Cashback Credit Cards
5% cashback for first 3 months

Cashback credit cards pay you every time you spend on them, possibly £100s a year. The top card pays 5% cashback for the first three months, others give up to 1% on fuel and supermarket spending, while there are also some good fee-free, near-cash reward cards. We analyse the pros and cons of all.
Cashback credit card best buys
How do cashback credit cards work?
Cashback credit cards are a form of reward scheme, but rather than giving points, you get cold hard cash, tax-free, every time you spend on the card, usually paid annually in the month of your account anniversary.
Use our eligibility calculator to find cards you're most likely to get, without hitting your credit score
Making an application is recorded on your credit file. While a single one is not a big problem, especially if you've a good credit score, lots in a short time are problematic.
So use our Cashback Credit Cards Eligibility Calculator to show cards you're most likely to get, so you don't waste an application. And it's NOT recorded as a hard search on your credit file.
Rather watch than read? If you'd rather watch than read all the info, it's covered in the video below. If after that you want to check out the best buys, see below...
The seven need-to-knows
Before considering a cashback credit card, ensure you read the seven need-to-knows below.
Top cashback cards
One thing to consider is whether you want an Amex or a Visa/Mastercard (the former is accepted by fewer retailers). You also need to think about whether you want to pay a fee – the cards with the highest cashback tend to have an annual fee.
If you prefer other schemes, such as collecting Avios or Nectar points, see the Airline Credit Cards and Credit Card Rewards guides for more information.
Top pick as highest payer, giving up to 5% but not accepted everywhere
The American Express* Platinum Cashback Everyday is the top fee-free card, especially if you've big spending to do in the next few months. This is because it has a 5% introductory rate (on your first £2,000 of spending, so max £100), then tiered ongoing cashback.
Need-to-knows
- You earn 5% for first three months (max £2,000 spend), then 0.5% cashback on up to £5,000/year & 1% above this.
- You need to spend at least £3,000 in the year to receive any cashback.
- It's an Amex, so it's not as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa (especially in some smaller retailers)
- Repay in full EVERY month to avoid the 22.9% representative APR as interest will quickly wipe away the cashback gains.
Spend over £9,000 on it a year? In that case, try the Amex Platinum (eligibility calc / apply*). It has a £25 annual fee, but gives the intro 5% rate on up to £2,500 of spending (so max £125) and then tiers up to 1.25% in cashback and so is a winner for bigger spenders. Repay IN FULL or it's 28.2% rep APR (incl fee).
Representative variable rate: 22.9% APR (Official APR Example)
Cashback: 5% in first three months (max £100), then up to 1% after
Annual fee: None
Min income: N/A
Max cashback/year: None
Cashback expiry: N/A
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The Tandem credit card pays 0.5% cashback on purchases. It's also a Mastercard – meaning it's more widely accepted, especially in smaller retailers.
Plus, there's no limit to the amount of cashback you can earn on it – though you'll still have to be mindful of your credit limit. To apply, you must download the Tandem app for iOS or Android.
Need-to-knows
- To apply for the card you'll need to have three years' address history in the UK.
- Credit limits are between £1,200 and £12,000.
- Ensure you pay off in full every month, or you'll be charged 18.9% representative APR which'll quickly wipe out any cashback gain. The easiest way to repay in full is to set up a direct debit.
Paid out: Monthly (on each statement date)
Max cashback/year: N/A
Annual fee: None | Min spend: N/A | Card issuer: Mastercard
Rate: 18.9% representative APR (see Official APR Example)
Min income: £13,000
ANNUAL OVERALL SPEND | £3,000 | £5,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 |
Yearly cashback | £15 | £25 | £50 | £100 |
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The Aqua Reward* is one of few cards that allows people with a patchy or limited credit history to apply for it and offer cashback on top (max £100). While it does pay a lower cashback rate than some other cards in this guide, for people with less than sterling credit scores, it could be a winner.
As a bonus, our eligibility calculator can tell you if you're pre-approved for this card.
Need-to-knows
- If you've a poor credit history, defaults and CCJs need to be more than a year old.
- Credit limits are low; you'll get between £250 and £1,200 so it's difficult to earn lots of cashback.
- You can earn a maximum of £100 cashback each year.
- Ensure you pay off in full every month, or you'll be charged 4.9% representative APR which'll quickly wipe out any cashback gain. The easiest way to repay in full is to set up a direct debit.
Cashback: 0.5%
Paid out: Annually
Max cashback/year: £100
Annual fee: None | Min spend: N/A | Card issuer: Mastercard
Rate: 34.9% representative APR (see Official APR Example)
Min income: N/A
ANNUAL OVERALL SPEND | £3,000 | £5,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 |
Yearly cashback | £15 | £25 | £50 | £100 |
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Top supermarket and stores' loyalty cards
Possible £37.50 bonus Nectar pts
If you shop at Sainsbury's and have a Nectar card then the Nectar Dual* credit card gives you a boost on the Nectar points you earn when shopping there. Plus, you'll get 750 bonus Nectar points worth £3.75 each time you spend £35+ in Sainsbury's in the first two months (max 7,500 points, worth £37.50). Doing a big shop? Split it into smaller £35 chunks to max the bonus.
On top of this, there's also a decent up to 28 months 0% on spending, though poorer credit scorers could be offered 25 or 22 months. Only use this if you're disciplined and can fully repay at the end of the 0% period.
Need-to-knows
- You can also shop online at Sainsbury's to trigger the points bonuses, but buying anything (incl fuel) at Sainsbury's petrol stations doesn't count.
- As well as the bonus, you get two Nectar points for every £1 you spend in Sainsbury's, or one Nectar point for every £5 elsewhere.
- Usually one Nectar point is worth 0.5p and you can spend them on anything in the Nectar range (see Loyalty Schemes for ways to max 'em).
- The bonus points will be added to your Nectar account within 60 days of the end of your two-month period.
- After the 0% period ends, you'll be charged 20.9% representative APR if you don't pay the card off in full at the end of each month.
Representative variable rate: 20.9% APR (Official APR Example)
Annual fee: None
Reward scheme: Nectar points
Value of one point: 0.5p
Points' expiry: None unless account is closed
Points per £100: Up to 200
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Get a £25 M&S vch, plus earn pts for spending, equiv to 2% in first year
Accepted new M&S Bank* cardholders can get a free £25 to spend in its stores on almost anything (incl clothes and food) if you follow the steps below. It's split into two parts...
- £20 in M&S pts. Awarded the first time you use the card anywhere for any amount within 90 days.
- Plus extra £5 M&S vch. You're sent a coupon with the card. Just swipe it or use online with your card to buy most things at M&S for any amount and you get another £5 of points.
Just ensure you never withdraw cash (it's expensive) and repay the card IN FULL each month to avoid the 19.9% rep APR interest, and as long as you'd do the spending anyway it won't cost a penny.
Need-to-knows
- Points-related vouchers are credited to your account within 30 days of your first purchase and will be sent in your next available quarterly reward mailing.
- You cannot get the card if you're an existing M&S Credit Card holder or if you've held a credit card with M&S Bank within the past 12 months.
- There's a six-month 0% period on spending with the card, a nice bonus, but don't feel you need to use it. If 0% spending is what you're looking for, see our 0% spending guide.
- Outside of the six-month 0% period, you'll pay 19.9% rep APR.
- Always pay at least the minimum monthly repayment, or you'll lose the 0% deal.
Annual fee: None
Reward scheme: M&S points
Value of one point: 1p
Points' expiry: Points last two years
Points per £100: 200 in M&S (first year); 20 elsewhere
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CARD (REP APR†) | BONUS | POINTS PER £100 | VALUE OF ONE POINT | ELIGIBILITY CALCULATOR |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon (21.9%) | £10 Amazon gift card straightaway | 75 at Amazon, 50 elsewhere | 1p | - |
John Lewis* (18.9%) | N/A | 100 at John Lewis/Waitrose, 50 elsewhere | 1p | You can use our eligibility calculator for this card |
Asda* (19.9%) |
N/A | 1% 'cashback' at Asda, 0.2% elsewhere (1) | N/A | You can use our eligibility calculator for this card |
Tesco (19.9%) | N/A | 25 at Tesco, 12 elsewhere | 1-3p (See how to boost points) | - |
†Representative variable APR, your interest may be different. (1) You don't get points, just 'cashback' which can only be redeemed as vouchers to spend at Asda. |
Get £100 M&S/Amzn vch or 20,000 Avios for £2,000 spend in first 3 mths + 2 free airport lounge passes
If you're accepted for the Amex Preferred Rewards Gold* credit card, and spend £2,000 within the first three months, you'll get a bonus 20,000 reward points, equal to £100 in high street vouchers or 20,000 airline frequent flyer points (see need-to-knows below).
Plus you get two free visits at affiliated airport lounges (see the lounges you can use) which you can use for yourself twice, or yourself and one guest. See more Free or Cheap Airport Lounge Access tips.
Need-to-knows
- The card usually has a £140 annual fee, but for now is fee-free in the first year. To avoid paying £140, remember to cancel before year two starts.
- You earn one point per £1 on day-to-day spending and two points per £1 spent directly with airlines or in a foreign currency.
- You can convert points into vouchers for Amazon, M&S and more.
- Alternatively, you can convert them to frequent flyer or hotel scheme points and add them to your current stash (transfers can take up to five working days).
- It's an Amex, so it's not as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa (especially in some smaller retailers)
- Make sure you repay IN FULL every month or you'll pay 22.9% interest, which'll quickly wipe out the rewards gain. The easiest way is to set up a direct debit.
Paid out: Monthly
Max 'cashback'/year: Unlimited
Min spend: £2,000 for bonus | Card issuer: Amex
Annual fee: No fee in year one, but £140 from year two onwards
Rate: 57.6% representative APR (incl fee, 22.9% interest on purchases; Official APR Example)
Min income: N/A
ANNUAL OVERALL SPEND | £3,000 | £5,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 |
Points earned, incl bonus | 24,500 | 27,500 | 35,000 | 50,000 |
Converting to vouchers | £100* | £125* | £175 | £250 |
Assumes 50% of spending on air travel and abroad and 50% elsewhere * = doesn't use the entire points total |
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Get £50 M&S/Amzn vch or 10,000 Avios for normal spending – and alternative to the Amex above for lower spenders
If you won't hit the spending trigger on the above card, or you want a card that's fee free all the time, this could suit you better. Spend £1,000 on the Amex Rewards* credit card in the first three months and you'll get 10,000 bonus points. You can convert these into £50-worth of vouchers at retailers such as Amazon and M&S.
Need-to-knows
- You won't receive the bonus if you already have or previously held an Amex Membership Rewards card within the past six months.
- As well as the bonus, you'll earn one membership point per £1 spent on the card.
- You can convert points into retail vouchers, frequent flyer points, hotel schemes and more. For full options see the Membership Rewards site.
- It's an Amex, so it's not as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa (especially in some smaller retailers)
- Make sure you repay IN FULL every month or you'll pay 22.9% interest, which'll quickly wipe out the rewards gain. The easiest way to do this is to set up a direct debit to repay in full.
Paid out: Monthly
Max cashback/year: Unlimited
Annual fee: None | Min spend: £1,000 for bonus | Card issuer: Amex
Rate: 22.9% representative APR ( Official APR Example)
Min income: N/A
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Get 20,000 Nectar points, worth £100, for normal spending, plus ongoing cashback
Spend £2,000 on the Amex Nectar* card within three months, and you'll get 20,000 bonus Nectar points. These are worth at least £100 and can be spent at Nectar retailers such as at Sainsbury's.
Just do your normal spending on it to get the bonus, and remember to cancel after one year if you want to avoid the £25 annual fee that kicks in from year two.
Need-to-knows
- As well as the bonus, you'll earn two Nectar points per £1 spent on the card (plus your usual Nectar points).
- Usually one Nectar point is worth 0.5p, but some retailers give 1p per point, making this freebie worth £300 at theme parks etc (see Loyalty Schemes for ways to max these).
- You can't get the bonus if you've had the Amex Nectar card in the last six months.
- It's an Amex, so it's not as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa (especially in some smaller retailers)
- Make sure you repay IN FULL every month or you'll pay 22.9% interest, which'll quickly wipe out the rewards gain. The easiest way to do this is setting up a direct debit to repay in full.
Annual fee: £25 (waived in year 1)
Reward scheme: Nectar points
Value of one point: 0.5p (1p at some retailers)
Points' expiry: One year if you don't collect or spend any points
Points per £100: 200
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As an extra boon, members of specialist cashback websites can be paid when they sign up to some financial products. Do check it's exactly the same deal though, as terms can be different. And remember the cashback is never 100% guaranteed until it's in your account.
Full help to take advantage of this and pros and cons are in our Top Cashback Sites guide.
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