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.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Always make sure you can afford repayments.

Cashback cards with no annual fee

These rewards cards offer cashback for no annual fee.

Platinum Cashback Everyday by American Express

The Platinum Cashback Everyday card from American Express pays cashback automatically once a year as a statement credit, so there are no points to track or redeem. 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).

Compared with the paid Platinum Cashback Card by American Express (£25/year), the two cards earn the same net cashback at £10,000 of annual spend; above that, the paid card earns more. 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

The Partnership Card earns around 1.25% in rewards at John Lewis and Waitrose, and 0.1% on other spending. Points are converted automatically into John Lewis and Waitrose vouchers three times a year (February, June and October), at 100 points = £1, with a minimum of 500 points (£5) per redemption. Points expire after being held for two years, and any unredeemed points are forfeited if the account is closed.

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

• 2.75% fee on non-sterling transactions

No foreign transaction fees

Some cards with no annual fee also charge no fee on transactions in foreign currencies.

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, the same rate as purchases and lower than the cash rate on many credit cards. Interest on cash starts from the date of withdrawal, so repaying cash balances early reduces the interest charged.

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, and the card's interest-free period of up to 56 days also applies to cash withdrawals made abroad in a foreign currency if the balance is paid in full by the due date (sterling cash withdrawals are charged interest from the transaction date).

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

Air miles cards with no annual fee

British Airways American Express Card

The British Airways American Express Card earns airline rewards with no annual fee. The standard welcome bonus is 5,000 Avios for spending £2,000 in the first three months (boosted to 10,000 for applications made by 6 October 2026). On regular spending, cardholders earn 1 Avios per £1 spent. The Companion Voucher, earned by spending £15,000 in a card year, is valid for one year. Welcome bonus not available to anyone who holds, or has held in the last 24 months, a personal British Airways American Express card.

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. Spending £20,000 within 12 months earns a choice between a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher (used when booking an Avios Reward Flight, paying the Avios price of the cabin below) or 7,000 bonus Avios — a different mechanic from BA Amex's Companion Voucher, which provides a second seat rather than an upgrade.

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

• Earn 1 Avios per £1 spent

• Mastercard network, accepted more widely than Amex

• Choice of cabin upgrade voucher or 7,000 Avios after £20,000 of annual spend

• No annual fee

How Do Free Credit Cards Work?

Credit cards with no annual fee have no fixed yearly cost, though interest and other charges can still apply.

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 Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Here is a summary of the no-annual-fee cards covered above. 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

Cards with an annual fee generally pay more rewards per pound spent, because the fee funds part of the rewards. Whether a paid card comes out ahead depends on annual spend: the extra rewards need to exceed the fee.

Free Cards as Supplemental Cards

Some cardholders use a no-annual-fee card alongside another card, for example for spending in a specific category or abroad. Because a no-fee card has no yearly cost, any rewards earned on it are kept in full. Each application results in a hard search on your credit file, and several applications in a short period can affect how lenders assess future applications.

Managing more than one card

Each card has its own payment due date. A missed payment can lead to late fees and may end any promotional rate, and carrying a balance means interest charges that can quickly exceed any rewards earned.

Keeping contact details up to date with each card provider ensures payment reminders and credit-limit alerts arrive. Missed payments and going over the credit limit are recorded on your credit file and can lead to 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.

Card details correct as of 01 September 2026. Terms, rates and features are subject to change — always verify current details before applying. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.