Barclaycard Rewards review
- Representative example:
- Representative 28.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 28.9% p.a. (variable).
- Foreign transaction charge
- 0%
- Account fee
- £0
- Earn rate
- 1p per £4 spent
Our verdict
A good option to avoid fees on non-sterling transactions, with a little cashback thrown in too.This is Barclaycard's holiday credit card. While credit cards typically come with a 2.75%-2.95% fee on foreign transactions, most big card issuers have one card in their range that waives that fee. It all started with the Halifax Clarity (R.I.P.) and now there are several credit or debit cards for Brits to choose from to use on their travels. In fact, card issuers are now starting to offer rewards on top of that waived fee, to persuade you to pick their card over the others.
By offering cashback on a travel card, the Barclaycard Rewards Card is going head to head with big-hitters like the Lloyds Ultra Credit Card, the Santander Credit Card and the Chase Credit Card.
The 0.25% cashback is across the board – which we like to see. Santander and Chase, for example, pay cashback on certain types of transaction (e.g. groceries and fuel), while this Barclaycard and Lloyds' Ultra apply it to all spend, both at home and overseas. Spend £600 overseas on this Barclaycard and you'll save about £18 in foreign transaction fees and net £1.50 cashback. Note that you'll never get cashback (on any card) on cash withdrawals or other "cash-like" transactions (buying foreign currency, gambling, etc.).
Like all Barclaycards, this card comes with a few appealing extras, including enhanced cashback with a few partner brands, and pre-sale tickets/discounts on selected gigs through Barclaycard Entertainment.
Just bear in mind that if you carry a balance from month to month, then the amount you’ll pay in interest is likely to outweigh the amount you’ll earn in cashback. That's true of all travel credit cards, but even more so of this one, with its high 28.9% representative APR.
Plus, if you have a limited or damaged credit history, Barclaycard might offer you a tailored (higher) interest rate. You can check your eligibility before you apply, and without affecting your credit score, at the Barclaycard site. Provided you use this card responsibly (make at least your minimum repayment on time each month and stay within your credit limit, for example), then as with any credit card, you could build your credit score over time.
On cashback and ongoing rate, the Lloyds Ultra Card has this Barclaycard beat, but it's nonetheless a strong option.
Pros
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No fees for foreign transactions
-
No annual fee
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0.25% cashback on spending
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Add additional cardholders without charge
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0% fee to withdraw cash at home or abroad
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Advanced access tickets for selected gigs through Barclaycard Entertainment
Cons
-
There are better cashback deals on the market
-
Cashback is paid annually
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Cash withdrawals immediately accrue interest until repaid
Details
Product Overview
| Issuer | Barclaycard |
| Network | Visa |
| Representative APR | 28.9% APR (variable) |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Loyalty scheme | Cashback |
| Cashback details | 0.25% after £1 of yearly spend. Cashback paid On request into Card Account. Cashback paid annually or on request. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit. |
| Additional Rewards Info | Buy tickets for up to 3500 selected live events through Barclaycard entertainment and get 5% off tickets per year and exclusive pre-sale tickets on selected festivals with 10% off ticket prices. Save 10% on food and drink at all UK 02 Academy venues. Earn up to 15% cashback on selected retailers with Barclaycard Cashback Rewards. |
| Purchases | 28.9% |
| Purchases interest-free period (days) | 56 |
| Balance transfers | 28.9% |
| Potential costs | 7.8Great |
| Extras | 7.9Great |
| Overall Finder Score | 8.6Great |
Fees and charges
| Minimum monthly payment | Greater of: 1% of the underlying balance plus the month's interest and any applicable fees and charges; £5; or the outstanding balance. |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Money transfer fee | 0% |
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 0% |
| Foreign usage charge | 0% |
| Cash advance fee | 0% |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Replacement card fee | £0 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £0 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £0 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Additional card fee note | Add up to four additional cardholders to your account. Must be a close family member, over 18 and live at the same address as you. |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
Application Requirements
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Minimum income | £0 |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
How does it compare?
Barclaycard's card
Finder Score for credit cards
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.
Read the full methodologyOther popular cards for overseas spending
Finder Score for credit cards
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.
Read the full methodologyApproval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through Barclaycard's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 151 0900). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | |
|---|---|
| Fixed amount | |
| Fixed percentage | |
| Full amount |
How to apply for this Barclaycard
If you've compared cards and want to apply, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, it's a smart idea to quickly use the "eligibility checker", which can give you a good idea of your chances of approval before you apply. Crucially, because it uses a "soft" credit search, this tool won't affect your credit score.
Barclaycard and Finder Awards
Our Finder Awards celebrate brands that truly stand out in their field. Barclaycard is one of these brands and has won multiple awards!
- 2025 Provider of the Year Award (Credit Builder Credit Card)
- 2025 Provider of the Year Award (Balance Transfer Credit Card)
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the Barclaycard Rewards?
If Barclaycard offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on Barclaycard's assessment of your situation. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Barclaycard you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the Barclaycard Rewards?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
There's no cash advance fee on the Barclaycard Rewards. However withdrawing cash on a credit card is generally best avoided as it's recorded on your credit record where it may put off prospective lenders in the future.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 28.9%, which is the same as the standard purchase rate. That's chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply. On £500-worth of cash paid off 2 weeks later, that would mean £4.89 of interest.
How much does it cost to use the Barclaycard Rewards abroad?
Non-sterling transactions don't incur a currency conversion fee (they're converted at "interbank" rates).
Can I request an additional Barclaycard Rewards?
Yes, in fact, you can request up to 4 more. There's no fee for additional cards. Plus, with additional cards, you could be able to earn cashback at a faster rate. Bear in mind that card debt accrued by additional cardholders is the sole responsibility of the account holder – not the additional cardholder.
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