The next non-Amex UK reward credit card I’m going to discuss is the Barclaycard Rewards Card.
I find this card a lot less exciting that Barclaycard’s new BA cards. However, this card is particularly noteworthy because it has no foreign transaction fee, which is uncommon among UK credit cards.
I provide the information here just to give readers a vague idea if the rewards offered by the card might make sense for them to consider the card. All information should be confirmed with the card company before applying.
Welcome offer
The Barclaycard Rewards Card offers an unusual welcome offer of five months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+ and Apple Arcade for free
Earnings
The card has arguably the simplest earning structure of any card I’ve reviewed up to now. The card earns 0.25% cashback on all purchases. That’s it.
Benefits
The biggest benefit of this card is the lack of foreign transaction fees, but the card also offers purchase protection on purchases over £100, which could be valuable in the right scenario.
Examples of using the card
| Card | World Traveller (£558) Total Avios (% return) | Hotel night in Oxford (£181/night) | Points values (WT/Hotel) |
| No rewards card | 2 728 (4.9%) | 2 200 MP (7.3%) | £27.28 / £13.20 |
| BA Barclaycard | 3 284 (5.9%) | 2 200 MP + 181 Avios (8.3%) | £32.84 / £15.01 |
| Barclaycard rewards | 2 728 Avios + £1.40 (5.2%) | 2 200 MP + £0.45 (7.6%) | £28.68 / £13.65 |
| Marriott Amex card | 2 728 Avios + 1 112 MP (6.1%) | 3 506 MP (11.5%) | £33.95 / £21.04 |
Is this credit card right for you?
If you want a non-Amex card with no foreign transaction fees that also earns some cashback, this card is excellent. The biggest draw of this card is the lack of foreign transaction fees, and the cashback is a good bonus on top of that. Its earn rate is almost always better than Nectar credit card (which also has foreign transaction fees). Given the choice between this card and just a debit card, however, this card definitely wins because it offers the protections of a credit card and a little cashback boost.
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