RBS business credit cards: cashback, features and alternatives

As one of the major high street banks, Royal Bank of Scotland can feel like a solid choice for a business credit card, especially if you already bank with them. Today, they offer two credit cards for businesses, with a range of features that can support your growth.

Here we’ll go over card RBS offers, how they work, what credit options sit alongside them and when a more flexible business credit card might suit you better.

All product details below are taken from the Business Plus credit card page and the Business credit card page on the Royal Bank of Scotland website, and were correct as of August 2026. Rates, fees and terms can change and vary by circumstances, so it's worth confirming the latest details directly with Royal Bank of Scotland before applying.

What does RBS offer for businesses?

The Business credit card

For businesses with turnover up to £2m. It pays 1% cashback at eligible fuel and electric vehicle charging stations, and nothing on other spend. 

The annual fee is £30 per cardholder, waived in the first year and again from the second year onwards in any year you spend £6,000 or more. Representative APR 24.3% (variable), on a purchase rate of 16.9% p.a. (variable) and an assumed credit limit of £1,200.

The Business Plus credit card

For businesses with turnover under £6.5m. This is the cashback product, and the one most small businesses land on. It pays tiered cashback across four categories, charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad, and carries a £70 annual fee per cardholder that isn’t waived.

Representative APR 29% (variable), on a purchase rate of 13.9% p.a. (variable) and thesame £1,200 assumed limit. The gap between the two is the annual fee, which the APR calculation includes. 

Both run on Mastercard, set a minimum credit limit of £500 with the maximum subject to status, and give up to 56 days interest-free credit when you clear the balance in full and on time.

Key features

Cashback by category

On Business Plus, cashback runs in four tiers: 3% at eligible fuel and electric vehicle charging stations, 2% on eligible trade and business supplies, 1% on eligible travel and accommodation, and 0.5% on everything else. The Business credit card pays one rate on one category. 

Eligibility is set by merchant category rather than what you bought, so the tier depends on how a retailer is classified. 

The cap matters more than the rates. Cashback is limited to £600 a year per account, not per card. Royal Bank of Scotland states that a business holding 2 cards still has a £600 maximum. It’s paid monthly. 

Royal Bank of Scotland also notes that cashback on business purchases may count as taxable business income. That’s one for you to discuss with your accountant.

The annual fee per cardholder

Both fees are charged per cardholder, not per account. That’s worth focusing on, because the Business Plus cashback cap works the other way round: £600 a year across the whole account, however many cards you hold. Issue 4 cards and you’re paying £280 in fees against a single £600 ceiling. 

Royal Bank of Scotland is explicit that startup customers don’t get a first year free on Business Plus, and points them to the Business credit card instead. Fees and rates vary between providers and customers, so check the current published terms.

The account requirement

You need a business bank account with Royal Bank of Scotland in the same legal entity name. If you bank elsewhere, a card only becomes available after you open an account, a larger decision than choosing a card. Applications include a soft credit check that they say won’t affect your credit score.

Eligibility and who it suits

Beyond the account requirement, you need to be a UK resident aged 18 or over and a director of the business, with a UK registered address and UK tax registration. You cannot have been declared bankrupt or received a County Court Judgment or Court Decree. Both cards are subject to status.

Business Plus suits a business already banking with Royal Bank of Scotland that spends heavily in the boosted categories, particularly fuel, EV charging and trade supplies, and enough to clear the £70 fee without hitting the £600 cap early. The Business credit card suits a smaller customer wanting a lower fee who doesn’t need cashback beyond fuel.

Neither suits you if you bank elsewhere and don’t want to move, if your spending is spread evenly rather than concentrated, or if you want several cards without sharing one cap across them.

How it compares

High street banks that issue cards tend to tie them to a current account with the same bank, so you get one banking relationship and one view of your finances, and take on the account alongside the card. 

Other companies like Funding Circle issue cards without asking you to move your banking. 

It’s up to you which suits you best. Category cashback rewards concentrated spending, flat-rate rewards total spending. When you compare, line up the representative APR, the annual fee and whether it’s per card or per account, the cashback rates and any cap, the interest-free period, and foreign transaction charges.

Funding Circle Cashback Card

The Funding Circle Cashback business credit card pays one rate across everything you buy, with no need to switch your business banking.

• 2% cashback on all card purchases for the first 6 months, then 1% uncapped cashback after that. The 2% applies for the first 6 months or up to £2,000, whichever comes first

• Cashback credited to your balance automatically each month

• Up to 42 days interest-free credit when you clear your balance in full

• No annual fee and no foreign exchange fees

• Credit limits up to £250,000

• Free unlimited Company Cashback cards for your team

• Secure sync with Sage, Xero or FreeAgent

Funding Circle works with incorporated UK businesses trading for at least a year with turnover of £30,000 or more. 

For costs larger than a card comfortably handles, FlexiPay from Funding Circle is a flexible credit line for virtually any business cost, paid upfront by card or cash transfer and spread over 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months for a simple flat fee from 1.99% per use. 

Frequently asked questions

Does the RBS business card offer cashback?

Yes. The Business Plus credit card pays 3% at eligible fuel and EV charging stations, 2% on eligible trade and business supplies, 1% on eligible travel and accommodation, and 0.5% on everything else, capped at £600 a year per account. The Business credit card pays 1% at eligible fuel and EV charging stations.

Does RBS charge an annual fee for business credit cards?

Yes. The Business Plus credit card charges £70 per cardholder per year, and it isn't waived. The Business credit card charges £30 per cardholder, waived in the first year and again from the second year onwards in any year you spend £6,000 or more.

Do I need an RBS business account to get a credit card?

Yes. Both cards require a business bank account with Royal Bank of Scotland in the same legal entity name, and they state the cards are only available to existing business customers. If you bank elsewhere, you would need to open an account first.

Disclaimer

02/08/26 – While we want to help as much as we can, the information found here is provided solely for informational purposes and should not be considered financial, legal or tax advice. To the extent permitted by law, Funding Circle does not accept any liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained here. All information is correct at time of publishing, and customers should do their own research before making financial decisions. If you have any questions, please speak to your professional adviser or seek independent legal advice.