Earn as much as 5% back when you spend from the likes of American Express, Chase and Barclaycard.
You can earn cashback or rewards via both debit and credit cards. In most instances the best option is the one that pays the best rate.
If you’re worried about managing a credit card it makes sense to use a debit card more. However, credit cards do have extra perks like added consumer protection or for deposits when hiring a car.
Cashback can be spent as you wish, while rewards normally need to be transferred into vouchers and spent at specific retailers.
We’ve outlined the best options so you can earn as you spend.
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Best cashback debit cards
There are a just a handful of debit cards which offer money back on your spending. Chase used to be on all spending but added restrictions in April 2025. Our top pick is from Trading 212, which is temporarily increased to 1.5%.
| Trading 212 |
| 1.5% until 6 July 2025 if you auto-invest the cashback |
| 0.5% after this |
| Max £15 cashback a month |
| Cashback payable daily |
| £5 for physical card |
| Fee-free abroad and earn cashback |
| > Trading 212 card review |
| > Customer reviews of T212 on Smart Money People |
| Chase Bank |
| 1% on groceries, everyday transport, petrol |
| Max £15 cashback a month |
| Cashback payable daily |
| No fee |
| Requires £1,500 deposit in previous month |
| Also fee-free abroad (no cashback though) |
| > Chase Bank review |
| > Customer reviews of Chase on Smart Money People |
Other cards
We’ve not listed cards which offer money back from time to time on a changing list of retailers. This includes Monzo, Halifax and Santander. These are worth a look but are really just pot luck as to whether something is available when you want to buy something.
Occasionally there’ll be a short lived cashback offer, and we list them on our banking deals page.
Our analysis
After the current 1.5% offer, Trading 212 offers a lower rate of 0.5% but it’s not restricted to certain purchases. You’ll also earn the cashback on overseas spending. It has a cap of £15 a month.
The highest ongoing rate on debit cards is via the Chase current accounts, where there’s 1% up for grabs. Sadly though this is limited to set categories, broadly groceries and travel (trains, buses, ferries and petrol) in the UK on both cards.
There’s also a £15 cap on how much you can earn each month. This means you’ll earn only on the first £1,500 spent on qualifying categories.
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Best cashback and reward credit cards
There are different types of cashback credit card, so we’ve split this section into:
- Best American Express cashback cards
- Best Visa or Mastercard cashback cards
- Best supermarket or retailer cashback cards
- Best airline rewards cards
Andy’s cashback credit card rules
A really important rule if you are using a cashback credit card.
Always pay off the balance in full every month
There’s no point using a cashback credit card if you’re going to get charged interest on your purchase. So make sure you set up a Direct Debit to clear the full balance.
If you can’t afford to do that, then a credit card probably isn’t your best option except for emergencies. I’ve written more about clearing credit card debts, so do read that.
It’s also worth doing an eligibility check before you apply if you can. This gives you a sense of whether you’ll be accepted, though not a guarantee.
Read more about these credit card rules.
Best American Express cashback and reward credit cards
The three Amex credit cards I’d look at for everyday earning are the Cashback, Nectar or Preferred Rewards Gold card.
| Amex Cashback | Amex Nectar | Amex Preferred Rewards Gold |
| 0.75% on first £10,000 a year then 1.25% | 2 Nectar points per £1 (equivalent to 1%) | 1 point per £1 (equivalent to 0.5%) Bonus points for every £5,000 spend (boosts equivalent rate to up to 0.75%) |
| 5% welcome bonus (up to £150) in first three months | 20,000 welcome bonus if you spend £2,000 in two months (worth £100) | 20,000 standard welcome bonus if you spend £3,000 in two three months (worth £10) Often boosted to 30,000 points (£150) |
| Cashback payable at end of year | Points redeemable instantly | Points redeemable instantly |
| £25 a year fee | Free in first year £30 a year afterwards | Free in first year £195 a year afterwards |
| Also £10 back at Deliveroo each month, 4 free Priority Passes | ||
| Bonus £25 via referral | Bonus £20 via referral | Bonus £70 via referral |
| > Amex Gold credit card review | ||
| > Customer reviews of Amex over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of Amex over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of Amex over on Smart Money People |
| > Check your eligibility for an American Express credit card | > Check your eligibility for an American Express credit card | > Check your eligibility for an American Express credit card |
Our analysis
The highest paying of all credit and debit cards without restrictions is the American Express Nectar, which earns you the equivalent of 1% back. Of course you are earning Nectar points, but as long as you sometimes shop at Sainsbury’s or Argos that shouldn’t be an issue. It’s free in the first year.
If you want pure cash, then go for the American Express Cashback card. You will pay £25 a year for this, but you can wipe that out in the first year by applying via cashback site. You’ll be earning 0.75% on spending up to £10,000, and then a higher 1.25% if you go beyond this. This resets every 12 months.
There is a free but lower paying (at 0.5% on first £10,000, then 1%) version called American Express Everyday Cashback. However you must spend at least £3,000 a year to get any cashback on that.
Alternatively you could look at the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold credit card. You’ll only earn one Amex point (worth 0.5% if you swap it to a gift card), though it’s boosted for every £2,500 you spend above £5,000, pushing potential earnings to 0.75%. This card is initially free, but very expensive from the second year onwards, so it’s certainly only for one year. I’d also wait for when the welcome bonus is increased.
Other Amex cards
The focus of this guide is ongoing earning from spending, whether as cashback or Amex Reward points, however we’ve a longer guide to all American Express cards, their features and their welcome bonuses, including the Platinum card.
Extra Amex offers
Check out this article with details of boosted referral bonuses and other extra offers with your American Express card.
Best Visa and Mastercard cashback and reward credit cards
If you want a back up credit card that’s not American Express, then the following are worth a look. They’re also all fee-free for spending overseas, which is something the Amex cards don’t offer.
| Barclaycard Rewards | Santander Edge | NatWest Travel Reward |
| 0.25% Temporarily boosted to 0.5% | 2% for the first year 1% after | 1% on UK travel spending (including trains, planes, car rentals, hotels, buses & more) 0.1% elsewhere |
| Max £15 cashback a month | ||
| Cashback paid monthly | Cashback paid monthly | Cashback paid after 35 days |
| No fee | £3 monthly fee | No fee |
| Requires Santander current account | ||
| Fee-free abroad | Fee-free abroad | Fee-free abroad |
| Visa | Mastercard | Mastercard |
| > Santander Edge credit card review | ||
| > Customer reviews of Barclaycard credit cards over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of Santander credit cards over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of NatWest credit cards over on Smart Money People |
| > Check eligibility for the Barclaycard Rewards credit card | > Check eligibility for a Santander credit card | > Check eligibility for a NatWest credit card |
Our analysis
The Barclaycard Rewards pays a solid 0.25% cashback on spending at home or abroad, and is fee free. If you apply before 4 August 2025, new applicants can get double cashback until the end of November.
The Santander Edge credit card can pay more at 2% for the first year, though since you’re capped at £15, you’ll only earn on £750 of spend each month. You also need to factor in a £3 a month fee, which would mean you need to spend at least £300 each month to get the equivalent of 1%. In year two onwards, the fee has a bigger impact and would require at least £400 spend a month to match the lower Barclaycard Rewards card.
I’ve included the NatWest Travel Reward credit card, but it’s only advantage over other cards is you can earn 1% back on holiday planning at home, such as hotels and flights – though you’d get the same with the Amex Nectar as long as the retailer accepts it.
Other cards
- NatWest Reward: 1% at supermarkets, 0.25% elsewhere (£24 annual fee unless a NatWest customer) Also available from RBS
- Virgin Money Everyday Cashback: 0.25% capped at £15 a month. Fee-free abroad
Best supermarket and retailer specific cashback and reward credit cards
These cards will earn you a decent rate at core UK retailers and supermarkets like Amazon and John Lewis. You’ll also earn on spending elsewhere, but those rates can usually be beaten by other cards listed above.
| Amazon Barclaycard Rewards | John Lewis Partnership | M&S Bank Rewards |
| 1% at Amazon (2% on big sales) 0.5% elsewhere for the first 12 months, then 0.25% | 5 points per £4 spent at John Lewis or Waitrose (equivalent of 1.25%) 5 points per £4 spent elsewhere (equivalent of 0.25%) | 1 points per £1 at M&S (equivalent of 1%) 1 points per £5 at elsewhere (equivalent of 0.2%) |
| £20 welcome credit (sometimes boosted) | Regular welcome offers | Regular welcome offers |
| Max £15 cashback a month | ||
| Redeem credit in multiples of £5 | Redeem vouchers in multiples of £5 | Vouchers paid quarterly |
| No fee | No fee | No fee |
| > Amazon Barclaycard Rewards review | ||
| > Customer reviews of Amex over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of John Lewis credit cards over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of M&S Bank over on Smart Money People |
| > Check your eligibility for an Amazon credit card | > Check your eligibility for a John Lewis credit card | > Check your eligibility for a Marks and Spencer Bank credit card |
Other cards
- Asda Money: 0.75% back at Asda, 0.2% elsewhere
Best airline reward credit cards
Fee-free versions of the following cards are available, though you’ll earn far fewer points all round.
| British Airways American Express Premium Plus | Barclaycard Avios Plus | Virgin Atlantic Reward+ |
| 1.5 Avios per £1 spent | 1.5 Avios per £1 spent | 1.5 point per £1 spent |
| 30,000 bonus welcome Avios if you spend £3,000 in three months Often boosted to 60,000 points | 25,000 bonus welcome Avios if you spend £3,000 in three months | 18,000 bonus points with first spend |
| Spend £15,000 to get a companion voucher | Spend £10,000 to get a cabin upgrade voucher | Spend £10,000 to get a companion or cabin upgrade voucher |
| £300 a year | £20 a month | £160 a year |
| > Barclaycard Avios review | ||
| > Customer reviews of Amex over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of Barclaycard credit cards over on Smart Money People | > Customer reviews of Virgin Money cards over on Smart Money People |
| > Check your eligibility for an American Express credit card | > Check your eligibility for a Barclaycard credit card | > Check your eligibility for a Virgin Money credit card |
Our analysis
As well as earning points as you spend, the draw with these cards are welcome offers and 2-4-1 vouchers. However the latter can require huge amounts of spending – and then even more to get enough points to use alongside the vouchers, especially on non-economy seats.
Unless you are going to be spending a lot, or want to save long term for a dream trip, I prefer using cashback card and having the flexibility to shop around for deals on flights.
You can also earn points on some American Express cards, such as the Nectar, Reward, Gold and Platinum that can covert to many different airline schemes.
Check out my list of the best credit card offers and promotions
It would be good to understand why cards from other providers which offer better rates aren’t featured? Is it because they’re not all FSCS protected, or something of that nature?
E.g. Algbra offered 1.5% cashback for quite some time. Trading 212 also offers 1.5% cashback until the end of October 2024, and Uphold recently had an offer of 5% cashback (paid in GBP, not in crypto) over June and July, and offers an ongoing 1% capped at £100 a month (loads more than Chase’s £15/month cap). I’ve never seen any of these featured and not having them here makes it looks like Chase’s offer is the best on the market when it arguably isn’t always the case.
When they’re short term offers we list them in our banking offers page
Think the .5% for over £4000 with Halifax is gone. At any rate it’s no longer in their literature. The Halifax cashback credit card also connects to Halifax Rewards. This gives higher rates plus the .25% on limited and changing offers. I’ve made £44 on Rewards, but over several years .
Algbra offers a debit card that gets you 1.5% cashback on all transactions made through Google Pay or Apple Pay. The payout can be a bit slow but it does come through!
Hi Andy
I’m wondering why the Co-op members credit card never gets mentioned. Has 0.3% cashback on all spend so better than Barclaycard (without free oversea spend though). I’m thinking of opening one due to more ethical credentials, but don’t see it mentioned much.
Hi Andy, Halifax and Lloyds don’t have the cashback credit card. Do you think the natwest platinium is a good alternative to this cards? I do spread my spending on several supermarkets, but most of them I use gift card websites (4-7% savings). It would be great to have another saving on top of those ones.
what are gift card websites? thx
Miguel, I might have read you wrong, but you can’t use both a gift card and a credit card for the same transaction.
If you’re talking about buying a gift card by credit card that might be difficult, as the company I use won’t accept credit cards and I doubt they’re alone. Plus credit card companies treat gift cards as cash and charge accordingly.
However, debit cards are a different story, in which case Chase is probably your best bet.
TopCashBack with the American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday Card is just a £5 bonus now, I’m afraid! Still going to give it a try:-)
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your useful articles. Amex is not working with Curve so I am looking for an all-round non-Amex credit card. Given that I’ve just opened Chase, cashback may not be the most important feature to me in a credit card. What is your thoughts on Santander all in on credit card?
I was looking forward for your May update regarding credit cards. Fantastic as always!
I’m curious about knowing your thoughts in regards to NatWest reward credit card ?
Thanks Yucando! I’ll take a proper look. It could be that with the Amex Platinum cuts it’s a good all-rounder if you go to multiple supermarkets, or ones that don’t offer their own card.
Re John Lewis and M&S cards: Can I pay them back in store at a till or do I have to do a direct debt? Just because it would be easier for me to go into the store and pay these cards back at a till in cash.
M&S cards can be paid in stores (when open). John Lewis is via bank transfer, DD or cheque
Sadly, Tandem is now closed. They have given their 3 months’ notice earlier this month and will cancel their card by Nov 2020.
Yes, I ditched my card earlier this year when they started charging a fee. But it’s a shame their leaving the market.
Re John Lewis Partnership Credit Card
Just received a letter stating that the cashback is going to be ‘updated’.
You will get 5 points with a £4 purchase at JLP and Waitrose – where you are getting 1 point for a £1 spend at the moment -, but spend in other shops is going down to 1 point for a £4 purchase. Not such a good deal any more then. This will come into effect on 4 September.
Thanks Dorit, really useful to know. I’ll update the guide. Andy
Yes with John Lewis you used to get a quite generous number of café vouchers for free tea or coffee and cake. Now it tends to be just one or two vouchers, and that about every four to five months it seems to me. Though of course that is suspended at the moment with Coronavirus lock down.
I think they have also tightened up on the credit period that you could wait for before paying the bill.
Also fully agree with paying the bill every month. Interest can certainly add up if you spend say five or six hundred pounds on the card for some capital item, and you pay it off over two or three instalments. Need to watch that.
Hi Andy,
I used your referral link and the voucher did not process so I emailed Tandem and they require your name and email before the voucher can be processed
How is a tandem card better than a partnership card?
If I spend £100 at Waitrose/John Lewis with a partnership card 1 get £1 cashback
If I spend £100 at Waitrose /John Lewis with a tandem card I get 50p cashback
Everywhere else they are exactly the same 0.5% cashback.
As for using the card abroad there are no fees for using the card but you still have to pay 18.0% to get 0.5% cashback.
Or am I missing something?
Hi Richard. It’s Amex that I think is better to use at John Lewis and Waitrose as you can also get the 1% or more at lots of other places. The Tandem is my back up for those that don’t use Amex. And as long as you pay off the balance you won’t get charged any interest. If you can’t clear the balance then best to avoid credit cards in all cases but emergency (or section 75 protection).
Forget cashback.Much better is to take out a succession of longterm 0% interest cards -pay only the minimum each month (by direct debit) and transfer the balances to 0% balance transfer cards that charge no transfer fee when the interest free period nears its end.Keep the amount owing in an instant access account earning 1.5% Marcus for example and the interest you earn will soon dwarf any cashback or reward scheme.I have been doing this for around three years and now have roughly £15000 “debt” earning £200+ pa. On an annual credit card spend of around £5000 that equates to an ongoing discount of around 4%
You could just put that £15,000 you have stored to cover your debt in a Santander Edge Up account and earn 3% interest/£450 per year less a fee of £60 per year leaving you with £390 pa plus you get 1% cashback on household bills paid by direct debit (up to £10/m) plus 1% cashback on supermarkets, trains, buses etc (max £15 per month).
So on average, you could be spending £200 on council tax, £50 on water, £25 on your phone, £25 on your broadband, £200 on energy and £100 on food. That’s a spend of £600/month or £6/month which means you could have a monthly spend of up to £1500 to get the £15 cash back.
But anyway, interest £450 + £60 cashback per year on ‘bills’ less £60 fees leaves you with £450 per year and no messing around finding 0% balance credit cards and transferring balances and chasing yourself. This way you earn more than double what you are getting now.
The only way yours works better is if that £15,000 is not your own money but I don’t see how a balance transfer card allows you to withdraw cash to its limit without a cash advance fee being charged.
With the American Express (Amex) Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card you must make purchases of at least £3000 / year “to be eligible to receive your cashback”!
I’ll struggle to do this – recently tried to use it to pay for car insurance – not accepted of course, same story for heating oil.
Hi Eric, oh that’s a shame. £3,000 a year works out as £58 a week. You should be able to use an Amex at the supermarket and most major petrol stations, which hopefully would account for the bulk of it.
Can we use to pay our rent, mobile monthly charge, iCloud, and restaurants and supermarkets?
We don’t get any fee for doing that with this one right?
If the merchant accepts the card then you won’t face any extra charges (the main exception is if the transaction is treated as a cash advance e.g. if used to buy currency or at an ATM). Most landlords won’t accept credit or debit cards though.
Hi Andy, Tandem say they need to know the email address used to set up your card to verify the £10 Amazon voucher referral. Can you help?