Top 10 Travel Credit Cards for 2025

 

When it comes to travelling, using the right credit card can significantly enhance your experience. Whether you're planning a city break or a luxury vacation, UK travellers can benefit from credit cards offering rewards, travel insurance, and access to exclusive perks. Here’s a list of the top 10 travel credit cards in the UK for 2025.

1. American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

The American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is one of the best options for UK travellers looking to earn valuable Membership Rewards points. It offers great earning rates on travel and dining, along with travel protections and a generous sign-up bonus.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 Membership Rewards points (after spending £2,000 in the first 3 months)
• Earning Rate: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X point on other purchases
• Annual Fee: £140 (waived for the first year)
• Travel Perks: Access to over 1,200 airport lounges, £75 travel credit, and more

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

For those who travel often, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers excellent rewards on travel and dining purchases. Its low annual fee combined with the ability to transfer points to a range of frequent flyer programmes makes it a solid choice for international travellers.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 100,000 points (after spending £4,000 in the first 3 months)
• Earning Rate: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X point on other purchases
• Annual Fee: £95
• Travel Perks: Chase Ultimate Rewards® programme, travel insurance, and more

3. Barclaycard Rewards Card

The Barclaycard Rewards Card is a strong contender for UK travellers, offering 1 point for every £1 spent on everyday purchases. It provides a simple rewards structure with a reasonable interest rate and no annual fee, making it a good entry-level travel rewards card.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 1,000 points (after your first purchase)
• Earning Rate: 1 point per £1 spent, 2 points per £1 spent on travel and entertainment
• Annual Fee: £0
• Travel Perks: 0% foreign transaction fees, access to Barclays Travel Insurance

4. American Express® Platinum Card

If you're after luxury, the American Express® Platinum Card offers the best in travel perks, from unlimited access to luxury airport lounges to comprehensive travel insurance. This is the ideal card for frequent travellers looking for premium benefits.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 30,000 Membership Rewards points (after spending £4,000 in the first 3 months)
• Earning Rate: 1 point per £1 spent
• Annual Fee: £575
• Travel Perks: £200 annual travel credit, 1,200+ airport lounges, concierge service, and more

5. Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card

For those who frequently fly with Virgin Atlantic, this card is a great option. The Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card allows you to earn Flying Club miles on everyday purchases and offers a solid range of travel rewards.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 5,000 Flying Club miles (after spending £1,000 in the first 90 days)
• Earning Rate: 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spent
• Annual Fee: £160
• Travel Perks: 2 miles per £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic, travel insurance, and discounts on upgrades

6. Halifax Clarity Credit Card

If you’re looking for a card with no foreign transaction fees, the Halifax Clarity Credit Card is one of the best. It allows you to make purchases abroad without paying extra for currency conversion and is ideal for overseas travellers.

• Sign-Up Bonus: N/A
• Earning Rate: N/A
• Annual Fee: £0
• Travel Perks: No foreign transaction fees, access to competitive exchange rates

7. Nationwide FlexPlus Credit Card

The Nationwide FlexPlus Credit Card is an all-rounder that provides an excellent range of benefits for UK travellers. With its travel insurance and cashback on purchases, it’s an attractive option for those seeking simplicity and great value.

• Sign-Up Bonus: N/A
• Earning Rate: 0.5% cashback on all purchases
• Annual Fee: £13 per month (£156 per year)
• Travel Perks: Worldwide travel insurance, cashback, mobile phone insurance

8. Lloyds Bank Avios Rewards Credit Card

Perfect for those who are part of the British Airways Executive Club, the Lloyds Bank Avios Rewards Credit Card allows you to collect Avios points on every purchase. You can then redeem these points for flights and other rewards.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 5,000 Avios (after spending £1,000 in the first 3 months)
• Earning Rate: 1 point per £1 spent, 2 points per £1 spent on British Airways purchases
• Annual Fee: £24
• Travel Perks: 2-for-1 flight voucher with £20,000 annual spend, Avios point transfer to BA Executive Club

9. The Platinum Cashback Credit Card from American Express

For those who want cashback with travel rewards, the Platinum Cashback Credit Card offers generous cashback rates on everyday purchases, with additional perks for cardholders who travel.

• Sign-Up Bonus: £100 cashback (after spending £3,000 in the first 3 months)
• Earning Rate: 5% cashback on the first £2,000 spent in the first 3 months
• Annual Fee: £25
• Travel Perks: No foreign transaction fees, cashback on international purchases

10. Tesco Bank Clubcard Credit Card

The Tesco Bank Clubcard Credit Card allows you to collect Tesco Clubcard points, which can be redeemed for travel rewards such as flights, hotel stays, or car hire.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 1,500 Clubcard points (after spending £300 in the first 90 days)
• Earning Rate: 1 point for every £4 spent at Tesco, 1 point for every £8 spent elsewhere
• Annual Fee: £0
• Travel Perks: Clubcard points for travel vouchers and discounts

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Conclusion

Choosing the best travel credit card in the UK depends on your personal travel preferences and spending habits. Whether you’re looking for luxury benefits, cashback, or points that can be redeemed for travel rewards, the cards on this list offer a range of options to suit any traveller’s needs. Make sure to consider factors such as annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and additional perks before choosing the card that’s right for you!