Cash back credit cards let you earn rewards in the form of money or credit on your account when you spend. You must shop around as the “earn rate” varies, while some cards affiliated to a brand reward more for spending with that brand.
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Best Credit Cards For Cash Back In February 2026
Our picks of the best cash back credit cards were chosen based on effective cashback rate after fees, introductory bonuses, and real-world usability (including Amex vs Visa/Mastercard acceptance).
- American Express Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card – Market-leading 5% cashback intro (up to £125) for the first 5 months, then 0.5% up to £10k / 1% over £10k, no annual fee; best all-rounder if Amex is accepted where you spend.
- American Express Amex® Cashback Credit Card – Higher long-term earn rate (0.75% up to £10k / 1.25% over £10k) plus 5% intro cashback (up to £125); £25 annual fee, but better for higher spenders.
- Lloyds Bank Ultra Credit Card – 1% cashback in the first year, then reverts to a lower rate; no ongoing fee and low representative APR, making it a strong non-Amex alternative.
- Santander Edge Credit Card – 1% cashback (capped monthly) with a £4 monthly fee; works best if your spending is high enough to comfortably offset the fee.
- Barclaycard Rewards Visa – Cashback on spending plus no foreign transaction fees, making it a good pick for people who want cashback and spend regularly abroad.
Note: Priority was given to cards that reward everyday spending and only make sense when balances are paid in full each month, ensuring cashback isn’t wiped out by interest.
Which credit cards give the highest cashback?
The credit cards that give the highest cashback tend to be those with introductory high-rate offers and higher ongoing earn rates on everyday spending.
At the top of the market are cards like American Express® Cashback Everyday and American Express® Cashback Credit Card, which offer 5% cashback on new cardmembers’ spending for a limited period and competitive ongoing rates (e.g., up to 1%+ on annual spend).
Among non-Amex options, cards with 1% ongoing cashback — such as Lloyds Bank Ultra Credit Card or Santander Edge Credit Card — also rank strongly if you pay off your balance in full each month.
What is the best credit card to receive cash back?
The best credit card to receive cash back depends on how you spend and whether you’re comfortable paying any fee.
For straightforward, high-value cashback with no annual fee and a strong introductory bonus, the Amex Cashback Everyday Credit Card often sits near the top because of its 5% intro rate (capped).
For longer-term value with broader Visa/Mastercard acceptance, the Lloyds Bank Ultra Credit Card is a widely recommended non-Amex cash-back pick, especially in the first year at 1% cashback.
What credit card pays 5% cash back?
Cards that pay 5% cash back typically do so as a limited-time introductory offer to new cardmembers.
Examples include the American Express Cashback Everyday Credit Card and the American Express Cashback Credit Card, both of which provide 5% cashback on purchases for the first few months up to a set cap (often around £125).
After the introductory period ends, the cashback rate reverts to a lower ongoing rate (such as 0.50%–1.25%), so the 5% is best seen as a short-term bonus rather than a permanent earn rate.
Are cashback credit cards worth it?
Cashback credit cards can absolutely be worth it, if you follow two key rules:
- Pay every month in full: You should clear your balance before interest is charged. If you don’t, interest will almost always cancel out the value of your cashback.
- Use them for spending you’d make anyway: Cashback is essentially a rebate on everyday spend (groceries, bills, fuel, etc.), so it’s most valuable when it doesn’t encourage you to spend more.
When used responsibly, cashback cards can deliver a tangible return on your regular spending without cost, but if you carry a balance or overspend to chase rewards, they quickly become not worth it.
Compare Different Types of Credit Card
Best Credit Cards
Everyday credit cards offer you the most flexibility for everyday use while having a reasonable interest rate, a balance transfer option and an initial interest-free period on purchases.
Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Astute credit card holders know they can shop around for a new card and transfer the balance from their old one, benefiting from a lower interest rate or even an interest-free period. Balance transfer credit cards are also a great way to consolidate debt from several cards to one.
Rewards Credit Cards
Reward credit cards are an easy way to earn hundreds of pounds in bonuses, just for your normal spending. But while some offers look valuable, you might be paying through the nose in interest fees. Also, consider whether the rewards offered are worthwhile to you.
Cash Back Credit Cards
You’ll be familiar with the cashback concept, where you earn rewards in the form of money or credit on your account when you spend. You must shop around as the “earn rate” varies, while some cards affiliated to a brand reward more for spending with that brand.
Travel Credit Cards
Don’t get hit by high fees when using your credit card abroad. Look for a credit card that offers no fees on foreign transactions and preferably some rewards as well.
Bad Credit Credit Cards
When you have a poor credit score, perhaps because of bankruptcy or some form of previous default, you can begin to rebuild your score using these cards. For those with credit problems here are our top ten bad credit credit cards.
Money Transfer Credit Cards
Using a credit card to pay off your expensive bank overdraft (or another loan) makes total sense when you can do so interest-free. Therefore, look for a card that has the longest 0% money transfer period and pay off as much as you can from the card quickly.
Air Miles Credit Cards
Bag yourself free travel simply by spending on your credit card. But select your card carefully as only some offer air miles, and some are more generous than others.
Purchase Credit Cards
If you use your credit card simply for purchases and are not concerned about balance transfers and other perks, you need to look at any interest-free purchase promotional period, followed by an ongoing generous low APR.