Best Barclaycard Credit Cards
We've analyzed the Barclaycards available in the UK to see how features on their best cards compare according to fees, 0% promotional periods, travel fees and rewards. Check out our analysis to decide if any are right for you.
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.
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Best Barclaycard for Using Abroad
Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card -
Best Barclaycard for Credit Building
Barclaycard Forward -
Best Barclaycard for Purchases
Barclaycard All-Rounder Card
Barclaycard offers a suite of credit cards, whether you are looking for purchases, balance transfers, no-fee travel or rewards. Barclaycard's free eligibility checker can be used to find your odds of being accepted without leaving a harmful mark on your credit history.
Best Barclaycard for Overseas Travel: Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card
The Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card review is their best card for using overseas. The standout feature is that there aren't foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. In addition, cardholders earn 0.25% cashback on purchases made with the card. While the rewards rate is quite weak compared to the best UK rewards credit cards, it is better than nothing—and unusual for a card to both pay rewards and not charge FX fees.
- 0.25% cashback on all your spend
- No fees on non-sterling purchases abroad
- Free text and email alerts plus mobile app
- No annual fee
- Eligibility Checker
- Higher cash interest rate
Best Barclaycard for Credit Building: Forward Card
Suitable as a first credit card for those with limited credit history, the Barclaycard Forward has a higher-than-average interest rate of 33.9% variable APR on purchases. A nice perk is the free text and email alerts that can help with account management, so you don't miss a payment or exceed your credit limit (which would harm your credit score). Note that the Barclaycard Forward is targeted at those with limited credit history, or with a credit history that isn't great.
One potential problem with this card is the very low minimum starting credit limit. You might not be affected as you might get a higher starting credit limit, but it could be an issue for some people. If you're worried about this or have bad credit, you might want to consider the Vanquis Credit Card instead.
- Free text and email alerts plus mobile app
- No annual fee
- Eligibility Checker
- Initial credit limits between £50 and £1,200
- Higher-than-average interest rate
- Potentially very low starting credit limit (from £50)
Best Barclaycard for Purchases: All-Rounder Platinum Purchases Card
- Purchase Rate (variable)
- 21.9%
- 0% on Purchases for up to
- up to 24 months
- 0% on Balance Transfers for up to
- up to 22 months
- Initial Balance Transfer Fee
- 2.9%
- FX Fee
- 2.99%
- Cash Fee
- 2.99%, min £2.99 sterling only)
The Barclaycard All-Rounder Card charges no interest on new spending and on balance transfers for managing existing debt. Main features are a longer-than-average 24-month 0% promotional period on purchases and up to 22 months on balance transfers, accompanied by a 2.9% fee on initial balance transfers made within the first 60 days.
- Free text and email alerts plus mobile app
- Contactless under £30
- No annual fee
- Eligibility Checker
- May receive a shorter no-interest period
Summary of Barclaycard Credit Cards
Here is a quick recap of some of our favourite Barclaycard credit cards.
| Best For... | Card | Quick Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Building | Barclaycard Forward |
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| Purchases and Balance Transfers | Barclaycard All-Rounder Platinum Card |
|
| No-Fee Travel Use and Rewards | Barclaycard Rewards Plus Card |
|
Who is Suited to a Barclaycard?
Before you apply, you can check to see how likely you are to be accepted by completing Barclaycard's eligibility checker. Before that, however, here is some guidance as to who Barclaycards are most suitable for:
- Aged 21 or over
- No IVAs, CCJs or been declared bankrupt in the past six years
- At least four years' experience of managing credit
- Permanent UK address for at least three months
- Have a personal income of more than £20,000 per annum
- Always make payments on time
- Able to afford repayments on outstanding credit commitments
The Forward credit builder card is less restrictive, and is suite to people:
- New to credit or whose credit history isn’t great
- Who haven’t declared bankruptcy in the last six years or had a County Court Judgement (CCJ)
- Are employed and earning over £3,000 a year
Comparing Barclaycard Credit Cards to Other Similar Cards
If you want to know if any of the cards mentioned above are right for you, it can help to know about competing cards. Below, we highlight a few cards that offer similar functionality, in order to help you make an informed decision.
For Credit Builders: Aquis Credit Card
The Aquis credit card is another Vanquis credit builder card. Initial credit limits are between £250 and £1,000, with a representative APR of 29.8%.
Quick Takeaway: The Aquis card offers a lower interest rate and a higher minimum starting credit limit than the Forward. Use the eligibility checker to find out if you could be accepted.
For using abroad: Halifax Clarity Credit Card
The Halifax Clarity Credit Card charges no fees on non-sterling cash withdrawals or transactions, making it an ideal travel card. The only aspect of the card to be aware of is that, like most credit cards, interest on cash ATM withdrawals starts accruing immediately. By getting online and paying back your cash withdrawals ASAP (even while you're still abroad), you can mitigate this potential cost.
Quick Takeaway: The Clarity sports a lower cash interest rate and doesn't charge any fees on non-sterling transactions or cash withdrawals, which are more favourable features for using abroad.