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Credit Cards

Sainsbury's Bank credit cards — what happened and what are the alternatives?

Sainsbury's Bank stopped issuing credit cards in 2024. Existing Sainsbury's Bank Nectar credit cards on the Mastercard network are no longer available to new applicants. Those looking to earn loyalty points through a grocery-linked credit card now have a smaller set of options to consider.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Credit cards that earn Nectar points

There is currently one credit card that earns Nectar points on general spending: the American Express Nectar Credit Card. It earns 2 Nectar points for every £1 spent and carries a £30 annual fee after a free first year. New cardholders who spend £2,000 or more in the first three months can earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points, equivalent to £100 in Nectar value.

NatWest also offers a Nectar credit card, which collects 1 point for each £2 spent at Sainsbury's, Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing. This earns at a lower rate than the Amex option but is available on the Visa network, meaning it is more widely accepted. Each Nectar point is worth 0.5p when redeemed at Sainsbury's or partner brands, though promotional redemption rates are occasionally available.

Grocery-linked credit cards

The John Lewis Partnership Card (for Waitrose shoppers)

The John Lewis Partnership Credit Card earns 5 points for every £4 spent at John Lewis and Waitrose (a rewards rate of 1.25%) with no annual fee. New cardholders earn double points (equivalent to 2.5%) on eligible John Lewis and Waitrose spending for the first 60 days. Every 500 points converts to a £5 gift voucher, issued automatically up to three times a year, redeemable at John Lewis and Waitrose.

The earn rate on spending outside the Partnership is significantly lower at 1 point per £10 spent, giving a rewards rate of just 0.1% elsewhere. A 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee also applies, so this card is generally less suited to overseas use.

The representative APR is 29.9% variable.

Representative example — John Lewis Partnership Credit Card

Representative APR

29.9% variable

Purchase rate

29.9% p.a. (variable)

Assumed credit limit

£1,200

Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and purchases of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable). Representative APR 29.9% variable.

Tesco Bank Clubcard Credit Cards

The Tesco Bank Clubcard credit card earns Clubcard points on Tesco spending as well as on purchases made elsewhere. Tesco currently doubles the face value of Clubcard vouchers when redeemed with certain partner brands, though the multiplier has changed in the past and is worth checking before converting.

Tesco Bank offers a range of cards, with some providing different 0% promotional periods for balance transfers and purchases.

The representative APR on the Tesco Bank All Round Credit Card is 24.9% variable.

Representative example — Tesco Bank All Round Credit Card

Representative APR

24.9% variable

Purchase rate

24.9% p.a. (variable)

Assumed credit limit

£1,200

Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and purchases of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable). Representative APR 24.9% variable.

M&S Bank Credit Card

M&S Bank also offers a credit card linked to its Sparks loyalty programme, earning points on M&S spending and selected purchases elsewhere.

The representative APR is 29.9% variable.

Representative example — M&S Rewards Credit Card

Representative APR

23.9% variable

Purchase rate

23.9% p.a. (variable)

Assumed credit limit

£1,200

Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and purchases of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable). Representative APR 23.9% variable.

Things to consider

Whether a loyalty credit card makes sense depends on individual spending patterns and whether the card balance is paid in full each month. For those who carry a credit card balance, interest charges will typically outweigh any rewards earned. Annual fees, earn rates, and redemption values vary between cards and are subject to change. Always check the current terms directly with the provider before applying.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender. Representative APRs are correct as of July 2026 but are subject to change.

Learn

>

Credit Cards

Sainsbury's Bank credit cards — what happened and what are the alternatives?

Sainsbury's Bank stopped issuing credit cards in 2024. Existing Sainsbury's Bank Nectar credit cards on the Mastercard network are no longer available to new applicants. Those looking to earn loyalty points through a grocery-linked credit card now have a smaller set of options to consider.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Credit cards that earn Nectar points

There is currently one credit card that earns Nectar points on general spending: the American Express Nectar Credit Card. It earns 2 Nectar points for every £1 spent and carries a £30 annual fee after a free first year. New cardholders who spend £2,000 or more in the first three months can earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points, equivalent to £100 in Nectar value.

NatWest also offers a Nectar credit card, which collects 1 point for each £2 spent at Sainsbury's, Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing. This earns at a lower rate than the Amex option but is available on the Visa network, meaning it is more widely accepted. Each Nectar point is worth 0.5p when redeemed at Sainsbury's or partner brands, though promotional redemption rates are occasionally available.

Grocery-linked credit cards

The John Lewis Partnership Card (for Waitrose shoppers)

The John Lewis Partnership Credit Card earns 5 points for every £4 spent at John Lewis and Waitrose (a rewards rate of 1.25%) with no annual fee. New cardholders earn double points (equivalent to 2.5%) on eligible John Lewis and Waitrose spending for the first 60 days. Every 500 points converts to a £5 gift voucher, issued automatically up to three times a year, redeemable at John Lewis and Waitrose.

The earn rate on spending outside the Partnership is significantly lower at 1 point per £10 spent, giving a rewards rate of just 0.1% elsewhere. A 2.75% non-sterling transaction fee also applies, so this card is generally less suited to overseas use.

The representative APR is 29.9% variable.

Representative example — John Lewis Partnership Credit Card

Representative APR

29.9% variable

Purchase rate

29.9% p.a. (variable)

Assumed credit limit

£1,200

Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and purchases of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable). Representative APR 29.9% variable.

Tesco Bank Clubcard Credit Cards

The Tesco Bank Clubcard credit card earns Clubcard points on Tesco spending as well as on purchases made elsewhere. Tesco currently doubles the face value of Clubcard vouchers when redeemed with certain partner brands, though the multiplier has changed in the past and is worth checking before converting.

Tesco Bank offers a range of cards, with some providing different 0% promotional periods for balance transfers and purchases.

The representative APR on the Tesco Bank All Round Credit Card is 24.9% variable.

Representative example — Tesco Bank All Round Credit Card

Representative APR

24.9% variable

Purchase rate

24.9% p.a. (variable)

Assumed credit limit

£1,200

Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and purchases of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable). Representative APR 24.9% variable.

M&S Bank Credit Card

M&S Bank also offers a credit card linked to its Sparks loyalty programme, earning points on M&S spending and selected purchases elsewhere.

The representative APR is 29.9% variable.

Representative example — M&S Rewards Credit Card

Representative APR

23.9% variable

Purchase rate

23.9% p.a. (variable)

Assumed credit limit

£1,200

Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and purchases of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable). Representative APR 23.9% variable.

Things to consider

Whether a loyalty credit card makes sense depends on individual spending patterns and whether the card balance is paid in full each month. For those who carry a credit card balance, interest charges will typically outweigh any rewards earned. Annual fees, earn rates, and redemption values vary between cards and are subject to change. Always check the current terms directly with the provider before applying.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender. Representative APRs are correct as of July 2026 but are subject to change.