Best Credit Cards for Rewards, Cashback & Travel in 2025

1. Introduction: Make Your Spending Work for You

Credit cards can be more than a convenience—they can be a source of real value. From cashback on groceries to air miles for your dream holiday, choosing the right rewards credit card can result in hundreds or even thousands of pounds/dollars in value per year.

In 2025, the range of options is bigger—and more confusing—than ever. That’s why we’ve broken it down for you. Whether you want cashback, travel perks, or simple flat-rate rewards, this guide will help you pick the best card for your needs.

2. What to Look for in a Rewards Credit Card

Before diving into card comparisons, you need to know the key features to watch:

Feature	Why It Matters
Annual Fee	Some cards offer more value even with a fee; others are great no-fee options.
Rewards Rate	Cashback %, travel points per £/$1, or category-based boosts.
Sign-up Bonus	Introductory rewards can be worth £100–£500+.
Spending Categories	Do you spend more on groceries, travel, fuel, or dining?
Redemption Options	Can you use points for cash, travel, gift cards, or transfer to airlines?
APR	Always pay in full to avoid interest—if not, focus on low APR cards instead.
Foreign Transaction Fees	Frequent travelers need cards with 0% FX fees.
Credit Score Requirements	Premium rewards often require good or excellent credit.

3. Top Cashback Credit Cards

Cashback cards are simple: you get a percentage of your spending back. Here are some of the best:

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited® (US)

Rewards: 1.5% cashback on all purchases
Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in first 3 months
Annual Fee: $0
Why it’s good: Great everyday card with no rotating categories

2. American Express® Cashback Everyday (UK)

Rewards: 0.5%–1% cashback depending on spend
Bonus: Up to 5% in first 3 months (up to £100)
Annual Fee: £0
Why it’s good: High cashback in early months, solid long-term

3. Citi® Double Cash Card (US)

Rewards: 1% when you buy + 1% when you pay
Annual Fee: $0
Why it’s good: Simple flat 2% structure, no categories to track

What to Avoid

Cards with complicated rotating categories (unless you love tracking them)
Cashback that’s capped or expires quickly

4. Top Travel Reward Cards

Perfect if you travel frequently or want to save up for flights/hotels:

1. Capital One Venture Rewards (US)

Rewards: 2x miles per $1 on all spending
Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee: $95
Perks: TSA Pre✓®, travel partners, no foreign fees

2. American Express® Gold Card (UK & US versions)

Rewards: 3x on dining, 2x on travel
Bonus: 20,000–60,000 points depending on market
Perks: Hotel upgrades, dining credits, travel insurance

3. British Airways American Express® Credit Card (UK)

Rewards: Earn Avios points per £1
Bonus: Companion vouchers on spend thresholds
Best For: UK flyers loyal to British Airways

5. Best for No Foreign Transaction Fees

Travel abroad often? Look for 0% FX fee cards.

Top Picks:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® (US) – no FX fee, great for travel points
Barclaycard Rewards Card (UK) – 0% FX, basic rewards
Revolut Metal / Premium (UK/EU) – FX fee waivers + travel perks
Wise Travel Card (Global) – Not a credit card, but competitive fees

Always remind readers: pay in local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.

6. Best Flat-Rate Everyday Rewards Cards

Some people hate tracking categories. Flat-rate cards simplify it.

Citi Double Cash (US) – 2% on everything
Wells Fargo Active Cash (US) – 2% cash rewards
Amex Platinum Cashback Everyday (UK) – 0.5–1% on all spend
Barclaycard Rewards (UK) – Lower rate, but solid for travel too

These are best for general spenders who don’t want to manage multiple cards.

7. Tips to Maximize Your Rewards

Even the best card needs a strategy:

Use multiple cards for different categories
Always pay in full to avoid interest
Hit the minimum spend to get the welcome bonus
Combine rewards with retailer loyalty schemes
Redeem for high-value uses (flights, hotels) instead of gift cards
Monitor expiration dates and reward devaluation
Track rotating categories (if any)

8. Pitfalls to Avoid

Carrying a balance: Wipes out your rewards with interest
Missing payments: Hurts credit and may void welcome bonuses
Foreign fees: Some cards still charge 2–3% abroad
Devaluation: Points can lose value—redeem them smartly
Overcomplicating: Don’t chase 10 cards just for small gains

9. FAQs About Rewards Credit Cards

Q: Can I get multiple rewards cards?
A: Yes, and many people do. Just don’t overextend your credit.

Q: Do rewards expire?
A: Some do. Check your card’s terms carefully.

Q: Are rewards taxable?
A: Usually not—rewards are considered rebates, not income.

Q: Is an annual fee worth it?
A: If your rewards/benefits exceed the fee, yes.

Q: Can I transfer points?
A: Yes—Amex, Chase, and others have transfer partners.

10. Conclusion: Your Next Move

In 2025, there’s a rewards card for everyone — whether you want to keep it simple with flat-rate cashback, go global with travel perks, or dive deep into points and airline partnerships.

👉 Next steps:

Use a card comparison tool
Check your credit eligibility
Apply for the card that matches your goals
Use it responsibly and strategically