We analysed the UK credit card market across four reward categories — cashback, groceries, air travel, and hotels — plus cards for fee-free spending abroad. Each section below summarises the top cards by category, with a link to our in-depth review of each.

Note that carrying a balance at typical credit card interest rates will outweigh most rewards earned.

Important note on American Express welcome bonuses: Amex's 24-month rule means a new-cardmember welcome bonus is only available if you don't currently hold a personal American Express card, and haven't held one in the past 24 months — this applies across Amex's personal card range, not just the specific card being applied for.

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.

Best Rewards Cards for Cashback

Of the cards compared, the Nectar Card has the highest expected ongoing rate at £10,000 of annual spend (0.70%, once its £30 annual fee is accounted for), ahead of Platinum Cashback (0.50%) and Platinum Cashback Everyday (0.50%) at the same spend level. This assumes 0.5p/Nectar point. See our full cashback comparison for the calculation and how the ranking shifts at other spend levels.

Representative examples:

• Platinum Cashback: Representative 34.6% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £25 annual fee.

• Platinum Cashback Everyday: 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.

• Nectar Card: Representative 35.8% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £30 annual fee.

• Lloyds Ultra: Representative 14.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 14.94% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• Barclaycard Rewards: 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.

Best Rewards Cards for Groceries

The Nectar Card earns its 1% rate at any grocery retailer (assuming a value of 0.5p per Nectar point), while the Partnership Card's 1.25% rate applies only at John Lewis and Waitrose specifically, dropping to 0.1% elsewhere. See our full grocery cards comparison for a breakdown by shopping habits.

Representative examples:

• Nectar Card: Representative 35.8% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £30 annual fee.

• Partnership Card: 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.

Best Rewards Cards for Air Travel

Until 7 October 2026, both BA Amex Premium Plus and Virgin Atlantic Reward+ offer a 3x earn rate on their respective airline's spending — the highest airline-specific rate of any card here. From 7 October 2026, BA Amex Premium Plus's rate drops to a flat 1.25 Avios/£1 with no airline-specific bonus, leaving Virgin Atlantic Reward+ as the only card here still offering a 3x rate. See our full air rewards comparison for the breakeven spend level between each paid card and its free sibling.

Representative examples:

• BA Amex (Free): 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.

• BA Amex Premium Plus: Representative 135.7% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £300 annual fee.

• Virgin Atlantic Reward (Free): Representative 26.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• Virgin Atlantic Reward+: Representative 69.7% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% p.a. (variable) and a £160 annual fee.

• Barclaycard Avios (Free): 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.

• Barclaycard Avios Plus: Representative 80.1% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) and a £240 annual fee (£20 charged monthly).

• HSBC Premier World Elite: Representative 100.2% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) and a £290 annual fee.

Best Rewards Cards for Hotels

Marriott Bonvoy is the only dedicated hotel credit card currently available to new applicants in the UK, earning points directly in one loyalty programme rather than by transfer. See our full hotel rewards comparison for how the transfer-based cards compare on fee and status benefits.

Representative examples:

• Marriott Bonvoy: Representative 52.5% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £95 annual fee.

• Preferred Rewards Gold: Representative 85.8% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £195 annual fee (waived in year one).

• The Platinum Card: Representative 685.3% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) and a £650 annual fee.

• HSBC Premier World Elite: Representative 100.2% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable) and a £290 annual fee.

Best Cards for Fee-Free Spending Abroad

Of the cards compared, Halifax Clarity, Chase UK, and Barclaycard Rewards charge no fee on either purchases or cash withdrawals abroad. See our full no-foreign-transaction-fee comparison for cash withdrawal interest rates and grace period details.

Representative examples:

• Halifax Clarity: 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.

• Chase UK: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• Barclaycard Rewards: 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.

• Santander All In One: Representative 29.8% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) and a £36 annual fee (£3 charged monthly).

• Virgin Money Travel: Representative 27.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

• Virgin Money Everyday Cashback: Representative 27.9% APR variable. Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee.

Rewards Card Types and Redemption Considerations

Rewards cards differ in two main ways: which spending categories earn a bonus rate, and whether rewards come as cashback, air miles, or points. Some cards offer bonus categories — for example, 2x rewards on flights — that pay a higher rate on that specific type of spending. Our calculations bring all rewards back to a common rate based on average UK household spending, so bonus-category spending would earn more than the stated baseline rate.

Cashback, miles, and points differ in how they're redeemed. Cashback cards typically pay a lower maximum rate than airline, hotel, or points-based cards, but rewards are delivered automatically as a statement credit — there are no points to manage and no vouchers to redeem before they expire.

Airline, hotel, and points-based cards can offer higher potential value, but that value depends on how the rewards are redeemed. Points and miles can expire, and companion vouchers or free-night vouchers can also expire unused if flights or availability don't line up with the required dates — reducing the reward's actual value below its headline estimate.

Missing payments can result in forfeiting accumulated cashback or points on some cards, regardless of reward type.

Disclaimer: ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender, and does not cover the whole of the market. The offers shown are drawn from ClearScore's panel of lenders and partners, so other products may be available elsewhere that are not featured here. ClearScore may receive a commission from the lender if you take out a product through the service. This does not affect the price you pay.

Card details correct as of 02 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.