Best credit cards of 2023

We compare the whole UK market daily so you can bag the best credit card for you, be that the biggest rewards, longest 0% interest offers or lowest fees available.

If you’re planning to book a holiday in the coming weeks, a 0% purchase credit card could help you to spread the cost interest-free. And this month, the NatWest Purchase and Balance Transfer credit card takes the top spot, offering a competitive 23 months at 0%.

Alternatively, if you’re paying off existing debt at a high rate of interest, switching it to a 0% balance transfer credit card could save you a lot in interest and help you clear your debt faster. This month’s longest 0% deal is also from NatWest – the NatWest Longer Balance Transfer credit card, offering 30 months at 0%. Just watch out for the 2.99% transfer fee and make sure you’ve cleared your debt before the interest-free period ends.

Top 10 best UK credit cards for March 2023

Best rewards credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Benefits: 2 complimentary airport lounge visits every year, 20,000 Membership Rewards Points welcome bonus (provided you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months) plus an ongoing earn rate of 1 point per £1 spent.
  • Account fee: Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £160 per annum.
  • Why we like it: Amex is working super-hard to entice and retain new customers, coming top in our latest customer satisfaction survey. This statement rewards card offers points by the bucketload – both when you join, as you spend, when you refer friends or add an additional cardholder, and also on the anniversaries of your being a cardholder. Plus there are more perks to unlock through the app. Did we mention travel inconvenience and travel accident insurance (subject to enrolment)?
  • Need to know: While accepting Amex is increasingly becoming the norm, some places still only take Visa or Mastercard.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.8% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £160 per annum, your representative rate is 72.4% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

Don’t want an annual fee?

  • Benefits: Earn Membership Rewards points on all your day-to-day spending without an annual fee.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.8% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.8% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

Don’t want an Amex?

  • Benefits: With a generous rewards points scheme and 0% balance transfer period, the Sainsbury's Bank Nectar credit card is a well-rounded and low-cost reward card.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).

Read review

Compare rewards cards

Best balance transfer credit card

  • Interest-free periods: 0% interest on balance transfers for 30 months with a fee of 2.99%. 0% interest on purchases for 3 months.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: With the longest 0% deal on balance transfers, plus 0% on puchases for 3 months, this card ticks a lot of boxes if you want longer to repay exisiting debt.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

Need a longer 0% balance transfer period?

  • Benefits: Up to 31 months interest-free for balance transfers.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).

Read review

Don’t want to pay a balance transfer fee?

  • Benefits: Up to 19 months interest-fee and no balance transfer fee.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

About balance transfer credit cards

Balance transfer credit cards let you move existing credit card debt to a new card, where you’ll enjoy 0% interest on the balance for a set period. At the end of this introductory 0% period, the card’s standard rate kicks in – which is typically much higher. Provided you don’t use them for additional spending, these cards allow you to clear debt faster because all of your monthly repayment goes towards the outstanding balance. The catch? There’s generally a “balance transfer fee” to pay – which is a percentage of the balance you’re transferring.

Best balance transfer cards

Best 0% purchase credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Interest-free periods: 0% interest on balance transfers for 23 months with a fee of 2.99%. 0% interest on purchases for 23 months.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: This versatile all-rounder from Natwest gives you a lengthy break from interest on both purchases and balance transfers. With no annual fee and a low reverting purchase rate, it can help keep the cost of your purchases down.
  • Need to know: To apply for this credit card, you will need to earn at least £10K per year and have a fairly good credit score.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

About 0% purchase credit cards

0% purchase credit cards let you make purchases up to your credit limit and then pay 0% interest on them for a promotional, introductory period. At the end of this period, any outstanding balance will start to accrue interest at the card’s standard purchase rate, which will be much higher.

Best 0% purchase credit cards

Best cashback credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Benefits: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £100) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership, and 1% thereafter.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: An accessible and easy-to-use card that rewards your everyday spending with cashback. With no annual fee, you can also keep your costs low, provided you pay off your balance in full each month.
  • Need to know: If you don't pay off your balance in full every month, you're likely to pay more in interest than you'd earn in cashback, and a 0% purchase or low rate card might be more suitable for you.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.8% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.8% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

About cashback credit cards

Cashback credit cards reward you for spending in the form of pounds or credit on your account. How much you can earn will depend on the card’s “earn rate”, plus any “earnings caps”. Cards that are affiliated with a brand may offer a better earn rate when you spend with that brand, and in some cases, cards come with an introductory enhanced earn rate for a specified period or an enhanced earn rate once your spending has exceeded a specified threshold.

Best cashback cards

Best travel credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Benefits: 0.25% cashback on everyday spending, fee-free currency conversion on non-sterling transactions and cash withdrawals.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: The Barclaycard Rewards Visa card has replaced Halifax Clarity as our top credit card pick for travel. It's one of a few cards offering commission-free non-sterling cash withdrawals in addition to the more common commission-free card spend, all with no account fee and some cashback.
  • Need to know: If you do use it to withdraw cash overseas, this part of your balance will benefit from the usual 0% interest grace period. Additionally, multiple credit card cash withdrawals could start to hurt your credit score.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 25.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 25.9% APR (variable).

Want a Mastercard?

  • Benefits: Enjoy a 0% balance transfer fee, plus no foreign transaction fees on purchases or cash withdrawals.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).

Read review

Looking for hotel perks?

  • Benefits: Generous introductory bonus and nice ongoing rewards.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.8% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £75 per annum, your representative rate is 46.6% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

About travel credit cards

These credit cards are designed to make it more affordable to spend money overseas or online with international retailers. Unlike most debit and credit cards, they don’t charge a foreign transaction fee when you use your card to spend in an international currency. Currencies will usually be converted using the standard Mastercard rate or Visa rate. Just remember that “fee-free” does not mean “interest-free”.

When you’re using one of these cards, don’t forget that if a merchant/bank abroad offers to take payment in sterling (this is called dynamic currency conversion), you should decline and choose to pay in the local currency. Otherwise, it will be the local bank or merchant whose currency conversion fee structure will apply, rather than your card issuers.

Best travel credit cards

Best credit builder credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Benefits: Designed for customers with a less than perfect credit record, or simply not much in the way of credit history, Tesco offers a popular card to help you build your credit.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: The Tesco Foundation card offers to help you improve and rebuild your credit rating while earning you Tesco Clubcard points on day-to-day spending.
  • Need to know: The card's standard interest rate is high, making it an expensive option if you don't clear your balance in full each month.
  • Representative example: Assumed credit limit £1,200, representative 29.9% APR (variable), purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable).

Not a big Tesco shopper?

  • Benefits: Up to 6 months 0% interest on purchases (depending on eligbility) and price promise benefit - meaning a 3% interest rate reduction if you repay on time for your first year and 2% reduction if you do the same in year 2.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 33.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 33.9% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

About credit builder credit cards

Credit builders are simple credit cards designed to improve credit scores, for people with bad or no credit history. Expect low starting credit limits which can be quickly reviewed provided the card is used responsibly. This type of card will often be a “stepping stone” product to credit products with a better interest rate.

Best credit builder cards

Best frequent flyer credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Benefits: Collect 1 Avios for every £1 you spend plus a 5,000 Avios welcome bonus if you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: With no annual fee this is a great introduction to collecting air miles. You can also opt for the Premium Plus version to get an even better earn rate and heftier intro bonus in return for an annual fee. If what you'll earn in rewards outweighs the annual fee, then that could be a smart choice.
  • Need to know: If you're not going to pay off your balance in full each month, chances are you'll pay more in interest than you'll earn in air miles. If that sounds like you, you could consider a 0% purchase or low rate deal instead.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.8% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.8% APR (variable).

Check if you're eligible for this card

Don’t want an Amex?

  • Benefits: Collect 1 Avios for every £1 you spend plus a 5,000 Avios welcome bonus if you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 25.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 25.9% APR (variable).

Read review

Looking for an alternative to Avios?

  • Benefits: Earn 0.75% Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 1.5% miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).

Read review

About frequent flyer credit cards

Frequent flyer credit cards let you earn frequent flyer points or air miles on everyday purchases, either directly or by transferring card reward points to your chosen airline loyalty programme e.g. Avios. These cards tend to be more premium options, so there’s often an annual fee to consider, but chances are it’ll be offset by some tasty perks.

Compare frequent flyer cards

Best money transfer credit card

  • Finder rating: ★★★★★
  • Interest-free periods: 0% interest on money transfers for 14 months with a fee of 3.49%. 0% interest on balance transfers for 12 months with a fee of 4%.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: This specialised card lets you move funds to a different account and avoid paying interest (you'll just pay the one-off transfer fee), and this is one of the longest around. Unlike other 0% offers, money transfer deals give you much more flexibility – great if you need to pay several parties in cash, for example.
  • Need to know: The 14 months interest-free applies to money transfers you make in the first 60 days. You'll need to earn at least £14,000 p.a. to apply.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).

About money transfer credit cards

A 0% money transfer card allows you to make transfers from the credit card to your bank account, and won’t charge interest on this balance for a specified period. After the 0% period, the card’s standard rate kicks in, which is invariably much higher.

Compare money transfer cards

Frequently asked questions

Are reward point credit cards worth it?

It depends on how you use the card, for example, if you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, then you’ll usually pay more in interest than you’ll earn in rewards. If you always clear your balance in full each month, however, then with most cards on the UK market, you won’t pay interest at all, thanks to a grace period on purchases. That means that, provided you choose the right card and use it carefully, you can earn reward points without paying interest.

Some rewards or frequent flyer cards come with annual or monthly account management charges, but thankfully, plenty don’t charge this fee. If you think you would spend a lot on a credit card but would also clear your balance in full each month, then paying an annual fee might actually be worth it. That’s because these are the cards which tend to come with the best reward point earn rates.

Can I get a credit card with bad credit?

Possibly, yes. Although realistically some top cards will be off the table, there are plenty of card issuers that specialise in credit builder cards – which are specifically designed for those with a damaged or limited credit history.

Additionally, the interest rates and credit limits of credit cards are often tailored to the applicant, which means you may find that you are offered a card, but with a relatively low opening credit limit, and potentially with a rate that’s higher than the advertised representative APR.

Which credit card gives the best travel rewards?

Virgin Atlantic and American Express are frequently to be found battling it out at the top of frequent flyer comparison tables.

If you can make your peace with an annual fee, the British Airways Premium Plus Card offers the highest Avios earn rate, while Amex’s Preferred Rewards Gold Card comes with two complimentary airport lounge visits annually.

What are the best credit cards for beginners?

If you’re just starting out your credit card journey, you might have a low credit score and will not be able to apply for some of the more competitive rates on the market. However, there are credit builder credit cards available to those looking to build or rebuild their credit history, these could be a good place to start.

How we choose our top credit cards

Founded in 2006, Finder has been comparing credit cards for more than 15 years. Here’s an overview of the criteria we use to pick our top credit cards:

  • Providers. The “best” and “promoted” credit cards at the very top of the page are chosen from among a pool of card providers we have partnerships with. However, our list further down the page considers the wider market of cards and providers.
  • The best at doing the job they’re meant to. There’s no absolute “best credit card” for everyone, so our aim is to help you find a card that works for you. That’s why we picked a card for each of the main types.
  • Quality and price. Zero annual fees and low APRs sometimes don’t tell the whole story – we take them into account, but also look at what you get in return.
  • Going the extra mile with rewards. Some credit cards do the job just fine, but don’t give you anything else. We like credit cards that offer ongoing rewards, be it tickets for your favourite concert or extra supermarket loyalty points.

Finally, we check whole-market rates, fees and terms every single day to make sure that the features on our credit card tables are accurate.

The best credit card companies for customer satisfaction in 2023

We asked cardholders to rate their satisfaction with service, and whether they’d recommend their card issuer to a friend. We’ve shown both for each brand in the table below. Our independent survey of 2,749 card customers was carried out in December 2022. The table is ordered by the percentage of customers who said they’d recommend the brand to a friend.

Card issuerImageOverall satisfactionWould recommendReviewLink
American ExpressAmerican Express★★★★★93%American Express offers a range of credit cards to cater to all types of customers, as well as the exclusive Experiences rewards programme.See the range
M&S BankM&S Bank logo★★★★★88%Similar to other credit cards operated by retailers, M&S Bank lets you earn M&S points on every credit card transaction, and offers preferential foreign exchange rates to cardholders.See the range
Sainsbury’sSainsburys Bank logo★★★★★83%The UK’s second-biggest supermarket brand, with Sainsbury’s you can earn Nectar points on all credit card transactions, with bonus points for new customers.See the range
NatWestNatWest logo★★★★★94%NatWest offers specialised rewards and balance transfer cards, as well as a student credit card.See the range
Lloyds BankLloyds logo★★★★★87%Lloyds Bank has a wide variety of credit card products, with rewards, cashback and even specialised cards for large purchases.See the range
SantanderSantander logo★★★★★87%Santander, the Spanish banking giant, offers generous cashback benefits and credit cards aimed at those looking to travel abroad.See the range
HalifaxHalifax logo★★★★★87%Halifax combines 0% balance transfers and purchases on one card. It also offers the low-rate FlexiCard.See the range
HSBCHSBC logo★★★★★85%One of the world’s largest banks, HSBC has an extensive credit card product range, with 24/7 customer service and global reward systems.See the range
Virgin MoneyVirgin Money logo★★★★★84%Virgin Money provides a number of bonus credit card programmes, such as Virgin Red, and offers discounts across the entire Virgin Group. With a Virgin Atlantic credit card, you can also collect air miles to spend on flights and upgrades.See the range
Tesco BankTesco Bank logo★★★★★84%Tesco Bank has a wide range of credit card products, and you can earn Tesco Clubcard points on every transaction you make using your card.See the range
BarclaycardBarclaycard logo★★★★★83%Barclaycard offers balance transfer, rewards and everyday cards.See the range
MBNAMBNA logo★★★★★83%MBNA is part of the Lloyds Banking Group and offers a range of credit cards with extended 0% balance transfer and purchase periods.See the range
Capital OneCapital One logo★★★★★81%Capital One offers credit-builder cards for those looking to improve their credit score, and also offers a credit report check without affecting your score.See the range
WaveWave logo★★★★★80%With Chetwood Financial’s Wave credit card you can borrow up to £1,750 while building your credit history.Read our review
Asda MoneyAsda Money logo★★★★★79%Asda Money‘s credit cards offer competitive rates, a credit building option and the chance to earn cashback in the form of “Asda Pounds”See the range
Aquaaqua logo★★★★★71%Aqua credit cards offer limits of up to £1,200 and are aimed at customers looking to build their credit score.See the range

Customer satisfaction ratings methodology

In December 2022, we ran a customer satisfaction survey on credit cards. 2,749 people responded and gave us their opinion on their current credit card provider.

The survey asked respondents how satisfied they are with their credit card (using a 1-5 rating) and whether they would recommend the brand to a friend. We converted the responses into star ratings and produced a shortlist of the top-performing companies based on customer satisfaction. When there was a draw, we used the recommendation score (that is, the percentage of customers who said they would recommend the brand to a friend) as a tie-breaker.

You can get a full breakdown of our ratings methodology for credit cards here.

Finder credit card ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Our customer satisfaction scores ("Customers say") are based on a survey of 2,749 customers carried out in December 2022.

To find out more, read our full methodology.

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Plastic surgery: Are credit cards being reinvented?

Finder published a report in June 2022 exploring current trends, innovations and challenges in the credit card industry. It features the findings of our survey of consumers about their attitudes to physical credit cards and other ways to pay, and insights from 6 experts: Daniel Dawson of RBR, David Parker of Polymath Consulting, Hannah Elderfield of Canvas8, James Shepherd of Cashplus Bank, Martin Magnone of Tymit, and Richard Whatmough of Lloyds Banking Group.
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We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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