Find the Best Reward Based Credit Cards

Compare the best Reward Credit Cards

Provider

Duration

Fees

Rep. APR

Virgin Atlantic

Purchases
6 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
22.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 22.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 22.9% APR (variable)

Virgin Atlantic

Purchases
6 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£140
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
57.4% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 57.4% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 57.4% APR (variable)

British Airways

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
22.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Collect 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent. Automatic enrollment in the BA Executive Club. Spend £20,000 on your card in one year and redeem your Avios on a BA flight and you'll receive a complimentary ticket for a companion to travel on the same flight. 5,000 bonus Avios when spending £1,000 within the first 3 months of Cardmembership

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 22.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 22.9% APR (variable)

British Airways

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£195
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
76% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Collect 1.5 Avios for virtually every £1 you spend and 3 Avios for virtually every £1 you spend on BA flights and BA holidays. Spend £10,000 or more within an anniversary year to earn a complimentary Companion Voucher valid for 24 months. 25,000 bonus Avios when spending £3,000 within the first 3 months of Cardmembership

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 76% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 76% APR (variable)

Miles & More

Purchases
12 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
22.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 22.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 22.9% APR (variable)

John Lewis

Purchases
6 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
16.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 16.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 16.9% APR (variable)

M&S Bank

Purchases
32 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
18.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable)

M&S Bank

Purchases
32 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
18.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable)

M&S Bank

Purchases
25 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
18.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable)

NatWest

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£24
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
11.1% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

No need to worry about teaser rates that jump up and sting you when the 0% offer ends. One simple low rate of 6.9% p.a. (variable) on purchases and balance transfers. No balance transfer fees - just one £24 annual fee.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 11.1% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 11.1% APR (variable)

Royal Bank of Scotland

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£24
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
11.1% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 11.1% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 11.1% APR (variable)

NatWest

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£24
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
23.7% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Earn Rewards on everyday spend. 1% Reward on all Supermarket spend (0.5% at their petrol stations). At least 1% Reward at MyRewards retailers and 0.5% everywhere else you shop at home & abroad. 5.00 Rewards = £5.00 when redeemed. 1% Rewards if you use contactless until 30th June 2016. 1% on payments up to £30 you make using Apple Pay in stores until 30th June 2016. You will receive a refund of the annual fee if you also have a Reward account (available to over 18’s and UK residents only. Monthly fee applies and additional criteria apply for Reward Black)

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 23.7% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 23.7% APR (variable)

Royal Bank of Scotland

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£24
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
23.7% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 23.7% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 23.7% APR (variable)

Royal Bank of Scotland

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£84
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
37.1% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 37.1% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 37.1% APR (variable)

NatWest

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£84
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
37.1% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 37.1% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 37.1% APR (variable)

American Express

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
9.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 9.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 9.9% APR (variable)

Hilton HHonors

Purchases
15 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
18.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Earn a free night e-certificate, for one weekend night at many participating hotels in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, when you spend £750 in the first 90 days (terms and conditions apply). Enjoy HHonors Silver status for as long as you are a card member. Earn an upgrade to HHonors Gold status any time your total spending reaches £10,000 in a calendar year. Earn 3 HHonors Bonus Points for every £1 you spend at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. Earn 2 HHonors Bonus Points for every £1 you spend on everyday purchases. Plus, earn 2,500 HHonors Bonus Points for each of your first 4 stays at a hotel or resort within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. Stays must be within the first 12 months of opening your account and be paid for using your Hilton HHonors Platinum Visa Card. 0% on balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (2.99% fee applies).

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable)

Sainsburys Bank

Purchases
35 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
18.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable)

Barclaycard

Purchases
12 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
21.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Rewards range from the high street, online favourites, places to eat and drink, to top entertainment and days out. Earn points wherever you shop, with double Freedom points on your UK supermarket, petrol station and all Transport for London (TfL) spend. Free ongoing access to your Experian Credit Score. 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 12 months (0.15% fee applies). 0% interest on purchases for 12 months from account opening.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 21.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 21.9% APR (variable)

American Express

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
22.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 22.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 22.9% APR (variable)

American Express

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
22.9% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 22.9% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 22.9% APR (variable)

Nectar

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£0
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
28.2% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

20,000 Nectar bonus points welcome offer – worth £100 to spend with Nectar partners (when Cardmembers spend £2,000 in their first 3 months). First year’s Cardmembership fee of £25 is on us. Collect 2 points for virtually every full £1 spent on the Card. Collect up to 4 points for virtually every full £1 spent at Nectar partners. Complimentary Supplementary Card for a family member, so you can collect even more Nectar points when they use the Card.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 28.2% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 28.2% APR (variable)

Tesco Bank

Purchases
1 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£150
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
56.5% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 56.5% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 56.5% APR (variable)

HSBC

Purchases
0 Months
0% interest on
Purchases

Fee
£195
Annual Fee

Representative APR.
59.3% APR
Representative
variable

See Deal

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 59.3% (variable per annum), your Representative APR is 59.3% APR (variable)

Reward Credit Cards

How do 0% Balance Transfer cards work?

There are many different reasons why people choose particular credit cards. Some may offer low standard rates or 0% introductory rates on balance transfers or purchases. Some are designed specifically for customers with low credit ratings and still others offer points-based rewards schemes that give customers different types of reward. The value of these rewards are based on the amount that the customer spends on their card during a given period of time.

What Are Reward Credit Cards?

Reward credit cards work in the same way as other credit cards. They can be used to make purchases in person or at a distance – online, over the phone or by mail order. Most can also be used to obtain cash from cash machines in the form of cash advances or to make balance transfers. This is when you transfer the money that you owe on one credit card account to another, usually at a better rate of interest.

In addition, reward cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for rewards of various kinds. There are various different reward schemes available but most allow you to build up points depending on how much you spend on your card. These can then be redeemed for different rewards depending on your credit card and award scheme.

How Do Reward Cards Work?

Most rewards cards award you points for every £1 you spend. Some schemes will, however, award more points depending on where you use your card. Cards issued by the major supermarket chains, for example, may offer more points when you spend in their stores. When you have enough points, you can redeem them for vouchers that can be spent at participating retailers or used as discount vouchers at participating entertainment and retail outlets. Some may be put towards the cost of flights instead, in the form of Avios (formerly known as Air Miles) or schemes such as Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club. Points earned for existing loyalty schemes such as Nectar Points can usually be added to the customer's account and thereby pooled with points earned from other sources.

Multiple rewards card holders can choose to spread their spending across different cards, giving them access to different schemes, or they may choose to concentrate on a single scheme, allowing them to save for the more valuable rewards on offer.

Cash back cards are a special type of rewards card that give you a straight cash reward instead of points that can be redeemed for various rewards. The amount of cash you earn is usually a straight percentage of the amount you spend on the card in a given period of time. If you spend £100 on a card with a cash back rate of 2%, for example, you would earn £2 of cash back. This is usually paid into your credit card account, paid directly into a nominated bank account or paid by cheque on an annual basis.

Reward cards of all kinds usually only award points (or cash back or air miles) for purchases made on that credit card. Cash advances and balance transfers do not usually count towards points.

Access To Credit

A debit card draws from funds that you already have in your account. A credit card gives you access to a line of credit and so you can still use it even if you do not have funds in the bank. Most credit cards also have an interest-free period. As long as you pay your balance in full each month by the date shown on your statement, you will not have to pay any interest.

Convenience

Paying by credit card is quick and easy and, with contactless payments becoming more popular, it looks set to become even more convenient.

Payment Protection

Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act gives you certain protections if you make a purchase between £100 and £30,000 on a credit card. This allows you to claim money back from your credit card provider if, for example, goods you have ordered are faulty or do not turn up because the supplying company goes bust. Credit cards also have fraud protection so that as long as you take reasonable precautions (such as protecting your PIN) you will not usually be liable if your card is used fraudulently.

By using a rewards card you get all the same general benefits that you get from using any other type of credit card but you also get to earn rewards for making the same payments and purchases that you would usually make.

Any Drawbacks?

Some rewards cards have comparatively higher interest rates than other credit cards. If you pay your balance in full every month this should not be too much of an issue but if you have an outstanding balance that incurs interest, the extra interest charged could outweigh the value of any rewards you earn. The value of cash back rewards are relatively simple to work out but the exact equivalent value of other types of reward can be trickier to work out.

Some rewards schemes may also be withdrawn if you fail to make at least your minimum payment for a given month. If this is the case you may lose any points that you had already built up. Even if you do not pay off your balance in full you should always ensure you make the minimum payment as this can also trigger fees and affect your credit rating. Setting up a Direct Debit to cover at least your minimum amount is a good way to make sure you never accidentally miss a payment.