Rewards include store discounts, flights, holidays or even cash
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Find your ideal credit card in seconds
Add your details to our eligibility checker
Explore your options from top credit card providers
Choose the right card for your needs
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A rewards credit card allows you to earn points or other incentives whenever you make purchases. These points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including shopping vouchers, flights, hotel stays, experiences, or even cashback.
Some cards focus on specific types of rewards, such as air miles or discounts at certain retailers. To unlock the full potential of your rewards, you may need to meet a minimum spending requirement each month. Additionally, some cards offer bonus rewards for specific categories like travel or dining, providing extra value based on your spending habits.
When choosing a rewards credit card, it’s important to consider the types of rewards that align with your lifestyle and how easy it is to redeem them.
Rewards cards rely on the "interchange fee" – the charge credit card providers impose on retailers for processing payments. With rewards cards, this fee is typically higher, allowing banks to fund rewards for cardholders.
In return, retailers may face higher spending from customers using rewards cards, as some issuers offer exclusive deals with brands like travel companies and supermarkets, providing bigger rewards than just a simple cashback percentage.
Each time you spend, you can earn something back in reward points as a reward for your loyalty - this can be cash or special deals
If you pay off your balance in full each month you get the reward card perks without paying any interest
Some of the best credit card rewards allow you to exchange points for store discounts, gift vouchers, hotel stays and even almost free flights
If you have existing credit card debt, or are paying interest on one or more credit cards, reward cards are probably not for you. You could consider balance transfer credit cards instead.
Rewards credit cards are typically meant for those who have good incomes, and who can use their credit card for everyday purchases and pay off the balance in full each month. That's because rewards cards usually have high interest rates and often even charge an annual fee. So if you tend to carry a balance or struggle with overspending, the allure of rewards might lead to accumulating high-interest debt, and eventually any rewards you earn might be worth less than the interest you owe if you don’t clear the balance each month.
Ultimately, a rewards credit card can be advantageous if used wisely. It can provide financial perks and additional benefits, such as travel insurance or purchase protection. However, it's essential to evaluate your financial habits and goals before committing to a rewards card to ensure it aligns with your needs and helps you achieve your objectives without risking financial instability.
An air miles or airline credit card is a reward credit card for travel. Depending on which program the card is affiliated with, it might allow you to collect British Airways Avios points or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles through your everyday spending.
Compare air miles credit cardsCashback allows you to earn back a percentage of the money you spend. The money you earn will be put back into your account either monthly or annually. Unless you pay off the credit card amount each month, the cost of interest might outweigh the rewards.
Compare cashback cardsSupermarket credit cards have been a staple of the rewards credit card market. These are cards offered by one of the large supermarkets or department staores, most notably Sainsbury's or Tesco and M&S or John Lewis.
Store cards are a type of credit card that are issued by a retailer and can only be used to make purchases in that particular store. More recently, however, a number of store cards have disappeared from the market due to a declining high street.
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The card you choose will depend on your needs and spending habits.
Some cards offer you the chance to earn points that you can spend with a specific retailer. Others provide vouchers that you can spend across a variety of retailers.
For example, some reward cards give you the chance to collect Nectar points, which can be put towards anything from restaurant bills to hotels.
Maximise spending in reward categories: Many rewards cards offer bonus points for specific types of spending, such as travel, dining, or groceries. Focus your spending in these categories to earn more rewards.
Meet minimum spend requirements: Some cards require a minimum amount to be spent each month or within a certain period to unlock rewards. Be sure to meet these thresholds to fully benefit from your card.
Take advantage of sign-up bonuses: Some rewards cards offer a sign-up bonus if you meet a spending requirement within the first few months. This can be an easy way to accumulate points quickly.
Pay off your balance: To avoid interest charges, always pay off your balance in full each month. This will ensure rewards are not offset by high interest rates.
Redeem strategically: Be mindful of how and when you redeem your points. Some rewards may have better value when used for travel, while others may be more useful as cashback or for vouchers.
Be mindful of expiry dates: Rewards points or perks may have an expiration date. Stay on top of this to avoid losing any hard-earned rewards.
Use additional perks (if available): Many rewards cards come with extra benefits such as travel insurance, purchase protection, or airport lounge access. Make sure you’re taking full advantage of these added features.
Reward cards are often competitive in other areas, allowing you to use them for different purposes. Even if you’re not a regular shopper, some reward cards could be worth considering for the added benefits on offer.
For example, as well as points, some cards might offer long 0% interest periods on balance transfers, or long 0% interest periods on purchases, or even both. Some of these interest-free periods can be as long as on other types of credit card.
What makes the best reward credit card for you will vary depending on what rewards you'll use most. Think about how much you will use a reward credit card, where you will use it, and what benefits or rewards would be most valuable for you.
If you do most of your shopping with a particular retailer it might be a good idea to get a reward card from that retailer (if it offers one). You can earn points that you'll be able to spend in its shops. But if you do your shopping in a number of supermarkets or retailers, you might not be getting the best deal. Even with a really attractive points deal, you'll be tied to shopping in one place when it comes to spending your rewards.
Premium cards are elite reward cards that offer exclusive rewards, like access to airport lounges or a concierge service, in exchange for a fee.
There is usually a minimum income level that you have to meet in order to be approved for a premium reward card. There is also often a minimum monthly or annual spend to qualify for the rewards.
Some top-end reward credit cards also charge an annual fee, so you need to weigh up the benefits and costs.
Find out more about premium cards
There is no limit to the number of reward credit cards you can have, although in terms of managing your personal finances you don’t want too many cards to have to pay off each month.
While different credit cards give different rewards, it’s better to pick the right reward credit card for you, rather than having lots of credit cards. This is because you may have the temptation to overspend, and because lenders may be wary of you if you have applied for a lot of potential credit.
Having lots of credit cards, whether you use them or not, can affect your credit rating, and whether you are approved for credit such as a loan, mortgage, or mobile phone or broadband contract. Find out more about how to check your credit rating.
When we use the term ‘most popular or ‘popularity’ on Uswitch in reference to credit cards, these cards are ranked by the number of clicks they have received on the site in the past 30 days.
The most clicked on cards are at the top, with the least at the bottom. This reflects how popular they are with visitors to Uswitch.com. Consequently, this is a good table to look at if you’re interested in seeing which cards most people think are worth getting.
We compare over 100 credit cards from all of the major banks and credit card providers.
However, we do not compare all the credit cards that are available in the UK.
This is because some credit card providers have offers that are only available exclusively through their own website or branch, or through other comparison websites - in the same way some credit cards are exclusively available through Uswitch.
There are also many credit cards that are only available to people in member organisations and clubs.
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