RBS is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group which also owns NatWest and Ulster Bank – don’t be surprised if, when you’re comparing credit cards, the RBS, NatWest and Ulster Bank products seem eerily similar.
RBS credit cards use the Mastercard network, so they can be used at more than 35 million merchants and ATMs worldwide.
Compare RBS credit cards
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Can I use an RBS credit card abroad?
Yes. RBS credit cards are all Mastercards so acceptance won’t be an issue. Bear in mind that with some RBS cards (but not all) you’ll be charged a currency conversion fee for non-sterling transactions. You can click on one of the cards in the table above to see its fee structure.
If you already have an RBS card, you can let the bank know you’re heading overseas by logging in, choosing “Manage my card” then “Going abroad” and finally “Add Trip”. You’ll then be prompted to outline where and when you’re travelling.
Can I find out if I’ll get approved without affecting my credit score?
Yes. Like most card issuers, RBS offers a “soft search” facility, which can check your credit file to let you know whether or not it’s worth applying, without any impact on your credit score. If it’s good news, and you decide to apply, then there will be a “hard search” of your credit file at that point (which has a slight negative impact on your score).
What types of cards does RBS offer?
RBS offers four different credit cards, designed so that whatever your needs are, you’ll find a competitive option with RBS.
Balanced cards. Designed to be straightforward but versatile, “balanced” cards usually offer a single low rate on purchases and balance transfers. So, if you hold a balance on another card with a high rate of interest, you can bring it across to this card and enjoy a low rate on the existing debt, and also on future purchases. Unlike the headline-grabbing cards of its rivals, which offer a rate of 0% for a set number of months after which a much higher rate kicks in, RBS’s card offers a low rate, indefinitely (although it’s not fixed). Learn more about low rate cards.
Rewards cards. Built to reward you while you shop at selected locations, the Rewards Credit Card might be particularly interesting to those who don’t plan to bring an existing balance across to a new card. If you have a Reward current account you won’t pay an annual fee on this card. Learn more about RBS credit card rewards.
Premium cards. “Gold”, “black” or “platinum” cards are a bank’s premium option, typically boasting superior service, perks and the opportunity to earn rewards as you spend. Learn more about gold, platinum and black cards.
Student cards. Designed for those who have a limited credit history and a limited income. Don’t expect a huge credit limit with this option, but on the flip side you won’t be expected to pay an annual fee. Learn more about student credit cards.
What benefits can I expect from an RBS credit card?
It’s accepted widely. RBS credit cards are issued by Mastercard, one of the biggest credit card providers in the world.
Customer services phone line staffed seven days a week. You can contact Co-op Bank to carry out a range of transactions or make changes to the details on your credit card account between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Additional card holders. You can nominate an additional card holder using your usual online account-handling system, provided they are over 18 years old and a UK resident.
Fraud text alerts. A text-only phone number will send an SMS to your mobile if the card issuer notices any activity on your card which it thinks might be suspicious.
It’s quick, easy and secure to apply for an RBS credit card online, and the process takes about 15 minutes.
Eligibility requirements
General requirements for an RBS credit card are:
You must be a UK resident
You should be aged 18 or over
You need to be earning £10k-plus a year
You should ensure that you can meet the monthly repayments, as missed payments incur a charge, adversely affect your credit history and could hinder your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Why might my application not be approved?
If you meet the broad criteria outlined above, but have a history of bad debt or no credit history, you could be rejected. If you have been made the subject of a CCJ you may not be accepted. You’re also unlikely to be offered a card if you have declared bankruptcy.
Customer reviews
In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 89% of RBS credit card customers said they would recommend it to a friend. Many customers stated that the provider was reliable and provided good interest rates. One survey respondent said: “I’ve never had an issue with this credit card. RBS give me great interest rate options, and I can access my card from my RBS app and manage it from there.”
However, on Trustpilot, the bank as a whole received a score of only 1.3 out of 5, with reviewers citing their poor experiences of customer service (updated February 2024).
Our verdict
Depending on your own circumstances, you’ll have four different types of RBS cards to choose from including balanced, rewards, premium and student cards.
Once you’ve compared your options above and want to know if you’re likely to be approved, RBS offers a quick search tool that won’t affect your credit rating.
Bear in mind that if you’ve been declared bankrupt or have a county court judgement against your name, it’s unlikely that you’ll be successful.
Do your homework to ensure you find the right credit card for your needs.
Contact RBS’ customer support
Live chat support
RBS’ Cora is an digital chatbox available through the RBS app. Cora is available 24/7 and if she cannot help answer your query, she’ll pass you onto the customer service team.
Overview of Royal Bank of Scotland credit cards
Representative APR
From 12.9% to 40.7%
0% balance transfer offer
Up to 29 months
0% purchases offer
Up to 20 months
0% money transfer offer
No money transfer offer available
Cashback with brand
Up to 1%
Cashback elsewhere
Up to 0.5%
Cash advance
From 26.9%
Introductory bonus offer
No introductory bonus offers available
Frequently asked questions
As part of the pre-application process, RBS uses a credit search facility which leaves a search “footprint” on your credit record but does not change your credit score.
By setting up a monthly direct debit from your bank account to pay at least the minimum balance required, you will be sure that your monthly payment is always made on time.
This figure is designed to provide an annual summary, taking into account both interest and any mandatory charges to be paid (for example an annual fee). All lenders must calculate the APR of their products in the same way, and must tell you the APR before you sign an agreement, so for consumers, it can be a handy tool for comparison. Bear in mind, however, that lenders are only obliged to award this rate to 51% of their customers – the other 49% could pay more. That’s why it’s often referred to as the representative APR.
All Mastercard credit cardholders are entitled to use their Priceless Cities rewards programme which offers access to exclusive experiences and discounts.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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 602 Finder guides across topics including:
Find out where you’ll earn cashback and how much you could pocket with this rewards card rom RBS.
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Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
