How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Your Needs in 2025
If you're searching for the perfect credit card, the best place to start is figuring out which type suits your needs. Whether you want a travel card for free flights, a cashback card for rewards, or a 0% purchase card to spread out payments, there’s an option for everyone.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best credit cards available in 2025 across different categories so you can make an informed choice.
- 1. 0% Purchase Credit Cards (Best for Big Buys)
If you plan to make a big purchase like a laptop, bike, or washing machine a 0% purchase credit card lets you pay over time without interest.
Top Picks:
√-Barclaycard Platinum All-Round Visa
- 0% interest for up to 22 months
- No annual fee month
- Minimum income required: £20,000
- Possible low starting credit limit (£50)
√-Tesco Bank Club Card Plus Credit Card
- 0% interest for up to 24 months
- Monthly fee: £7.99
- Earn Tesco Clubcard points
- Credit limit and interest-free period depend on eligibility
2. Cashback Credit Cards (Earn as You Spend)
With cashback cards, you earn money back on purchases either as a statement credit or cash withdrawal.
Top Picks:
√-American Express Cashback Everyday Card
- 0.5% cashback (up to 1% if you spend over £10,000)
- Intro offer: 5% cashback (usually capped at £100)
- Must spend £3,000/year to get cashback
- Requires good credit
√-Santander All-in-One Credit Card
- 0.5% cashback (capped at £10/month)
- 15 months 0% interest on purchases & balance transfers
- £3 monthly fee (offset by spending £600/month)
3. Rewards Credit Cards (Perks & Points)
Rewards cards offer benefits like travel perks, exclusive offers, and redeemable points.
Top Picks:
√-American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card
- 20,000 bonus points if you spend £3,000 in 3 months
- 4 free airport lounge visits/year
- First year free , then £195/year
- Requires good credit
√-Yonder Card
- Earn points for meals, flights, and theater tickets
- £15/month fee after the first free month
- Helps build credit history
- Rewards mostly available in major UK cities
4. Travel Credit Cards (Spend Abroad or Earn Rewards)
Travel cards fall into two categories:
- Cards for spending abroad (no foreign fees)
- Cards that earn travel rewards (like air miles)
Top Picks:
√-Barclaycard Rewards Visa (for spending abroad)
- No foreign fees or cash withdrawal charges
- 0.25% cashback
- Minimum income: £20,000
√-Halifax Clarity Credit Card (for spending abroad)
- No foreign fees
- Interest charged on cash withdrawals immediately
√-British Airways American Express Card (for rewards)
- Earn Avios points (for flights)
- 5,000 bonus Avios after spending £2,000 in 3 months
- 2.99% foreign transaction fee
5. Balance Transfer Cards (Pay Off Debt Interest-Free)
These cards let you move existing debt to a new card with 0% interest for a set period.
Top Picks:
√- Barclaycard Platinum 31-Month Balance Transfer Visa
- 31 months 0% interest
- 3.45% balance transfer fee
- £20 cashback if you transfer £2,500+
√- Barclaycard Platinum 14-Month Balance Transfer Visa
- 14 months 0% interest
- No balance transfer fee
- Same £20 cashback offer
6. Credit Building Cards (For Low/No Credit History)
Designed for those with poor or no credit history to help improve their score.
Top Picks:
√-Tesco Bank Foundation Card
- No annual fee
- Helps build credit history
- Earn Clubcard points (but be careful with spending)
√- Asda Money Select Credit Card
- No annual fee
- Earn Asda Rewards (use wisely)
- High interest rates
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right credit card depends on your financial goals. Whether you want to save on interest, earn rewards, or build credit, there’s a card for you.
