Best Rewards and Cashback Credit Cards UK: Expert Review

If you commit to paying off your balance every month, a credit card can be an effective way to earn as you spend. From air miles and hotel vouchers to cashback and discounts on grocery shopping, many of the best credit card deals offer a range of incentives for customers.

But given the competition, knowing which credit card provider to go for can be a little daunting. The good news is that we've scoured the market and selected our top picks based on a range of preferences.

So whether you're a frequent flyer or simply looking to make savings on your weekly shop, read our guide to discover the best rewards and cashback credit cards in the UK in 2025.

Below you’ll find our top picks for the best rewards credit cards in the UK, allowing you to compare and select based on which meets your lifestyle and needs.

Our expert score: 4.7

Pros

Cons

At the time of writing, Amex offers a mighty 5% cashback on your purchases for the first 5 months of membership. You’ll be allowed to rack up £125 cashback during this welcome period, which will revert to 0.5% cashback on spending up to £10,000. Spending over £10,000 will earn 1% cashback.

Note that there’s a minimum spend of £3,000 per year to qualify for the full reward terms. There's no limit on how much cashback you can earn in a year, and there's a £20 bonus for every friend you refer. Membership also includes Amex's 24/7 Global Assist service and up to £150,000 cover on Travel Accident Insurance for purchases made with your card.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Amex’s whopping 5% cashback is, by some margin, the best cashback credit card on the market. Even when it reverts to 0.5%-1% after the first five months, this beats the standard 0.25% cashback offered by most other cards. And unlike other Amex cards, there’s no annual fee, making it the best fee-free credit card.

Our expert score: 4.5

Pros

Cons

The Amazon Barclaycard offers a £20 Amazon gift card as a welcome offer—one of several incentives targeted at those who do the majority of their shopping online. You'll earn 1% rewards for every Amazon shop and 0.5% for all other purchases made with this card. Prime members can enjoy 2% rewards during Amazon shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday.

Unsurprisingly, the account is designed to be managed online through the Barclaycard app. There are no fees, and there's 0% interest on all purchases for the first 6 months after opening your account.

Note that although it doesn’t need to be your first credit card with Barclaycard, only customers without an existing account will be able to apply.

Why buy? Expert verdict

This rewards card offers a straightforward benefit: for every £5 you earn in rewards, you get a £5 Amazon gift card. You can either add this to your Amazon account straight away (it takes just 2 hours) or opt to accumulate your rewards over time.

Our expert score: 4.4

Pros

Cons

Avios points are a travel rewards currency used by several airline loyalty schemes, which can be redeemed to purchase flights, hotels, and car rentals. The Barclaycard Avios Plus card offers a generous 25,000 Avios points for customers who spend £3,000 on the card in the first 3 months. You’ll also enjoy 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent.

There’s a £20 monthly fee, but regular flyers will find their rewards outweigh the cost. If you spend £10,000 on the card within a year, you’ll be able to choose between a British Airways cabin upgrade or 7,000 bonus points. Members also get access to over 1,000 airport lounges for a discount rate of £20.50.

There’s also the option of paying an additional £12 per month to activate Avios Rewards. For this, you’ll get an extra 1,500 Avios points every month, anniversary cabin upgrades, and airport lounge membership.

Why buy? Expert verdict

If you’re a regular jet-setter, this card’s generous 1.5 Avios rate means you’ll be able to rack up frequent flyer points. At £240 per year, it is also £60 cheaper than the British Airways equivalent card, making it, in our view, the best airline rewards credit card around.

Our expert score: 4.3

Pros

Cons

You'll pay £195 per year for the use of this card, but regular travellers should make up the costs given the generous reward terms on offer. For a start, you'll earn 20,000 points if you spend over £3,000 in your first 3 months.

You'll get 1 point for every £1 spent, 2 points if you book directly with an airline, or 3 points if you buy directly from American Express Travel.

The points can be used with various retailers, air miles loyalty programmes including British Airways and Emirates, or towards PayPal purchases.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Customers can also enjoy 4 complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits every year. It makes this the best travel credit card for those looking to pay for and earn from their next summer holiday.

✍️ Have you used the Amex Preferred Rewards Gold card? Share a rating and review for Amex on Review Centre, and check out what others have to say.

Our expert score: 4.1

Pros

Cons

There are no fees to use this Tesco credit card, which is offered in 6 varieties depending on your priorities, including balance transfer, low APR, and purchases. Each version of the card offers the same rewards rates—5 Clubcard points for every £4 spent in Tesco. You'll get 1 point for every £8 spent elsewhere.

If there's a Tesco garage nearby, you can also earn money by filling up your car, with a point for every £4 spent on Tesco fuel.

For every 100 points accumulated, you'll earn £1 in vouchers, which can be redeemed with over 100 Tesco reward partners. This includes easyJet holidays, Disney+ streaming subscriptions, theme parks, restaurants, and railcards. The link-up with Eurocamp, Hotels.com, and Hoseasons puts it among the best hotel rewards credit cards, too.

Why buy? Expert verdict

If you shop at Tesco—the UK's biggest supermarket chain—this is the best points-based credit card available. However, if you prefer to shop at Sainsbury's or M&S, their competitive credit card options may prove a better fit.

✍️ Have you used the Tesco Clubcard credit card? Share a rating and review for Tesco on Review Centre, and check out what others have to say.

The best rewards credit cards come in a variety of options, allowing customers to tailor their choice to their spending habits.

Cashback credit cards

These credit cards offer a percentage of your spending back as credit, typically between 0.5% and 5%. Some cards offer higher rates on specific expenditures, such as utility bills, grocery shopping, or fuel. Methods differ between providers, but cashback is usually redeemed as credit on your statement or transferred to your chosen bank account.

Travel credit cards

The best travel rewards credit cards allow customers to accumulate loyalty points for savings towards flights, hotels, car rentals, or other holiday purchases. They’re tailored to frequent travellers and tend to be affiliated with specific airlines or hotel chains. Perks include cabin upgrades, airport lounge access, and travel insurance deals.

Retail credit cards

Typically associated with high-profile retail brands, these credit cards reward customers for shopping at an associated retailer. This includes the Tesco Clubcard credit card, the Sainsbury’s Nectar credit card, and the M&S credit card, each of which allows you to earn points that can be redeemed for store discounts. Some retail cards also include vouchers that can be used at partner businesses, such as restaurants and hotels.

Points-based credit cards

These credit cards offer customers more flexibility, with transferable points that can be redeemed in a multitude of ways. This includes hotel and restaurant discounts, retail vouchers, or statement credits.

Given the range of rewards credit cards out there, selecting the best one can be tricky. To make things a little easier, consider the following factors:

Rewards and cashback credit cards offer incentives for spending, allowing you to earn points, air miles, or cashback. But who can apply, and how easy is it to open an account? Here’s what you need to know.

Credit card eligibility

In the UK, eligibility for a credit card depends on a number of factors. Typically, you must be at least 18 years old, though some providers may restrict their services to those over 21. You must also be a UK resident. In most cases, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate proof of a regular and stable source of income.

Chances of approval

Banks will consider several factors when it comes to your application. They'll want to know your employment status, outgoings, existing debt, and banking history. They'll also run a credit check. Applicants with a high credit score will have a better chance of approval.

How to open an account

In most cases, you'll be able to apply for a credit card online. Application processes vary by provider, but completing your submission usually takes 15-30 minutes. If your application is successful, the credit card provider will send your new card in the post. Your account activation and online login details will be sent separately, after which you’ll be able to use your card.

Using your credit card

Once your credit card has arrived, you'll be able to use it to make purchases online or on the high street. You'll receive a monthly statement summarising your activity with detailed payment options. Setting up a direct debit with your bank account is advised to ensure you pay on time and in full. The statement will also list any rewards you've earned that month.

In the UK, several major financial institutions offer industry-leading rewards and cashback credit cards. American Express is among the most high-profile names on the market, and its cashback and loyalty points credit cards are some of the most lucrative. However, Amex isn't as widely accepted as other top UK cards, which include Barclaycard, Santander, NatWest, HSBC, Virgin, and Lloyds.

Retail brands are also popular when it comes to rewarding credit cards. The likes of Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, and Amazon all offer their own competitive credit cards.

When comparing the top rewards credit cards, consider the following before deciding on your pick.

Fees and interest rates

Some credit cards that offer rewards and cashback charge a fee. Typically, the higher the fee, the more exclusive or lucrative the rewards. You'll need to consider whether those rewards outweigh any annual charges. Also, note the interest rate, as high APRs could prove costly if you don't pay off the full balance every month.

Rewards structure

Not all credit cards provide the same rewards process. For instance, some pay cashback directly into your bank account or add it as credit to your statement. Others require you to accumulate a minimum number of points before they can be converted into vouchers or offer better rates on specific spending categories.

Bonuses and perks

Welcome bonuses are a common feature of rewards credit cards, so be careful to differentiate between introductory offers and the default terms thereafter. Introductory offers can provide extra value but often require meeting a spending threshold within a set period.

Costs abroad

If you intend to use your card abroad, look for a card that offers low foreign transaction fees. The best travel credit cards also provide global assistance and travel insurance services.

We researched over two dozen top reward and cashback credit cards currently available in the UK. We whittled down our selection based on the following criteria:

As with any credit card, there are downsides if you aren't able to pay off your balance in full every month. Carrying a balance will incur interest that can quickly outstrip any cashback rewards.

Yes, if you’re successful in applying for more than one, you can have multiple reward credit cards. However, it’s important that you manage them responsibly and pay each in full every month to avoid incurring interest.

What credit score do I need?

The best reward credit cards are typically exclusive to those who have an excellent credit score (exact numbers vary by scoring agency). There are credit cards tailored to those with lower credit scores, but the rewards won't be as lucrative.

Provided you use them wisely, credit cards that offer rewards and cashback can prove a smart play when it comes to your finances. Our review of the leading contenders on the market should give you all the information you need to make an educated choice tailored to your lifestyle and requirements. Just remember to pay off your balance in full each month, and your efforts will be rewarded. Happy shopping!