Best credit cards 2026: Rated by pros

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Today's top 10 deals

Best for...BrandDeal
Balance transfersTSB38 months at 0%
No-fee balance transfersBarclaycard14 months at 0%
0% purchasesTSB26 months at 0%
CashbackAmerican ExpressUp to £125 initial cashback then 0.5%
RewardsAmerican Express40,000 welcome points then 1 per £
Rewards (non-Amex)Yonder10,000 welcome points then 5 per £
Spending overseasLloyds Bank0% forex fees and 0.25% cashback
Frequent flyersAmerican Express5,000 welcome points then 1 per £
Frequent flyers (non-Avios)Virgin Money3,000 welcome points then 0.75 per £
Bad creditTesco BankCredit limits from £200

Our experts evaluated the full UK card market and boiled it down to this shortlist. Click on individual deals above to see why we think they're top, plus runners up by category.

Balance transfers

TSB Platinum Balance Transfer Card

TSB Platinum Balance Transfer Card

  • Finder Score: 8/10
  • Interest-free periods: 0% interest on balance transfers for 38 months with a fee of 3.49%. 0% interest on purchases for 3 months.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: Over 3 years at 0%! That's a great chunk of time to focus on reducing debt. And crucially, TSB estimates your credit limit from a soft search (not all banks do this), so you can see your likelihood of approval and likely credit limit, all without impacting your credit score.
  • Need to know: Balance transfers need to take place in the first 90 days and there's a rather painful 3.49% fee per balance transferred. If you don't need such a long 0% period to clear your debt, then think about the no-fee offer below. As ever, when the 0% period ends, any outstanding balance will be subject to the credit card's standard interest rate.
  • Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.95% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Don't want to pay a balance transfer fee?

Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer (14 Mths)
Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer (14 Mths)
  • Benefits: Up to 14 months 0% on transfers and no balance transfer fee.
  • Need to know: Balance transfers need to take place in the first 60 days to qualify for 0% interest, and transfers from existing Barclaycards are not allowed.
  • Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Transferring from TSB?

Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer (36 Mths)
Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer (36 Mths)
  • Benefits: Up to 36 months 0% on transfers made in the first 60 days.
  • Need to know: Barclaycard doesn't estimate your credit limit from a soft search, which is a big shame. Balance transfers need to take place in the first 60 days and incur a 3.45% fee.
  • Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

All balance transfer cards

0% purchases

TSB Platinum Purchase Card

TSB Platinum Purchase Card

  • Finder Score: 8/10
  • Interest-free periods: 0% interest on purchases for 26 months. 0% interest on balance transfers for 18 months with a fee of 3.49%.
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: Some banks get you on the T&Cs, offering 26 months' 0% interest 'on purchases made in your first 60 days', but we're pleased to see that's not the case here. It's a straight-up no interest on purchases for 18 months.
  • Need to know: It's possible you could be offered 22 or 19 months at 0% 'depending on individual circumstances'. TSB estimates your credit limit from a 'soft' search of your credit file (no impact on your credit score), and shows you the 0% period you'd get and likelihood of approval.
  • Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.95% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Rather pay in set instalments?

Monzo Flex
Monzo Flex
  • Benefits: If you're open to something new, the Monzo Flex credit card offers the option to spread purchase costs over 3, 6, or 12 months, blending buy now, pay later with a traditional credit card. If you pay in full monthly or over 3 months, you could be eligible for 0% purchases (try to avoid 'flexing' over 6 or 12 months – that'll cost).
  • Need to know: To be eligible for this card, you’ll need to have an existing Monzo account.
  • Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29% APR (variable).
Check eligibility

All 0% purchase cards

Cashback

Amex Cashback Everyday Credit Card

Amex Cashback Everyday Credit Card

  • Finder Score: 7.5/10
  • Benefits: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months of Cardmembership and 0.5% thereafter (or 1% on annual spend over £10,000). Earn £20 cashback for each friend you invite (provided they're approved).
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: An accessible and easy-to-use card that rewards your everyday spending with cashback. If you spend £500 a month on the card, you stand to earn £142.50 cashback in year one. With no annual fee, provided you pay off your balance in full each month, this card needn't cost you a penny.
  • 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 earn in cashback, and a 0% purchase or low rate card might be more suitable for you. You'll need to spend £3,000 per year to qualify for cashback.
  • Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Comfortable with an annual fee?

Santander All in One Credit Card
Santander All in One Credit Card
  • Benefits: 0.5% cashback is one of an array of benefits (along with 0% on purchases for 15 months and fee-free overseas spending) that come in exchange for a fee of £3 per month (spend £600 per month and your cashback outweighs it).
  • Need to know: You’ll need to have a good credit history to be eligible for this card. Cashback is capped, but at a fairly generous £10 per month.
  • 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).
Check eligibility

Don't want an Amex?

Amazon The Amazon Barclaycard
Amazon The Amazon Barclaycard
  • Benefits: 1% cashback on Amazon spend and 0.5% cashback elsewhere (0.25% after year one). There's also a £50 Amazon credit welcome bonus if you apply by 9 April (after which point this reverts to £20) and doubled earn rates for Prime Members during key events like Prime Day.
  • Need to know: After a year, this card is a lot less rewarding... but you're under no obligation to stick around! Like most rewards cards, this one's only a good bet if you'll be paying your balance off in full every month (otherwise interest will outweigh benefits).
  • Representative example: Representative 28.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 28.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

All cashback cards

Rewards

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

  • Finder Score: 9.4/10
  • Benefits: 4 complimentary airport lounge visits every year, 40,000 Membership Rewards Points welcome bonus (provided you spend £5,000 in your first 6 months), plus an otungoing earn rate of 1 point per £1 spent.
  • Account fee: £195 per year.
  • Why we like it: Amex is working super hard to entice and retain new customers – performing consistently well in our customer satisfaction surveys. This statement rewards card offers points by the bucketload – 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: 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

Don't want an annual fee?

The American Express Rewards Credit Card
The American Express Rewards Credit Card
  • Benefits: Enjoy a 10,000-point welcome, then earn points on all your day-to-day spending with no annual fee. Refer friends to earn even more point bonuses. A great first rewards credit card with an engaging app.
  • Need to know: If you’re likely to carry a balance over month to month, you might end up paying more in interest than the value you’ll get out of the rewards programme.
  • Representative example: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Don't want an Amex?

Yonder Credit Card
Yonder Credit Card
  • Benefits: With the Yonder credit card you can earn 5 points for every £1 you spend. These points can then be redeemed on meals out, flights and selected theatre tickets. The Yonder credit card has a £15 per month fee, but there’s currently a 10,000 points introductory bonus for signing up, plus you’ll get your first month free.
  • Need to know: The Yonder credit card is only available in London, Manchester, Bristol, Bath and Birmingham, although it is looking to expand. If you don’t want to spend £15 per month on the card fee, Yonder also has a free version of its card, where you earn 1 point for every £1 spent.
  • Representative example: Representative 65.1% APR variable. Based on £15 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 28.67% p.a. (variable).
Read review

All rewards cards

Travel

Lloyds Bank Ultra Credit Card

Lloyds Bank Ultra Credit Card

  • Finder Score: 8.8/10
  • Benefits: Benefit from fee-free currency conversion on non-sterling transactions while earning 1% cashback in year 1 and 0.25% thereafter (uncapped).
  • Account fee: £0.
  • Why we like it: You can add up to 3 additional cardholders at no extra cost. All cards are your responsibility, but you could earn cashback faster! You can freeze cards from the app if you need to.
  • Need to know: Although Lloyds shouts about the fact that there's no charge for withdrawing cash with this new card, we wouldn't advise using it for that. Interest kicks in straightaway (no '56 days interest free') on that part of your balance, and the fact you withdrew cash on a credit card will be recorded on your credit file (which some lenders don't like to see).
  • Representative example: Representative 12.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 12.94% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Looking for hotel perks?

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
  • Benefits: A generous intro bonus (20,000 points) and ongoing rewards for regulars at Marriott properties, where you can earn 6 points per pound spent.
  • Need to know: This is an expensive option if you’re likely to carry a balance over month to month.
  • 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

All travel credit cards

Frequent flyer points

British Airways American Express Credit Card

British Airways American Express Credit Card

  • Finder Score: 7.7/10
  • Benefits: Collect 1 Avios for every £1 you spend plus a 5,000 Avios welcome bonus if you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. You'll also bag a companion voucher (use this to take a companion with you on the same flight or, if travelling solo, a 50% discount on the Avios price you pay for your flight) if you spend £15,000 in a membership year (membership years start and end on the anniversary of taking out the card).
  • 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 for 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: Representative 29.1% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.1% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Don't want an Amex?

Barclaycard Avios Card
Barclaycard Avios Card
  • 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.
  • Need to know: If you’re willing to shell out an annual fee, you might benefit more from the Avios Plus Card (1.5 Avios per pound and discounted lounge access).
  • Representative example: Representative 29.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Looking for an alternative to Avios?

Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card
Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card
  • Benefits: Earn 0.75% Flying Club miles for every £1 spent and 1.5% miles for every £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays.
  • Need to know: Unlike other frequent flyer cards, there is no welcome bonus unless you opt for this card’s sister, which comes with an account fee.
  • Representative example: Representative 26.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 26.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

All frequent flyer cards

Credit building

Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card

Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card

  • Finder Score: 8.3/10
  • 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: Credit Builders rarely offer much in the way of perks, but Tesco's Foundation card lets you earn Clubcard points on day-to-day spending (at Tesco or elsewhere). It also lets you track your credit score through Tesco Bank CreditView.
  • Need to know: The card's standard interest rate is relatively high, making it an expensive option if you don't clear your balance in full each month. Ideally, you should set up a direct debit to clear your full balance each month (Tesco Bank can do this for you). Expect a low initial credit limit – from £200 to £1,500, depending on Tesco Bank's assessment of your situation. After a few months, you may be able to request an increase if you've made all repayments on time.
  • Representative example: Representative 29.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Prefer shopping at Asda?

Asda Money Select Credit Card
Asda Money Select Credit Card
  • Benefits: Earn rewards while building your credit: get 0.75% on spend at Asda and 0.2% elsewhere. So if you spend £100 at Asda in a week, and £200 at other merchants, you'd earn £1.15 back that week (75p and 40p). Earn more on Asda's 'Star products' or by completing 'missions'.
  • Need to know: You may be offered an opening credit limit as low as £250.
  • Representative example: Representative 39.81% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 39.81% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

Looking for 0% spending?

Barclaycard Forward Credit Card
Barclaycard Forward Credit Card
  • 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.
  • Need to know: You may be offered a personalised opening credit limit as low as £50.
  • Representative example: Representative 33.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 33.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility

All credit builder cards

Michelle Stevens's headshot
Our expert says: Credit and loans expert Michelle Stevens explains how to pick the best credit card

"Credit cards come in fairly distinct categories – like rewards cards or 0% purchase cards – so Step one is understanding what type you need. Step two: use an eligibility checker (or perhaps a couple) on a comparison site, to see which cards you’re actually eligible eligible for. This step is important, because once you’ve settled on a card and you formally apply for it (Step three), you’ll be “hard” credit checked, which means a small impact on your credit score."

Michelle Stevens's headshot
Deputy editor

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:

  • 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 the features on our credit card tables are accurate. Read more about our ratings methodology for credit cards.

Top credit card companies for customer satisfaction

We asked credit card users to rate their card issuer and tell us whether they’d recommend it to a friend. Our independent survey of 750 card customers was carried out in February 2026.

BrandCustomers who’d recommend
Chase100%Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Chase has been on a major charm offensive – attracting new UK customers with hefty welcome and refer-a-friend bonuses, and boosted intro cashback and savings rates. Reviewers appreciate the user-friendly app and fast, US-level customer service.
Lloyds Bank91%Lloyds Bank earns praise for its supportive fraud protection and seamless app management. Many users value how easy it is to track credit scores and manage finances.
Santander90%Rewarding users with cashback on daily spending, Santander is a reliable and stable provider. Customers also appreciate the brand’s proactive security.
Barclaycard87%Barclaycard is frequently cited for its high purchase protection and market-leading 0% transfer deals. Savers find the app easy to monitor.
M&S Bank87%Loyal shoppers value M&S Bank for its proactive fraud checks and useful voucher rewards. The brand is highly reputable with high customer service standards.
HSBC87%Widely accepted and reliable, HSBC provides helpful financial advice and useful 0% interest periods. Users appreciate the quick resolution of technical issues.
Royal Bank of Scotland87%Royal Bank of Scotland is noted for its responsible credit limits and helpful app for tracking interest. Customers appreciate the brand’s reliability.
first direct87%Renowned for its top-tier call centre, first direct links seamlessly with current accounts. Users value the straightforward approach and honest communication.
MBNA83%MBNA is praised for its responsive customer service and easy app navigation. Many reviewers highlight the clear security features and balance transfer offers.
Monzo (flex card)83%The Monzo (flex card) earns high marks for its transparent interest-free split options. Users value how easily it integrates for managing daily spending.
NatWest83%NatWest offers a secure app that includes useful instalment plans for larger purchases. Reviewers also value the brand’s travel rewards.
American Express82%Consistently praised for its exceptional rewards, American Express remains a favourite for points hunters. Users especially value the loyalty incentives and professional service.
Bank Of Scotland80%Bank Of Scotland is valued for being a secure option, specifically for use abroad. Customers find the card replacement service efficient and smooth.
Virgin Money80%Virgin Money is highlighted for its excellent balance transfer offers and easy-to-navigate website. Reviewers find the account management straightforward.
Asda Money80%Supermarket shoppers value Asda Money for its rewards scheme on weekly shops. The brand is described as supportive and easy to apply for.
Zable77%Zable is a popular choice for building credit with a fabulous app. Customers value the ability to track their credit score and receive instant support.
Halifax77%Halifax is frequently recommended for its no-fee travel cards and easy balance transfers. Many users value the ability to talk to human agents.
Tesco Bank77%Collecting Clubcard points everywhere is a major highlight for Tesco Bank users. Reviewers also praise the quick resolution of issues.
Vanquis Bank77%Vanquis Bank is praised for supporting those with poor credit history. Customers value the helpful staff who provide understanding support for account management.
Yonder73%Yonder stands out with its fantastic reward points programme tailored for city socialites. Users find the brand reputable and appreciate the innovative approach.
John Lewis Finance70%John Lewis Finance is liked by customers for its secure app and valuable vouchers. Reviewers find the brand reliable and the online statements clear.
118 118 Money70%Helpful for those rebuilding credit, 118 118 Money offers clear fees and quick service. Users appreciate the regular updates and accessible credit limits.
Capital One70%Capital One is noted for its high approval transparency and helpful app. Users value the brand’s open communication and efficient customer support.
Aqua63%Aqua is valued for offering credit building opportunities, supported by a useful app. However, some users expressed dissatisfaction with the high interest rates.

Sources

Rachel Wait's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been reviewed by Rachel Wait, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.
Chris Lilly's headshot
Written by

Head of publishing

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 519 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Loans & credit cards
  • Building credit
  • Financial health
  • Share trading

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