Contactless payments: The pros and cons of tap and pay

Contactless payments are a modern way to pay for your everyday purchases with one simple touch. To enjoy this benefit, you need to wave or tap your card, wearable payment device or smartphone in front of a contactless terminal. There’s no requirement to enter your PIN or sign a receipt to authorise a transaction.

This method has been used in the UK since 2007, with transaction limits gradually increasing. In March 2026, the manadatory £100 spending limit was removed by the Financial Conduct Authority, allowing banks and customers to set and customise their own limits, though banks like Santander and HSBC have kept the £100 limit due to risks of card fraud.

Still, the popularity of contactless payment increases, shifting the UK towards a cashless society, as the UK Finance estimated that a third of all payments made in the UK in 2021 used contactless.

How do contactless payments work?

Contactless payments use Near Field Communication (NFC), which allows two devices to securely transmit and receive information by bringing them within 4cm of each other. It’s an upgrade to the existing radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, which combines the interface of a smartcard and a reader into a single device. As an example, RFID is used by Transport for London’s Oyster Card ticketing system.

If you see the contactless symbol, it means you can make contactless payments of up to limit set by you or by your bank. All three networks – Mastercard, Visa and American Express – offer contactless payment technology. Sometimes referred to as “tap and pay”, consumers can either wave or tap their credit cards at counters or card machines with contactless terminals without entering a PIN or signing a receipt. For larger transactions of over £100, you are usually required to enter your PIN. After you have tapped or waved, wait a few seconds for a green light or “approved” to show up to confirm that the transaction has gone through. You won’t always get a receipt so be sure to ask for one if you require a record of your transaction.

Contactless devices include:

Debit, credit or pre-paid cards
Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets (which use mobile payment systems such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay)
Wearable devices, such as watches and wristbands
Key fobs
Stickers

It’s worth noting that mobile payment devices usually don’t have a payment limit because they require an extra level of identification, such as a PIN, face scan or fingerprint.

What are the pros and cons of contactless payments?

Pros

Convenient. You just need to tap your card or mobile phone and you don't need to enter a PIN or sign a receipt. This saves you time and doesn't cost you any extra money.
Peace of mind. You're protected against fraudulent transactions, and retailers no longer have access to your credit card information.
Reduces the threat of hackers. NFC technology uses data encryption when sending sensitive information, generating a one-time secruity code instead of your actual card number that hackers cannot use when making a second transaction.
No typing errors. You don't have to worry about incorrectly typing in your PIN, and the connection is quicker on contactless terminals.
Easy to use overseas. You can use contactless payments abroad if the retailer offers it, although the spending limit may vary depending on the local currency. Be aware: foreign transaction fees could still apply.
Shorter queues. Convenient and quick payments mean fewer queues at the checkout.

Cons

Some risk. If you lose your credit card, your account may be compromised.
Easy to lose track of spending. It's easy to spend money when all you have to do is tap, and you don't always receive a receipt. Make sure to regularly check your bank statement for potential errors or fraudulent transactions.
Risk of spyware or malware attacks and other viruses. Like any computer device, the payments terminal is at risk of viruses.
The limit is set. Some banks set the maximum spending limit, though some do allow you to set your own limits.
Confusing bank statements. Some retailers may use a different trading name so transactions could look confusing when they come up on your bank statement.
Consider your credit rating. If you've got a poor credit rating, your provider may not offer you a contactless card.

contactless card payment in cafe Shutterstrock

Compare cards by type

Comparison is ordered by representative APR with affiliated products shown first.

10 of 53 results

Finder Score	Balance transfers	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Incentive
8.7Great M&S Bank Transfer Plus Credit Card	8.7Great	0% for 30 months (3.49% fee)	0% for 3 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Earn rewards points every time you shop and they'll be converted to M&S vouchers for you to spend. These turn into Rewards vouchers up to 4 times a year, which are either sent to you or are available in your M&S Sparks account. T&Cs apply. Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.1Great First Direct Credit Card	8.1Great	0% for 20 months (2.99% fee)	24.9%	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.1Excellent Santander Everyday Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card	9.1Excellent	0% for 34 months (3.15% fee)	0% for 3 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers. Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Not yet rated Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card (36 Mths)	Not yet rated	0% for 36 months (3.1% fee)	0% for 3 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Not yet rated Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card (35 Mths)	Not yet rated	0% for 35 months (2.45% fee)	0% for 3 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Not yet rated Tesco Bank Balance Transfer and Purchases Credit Card	Not yet rated	0% for 21 months (2.95% fee)	0% for 21 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.8Excellent Tesco Bank Balance Transfer Credit Card Finder Award	9.8Excellent	0% for 36 months (3.45% fee)	24.942%	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants or entertainment. Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Not yet rated Halifax Longest 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card Existing Customers Only	Not yet rated	0% for 35 months (2.49% fee)	0% for 6 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.94% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.3Great HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card	8.3Great	0% for 17 months (3.49% fee)	0% for 24 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away. Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.1Great Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer (21/24)	8.1Great	0% for 21 months (3.45% fee)	0% for 24 months	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Buy tickets for up to 3500 selected live events through Barclaycard entertainment and get 5% off tickets per year and exclusive presale tickets on selected festivals with 10% off ticket prices. Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading

loading

Showing 10 of 53 results

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 methodology

10 of 28 results

Finder Score	Purchases	Balance transfers	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Key benefit	Representative example
9.9Excellent M&S Bank Purchase Plus Credit Card	9.9Excellent	0% for 26 months	0% for 6 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Earn rewards points every time you shop and they'll be converted to M&S vouchers for you to spend. These turn into Rewards vouchers up to 4 times a year, which are either sent to you or are available in your M&S Sparks account. T&Cs apply.	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.3Great HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card	8.3Great	0% for 24 months	0% for 17 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	£15 REWARD Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.7Great Santander All in One Credit Card	8.7Great	0% for 15 months	0% for 15 months (0% fee)	£3 per month	29.8% APR (variable)	0.5% cashback after £1 of monthly spend. Maximum of £10 paid per month. Paid monthly into Card Account.	Representative example: Representative 29.8% APR variable. Based on £3 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 23.9% p.a. (variable).	£15 REWARD Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
7.9Great TSB Platinum Purchase Card	7.9Great	0% for 26 months	0% for 18 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.95% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.6Excellent Lloyds Bank 0% Purchase and Balance Transfer	9.6Excellent	0% for 25 months	0% for 23 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.94% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.6Great Halifax 0% Purchase and Balance Transfer Credit Card Existing Customers Only	8.6Great	0% for 25 months	0% for 23 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.94% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.9Excellent MBNA Dual 0% Transfer and Purchase	9.9Excellent	0% for 24 months	0% for 24 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.94% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.1Great Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer (21/24)	8.1Great	0% for 24 months	0% for 21 months (3.45% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
6.8Standard Tesco Bank Clubcard Plus Credit Card Finder Award	6.8Standard	0% for 24 months	21.81%	£0	37.7% APR (variable)	Available to Clubcard Plus subscribers (£7.99 per month). Earn 1 point per £4 spent in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent elsewhere (on top of your usual Clubcard points). Points can be converted to Tesco vouchers or dining/entertainment vouchers.	Representative example: Representative 37.7% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 19.9% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
6.8Standard Ulster Bank Purchase and Balance Transfer Card	6.8Standard	0% for 23 months	0% for 21 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

loading

Showing 10 of 28 results

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 methodology

10 of 38 results

Finder Score	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Initial credit limits	Representative APR	Incentive
9.9Excellent The Platinum Card® Finder Award	9.9Excellent	29.1%	£650 per year	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	685.3% APR (variable)	Representative example: Representative 685.3% APR variable. Based on £650 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.9Excellent Yonder Premium Credit Card Finder Award	9.9Excellent	28.67%	£17.99 per month	Min. limit £500, max. limit £15,000.	73.1% APR (variable)	Earn 5 point for every £1 spent and up to 25 points per £1 at partner locations and choose a dining, fitness or ticketed experiences in London, Manchester, Bristol or Bath. Travel experiences are available nationwide, or equivalent of 0.5% cashback. Representative example: Representative 73.1% APR variable. Based on £17.99 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 28.67% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.6Excellent HSBC Premier World Elite Credit Card	9.6Excellent	29.9%	£290 per year	Min. limit £5,000, max. limit not specified.	100.2% APR (variable)	2 points for every £1 spend in the UK. 4 points for every £1 spend outside the UK. 40,000 Anniversary Points Boost - qualifying spend £12K in 12 months from account opening. Points can be redeemed for airline frequent flyer miles, retail vouchers from selected stores and luxury wines and champagnes or can be used to make donations made to the charity of the customer's choice. 1 point = 1p (no min) Representative example: Representative 100.2% APR variable. Based on £290 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.5Excellent British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card Finder Award	9.5Excellent	29.1%	£300 per year	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	135.7% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 60,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. Offer ends 6 October 2026. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. Representative example: Representative 135.7% APR variable. Based on £300 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.4Excellent Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card Finder Award	9.4Excellent	29.1%	£95 per year	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	52.5% APR (variable)	Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Super Elite status. Upgrade to Gold Elite when you spend £15,000 in purchases on your card each year. Representative example: Representative 52.5% APR variable. Based on £95 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.4Excellent NatWest Reward Black Credit Card	9.4Excellent	21.9%	£84 per year	Min. limit £5,000, max. limit not specified.	40.7% APR (variable)	You'll earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back. Representative example: Representative 40.7% APR variable. Based on £84 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 21.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.4Excellent American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card Finder Award	9.4Excellent	29.1%	£195 per year	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	85.8% APR (variable)	Access to tickets for must-see music, theatre and film events, often before they go on sale to the general public with American Express Experiences. Representative example: Representative 85.8% APR variable. Based on £195 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.4Excellent Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card	9.4Excellent	21.9%	£84 per year	Min. limit £5,000, max. limit not specified.	40.7% APR (variable)	Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back. Representative example: Representative 40.7% APR variable. Based on £84 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 21.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.3Excellent Nectar Credit Card Finder Award	9.3Excellent	29.1%	£30 per year	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	35.8% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. Representative example: Representative 35.8% APR variable. Based on £30 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.1Excellent Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card Finder Award	9.1Excellent	26.9%	£160 per year	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	69.7% APR (variable)	Earn 18,000 bonus points with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 3 miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Spend £10K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts) Representative example: Representative 69.7% APR variable. Based on £160 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 26.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading

loading

Showing 10 of 38 results

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 methodology

10 of 28 results

Finder Score	Annual/monthly fees	Initial credit limits	Minimum income	Representative APR	Incentive
7.4Great 118 118 Money Guaranteed Rate Card	7.4Great	£0	Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.	£8400	49%	Representative example: Representative 49% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 49% p.a. (variable).	£15 REWARD Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.9Excellent Barclaycard Forward Credit Card	9.9Excellent	£0	Min. limit £50, max. limit £1,200.	£0	33.9%	Rate discounts: 3% interest rate reduction if you make all your repayments on time for the first year, and a further drop of up to 2% more if you continue to do so in the second year. Representative example: Representative 33.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 33.9% p.a. (variable).	Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
6.5Standard John Lewis Thrive Credit Card	6.5Standard		Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	Not specified	34.9%	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).	Check View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
6.8Standard Tymit Credit Card	6.8Standard	£0	Min. limit £500, max. limit £15,000.	Not specified	29.9%	Representative Example: 29.9% (variable) based on a borrowing of £1200 over 12 months with no annual fee.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
5.6Standard Vanquis Bank Ltd Credit Builder Credit Card	5.6Standard	£0	Min. limit £250, max. limit £2,500.	Not specified	37.9%	Representative example: Representative 37.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,000. Rate of interest 37.9% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.5Great Yonder Credit Card (Free Membership) Finder Award	8.5Great	£0	Min. limit £500, max. limit £15,000.	£25000	31.6%	Earn 1 point for every £1 spent and up to 5 points per £1 at partner locations and choose a dining, fitness or ticketed experiences in London, Manchester, Bristol or Bath. Travel experiences are available nationwide. Representative example: Representative 31.6% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 31.6% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.3Great Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card Finder Award	8.3Great	£0	Min. limit £200, max. limit not specified.	£5000	29.9%	5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants/entertainment. Representative example: Representative 29.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
7.4Great Ocean Finance Credit Card	7.4Great	£0	Min. limit £200, max. limit £1,500.	Not specified	39.9%	Representative example: Representative 39.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 39.94% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
5.6Standard thinkmoney Credit Card	5.6Standard	£0	Min. limit £200, max. limit £4,000.	Not specified	39.9%	Representative example: Representative 39.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 39.94% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.1Great Vanquis Bank Ltd Balance Transfer Credit Card	8.1Great	£0	Min. limit £250, max. limit £7,000.	Not specified	35.9%	Representative example: Representative 35.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,000. Rate of interest 35.9% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

loading

Showing 10 of 28 results

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 methodology

8 of 8 results

Finder Score	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Initial credit limits	Representative APR	Incentive
9.5Excellent British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card Finder Award	9.5Excellent	29.1%	£300 per year	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	135.7% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 60,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. Offer ends 6 October 2026. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. Representative example: Representative 135.7% APR variable. Based on £300 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
7.7Great British Airways American Express® Credit Card Finder Award	7.7Great	29.1%	£0	Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.	29.1% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 10,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. Offer ends 6 October 2026. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status. Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.1Excellent Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card Finder Award	9.1Excellent	26.9%	£160 per year	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	69.7% APR (variable)	Earn 18,000 bonus points with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 3 miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Spend £10K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts) Representative example: Representative 69.7% APR variable. Based on £160 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 26.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
8.4Great Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card Finder Award	8.4Great	26.9%	£0	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	26.9% APR (variable)	Earn 3,000 bonus points with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 0.75 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 1.5.miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays. Spend £20K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts) Representative example: Representative 26.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 26.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
9.1Excellent Barclaycard Avios Plus Card	9.1Excellent	29.9%	£20 per month	Min. limit £50, max. limit not specified.	80.1% APR (variable)	Earn 25,000 Avios when £3,000 spent on card over the first 3 months of opening. Earn 1.5 Avios for every £1 you spend. Spend £10,000 or more during the year and receive a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or 7,000 bonus Avios. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1,000pts for flights) Representative example: Representative 80.1% APR variable. Based on £20 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
7.6Great Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard	7.6Great	22.94%	£15 per month	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	55% APR (variable)	0.5% on £1 to £15000 of yearly spend. 1% after £15001 of yearly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit. Representative example: Representative 55% APR variable. Based on £15 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 22.94% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
7.6Great Halifax World Elite Mastercard Existing Customers Only	7.6Great	22.94%	£15 per month	Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.	55% APR (variable)	0.5% on £1 to £15000 of yearly spend. 1% after £15001 of yearly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit. Representative example: Representative 55% APR variable. Based on £15 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 22.94% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading
7.7Great Barclaycard Avios Card	7.7Great	29.9%	£0	Min. limit £50, max. limit not specified.	29.9% APR (variable)	Earn 5,000 Avios when £1,000 spent on card over the first 3 months of opening. Earn 1 Avios for every £1 you spend. Spend £20,000 or more during the year and receive a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or 7,000 bonus Avios. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1,000pts for flights) Representative example: Representative 29.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selectionCompare	loading

loading

Showing 8 of 8 results

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 methodology

Apple Pay

Using a credit card with Apple Pay

Which devices are compatible with Apple Pay? Apple Pay is only available on Apple devices. It is supported on newer model iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Macs. If you’re on an older iPhone device that runs an older iOS variant, you’ll have to update if you want to access Apple Pay.
Which banks support Apple Pay? A wide variety of UK banks support Apple Pay, including Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide and NatWest. If your preferred bank hasn’t launched Apple Pay yet, it might be wiser to wait for it to adopt the technology rather than to apply for the card now.
What features do I need to consider? Just like any other type of credit card, you’ll want to consider the rates, fees and perks of the different types of cards that boast Apple Pay.

Google Pay

Using a credit card with Google Pay

Which devices are compatible with Google Pay? Almost all Android smartphones with NFC (Near Field Communication) can take advantage of Google Pay.
Which banks support Google Pay? Google Pay is supported by Mastercard and Visa credit cards from a wide range of UK banks including Halifax, HSBC, Nationwide, Lloyds Bank, MBMA and M&S Bank.
What features do I need to consider? Just like any other type of credit card, you’ll want to consider the rates, fees and perks of the different types of cards that boast Google Pay.

Frequently asked questions

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. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Add to Preferred Sources

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 515 Finder guides across topics including:

Loans & credit cards
Building credit
Financial health
Share trading

More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Credit card reward – terms & conditions
Finder credit card reward – Terms and conditions
Dragon Pass review 2026
Find out how you can book access to airport lounges across the globe with Dragon Pass.
NewDay, new review: Is Pulse’s exclusive card any good?
Find out how the new Pulse credit card works and who is eligible.
Overdraft or credit card: Which is better to borrow money?
Discover more about how credit cards and overdrafts work to see which option is best for you.
Credit cards for good credit 2026
Discover the best credit cards available for those with good credit.
Top ethical credit cards
Learn more about how ethical credit cards work and whether they are right for you.
Credit cards for the self-employed
It can be harder to get a credit card when you’re self-employed. But not always. Here’s how to boost your chances of being approved.
When is the Apple Card credit card coming to the UK?
Apple has announced its first credit card, the Apple Card, to be used with Apple Pay. Here’s how it works and what we can expect from it once released.
Compare The Co-operative Bank credit cards
Looking for a 0% balance transfer, 0% purchase or rewards card? The Co-operative Bank has a card for most typical situations. Learn more about the range and compare rates, fees, limits and eligibility requirements.

Contactless payments: The pros and cons of tap and pay

To tap or not to tap? That is the question when using contactless payments.

How do contactless payments work?

What are the pros and cons of contactless payments?

Pros

Cons

Compare cards by type

Finder Score for credit cards

Finder Score for credit cards

Finder Score for credit cards

Finder Score for credit cards

Finder Score for credit cards

Apple Pay

Using a credit card with Apple Pay

Google Pay

Using a credit card with Google Pay

Frequently asked questions

Can I make contactless payments abroad?

Are contactless payments secure?

Can a fraudster steal my details from a contactless card?

If I lose my card or it is stolen, could a thief drain my account through making contactless payments?

Chris Lilly

More guides on Finder

Advertiser disclosure