What is a rewards credit card?
A rewards credit card earns you something back on your spending, such as cashback, points or air miles. Our comparison shows rewards cards from UK providers on our panel. Compare how rewards are earned, what they are worth and any annual fee before you apply. Checking your eligibility uses a soft search that won’t affect your credit score.
What you need to consider when reviewing your rewards credit card options
Usage
Consider where and how much you normally spend, and whether you expect to repay the statement balance in full each month. Rewards can lose their value if you pay interest or incur avoidable fees.
Representative APR
The representative APR (Annual Percentage Rate) indicates the potential annual cost of borrowing. The APR offered to you may differ and will depend on your circumstances.
Introductory Offers
Some cards provide introductory reward rates, welcome points, or bonus rewards after qualifying spending. Check the deadline, spending requirement, and exclusions attached to an offer.
Fees and Charges
Review annual fees, foreign-transaction fees, late-payment charges, and any cost linked to supplementary cards or particular redemptions.
Rewards and Benefits
Rewards may include cashback, retailer points, airline miles, vouchers, or travel-related benefits. Compare how rewards are earned, their value when redeemed, expiry rules, and any monthly or annual caps. As MoneyHelper notes, rewards pay off mainly if you clear the balance in full, since interest can outweigh what you earn.
Eligibility
Each lender applies its own criteria. Income, credit history, existing borrowing, and recent applications may affect eligibility and the credit limit offered.
How does the rewards credit card comparison process work?
Our comparison shows a range of rewards cards from UK lenders and providers on our panel, with transparent information about reward programmes, rates, fees, features, and eligibility before you apply.
Your Information
You will be asked for details about your circumstances, credit history, finances, and intended card use so that available results can be tailored.
We search our panel of lenders
Our panel includes UK banks, card issuers, and other credit providers. Experian and/or participating lenders assess your eligibility for cards available through our comparison service.
Personalised results
You can review rewards cards available through our panel, with an indication of acceptance likelihood where available. Eligibility checking uses a soft search carried out by Experian and/or participating lenders, and does not affect your credit score.
Apply with confidence
If you choose to apply, you will be taken to the lender’s website. The lender makes the final decision and may carry out a hard credit search.
What types of rewards credit cards can I compare?
Cashback Credit Cards
Points Credit Cards
Airline Miles Credit Cards
Retailer Rewards Credit Cards
Rewards Cards with an Annual Fee
Worked example
Example: a card paying 1% cashback earns £10 on £1,000 of spending. Carry that £1,000 as a balance and the interest can easily top £10 — so rewards pay off mainly when you clear the balance in full each month.
Tips that can help to increase the chances of being accepted for a rewards credit card
Getting your credit profile in order first can improve your chances of being accepted for a rewards card.
Credit Report
Check your credit report and correct any inaccurate information before applying.
Electoral Register
Make sure you are registered to vote at your current address where eligible.
Pay Your Bills
Pay bills and existing credit commitments on time.
Level of Borrowing
Keep borrowing manageable, and aim to clear the balance so interest doesn’t reduce the value of your rewards.
Eligibility Checking
Using an eligibility checker before applying can help you understand your likelihood of acceptance. Soft searches do not affect your credit score.
Are rewards credit cards worth considering?
That depends on your spending, the card’s costs, and how you use the rewards. If you pay interest or fees, these costs may outweigh the value of the rewards you earn. Consider the APR, any fees and the value of the rewards you expect to use when comparing cards.
Do all purchases earn rewards?
Not always. Cash withdrawals, balance transfers, gambling transactions, fees, and certain other payments may be excluded. Check the lender’s terms.
How do reward points and airmiles work?
Reward and airline credit cards give you points or airmiles based on your spending. You can usually exchange these for vouchers, flights, upgrades or statement credit, depending on the programme. Check how points are earned, what they are worth and any expiry rules.
Frequently asked questions
Do credit card rewards expire?
Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
Are all rewards credit cards available here?
What’s a representative APR?
Can I hold more than one credit card?
Quotezone is a credit broker, not a lender. Rewards and benefits are subject to the card’s terms and may have eligibility requirements, limits or exclusions. Before applying, check the APR, any fees and charges, and the terms applying to earning and redeeming rewards.
You can also compare purchase credit cards, travel credit cards, cashback credit cards and balance transfer credit cards, or browse all credit cards.
About this online comparison service
Quotezone provides this information only comparison service for credit cards. Our eligibility checker service uses a ‘soft credit search’, which will not harm your credit score, to show your likelihood of acceptance by the lender. Quotezone acts as a credit broker, not a lender, which means we show you and distribute products offered by a range of lenders.
Quotezone does not offer advice or recommendation, so you must decide which product is right for you based on your needs. We do not charge you a fee for our service, but we will receive a payment, directly or indirectly, from the product provider if you select one from the product table (based on either a flat fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow). The payment we receive does not influence the information we provide to you. You should check with your selected provider to find out what fees may be applicable to you.
To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 and over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.
More information about our service can be found in our FAQs, Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
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