If you’re looking for a credit card these are the ones you need.
Credit cards can be good, and they can be bad. It all depends on why you want one and how you use it.
In this guide I’ll take you through each of the main purposes for credit cards and my picks of the best ones available, though as I’ll explain, sometimes you might be better off with a different option (it’ll all become clear).
So whether you need to reduce the cost of existing debt, spread out the cost of a new purchase, earn cashback or rewards, build your credit rating or get some extra consumer protection, these are the top credit cards for 2025.
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The best credit card for you
The cards listed here are the best of the bunch – but only in an ideal world.
There are some essential rules when applying for and using credit cards, and they could mean there are better options for your needs. This includes checking your eligibility before applying across a range of cards, ideally on a comparison site. Check the rules out here.
Why I’ve not listed interest rates
You’ll notice I don’t mention interest rates at all below. And the big reason is I don’t want you to get a credit card if you are going to get charged interest.
That means clearing the balance in full every month, or in the case of 0% interest cards, clearing the balance before that special offer ends.
If you think that you will have to pay interest some or most months then very simply you need to look for the lowest rate you can and ignore things like cashback.
Best credit card welcome bonuses
If you’re eligible then the most you’ll make from a credit card is via a welcome bonus. Often you’ll only get it once, unless you go without a card from the same provider for a couple of years, though there are a handful that allow you to get more than one.
Winner: American Express Cashback credit card
| Welcome offer | 5% back for the first three months (up to £125) |
| Card fee | £25 (can get this back via referral links or occasional offers) |
| Ongoing cashback | 0.75% per £1, then 1.25% after £10,000 spend (resets each year) |
You’ll earn 5% on the first £2,500 you spend in the first three months, and then reverts to the underlying 0.75% once you reach that total or the start of the fourth month.
Since this card doesn’t have a minumum spend to trigger the bonus, the Amex Cashback credit card is the most risk free option. So if you spend less that £2,500 you’ll still earn, though I’d suggest you try to time your application with a period of high spending.
The downside is the bonus and ongoing cashback isn’t paid for 12 months. Be sure to go via a referral link to cancel out the first year’s fee.
Choosing this card (or the Nectar Amex) also means you’re eligible for another welcome bonus from the Platinum card, though I’d only consider this when it is boosted. More here.
Runner Up: Boosted offers
Throughout the year some credit cards have boosted welcome offers, and they’re worth looking at when these happen as they can offer some huge bonuses.
Some of the one to look out for are, with the points available from recent offers as examples:
- American Express Platinum – up to 80,000 Amex Reward points with £10,000 spend in six months (details of any deals here)
- American Express British Airways Premium Plus – Up to 50,000 Avios points with £5,000 spend in three months (details of any deals here)
Check out this article with details of boosted referral bonuses and other extra offers with your American Express card.
Best 0% purchase credit card
Assuming that you will clear the balance by the end of the 0% period, the most important factors here are how long you need 0% for, and if you can get bonus cashback or freebies if accepted.
This is the type of card you’ll need if you plan to Stooze rather than earn cashback.
Winner: M&S Purchase Plus
| 0% length | Up to 25 months |
| Other benefits | Check Quidco and TopCashback before applying for cashback |
| Earn points at M&S when spending |
This is the joint longest 0% card right now, though you might not get the full 25 months. It takes my top spot as there’s the chance to also earn around £35 back from cashback sites when you go via them.
Runner up: Check eligibility
Cards come and go, with the length of time at 0% varying, so there’s no point me listing each of these here. What will be most important is your eligibility. Watch out for those “up to” offers as you might not get the full length.
Sadly there are no 0% purchase cards listed on cashback sites right now, but it’s always worth checking once you know your chance of acceptance and before applying.
Check out my list of the best credit card offers and promotions
Best 0% balance transfer credit cards
If you have existing credit card debts then a balance transfer credit card allows you to move that money over to a new card where no interest is added for a set time. With some you also pay a transfer fee. Here’s more on how they work and the pitfalls to avoid.
Sometimes longest isn’t best, and going for a fee-free card could be much cheaper.
Winner: Barclaycard 14 month Balance Transfer card
| 0% length | Up to 14 months |
| Transfer fee | 0% |
This isn’t the longest 0% card right now, but if you can clear your debt in 14 months it’s my winner as there’s no transfer fee.
Sadly there’s no cashback on offer from cashback sites for this card, though there’s £20 available from Quidco for the Tesco Low Balance Transfer card, which has a 0.75% transfer fee for a guaranteed 15 months. However, you’ll wipe out the cashback if you transfer more than £2,750.
Runner up: Barclaycard Platinum 36 month Balance Transfer card
| 0% length | Up to 36 months |
| Transfer fee | 3.45% |
| Other benefits | Check Quidco before applying for cashback |
If you really need as long as you can then this card from Barclaycard is right at the top, though you might be able to get ones not too much shorter with lower fees.
Again, it beats other options as there’s £15 in cashback available from Quidco.
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Plus, new Quidco customers get a high paying £18 welcome offer
Best 0% money transfer credit cards
Similar to Balance Transfer cards, these ones will transfer money from the new card to your bank account, so they’re useful for clearing overdrafts, catalogue debts and other loans. There aren’t many of these out there! Here’s more on how they work.
Winner: Tesco Bank All Round
| 0% length | 14 months |
| Transfer fee | 3.99% |
| Other benefits | Check Quidco before applying for cashback |
| Also 0% on balance transfers and purchases |
This one doesn’t seem to appear on cashback sites, but it’s worth double checking.
Best credit building credit cards
Using any credit card responsibly can boost your credit score, but there are a few designed for those with low credit. As with all the other cards the best bet is the one with the highest score on your eligibility check.
But if you have a few choices these ones come with a bonus or cashback on acceptance. Here’s more on getting a credit building credit card.
Winner: Tesco Bank Foundation
| Benefits | Check TopCashback before applying for cashback |
| Earn Clubcard points |
I’m putting this top as the cashback rate is generally higher, sitting at £25 at the time of writing via TopCashback. Though do check other options at rates can change.
You can also get Clubcard points on spending. This is a pretty rubbish rewards card compared to other options – but it’s more than you’ll get on other credit building cards.
Runner up: Barclaycard Forward
| 0% length | 6 months on purchases and transfers |
| Transfer fee | 2.9% |
| Other benefits | 3% reduction on interest rate after year one, 2% after year two |
| Check Quidco before applying for cashback |
You can get this cashback via Quidco. Check your eligibility before applying.
Though it does offer 0% on purchases and transfers, I’d first focus on other cards dedicated to these functions over this.
Featured switching deal
Our top pick
Customer rating
3.8/5
- Switch bonus£200
- Offer endsUnknown
- Extra bonus£25 Amazon Gift Card
- FSCS Protected? Yes
- Switch bonus requirements Switch using the Current Account Switch Service and close your old account within 60 days of starting the switch
- Deposit requirements Deposit £1,500 in the first 60 days from opening the account
- Direct debits transferred over Set up two Direct Debits before or after the switch from a selected list of household bills
- Existing customers? Can't have held any Santander current account on 1 January 2025
- Restrictions Can't have received a switching bonus from Santander already, offer limited to once per person
- Eligible accounts Open a new or hold an existing Everyday, Edge, Edge Up or Edge Explorer current account
- £25 Amazon Gift Card requirements To qualify for the gift card, you need to complete a full switch using CASS, and make five debit card transactions within 30 days of opening the account
Best travel credit card
I think you’re actually better off using a fee-free debit card for most of your overseas spending (here are my top picks). But sometimes, for example when hiring a car, that a credit card is required. Plus using one can offer extra consumer protections.
Lloyds Ultra credit card summary
This is the best option as not only is it fee free for spending and cash withdrawals, but you’ll also earn 1% cashback on all your spending in the first year, droping to 0.25% after that.
| Spending overseas | Fee-free (Visa rate) |
| Cash withdrawals overseas | Free, though will show on credit file |
| Other benefits | 1% cashback on all spending in year one |
| 0.25% cashback on all spending from year two onwards |
Best ongoing reward & cashback credit cards
Once you’ve triggered the welcome bonuses on a credit card, you might be better off spending with a cashback debit cards, such as those from Trading 212 and PayPal where you can get you up to 1.5%.
However, it can be handy to earn points on purchases where you want the added consumer protection that credit cards offer.
Rather than list them here, I’ve written separately about the best cashback credit cards, including Amex, Visa and Mastercard alternatives.
