Approval for any credit card will depend on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.
Compare business credit cards with no foreign transaction fee
Avoid punishing fees for foreign transactions with these business credit cards.

Updated
Compare business credit cards for spending abroad
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
- About business credit cards with no foreign fees
- Which UK business credit cards have no foreign transaction fees?
- What fees can you incur when using a business credit card abroad?
- What other features do I need to consider?
- How to choose the right business credit card for foreign usage
- How do I avoid foreign transaction fees?
- Frequently asked questions
About business credit cards with no foreign fees
Overseas business travel can get expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of currency conversion. Most company credit cards will charge currency-conversion fees of around 3% for spending in other countries, and some may also charge a higher interest rate on these transactions.
Thankfully, there are some business credit cards which help you to minimise these costs. If you’d like the flexibility and convenience of using a company credit card on overseas business trips, it’s a good idea to use one of these specialist cards.
Credit card jargon explained
- APR. The annual percentage rate (APR) is a benchmark of the annual cost of your card. As well as the interest, the APR also takes into account any compulsory fees or charges. However, providers only have to award the advertised APR to 51% of those who take out the credit card and the other 49% could get a higher rate. That’s why it’s often referred to as the representative APR.
- Fixed rate. A fixed-rate will not change for an agreed amount of time, even if market conditions mean that bank interest rates generally are increasing or decreasing. A fixed-rate can be a popular option for some borrowers, and it allows them to budget with more certainty.
- Foreign usage charge. This is normally a percentage fee charged on any purchases you make using your card outside the UK.
- Variable rate. A variable rate is the opposite of a fixed rate and can increase or decrease over time at the lender’s discretion. Typically, variations occur as market conditions generally shift – for example an increase or decrease in the Bank of England base rate.
Which UK business credit cards have no foreign transaction fees?
What fees can you incur when using a business credit card abroad?
- Foreign transaction fee (charged by your own bank). This is also sometimes referred to as a “load fee” or “loading fee”. You could be charged a foreign loading fee for every purchase you make overseas. This fee is usually charged as a percentage of the transaction (typically 2-3%). However, you can avoid these fees entirely by choosing one of the specialist overseas business credit cards listed above.
- Merchant currency conversion fee (charged by the merchant’s bank). Sometimes merchants will offer you the chance to pay in pounds instead of the local currency. In this situation, it will be the merchant’s bank (rather than your own) whose fee structure will apply. Often it will use the mid-market rate with a mark-up added on top. To avoid this, choose a decent travel credit card and then always choose to pay in the local currency. Cash machines may also offer this facility, in which case the same advice applies.
- Credit card surcharge (charged by the merchant). Credit card surcharges have been banned across the EU for personal Mastercards and Visa cards, but business credit card transactions could still incur a surcharge at the merchant’s discretion: ask before you pay.
- Cash advance fee (charged by your own bank). If you withdraw cash from an ATM, arrange cashback from a merchant or use your credit card to buy foreign currency, you’ll be charged a cash advance fee. This is often higher than the fees you’d pay back in the UK. You’ll also begin paying interest on these transactions immediately and on a daily basis, so it’s best to avoid doing this if possible.
- Cash machine fees (charged by the cash machine owner). Some ATM owners will charge you to withdraw cash, although this is becoming rarer across the globe.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some cards may charge a different interest rate and/or have a shorter grace period for non-sterling transactions.
What other features do I need to consider?
Free currency conversion is a huge bonus if you do a lot of spending abroad, but it’s not the only consideration. Here are some other things you should think about:
- Eligibility. Each card is likely to come with its own requirements, typically involving the number of years of trading, turnover or number of staff.
- Perks and rewards. Some business credit cards reward you for spending, perhaps via cashback or a rewards points scheme. Many specialist overseas credit cards offer air miles as a reward for spending.
- Interest rates. A lack of foreign loading fees might not count for much if your credit card has an uncompetitive interest rate, so check to see how this compares to other cards. To avoid interest charges completely, pay off your balance in full every month. However, if, like a lot of business owners, you’re planning to keep one card specifically for overseas use and another for your day-to-day spending in the UK, then the interest rate may not matter to you too much.
- Introductory bonuses. Some credit cards will offer you 0% interest on card transactions for an initial period after your account has been opened. This deal may or may not include overseas transactions. The interest rate will shoot up after this bonus period has ended, so you should aim to clear your balance before this point.
How to choose the right business credit card for foreign usage
- Work out what you want to get out of your credit card. Do you want the ability to earn rewards or cashback, or multiple cards for employees?
- Compare cards to find the one that best suits you.Look at things like APR, earn rates, and fees.
- Check you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific card you want.
- Apply for the card.
How do I avoid foreign transaction fees?
Do
- Use a specialist overseas card whenever you’re abroad.
- Pay off your balance in full to avoid interest charges.
- Let your bank know you’re heading abroad.
- Check the small print before you travel.
Don’t
- Pay in pounds, if offered the opportunity.
- Use your credit card to withdraw cash, unless it’s an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
- Most do, although some may only remove loading fees in certain regions (typically the EU). Check the terms before applying. We’ll always include this information in our reviews of business credit cards.
- Rates offered by foreign currency exchange bureaus can vary wildly, especially if you use airport bureaus where the rates are especially high. You’re more likely to get a fair exchange rate when paying with a specialist overseas credit card.
- Credit cards provide fraud protection via Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
- If your credit card is stolen, you can cancel it, reducing the risk of losing your money.
- You’ll be able to track employee spending (or your own) more easily by sticking to one method.
- There’s no risk of being charged conversion fees twice for converting unused foreign currency back to pounds.
The main disadvantage is that there’s no guarantee all retailers at your destination will accept credit card payments. For this reason, you should also carry some local currency in cash.
Chris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.
More guides on Finder
- 4 ways to go VIP with an Amex Business Card
With these tips, you could unlock a life of luxury with your everyday business spending. (Paid content)
- 5 tips to make everyday business spending more rewarding with BA and Amex
If you’re thinking of getting a British Airways American Express® Accelerating Business Card or you already have one, find out how to max your travel rewards. (Paid content.)
- Growing your business from pop-up to profit
Tips to help you grow your small business. (Paid content.)
- Payhawk Corporate Visa card review
Find out how the Payhawk Corporate Visa card works to see if it’s right for you and your business.
- Business credit card statistics
With over 500,000 business credit cards in the UK, we unpacked the latest statistics to find out more about their use.
- Basic business credit cards
Discover more about basic business credit cards and how they work.
- Funding Circle Business charge card review 2023
Funding Circle is making its debut into the business credit card market with its brand new charge card. Here’s what we know so far.
- How to turn business spending into pleasure using American Express Membership Rewards®
Treat yourself or your team by converting your day-to-day business expenses into days out or upgrades, using Membership Rewards® points.
- Moss Corporate Card review 2023
Berlin-based digital lender Moss launches its new business charge card in the UK. Here’s what we know so far.
- Does Capital One offer business credit cards?
Discover whether Capital One offers business credit cards in the UK with our helpful guide.