20 000 requests in Google stand for: Best credit cards in the UK. Average British person saves over 500 pounds yearly when a better credit card for their spending is used.
Highest rewards credit cards give prosperity to banks and financial institutions and can improve the life of its owner.
Specially for you we have made a credit card comparison.
Each bank defines its position on the market. Central banks give high interest rates – banks promote 0 interest proposals. They are saying their interest free offers will make your life easier. In a year you will see this offer is far away from the best credit card. Interest rates will rise without a notice and you will give back everything you saved.
In this article we described each bank and offers, benefits, drawbacks.
By goal:
- Credit cards for balance transfers;
- Top rewards credit cards;
- 0 interest credit cards;
- International;
- Crypto debit;
- Cashback cards;
- Other best rewards credit cards;
By vertical:
- Travel offers;
- Big purchases;
- Balance transfers;
- Day to day life spending;
Credit cards for balance transfers
MBNA 0% Balance Transfer Card – Now based in Chester, in the UK since 1993 and is part of the Lloyds Banking Group. MBNA was voted Moneyfacts ‘Consumer Credit Card Provider of the Year’ six times in a row – from 2014 to 2019.
MBNA has good feedback. It is owned by Lloyds. Reliable bank.
Benefits:
- Longest 0% period – Up to 31 months (best in the market);
- Good approval odds for strong credit scores;
- No fee on purchases (if paid in full);
Drawbacks:
- High transfer fee (2.49%) – Adds up on large debts.
- High APR after 0% ends (22.9%+).
NatWest / RBS Balance Transfer Card
NatWest is considered one of the Big Four clearing banks in the UK, and it has a large network of over 526 branches and 3,400 cash machines across Great Britain and offers 24-hour Action Line telephone and online banking services.
Benefits:
- 28 months 0% (competitive).
- Lower transfer fee (2.69%) vs. Barclaycard.
Drawbacks:
- No rewards or cashback.
- Must have a NatWest/RBS account for best rates.
Barclay
Barclays is well known as the United Kingdom’s first and biggest credit card provider with 5 million accounts. Some people love the app, others hate slow phone support. We rate it as 5 out of 5;
Benefits:
- 27 months 0%.
- Barclay app is user-friendly.
Drawbacks:
- High transfer fee (2.99%).
- No perks (unlike Barclay Rewards).
Virgin Money
British banking and financial services company. Owned by, guess who? Richard Branson. Well known, good service, you can expect a ton of email on how to use your credit card at its best.
Benefits:
- 24 months 0%.
- No annual fee.
Drawbacks:
- Higher APR (23.9%) after 0%.
- TSB’s tech can be glitchy.
Santander Balance Transfer Card
Not British, owned by Banco Santander from Spain. Santander UK plc manages its affairs autonomously, with its own local management team, responsible solely for its performance.
Benefits:
- 23 months 0%.
- Trusted big bank.
Drawbacks:
- 3% transfer fee (higher than most).
- No extra perks.
HSBC Balance Transfer Card
HSBC has strong focus on international clients, offering services that cater specifically to expatriates and global businesses. Good for service, if you need flexibility you may have some challenges.
Benefits:
- 20 months 0%.
- Low 1.9% transfer fee;
Drawbacks:
- Shorter 0% term.
- HSBC is strict on approvals.
M&S Balance Transfer Card
M&S Bank is part of the HSBC Group. M&S Bank launched in 2012 on the foundations of M&S Money, which was established in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer plc. M&S are shoppers than bankers, still considered to be reliable, especially for new clients;
Benefits:
- 20 months 0%.
- M&S rewards points on spending.
Drawbacks:
- 3% transfer fee (expensive).
- Weak app.
Credit cards for balance transfers summary:
For the best balance transfer cards, I would go to MBNA because 0% – 31 months. Low fee, no brainer – Virgin Money – 1,99%.
Credit cards comparison table
Card Name | General Information | Drawbacks | Benefits |
MBNA 0% Balance Transfer Card | Part of Lloyds Banking Group, based in Chester. Well-established provider, awarded ‘Consumer Credit Card Provider of the Year’ six years in a row (2014–2019). | – High transfer fee (2.49%) – High APR after 0% period (22.9%+) | – Longest 0% balance transfer period on the market – up to 31 months – Good approval odds with a strong credit score – No purchase fee if paid in full |
NatWest / RBS Balance Transfer Card | Major UK bank with a broad network of branches and ATMs. Solid online and phone banking services. | – No cashback or rewards – Best terms reserved for current customers | – 28 months 0% balance transfer period (very competitive) – Lower transfer fee (2.69%) compared to others |
Barclaycard Balance Transfer | UK’s first and largest credit card issuer. Highly rated mobile app, though phone support may be slow. | – High transfer fee (2.99%) – No rewards (unlike other Barclaycard options) | – 27 months 0% period – Excellent, user-friendly app |
Virgin Money Balance Transfer | Well-known British brand owned by Richard Branson. Good customer service, though frequent promotional emails. | – Higher APR after the 0% period (23.9%) – App may be glitchy at times | – 24 months 0% on balance transfers – No annual fee |
Santander Balance Transfer Card | UK arm of the Spanish banking giant Banco Santander. Managed independently in the UK. | – High transfer fee (3%) – No perks or rewards | – 23 months 0% balance transfer – Reputable, trusted bank |
HSBC Balance Transfer Card | Global bank with strong expat and international services. Strict approval criteria. | – Shorter 0% term (20 months) – Tougher eligibility criteria | – Low transfer fee (1.9%) – Good customer service |
M&S Balance Transfer Card | Owned by HSBC, originally launched as M&S Money. Good entry-level card, especially for M&S shoppers. | – High transfer fee (3%) – Weak mobile app | – 20 months 0% balance transfer – M&S rewards points on spending |
Top 10 rewards credit cards in the UK.
Including benefits, drawbacks and bank reputations to help you choose the one for your spending habits.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Excellent bank, has rewards for top tier customer service, ideal for travel, especially if you are a frequent spender and traveller.
Benefits:
- 20,000 Membership Rewards points (worth £100-£200) if you spend £3,000 in 3 months.
- 2x points on flights & 1x on all other spending.
- Free annual travel insurance & dining perks.
- No annual fee during the first year (then £195).
Drawbacks:
- Not accepted everywhere (smaller retailers, some UK businesses).
- High annual fee after Year 1.
American Express Platinum Cashback
If you spend daily, in a supermarket, or shop – we can call it the best everyday cashback credit card. Amex is reliable.
Benefits:
- 5% cashback (up to £125) in the first 3 months (spend £3,000).
- 0.5-1.25% ongoing cashback (uncapped).
- No annual fee for the first year (then £25).
Drawbacks:
- Lower cashback after the intro offer.
- Amex acceptance issues.
Barclay Avios Plus
Good bank, best for avios collectors.
Benefits:
- 25,000 Avios (worth ~£250 in flights) if you spend £3,000 in 3 months.
- 1.5 Avios per £1 spent (better than standard Avios).
- Complimentary airport lounge pass.
Drawbacks:
- £20 monthly fee (£240/year).
- Can have delays in redeeming benefits, but it was fixed.
HSBC Premier
Ideal for high earners and travelers. Has solid premium service, but with strict eligibility.
Benefits:
- £100 cashback after spending £500 in 3 months.
- No FX fees on foreign spending.
- Free travel insurance.
Drawbacks:
- Only for HSBC Premier customers (requires £75k salary or £50k savings).
- Low ongoing rewards (0.5% cashback).
Santander All-in-One Credit
Best for travel, no currency exchange fee moreover has free EU travel insurance.
Benefits:
- 0.5% cashback on all spending (uncapped).
- No FX fees abroad.
- Free European travel insurance.
Drawbacks:
- £3 monthly fee (£36/year).
- Low cashback rate compared to Amex.
NatWest
Has numerous feedback about positive customer service and experience. Ideal for the grocery shoppers.
Benefits:
- £20 welcome bonus + 1% cashback at supermarkets.
- 0.25% cashback on other spending.
- No annual fee.
Drawbacks:
- Low rewards outside supermarkets.
- Must have a NatWest/RBS account.
M&S
Benefits:
- £20 M&S voucher after first purchase.
- 1 point per £1 spent (5 points at M&S).
- Points convert to M&S vouchers.
Drawbacks:
- Rewards only useful if you shop at M&S.
- High APR (23.9%).
TSB Platinum
Ideal bank for short term cash back. Has great service, rated 4.3 out of 5. Also, TSB fixed all IT problems in the past which is a good sign of constant improvement.
Benefits:
- 5% cashback (up to £100) in the first 3 months.
- 0.5% ongoing cashback.
- No annual fee.
Drawbacks:
- Low rewards after intro offer.
John Lewis Partnership
If you are a fan of John Lewis and Waitrose – this deal is for you.
Benefits:
- 1% back in John Lewis/Waitrose vouchers.
- Extra rewards for Partners (employees).
- No annual fee.
Drawbacks:
- Only useful if you shop at JL/Waitrose.
- Slow customer service.
Top 10 rewards credit cards in the UK comparison table
Card Name | General Information | Drawbacks | Benefits |
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold | Premium card ideal for frequent travellers and high spenders. Known for excellent service and travel perks. | – Not accepted everywhere (especially smaller shops) – High annual fee after Year 1 (£195) | – 20,000 bonus points (worth £100–£200) for £3,000 spend in 3 months – Double points on flights – Free travel insurance & dining perks – No fee in Year 1 |
American Express Platinum Cashback | Great cashback card for daily spenders, especially on groceries and household items. | – Cashback rate drops after initial offer – Limited acceptance | – 5% cashback (up to £125) in 3 months – Up to 1.25% ongoing cashback – No fee in Year 1 (£25 after) |
Barclaycard Avios Plus | Top card for Avios collectors, especially frequent British Airways flyers. | – £20 monthly fee (£240/year) – Some delays in benefit redemption (now resolved) | – 25,000 Avios bonus (worth ~£250) after £3,000 spend – 1.5 Avios per £1 spent – Free airport lounge pass |
HSBC Premier Credit Card | Suited for high earners and global travellers. HSBC offers elite service for Premier clients. | – Strict eligibility (£75k salary or £50k in savings) – Limited ongoing rewards | – £100 cashback after £500 spend – No foreign exchange fees – Free travel insurance |
Santander All-in-One Credit Card | Balanced card for travellers and everyday use. Simple, flat cashback and no FX fees. | – £3 monthly fee (£36/year) – Cashback lower than Amex | – 0.5% cashback on all spend – No FX fees abroad – Free European travel insurance |
NatWest Reward Credit Card | Excellent for grocery shoppers and NatWest/RBS clients. Solid cashback on supermarkets. | – Low cashback outside groceries – Requires NatWest/RBS account for perks | – £20 welcome bonus – 1% cashback at supermarkets – 0.25% cashback elsewhere – No annual fee |
M&S Credit Card | Ideal for loyal M&S customers, with tailored rewards in-store and online. | – Points only redeemable at M&S – High APR (23.9%) | – £20 M&S voucher after first purchase – 5x points at M&S – Points turn into M&S vouchers |
TSB Platinum Cashback Credit Card | Short-term cashback card with no annual fee. Suitable for everyday use. | – Lower rewards after the 3-month period | – 5% cashback up to £100 in 3 months – 0.5% ongoing cashback – No annual fee |
John Lewis Partnership Card | Great for John Lewis or Waitrose fans. Earns store vouchers. | – Limited to JL/Waitrose rewards – Customer service can be slow | – 1% back in JL/Waitrose vouchers – Extra rewards for Partners (staff) – No annual fee |
