In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Your reviews

RBS Reward Black Credit Card review

  • Chris Lilly's headshot
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
Finder score
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).
Foreign transaction charge
0%
Balance transfer fee
0%
Interest-free each billing period
Up to 56 days

Our verdict

Existing RBS customers can earn reward points as you spend and avoid fees when you use your card abroad.

This premium RBS card earns reward points at a respectable rate on spending both at home and abroad. If you are heading overseas, you'll also benefit from Mastercard exchange rates on non-sterling transactions (card issuers normally add their own fee or margin on top of this).

Once your balance has grown to £5 or more, reward points can be converted into cash, vouchers or even charitable donations. However, you'll need to weigh up if the rewards you might earn will outweigh the hefty annual fee (which is waived for RBS Reward Black current account holders). Don't forget RBS offers the option to add one additional cardholder, which could boost your reward earnings (though the account holder is solely responsible for all spending on both cards).

The best earn-rates are to be had at RBS MyRewards partner retailers (at the time of writing, these include Caffe Nero, Missguided and French Connection, among others) and at supermarkets (RBS states that this includes, but is not limited to: Asda, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, ALDI, LIDL, Tesco, The Co-operative and Waitrose).

Unless you already hold a Reward Black current account, this card mostly makes sense if you travel abroad quite often and can benefit from the lack of foreign transaction fees. If you don’t, you may want to consider its RBS sister, the RBS Reward credit card, that offers similar rewards for a much cheaper annual fee.

Finally, this card is a bit lacking in terms of perks and extras. If you're in it for the 0% deals, or would also like insurance and travel benefits, you'll have to keep looking (our rewards credit card page may help!).

Pros

  • Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with Royal Bank of Scotland
  • Avoid currency conversion charges when spending abroad
  • Earn points on day-to-day spending

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Minimum annual income requirement of £15,000
  • Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Your reviews

Details

Product overview

Issuer Royal Bank of Scotland
Network Mastercard
Representative APR 40.7% APR (variable)
Annual/monthly fees £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum
Loyalty scheme Rewards
Incentive Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.
Additional Rewards Info Call Prority Servicing.
Purchases 21.9%
Purchases interest-free period (days) 56
Balance transfers 21.9%
Potential costs 3.5 ★★★★★
Doing its job 5.0 ★★★★★
Extras 4.0 ★★★★★
Overall Finder Score 4.0 ★★★★★

Fees and charges

Minimum monthly payment 1% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges, 1/12th of annual fee plus 1% of the outstanding balance; double the amount of that month's interest and any default charges, plus any instalment plan fee(s), plus £1; or the excess over your credit limit after deducting any overdue amounts from previous statements.
Annual/monthly fees £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum
Balance transfer fee 0%
Money transfer fee 0%
Foreign usage charge (EU) 0%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) 0%
Cash advance fee 3% (min. £3)
Late payment fee £12
Duplicate statement fee £3
Exceeding limit fee £12
Additional card fee £0
Dormancy fee £0

Application requirements

Minimum Age 18
Minimum income £15,000
Residency UK resident
Availability Available to new customers

The RBS Reward Black Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network, so it's accepted at more than 50 million merchant locations across more than 210 countries and territories.

How does this compare with other rewards cards?

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 8 of 31
Name Product UKCCF Finder Score Finder score Purchases Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard image
3.9
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
24.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
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).
Check eligibility
M&S Bank Credit Card Purchase Plus Offer Mastercard image
4.1
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 20 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
24.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
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).
Check eligibility
John Lewis Partnership Credit Card image
3.9
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
28.94%
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.
28.9% APR (variable)
Earn 2.5% back as points towards gift vouchers on eligible spend at John Lewis and Waitrose in the first 60 days from account opening. Earn 5 points for every £4 spent on eligible purchases at John Lewis and Waitrose and 1 point for every £4 spent elsewhere. 1 point = 1p (min 500pts)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Rewards Credit Card image
3.9
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
30.7%
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
30.7% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1,000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
British Airways American Express® Credit Card image
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
30.7%
£0
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
30.7% APR (variable)
New Cardmembers collect 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Yonder 'No Fee' Credit Card image
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
32.9%
£0
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
32.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 32.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 32.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Nectar Credit Card
Finder Award
Nectar Credit Card image
3.8
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
30.7%
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
37.5% APR (variable)
New welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £30 per annum, your representative rate is 37.5% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card image
4.0
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
30.7%
£95 per annum
Min. limit £700, max. limit not specified.
54.5% APR (variable)
Earn 20,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy ® points when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. 18+, subject to status. Terms apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £95 per annum, your representative rate is 54.5% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
loading
1 - 8 of 15
Name Product UKCCF Finder Score Finder score Annual/monthly fees Purchases Representative APR Link Cashback details Representative example
Santander All in One Credit Card image
4.4
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£3 per month
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
29.8%
Check eligibility
0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Maximum of £10 cashback paid per month. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).
Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card image
3.8
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
30.7%
30.7%
Check eligibility
Welcome offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months of Cardmembership. Terms and minimum spend apply. 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.7% APR (variable).
Amex® Cashback Credit Card image
3.7
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£25 per annum
30.7%
36.3%
Check eligibility
New Cardmembers get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. T&Cs apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.7% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £25 per annum, your representative rate is 36.3% APR (variable).
Bank of Scotland Platinum Low Rate Credit Card image
3.1
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
10.94%
10.9%
0.25% after £1 of yearly spend for introductory period of 36 months. Cashback paid On request into Card Account.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
MBNA Limited Platinum Visa image
4.5
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
13.94%
13.9%
0.25% after £1 of yearly spend. Cashback paid January into Card Account. Earn 0.25% cashback on purchases within the first 36 months of account opening. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 13.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 13.9% APR (variable).
Additional account needed
AIB Options 1 Credit Card image
3.5
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
17.44%
18.9%
0.5% after £5000 of yearly spend. Minimum of 12 transactions per year required. Maximum of £250 cashback paid per year. Cashback paid Anniversary into Card Account. For initial £5K a £25 cashback is paid, plus an additional £1 for every further £200 spent.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 17.44% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).
Lloyds Bank Cashback Credit Card Mastercard image
3.3
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
22.94%
22.9%
0.25% on £1 to £4000 of yearly spend. 0.5% after £4001 of yearly spend. Cashback paid January into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
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).
Halifax Cashback Credit Card Mastercard image
3.5
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
22.94%
22.9%
0.25% on £1 to £4000 of yearly spend. 0.5% after £4001 of yearly spend. Cashback paid January into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
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).
loading

Repayment options

You can make manual repayments through Royal Bank of Scotland's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0345 724 2424). 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 the RBS Reward Black Credit Card

If you've compared cards and settled on the RBS Reward Black Credit Card, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Frequently asked questions

What credit limit will I get with the RBS Reward Black Credit Card?

If Royal Bank of Scotland offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on Royal Bank of Scotland's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £5,000, and Royal Bank of Scotland does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Royal Bank of Scotland you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.

Can I withdraw cash using the RBS Reward Black Credit Card?

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.

The cash advance fee on the RBS Reward Black Credit Card is 3% (min. £3). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £3.00. Withdraw £250 and you'll incur a fee of £7.50.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 26.9% (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).

How much does it cost to use the RBS Reward Black Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 0% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£165.32), it'll cost you around £0.00 in fees.

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 has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

Your reviews

No reviews yet. Write a review
Go to site