ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

According to our analysis of the market, the following cards stand out for certain purposes. Use the information below to compare fees, rates, and rewards across categories.

Why trust our picks? Our analysis is based on a review of more than 100 UK credit cards from 25 providers, assessed across fees, APRs, rewards, introductory offers and other key features. Latest rolling analysis conducted in August to September 2026. See our full methodology here.

Best Free Credit Cards for Cash Back Rewards

These rewards cards offer cashback for no annual fee.

Best Free Cashback Credit Card, Overall: Platinum Cashback Everyday by American Express

The Platinum Cashback Everyday card from American Express is a cashback card that requires minimal effort to manage. Amex cashback is delivered to cardholders automatically at the end of each year with the card, as a statement credit that effectively reduces the balance and what you owe. The Platinum Cashback Everyday card offers long-term cashback rates of 0.5% up to £10,000 of annual spend and 1% beyond; additional value is created by a five-month intro period of 5% cashback (rewards capped at £125 in this period).

The two cards' rewards break even at £10,000 of annual spend, above which the paid Platinum Cashback Card by American Express (£25/year) earns at a higher rate. Keep in mind the £3,000 spending threshold that must be met in order to receive any cashback at all.

Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Pros

• 0.5% cashback rate on purchases up to £10,000 per year

• 1% cashback rate on purchases over £10,000 per year

• 5% intro cashback rate up to £125 reward, in first five months

• No annual fee

Cons

• Amex not accepted everywhere

John Lewis & Waitrose: Partnership Card

John Lewis and Waitrose shoppers can do quite well with the Partnership Card, earning approximately 1.25% in store but just 0.1% on all other spending. Rewards come as vouchers which can be used at John Lewis or Waitrose, expire in two years and are sent out to cardholders three times a year (i.e., in February, June, and October).

Representative example: Representative 29.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.95% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Pros

• Earn 1.25% at John Lewis

• Earn 1.25% at Waitrose

• No annual fee

Cons

• 0.1% out-of-store reward rate is lower than general cashback cards

Best Free No Transaction Fee Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

If you're looking for a credit card to use overseas, there are a number of free cards with no annual fee that also charge no foreign transactions fees.

Halifax Clarity Credit Card

The Halifax Clarity Credit Card charges no fee for non-sterling transactions (purchases and cash withdrawals) when used abroad. While ATM withdrawals won't incur a fee, they will be charged interest from the date of a withdrawal. The interest rate on cash withdrawals on this card is lower than average, at 23.9% variable APR. Since interest charges on cash transactions start accruing immediately, it's best to pay back any ATM withdrawals as soon as possible.

Representative example: Representative 23.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• No fees on non-sterling ATM withdrawals or transactions abroad

• Lower-than-average variable 23.9% interest rate on cash withdrawals

• No annual fee

Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card

The Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card charges no non-sterling transaction fees on purchases or cash withdrawals abroad, and also pays 0.25% cashback on all spending. The purchase and cash APR are the same rate, but there's no grace period on cash withdrawals — interest accrues from the day of the withdrawal.

Representative example: Representative 28.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• No non-sterling transaction fees on purchases or cash withdrawals abroad

• 0.25% cashback on all spending

• Same APR applies to purchases and cash

• No annual fee

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Best Free Air Miles Credit Card with No Annual Fee: British Airways American Express Card

The British Airways American Express Card earns airline rewards with no annual fee. Cardholders earn 5,000 Avios (spend £2,000 in the first three months) and 1 Avios per £1 spent. The Companion Voucher, earned by spending £15,000 in a card year, is valid for one year.

Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Pros

• Earn 1 Avios for every £1 you spend

• Rewards rate around 1%, depending on how you redeem Avios

• Welcome bonus of 5,000 Avios (when you spend £2,000 in first 3 months)

• Chance to earn a Companion Voucher annually (when you spend £15,000 in a year)

• No annual fee

Cons

• Companion voucher expires in one year

• Avios takes active management to achieve strong rewards

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard (Free)

The Barclaycard Avios Mastercard earns 1 Avios per £1 spent, matching the free BA Amex rate, but runs on the Mastercard network, giving wider acceptance than American Express. Cardholders earn a Cabin Upgrade Voucher after spending £20,000 in a card year, redeemable for a one-cabin upgrade on a British Airways flight — a different mechanic from BA Amex's Companion Voucher, which provides a second seat rather than an upgrade.

Representative example: Representative 28.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• Earn 1 Avios per £1 spent

• Mastercard network, accepted more widely than Amex

• Cabin Upgrade Voucher after £20,000 of annual spend

• No annual fee

How Do Free Credit Cards Work?

Credit cards with no annual fee carry no cost to hold.

When it comes to rewards cards, you'll tend to get a higher rewards rate from a paid card, but you might need annual spending of thousands or tens of thousands of pounds a year just to make up for the annual fee. Issuers are able to offer higher rewards on paid cards because the annual fee provides more revenues for the company to then pay out through a rewards program. Paid cards earn a higher rate above a certain annual spend, or in specific categories (e.g., a particular supermarket, or BA flights).

Summary of Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Here is a summary of some of the best UK credit cards with no annual fee. This list is by no means exhaustive, and we are not recommending any in particular. There may be other credit cards in the market with different features, rates, fees or eligibility criteria.

Eligibility and acceptance are decided by each lender and depend on its own criteria and checks. Checking your eligibility does not guarantee that you’ll be accepted.

Free Cards vs. Paid Cards

As anyone would expect, credit cards with an annual fee tend to offer more rewards per pound spent than free rewards credit cards. This is because the issuer has fewer profits to package and disperse as rewards on a free card. Below are some factors that affect the comparison between a free card and a paid card.

Free Cards as Supplemental Cards

Most consumers carry more than one credit card in their wallet. By doing so, a consumer can use the most appropriate card for any given situation. If you have not already employed this strategy, we are not recommending that you rush to apply to multiple cards - this can be damaging to your credit rating. But having a few cards that offer bonus rewards on the largest areas of your budget can be an effective long-term strategy to keep in mind. If you do this, stay on top of minimum spend requirements and any annual fees, as they can add up. With this in mind, you can see how cards with no annual fee are attractive as supplemental cards. Free cards can offer extra earning power on select categories, with no annual fee to claw back.

Best Practices For Supplemental No Annual Fee Cards

Having a rewards credit card or two can be useful in the right circumstances, but only if you stay on top of the various due dates on your cards. Missing a payment will cost you much more in fees and charges than you can earn in rewards. In fact, a rewards card only makes sense if you can pay off the whole balance every month to avoid interest charges that would wipe out any earned rewards.

If you change your phone number, or any other contact information, be sure to let the credit card company know. This will help you track all of your credit cards, so issuers can continue to send you text messages reminding you to pay your bill, perhaps, or that you're approaching you credit limit. Many students, in particular, fall into the trap of changing phones and forgetting to update their contact info with their credit card issuer. This is important because missed payments or exceeding the credit limit can be very damaging to your credit rating, as well as costing you a significant amount in default fees and interest charges. Regular updates from your issuers will help with card management, but they need to have your up-to-date contact information.