Best Credit Card for Rewards

MoneyMan01

What is the best credit card in terms of value of rewards?

Appreciate it all may depend on what you are after, but technically, in terms of pure value, what is the best credit card for the rewards you would receive?

Nasqueron

Best is subjective and also depends on what you value from rewards vs how much you can spend

Better to look at the below and then ask specific questions

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/best-credit-card-rewards/

km1500

Santander - 2% back in first year, £3 fee

QrizB

Gold Rewards Amex is generally touted as the best rewards card for a newbie, just remember to claim your points and cancel the card before the second year's £190 fee comes due.

I'd link to Head For Points but it's currently down, at least for me.

MoneyMan01

QrizB said:

Gold Rewards Amex is generally touted as the best rewards card for a newbie, just remember to claim your points and cancel the card before the second year's £190 fee comes due.

I'd link to Head For Points but it's currently down, at least for me.

I currently have the Amex cashback CC. Had it a few years, but looking at specifically the Amex Gold before starting this thread.

How does it work in terms of claiming the points, then cancelling before the fee is due? By claiming the points, do you mean that you have to use the points, then cancel?

Before the fee is due, could I for example convert the points to say, Avios, or a gift card, or spend the points on Amazon, and then go back to my Amex cashback card, before the 12 months, thus paying no fee?

steven141

I currently use:

Santander Edge Credit Card 2% for the first year almost up and will change to 1% plus £3 per month fee.

Barclaycard Avios Credit Card and got it set up to automatically convert my avios points to Nectar to use in Sainsbury's. I think someone on here side it equals roughly 0.5% cashback.

The co-operative bank members credit card 0.5% cashback in co-op stores and 0.3% elsewhere.

QrizB

MoneyMan01 said:

QrizB said:

Gold Rewards Amex is generally touted as the best rewards card for a newbie, just remember to claim your points and cancel the card before the second year's £190 fee comes due.

I'd link to Head For Points but it's currently down, at least for me.

I currently have the Amex cashback CC. Had it a few years, but looking at specifically the Amex Gold before starting this thread.

If you've currently got a personal Amex (not a business Amex or a second card on someone else's account) you're unlikely to qualify for the bonus sign up points.

Here's the HfP article:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/05/05/review-american-express-rewards-credit-card-6/

MoneyMan01 said:

How does it work in terms of claiming the points, then cancelling before the fee is due? By claiming the points, do you mean that you have to use the points, then cancel?

The points are Amex Membership Rewards Scheme points. If you leave the scheme, you lose the points. If you don't have a scheme card, you automatically leave the scheme.

The simplest option is, as you get close to the annual renewal date on your Gold card, take out the Blue rewards card as well. Then you can cancel the Gold card but remain a scheme member and retain your points.

MoneyMan01 said:

Before the fee is due, could I for example convert the points to say, Avios, or a gift card, or spend the points on Amazon, and then go back to my Amex cashback card, before the 12 months, thus paying no fee?

Yes. It's all explained on HfP (at the linked article, or on pages linked from there).

MrFrugalFever

For me it is the following;
- Amex Gold Card (membership rewards that can be converted in to varying loyalty schemes)
- Amex British Airways Premium Plus card (avios conversion only)
- Barclaycard Avios Plus (avios conversion only)


I have these three because I want the Avios points for travel with British Airways, the benefits of this far outweigh a miserly 0.25% / 0.5% cashback card - to me at least.

It's very much an 'each to their own' situation.

Once you understand exactly what 'reward' you want to focus on, then you can arrange your finances and portfolio accordingly.

Olenna

MrFrugalFever said:

For me it is the following;
- Amex Gold Card (membership rewards that can be converted in to varying loyalty schemes)
- Amex British Airways Premium Plus card (avios conversion only)
- Barclaycard Avios Plus (avios conversion only)


I have these three because I want the Avios points for travel with British Airways, the benefits of this far outweigh a miserly 0.25% / 0.5% cashback card - to me at least.

It's very much an 'each to their own' situation.

Once you understand exactly what 'reward' you want to focus on, then you can arrange your finances and portfolio accordingly.

Definitely consider your usage as Avios is generally less valuable outside the M25 area where using London Airways (BA) might not be a good option. However, you can also use Avios with some other airlines or convert to Nectar points. 

spnego

I like the Amex gold card. I also have a Barclays Avios card but they wont increase the credit limit for it above £1000 so it always gets maxed out and then i have to switch to other cards but I do not think there is a lot of choice for good rewards cards these days.

MoneyMan01

Thanks everyone.