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Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards UK 2026

UK travel rewards credit cards earn Avios (redeemable with British Airways, Iberia, and partners), Virgin Points, or hotel loyalty points. The best cards offer generous earning rates, companion vouchers, and no foreign transaction fees.

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Top UK Travel Rewards Cards Compared

1

Barclaycard Avios Plus

Barclaycard · Best Avios earning rate

£20/year

79.9% APR (variable)

Rewards / Cashback

1.5 Avios per £1 spent; 3 Avios at ba.com

Welcome Offer

25,000 Avios after £3,000 in 3 months

Apply Now
2

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

American Express · Free card with strong earning

No annual fee

88.8% APR (variable)

Rewards / Cashback

1 MR point per £1; 2x at supermarkets & petrol

Welcome Offer

20,000 Membership Rewards points after £3,000 in 3 months

Apply Now
3

Virgin Atlantic Reward+

Virgin Money · Virgin Atlantic flyers

£160/year

63.9% APR (variable)

Rewards / Cashback

1.5 Virgin Points per £1; 3x at virginatlantic.com

Welcome Offer

15,000 Virgin Points after £1,000 in 90 days

Apply Now
4

British Airways Amex Premium Plus

American Express · BA flyers — companion voucher

£250/year

139.2% APR (variable)

Rewards / Cashback

3 Avios per £1 at ba.com, 1.5 Avios per £1 elsewhere

Welcome Offer

25,000 Avios after £3,000 in 3 months

Apply Now
5

Hilton Honors Amex

American Express · Hotel loyalty earners

No annual fee

78.0% APR (variable)

Rewards / Cashback

7 Hilton Honors points per £1 at Hilton; 3 per £1 elsewhere

Welcome Offer

10,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after £1,000 in 3 months

Apply Now

Representative APRs apply to 51% of successful applicants — your actual rate may differ. Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

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Travel Rewards Cards: Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Avios and MR points transferable to multiple airlines and hotels
  • Companion vouchers can save hundreds on flights
  • No foreign transaction fees on most travel cards
  • Section 75 protection on qualifying purchases over £100

Cons

  • Higher representative APRs than standard cards
  • Annual fees on premium cards
  • UK Amex not accepted everywhere — Visa/Mastercard more universal
  • Welcome bonus minimum spend required

Expert Insights

Avios earned with Barclaycard are directly deposited into your BA Executive Club account
The Amex Gold companion voucher (after £15,000 spend/year) is worth £300–£800+ on BA flights
UK credit cards provide Section 75 protection — if a purchase between £100–£30,000 goes wrong, you can claim from the card issuer

Travel Rewards Credit Cards UK — FAQs

What is the best travel rewards credit card in the UK right now?
Based on our analysis, Barclaycard Avios Plus from Barclaycard is the top UK pick in the travel rewards category for 2026. It offers 1.5 Avios per £1 spent; 3 Avios at ba.com with 25,000 Avios after £3,000 in 3 months. The best card depends on your spending habits and the annual fee you're willing to pay.
What credit score do I need for the best UK credit cards?
UK credit scores are provided by Experian (0–999), Equifax (0–700), and TransUnion (0–710). For premium travel and cashback cards, you typically need a "good" or "excellent" rating. Check your score for free at ClearScore (Equifax) or Credit Karma (TransUnion) before applying.
Are UK credit cards protected under Section 75?
Yes — Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 means the credit card issuer is equally liable with the retailer for purchases between £100 and £30,000. This is a powerful protection that debit cards do not provide. It applies to all FCA-regulated UK credit cards.
Why are UK cashback rates lower than in the US?
UK interchange fees (paid by retailers when you use a card) are capped at 0.3% for consumer cards under the Payment Services Regulations. US cards face no such cap. This limits the rewards UK issuers can fund — hence UK cashback rates of 0.5–1.25% vs. US rates of 1.5–6%.
Should I pay my UK credit card balance in full each month?
Yes — always pay your statement balance in full each month if possible. UK credit card APRs are typically 20–35% (much higher than the advertised representative APR which only applies to 51% of applicants). Carrying a balance erases any rewards earned within a few months.

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