per year.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 20.2% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 56.8% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

What you can expect with the Barclaycard Premium Plus Business credit card are annual fees of £150. Barclaycard Premium Plus Business Credit card also offers business owners an interest-free period. The period lasts 56 days and applies when you make repayments on time. There are several other advantages to consider with this provider.

When you choose this card, you can save on business-related foreign exchange fees — specifically, 2% when you make a transaction with a merchant overseas. You can also receive cashback on all eligible business spending and gain access to travel insurance options.

With this provider, you can also receive specific reward flight-saver benefits, including airport lounge perks when you use your Premium Plus as a priority pass. Two of your visits to airport lounges will cost you nothing when you select this business credit card.

The Barclaycard Premium Plus Business credit card offers several cards for your employees, which you can manage using the MyControls feature. You can also use the account safe with the knowledge that Barclaycard will monitor your account and check for suspicious activity. They will notify you instantly if any abnormal account activity takes place.

In terms of their representative example, Barclaycard states that for a credit limit of £1,200, the annual percentage rate is 56.8%, meaning that in relation to the money you borrow for your business over one year, the rate you pay back is 56.8% if you carry a balance on your card.

Advantages of Barclaycard Premium Plus Business Credit Card

✔️ This credit card provider offers a 56-day interest-free period.

✔️ You can save on business-related foreign exchange fees with this provider.

Disadvantages of Barclaycard Premium Plus Business Credit Card

❌️ This card does not offer a bonus for signing up.

5. British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card

British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card

Credit Limit

Variable

Representative % APR (variable)

Variable APR

• Get up to 56 days without interest on purchases.
• Earn benefits from your business purchases.
• Up to 20 complimentary Employee Cards.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – Your APR and credit limit vary depending on your circumstances.

The British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card will offer you 1.5 points for every £1 you spend with your card. You can also get 10,000 extra Avios points as a bonus when you spend £20,000 three times during the year and earn double points for each pound when you spend your money on eligible British Airways flights.

Another advantage of this business credit card is the chance to get 56 days for an interest-free period when you repay your balance on time and in full.

You can receive 20 cards for your employees with the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business credit card, and you can consolidate all expenses in one account.

You can spend Avios points you earn as a business from this provider on eligible British Airways bookings. Examples of how you can spend your points include arranging reward flights and more through British Airways and a couple of other eligible airlines such as Iberia and American Airlines.

Additional features are available with the British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card. You can receive travel accident benefits of up to £250,000 if you travel by public transport to take part in a business trip. It's possible to receive £200 in terms of cover if you miss your connecting flight or experience delays.

The On Business British Airways Loyalty Programme also applies, meaning you can upgrade flights 24 hours before your first flight departs. You won't receive cancellation fees and can save money more easily.

Advantages of British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card

✔️ This provider offers a 56-day interest-free period.

✔️ You can receive travel accident benefits of up to £250,000.

Disadvantages of British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card

❌️ Foreign exchange transaction fees apply.

6. RBS Business Plus Credit Card

RBS Business Plus Credit Card

Credit Limit

Min. £500

Representative % APR (variable)

29% APR

• Up to 56 days interest-free credit period on purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad.
• £70 annual fee per cardholder.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 13.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 29% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

RBS Business Plus credit card is not strictly an Avios credit card, but it makes this list for its fee-free overseas feature and travel perks. You can use this credit card abroad in many locations and avoid being charged fees.

This feature means you will not receive non-sterling transaction fees when you travel or make purchases abroad, making it the ideal option if your employees need to travel frequently to offshore locations.

A couple of the RBS Business Plus credit card's features include that you can also earn 3% cashback on eligible fuel and travel arrangements, which includes airline cashback, vehicle rental hire and rail travel and receive an interest-free period of 56 days when you pay your balance in full.

The annual fee for the RBS Business Plus Credit card is £70 for each card. In their representative example, RBS states that for a credit limit of £1,200, the APR is 29%, and the purchase rate is 13.9%.

Advantages of RBS Business Plus Credit Card

✔️ Airline cashback perks apply to this business credit card.

✔️ No non-sterling transaction fees apply to purchases abroad.

Disadvantages of RBS Business Plus Credit Card

❌️ Annual fees apply to this card.

Best Avios Business Credit Cards: The Verdict

Avios business credit cards are the perfect solution if your employees need to travel abroad for business purposes. Selecting the right option will require you to reflect on your business's needs and align them to the credit card you're looking for.

However, by checking this list, you will automatically find some of the optimum options to receive travel perks, and Avios points to go towards your business trips.

Some of the best options include British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card and Capital On Tap. Still, remember to research the range of cards before you decide on one for your business and employees.

Related Guides:

• Best Business Credit Cards
• Best Business Savings Accounts
• Best Discount Fuel Cards