Royal Bank of Scotland

Compare RBS credit cards

The Royal Bank of Scotland offers a versatile but straightforward set of cards designed to offer you a competitive option whatever your circumstances. Rates starting from 12.9% to 40.7%.

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RBS is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group which also owns NatWest and Ulster Bank – don’t be surprised if, when you’re comparing credit cards, the RBS, NatWest and Ulster Bank products seem eerily similar.

RBS credit cards use the Mastercard network, so they can be used at more than 35 million merchants and ATMs worldwide.

Compare RBS credit cards

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 6 of 6
Name Product Rating Finder score Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
The Royal Bank Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
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Royal Bank of Scotland Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 13 months
(0% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
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Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 19 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
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Royal Bank of Scotland Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 23 months
(3.49% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
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Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
25.9%
25.9%
(0% fee)
£24 per annum. Reward Current Account holders: £0 per annum
31% APR (variable)
Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.25% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 25.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £24 per annum. Reward Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
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Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
21.9%
21.9%
(0% fee)
£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum
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: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 40.7% APR (variable).
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Approval 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.

Can I use an RBS credit card abroad?

Yes. RBS credit cards are all Mastercards so acceptance won’t be an issue. Bear in mind that with some RBS cards (but not all) you’ll be charged a currency conversion fee for non-sterling transactions. You can click on one of the cards in the table above to see its fee structure.

If you already have an RBS card, you can let the bank know you’re heading overseas by logging in, choosing “Manage my card” then “Going abroad” and finally “Add Trip”. You’ll then be prompted to outline where and when you’re travelling.

Can I find out if I’ll get approved without affecting my credit score?

Yes. Like most card issuers, RBS offers a “soft search” facility, which can check your credit file to let you know whether or not it’s worth applying, without any impact on your credit score. If it’s good news, and you decide to apply, then there will be a “hard search” of your credit file at that point (which has a slight negative impact on your score).

What types of cards does RBS offer?

RBS offers four different credit cards, designed so that whatever your needs are, you’ll find a competitive option with RBS.

  • Balanced cards. Designed to be straightforward but versatile, “balanced” cards usually offer a single low rate on purchases and balance transfers. So, if you hold a balance on another card with a high rate of interest, you can bring it across to this card and enjoy a low rate on the existing debt, and also on future purchases. Unlike the headline-grabbing cards of its rivals, which offer a rate of 0% for a set number of months after which a much higher rate kicks in, RBS’s card offers a low rate, indefinitely (although it’s not fixed). Learn more about low rate cards.
  • Rewards cards. Built to reward you while you shop at selected locations, the Rewards Credit Card might be particularly interesting to those who don’t plan to bring an existing balance across to a new card. If you have a Reward current account you won’t pay an annual fee on this card. Learn more about RBS credit card rewards.
  • Premium cards. “Gold”, “black” or “platinum” cards are a bank’s premium option, typically boasting superior service, perks and the opportunity to earn rewards as you spend. Learn more about gold, platinum and black cards.
  • Student cards. Designed for those who have a limited credit history and a limited income. Don’t expect a huge credit limit with this option, but on the flip side you won’t be expected to pay an annual fee. Learn more about student credit cards.

What benefits can I expect from an RBS credit card?

  • It’s accepted widely. RBS credit cards are issued by Mastercard, one of the biggest credit card providers in the world.
  • Customer services phone line staffed seven days a week. You can contact Co-op Bank to carry out a range of transactions or make changes to the details on your credit card account between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • Additional card holders. You can nominate an additional card holder using your usual online account-handling system, provided they are over 18 years old and a UK resident.
  • Fraud text alerts. A text-only phone number will send an SMS to your mobile if the card issuer notices any activity on your card which it thinks might be suspicious.

Cost of living support

RBS are currently waiving late/missed payment fees, overlimit fees and returned payment fees to support customers through the cost of living. Fees will be waived until the end of 2023. However, it’s still important to keep payments on time and stay within your credit limit, or you risk harming your credit score. Learn more about how missed card payments can affect your credit score.

Applying for an RBS credit card

It’s quick, easy and secure to apply for an RBS credit card online, and the process takes about 15 minutes.

Eligibility requirements

General requirements for an RBS credit card are:

  • You must be a UK resident
  • You should be aged 18 or over
  • You need to be earning £10k-plus a year

You should ensure that you can meet the monthly repayments, as missed payments incur a charge, adversely affect your credit history and could hinder your ability to obtain credit in the future.

Why might my application not be approved?

If you meet the broad criteria outlined above, but have a history of bad debt or no credit history, you could be rejected. If you have been made the subject of a CCJ you may not be accepted. You’re also unlikely to be offered a card if you have declared bankruptcy.

Customer reviews

In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 89% of RBS credit card customers said they would recommend it to a friend. Many customers stated that the provider was reliable and provided good interest rates. One survey respondent said: “I’ve never had an issue with this credit card. RBS give me great interest rate options, and I can access my card from my RBS app and manage it from there.”

However, on Trustpilot, the bank as a whole received a score of only 1.3 out of 5, with reviewers citing their poor experiences of customer service (updated February 2024).

Our verdict

Depending on your own circumstances, you’ll have four different types of RBS cards to choose from including balanced, rewards, premium and student cards.

Once you’ve compared your options above and want to know if you’re likely to be approved, RBS offers a quick search tool that won’t affect your credit rating.

Bear in mind that if you’ve been declared bankrupt or have a county court judgement against your name, it’s unlikely that you’ll be successful.

Do your homework to ensure you find the right credit card for your needs.

Contact RBS’ customer support

Live chat supportRBS’ Cora is an digital chatbox available through the RBS app. Cora is available 24/7 and if she cannot help answer your query, she’ll pass you onto the customer service team.

Overview of Royal Bank of Scotland credit cards

Representative APR From 12.9% to 40.7%
0% balance transfer offer Up to 23 months
0% purchases offer Up to 19 months
0% money transfer offer No money transfer offer available
Cashback with brand Up to 1%
Cashback elsewhere Up to 0.5%
Cash advance From 26.9%
Introductory bonus offer No introductory bonus offers available

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.

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