If you’re looking for a credit card these are the ones you need.
Credit cards can be good, and they can be bad. It all depends on why you want one and how you use it.
In this guide I’ll take you through each of the main purposes for credit cards and my picks of the best ones available, though as I’ll explain, sometimes you might be better off with a different option (it’ll all become clear).
So whether you need to reduce the cost of existing debt, spread out the cost of a new purchase, earn cashback or rewards, build your credit rating or get some extra consumer protection, these are the top credit cards for 2025.
In this article
2Best credit card welcome bonuses
4Best 0% balance transfer credit cards
5Best 0% money transfer credit cards
6Best credit building credit cards
8Best ongoing reward & cashback credit cards
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The best credit card for you
The cards listed here are the best of the bunch – but only in an ideal world.
There are some essential rules when applying for and using credit cards, and they could mean there are better options for your needs. This includes checking your eligibility before applying across a range of cards, ideally on a comparison site. Check the rules out here.
Why I’ve not listed interest rates
You’ll notice I don’t mention interest rates at all below. And the big reason is I don’t want you to get a credit card if you are going to get charged interest.
That means clearing the balance in full every month, or in the case of 0% interest cards, clearing the balance before that special offer ends.
If you think that you will have to pay interest some or most months then very simply you need to look for the lowest rate you can and ignore things like cashback.
Best credit card welcome bonuses
If you’re eligible then the most you’ll make from a credit card is via a welcome bonus. Often you’ll only get it once, unless you go without a card from the same provider for a couple of years, though there are a handful that allow you to get more than one.
Winner: American Express Cashback credit card
| Welcome offer | 5% back for the first three months (up to £125) |
| Card fee | £25 (can get this back via referral links or occasional offers) |
| Ongoing cashback | 0.75% per £1, then 1.25% after £10,000 spend (resets each year) |
You’ll earn 5% on the first £2,500 you spend in the first three months, and then reverts to the underlying 0.75% once you reach that total or the start of the fourth month.
Since this card doesn’t have a minumum spend to trigger the bonus, the Amex Cashback credit card is the most risk free option. So if you spend less that £2,500 you’ll still earn, though I’d suggest you try to time your application with a period of high spending.
The downside is the bonus and ongoing cashback isn’t paid for 12 months. Be sure to go via a referral link to cancel out the first year’s fee.
Choosing this card (or the Nectar Amex) also means you’re eligible for another welcome bonus from the Platinum card, though I’d only consider this when it is boosted. More here.
Check your eligibility for Amex credit cards
Runner Up: Boosted offers
Throughout the year some credit cards have boosted welcome offers, and they’re worth looking at when these happen as they can offer some huge bonuses.
Some of the one to look out for are, with the points available from recent offers as examples:
- American Express Platinum – up to 80,000 Amex Reward points with £10,000 spend in six months (details of any deals here)
- American Express British Airways Premium Plus – Up to 50,000 Avios points with £5,000 spend in three months (details of any deals here)
Check out this article with details of boosted referral bonuses and other extra offers with your American Express card.
Best 0% purchase credit card
Assuming that you will clear the balance by the end of the 0% period, the most important factors here are how long you need 0% for, and if you can get bonus cashback or freebies if accepted.
This is the type of card you’ll need if you plan to Stooze rather than earn cashback.
Winner: M&S Purchase Plus
| 0% length | Up to 25 months |
| Other benefits | Check Quidco and TopCashback before applying for cashback |
| Earn points at M&S when spending |
This is the joint longest 0% card right now, though you might not get the full 25 months. It takes my top spot as there’s the chance to also earn around £35 back from cashback sites when you go via them.
Runner up: Check eligibility
Cards come and go, with the length of time at 0% varying, so there’s no point me listing each of these here. What will be most important is your eligibility. Watch out for those “up to” offers as you might not get the full length.
Sadly there are no 0% purchase cards listed on cashback sites right now, but it’s always worth checking once you know your chance of acceptance and before applying.
Check out my list of the best credit card offers and promotions
Best 0% balance transfer credit cards
If you have existing credit card debts then a balance transfer credit card allows you to move that money over to a new card where no interest is added for a set time. With some you also pay a transfer fee. Here’s more on how they work and the pitfalls to avoid.
Sometimes longest isn’t best, and going for a fee-free card could be much cheaper.
Winner: Barclaycard 14 month Balance Transfer card
| 0% length | Up to 14 months |
| Transfer fee | 0% |
This isn’t the longest 0% card right now, but if you can clear your debt in 14 months it’s my winner as there’s no transfer fee.
Sadly there’s no cashback on offer from cashback sites for this card, though there’s £20 available from Quidco for the Tesco Low Balance Transfer card, which has a 0.75% transfer fee for a guaranteed 15 months. However, you’ll wipe out the cashback if you transfer more than £2,750.
Check eligibility at Barclaycard
Runner up: Barclaycard Platinum 36 month Balance Transfer card
| 0% length | Up to 36 months |
| Transfer fee | 3.45% |
| Other benefits | Check Quidco before applying for cashback |
If you really need as long as you can then this card from Barclaycard is right at the top, though you might be able to get ones not too much shorter with lower fees.
Again, it beats other options as there’s £15 in cashback available from Quidco.
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