Earn vouchers or Avois in your spending

One of many best methods I earn a living is by utilizing a specialist cashback or reward card for my spending.

A number of the highest-earning ones are reward bank cards, providing you with factors in your spending that can be utilized in the direction of vouchers and flights.

Reward vs cashback bank cards

The large distinction between reward and cashback credit cards is that with the previous you earn factors fairly than precise cash. And more often than not these factors are restricted in how you employ them, normally with a particular retailer or airline.

You’ll usually discover that these playing cards additionally require you to earn a sure threshold of factors earlier than you may swap them for a voucher to spend. This may imply when you cease utilizing your card it may well go away you with a stack of inaccessible factors.

Nonetheless, the very best paying reward playing cards can beat one of the best paying cashback bank cards (although not essentially cashback debit playing cards). And there are some massive welcome bonuses out there on prime, that you can potentially stack – when you select the proper playing cards.

Andy’s reward bank card guidelines

Under you’ll have the ability to learn extra about one of the best reward playing cards. However first, a actually vital rule in case you are utilizing a cashback bank card.

All the time repay the steadiness in full each month

There’s no level utilizing a reward bank card when you’re going to get charged curiosity in your buy. So be sure to arrange a Direct Debit to clear the total steadiness.

Should you can’t afford to try this, then a bank card in all probability isn’t your best choice aside from emergencies. I’ve written extra about clearing credit card debts, so do learn that.

It’s additionally value doing an “eligibility check” earlier than you apply when you can. This offers you a way of whether or not you’ll be accepted, although not a assure.

Learn extra about these credit card rules here.

Finest American Specific reward bank cards

I’ve solely listed my prime Amex reward playing cards under. For different American Specific playing cards, be sure to try my guide to the best Amex options.

American Specific reward playing cards can earn Amex Reward, Avios or Nectar factors, although each the Reward and Avios factors might be swapped to Nectar.

American Specific Nectar Credit score Card

£100 bonus and 1% again

This card is value 1% as you’ll get two Nectar factors again for each £1 spent. Nonetheless, you might be restricted the place you employ your factors to simply Nectar companions.

The factors can be utilized at face worth in these and some different outlets. Listed below are the best ways to use Nectar points.

There’s additionally a bonus value £100 when you spend £2,000 within the first three months. A £30 charge is waived within the first 12 months however will minimize into your return from 12 months two onwards.

What you may earn:

  • Bonus 20,000 Nectar factors whenever you spend £2,000 in your first three months – value £100
  • 2 level for each £1 spent (equal to 1%)

Charges, particulars and tips on how to apply:

American Specific Most popular Rewards Gold Credit score Card

An even bigger welcome bonus and as much as 0.75% again

You’ll earn fewer factors with this card – only one Amex Reward level per £1 spent – however you’ll have higher flexibility in how you employ them and have the ability to earn a bigger welcome bonus (although it should rule you out of getting the Platinum bonus at a later date).

An enormous £195 charge is waived within the first 12 months so it is smart to cancel it after 12 months one.

What you may earn:

  • Bonus 20,000 Reward factors whenever you spend £3,000 in your first three months (usually boosted – see the latest offer here)
  • 1 level for each £1 spent (equal to 0.5%)
  • 2,500 level bonus for each £5,000 you spend (will increase equal return as much as 0.75%)
  • £5 Deliveroo credit score twice a month
  • 4 Precedence Cross lounge visits
  • Read my full review

Charges, particulars and tips on how to apply:

Avios bank cards

Barclaycard Avios bank card

Equal of 0.5% again in Nectar factors & £25 welcome bonus

Each Barclaycard and American Specific provide paid and free bank cards to earn Avios factors. The paid playing cards might be value contemplating for welcome bonuses and improved 2-4-1 model vouchers. However for most individuals I feel you’re higher off incomes different factors or cashback.

Nonetheless, you may as well convert Avios points into Nectar points, making the free card a the very best paying different to Amex when you’re blissful to spend your factors at Sainsbury’s or Argos.

What you may earn:

  • 1 Avios level per £1 spent (the equal of 0.5% when transformed to Nectar)

Charges, particulars and tips on how to apply:

Retailer reward playing cards

These playing cards will provide you with an elevated reward charge for spending in particular supermarkets or malls. It may be doable to equal or beat the charges out there on different playing cards when you frequently store at these retailers. Nonetheless the spending elsewhere might be crushed with Amex playing cards or cashback playing cards. All are issued by Mastercard.

Amazon Barclaycard Rewards

As much as 2% again

Nice for normal Amazon consumers

You’ll a refund on Amazon spending at a good 1%, rising to 2% on days like Prime Day and Black Friday. Elsewhere you’ll get 0.5% within the first 12 months, falling to 0.25% after 12 months.

There’s usually a £20 welcome provide for newbies, and when you had the earlier Amazon bank cards you’ll get 2% again at Amazon for the primary six months.

What you may earn:

  • 1% again on Amazon, 2% on massive Amazon occasions and 0.5 elsewhere for the primary 12 months
  • 1% again on Amazon, 2% on massive Amazon occasions and 0.25 elsewhere after the primary 12 months

Charges, particulars and tips on how to apply:

John Lewis Partnership card

As much as 1.25% again

Nice for John Lewis and Waitrose consumers

Each 500 factors you earn are transformed to £5 John Lewis vouchers, which may also be spent at Waitrose. They’re despatched within the submit as much as 3 times a 12 months – so you’ll have to wait to spend your rewards.

There’s usually a welcome provide of triple factors at Waitrose or John Lewis for the primary 60 or 90 days – Learn our credit card deals web page for the most recent one.

What you may earn:

  • 5 factors per £4 spent at JL or Waitrose (value 1.25%)
  • 1 level per £4 spent elsewhere (value 0.25%)

Charges, particulars and tips on how to apply:

M&S Financial institution Rewards

As much as 1% again

Respectable for normal M&S consumers

Should you store tons at M&S you’ll earn 1% again there, although much less elsewhere. There’s additionally a membership scheme for patrons with further rewards. Listed below are more details in my M&S Club Rewards review.

Welcome provides sometimes run with further factors whenever you be a part of – we list them here.

What you may earn:

  • 1 level (i.e. 1%) per £1 spent at M&S
  • 1 level per £5 (i.e. 0.2%) spent elsewhere

Charges, particulars and tips on how to apply: