Introductory credit card bonus offers for 2025

Some introductory offers come with specific requirements in order to qualify, and some are offset by a card’s ongoing rewards, rates and fees, which can be less appetising. In this guide we break down everything you need to know about introductory offers and gathered cards with promotional deals.

Comparison of intro bonuses and ongoing rewards

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Product	Finder Score	Max. intro bonus	Earn-rate with brand	Default earn-rate	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Key benefit	Representative example
Promoted Finder score 9.9Excellent American Express The Platinum Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.9Excellent	50,000 points	1 point per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	£650 per year	691.7% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £6,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only. Terms apply, 18+, subject to status.	Representative example: Representative 691.7% APR variable. Based on £650 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.7% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder score 9.9Excellent Yonder Credit Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.9Excellent	10,000 points	1 point per £1 spent	5 points per £1 spent	£15 per month	66% APR (variable)	Earn 5 point for every £1 spent and up to 25 points per £1 at partner locations and choose a dining, fitness or ticketed experiences in London, Manchester, Bristol or Bath. Travel experiences are available nationwide, or equivalent of 0.5% cashback.	Representative example: Representative 66% APR variable. Based on £15 monthly fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.32% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.6Excellent HSBC Premier World Elite Credit Card	Finder score 9.6Excellent	40,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	4 points per £1 spent	£290 per year	100.2% APR (variable)	2 points for every £1 spend in the UK. 4 points for every £1 spend outside the UK. 40,000 Anniversary Points Boost - qualifying spend £12K in 12 months from account opening. Points can be redeemed for airline frequent flyer miles, retail vouchers from selected stores and luxury wines and champagnes or can be used to make donations made to the charity of the customer's choice. 1 point = 1p (no min)	Representative example: Representative 100.2% APR variable. Based on £290 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.5Excellent British Airways Premium Plus Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.5Excellent	30,000 points	1.5 points per £1 spent	3 points per £1 spent	£300 per year	137.1% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status.	Representative example: Representative 137.1% APR variable. Based on £300 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.7% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.4Excellent Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card	Finder score 9.4Excellent	N/A	N/A	0.5% cashback	£84 per year	40.7% APR (variable)	Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.	Representative example: Representative 40.7% APR variable. Based on £84 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 21.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.4Excellent NatWest Reward Black Credit Card	Finder score 9.4Excellent	N/A	N/A	0.5% cashback	£84 per year	40.7% APR (variable)	You'll earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.	Representative example: Representative 40.7% APR variable. Based on £84 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 21.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.4Excellent Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.4Excellent	20,000 points	6 points per £1 spent	2 points per £1 spent	£95 per year	53.3% APR (variable)	Earn 20,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy ® points when you spend £3,000 in the first three months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only. Annual fee applies, 18+, subject to status. Terms apply.	Representative example: Representative 53.3% APR variable. Based on £95 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.7% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.4Excellent American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.4Excellent	20,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	1 point per £1 spent	£195 per year	86.8% APR (variable)	New Cardmembers earn 20,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £3,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only. Terms apply, 18+, subject to status.	Representative example: Representative 86.8% APR variable. Based on £195 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.7% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.3Excellent Nectar Credit Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.3Excellent	20,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	2 points per £1 spent	£30 per year	36.5% APR (variable)	Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere.	Representative example: Representative 36.5% APR variable. Based on £30 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 29.7% p.a. (variable).	Check eligibility More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.1Excellent Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.1Excellent	18,000 points	3 points per £1 spent	1.5 points per £1 spent	£160 per year	69.7% APR (variable)	Earn 18,000 bonus points with your first card purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Earn 1.5 Flying Club miles for every £1 spend and 3 miles for every £1 spend with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Spend £10K a year on your card and choose an extra benefit - an upgrade to Premium, or a Companion ticket. Points value varies dependent on reward (min 3000pts)	Representative example: Representative 69.7% APR variable. Based on £160 annual fee, assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 26.9% p.a. (variable).	More info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How do credit card introductory offers work?

Most intro offers are only available to new customers who apply and are approved for a specific credit card during the promotional period. These deals usually offer extra value to you in the form of a lump sum of reward points or an elevated points/cashback/air miles earn rate for a limited period.

Reward card fees and interest

The biggest rewards usually come in return for an annual fee. This puts some people off straightaway, but it’s simply a question of doing the maths – if you’ll earn enough rewards to justify the spend, then the fee can be worth paying. Cards with an annual fee typically come with other perks too, like complimentary travel insurance or airport lounge access.

As you’d expect, the benefits of sign-up offers only last for a limited time. You’re generally not tied in to these deals, so there’s nothing stopping you from just using them while the going’s good. However, some card issuers will try to retain customers by offering anniversary bonuses or by negotiating with customers who request to cancel their card. American Express frequently offers an enhanced earn rate once your spending amount on the card has reached a specified threshold.

If you don’t expect to clear your balance in full each month, then generally what you’ll end up paying in interest will outweigh the potential earnings. But if you expect to use your card a fair bit and to clear your balance in full each month (don’t forget you can set up a direct debit to do this), then this guide can help you to capitalise on reward points, cashback or air miles to make your money go a bit further.

Crucially, don’t forget that when it comes to credit cards, there’s a good chance that the best deal for you right now probably won’t be the best deal in a couple of years’ time.

How can I get a promotional credit card offer?

You usually have to meet specific requirements to get your hands on an introductory offer on a credit card. These conditions vary but usually include the following:

• New customers. These offers are designed to recruit new customers. As such, you’ll usually have to be a new customer – holding no other credit cards issued by the company (or even banking group) with which you are applying.
• Credit card approval. You’ll need to apply and be approved for the credit card by a certain date in order to take advantage of the introductory offer. This will involve a credit check and affordability assessment. With many credit cards, the interest rate offered at this point can vary depending on the issuer’s assessment of the applicant’s situation. This is known as risk-based pricing and essentially means that the advertised APR may be reserved for those with excellent credit – check any offer you receive carefully before accepting.
• Spend requirements. When a bonus points offer is available, often you’ll be required to meet a minimum spend requirement by a set date to receive the points.
• Keeping up with repayments. Missing a repayment is a bad idea at the best of times (it’ll hurt your credit score and cost you in fees or additional interest), but many people don’t realise that doing so can invalidate any introductory offers.
• Redemption terms. Getting a bunch of points is one thing, but redeeming them is another. Make sure you’re aware of any restrictions around redeeming your hard-earned points.

Before you apply for a card, make sure you fully understand these terms and conditions to ensure you can get the full value from the offer.

What types of intro rewards deals are out there?

• Lump sum of points/cashback. Get a lump sum either on sign-up or after a specified period. A minimum spend requirement will usually apply.
• Enhanced earn rate. Earn points, air miles or cashback at a better rate for a limited period. A minimum spend requirement may apply.
• Gift cards. Enjoy complimentary gift cards for an affiliated store or brand. You’ll rarely need to meet any minimum spend requirements in these cases.
• Discounted purchases. Enjoy a discount on specific transactions. For example, a frequent flyer credit card could offer 10% off flight bookings made with the affiliated airline during the promotional period.
• Waived or reduced fees. Enjoy a discount on account fees for a specified period. You’ll rarely need to meet any minimum spend requirements in these cases.

Some common mistakes to avoid with credit card offers

While credit card introductory offers can help you get more value from your card, there are some mistakes to avoid to ensure the card costs don’t outweigh the offer’s benefits. Here are some of the common mistakes cardholders make and how you can avoid them:

• Ignoring the offer terms and conditions. Introductory offers have specific eligibility requirements you have to meet, so make sure you understand the fine print before you apply.
• Wasting the promotional offer time period. With a balance transfer or purchase rate offer, the promotional period (such as 12 months) will begin as soon as your application is approved, rather than when you make the transfer or your first purchase.
• Not looking at the card’s ongoing features. While introductory offers can give you short-term benefits, the standard features of a credit card determine its ongoing value. Always check these features before you apply for a credit card to decide if it’s worth it for you.
• Not using the card enough. To get the most out of your card, you’ll usually need to spend big, but clear your balance monthly. Consider what regular payments you could put through the new card to maximise your rewards.
• Carrying a balance from month to month. If you don’t clear your balance each month, you’ll probably pay more in interest than you earn in rewards.
• Not using the card correctly after the introductory period. If you decide you don’t want the card you applied for after getting a sign-up offer, you could end up paying more credit card fees and adding to your debt. Make sure you consider this before you apply, choose an appropriate card or cancel the account if you no longer want to use it.

The bottom line

Introductory offers have the potential to provide you with more value when you get a new credit card. While almost anyone can benefit from these deals, the value they provide really depends on your individual circumstances.

It’s also important to remember that this card’s benefits only last for a set amount of time before reverting to the standard features. So being aware of how credit card offers work and considering both the introductory offer and the ongoing card features means you can choose a card that offers you value now and in the future.

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 540 Finder guides across topics including:

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