What should replace your Tandem Money credit card, which is being closed?

Whilst it doesn’t offer any miles or points, we have recommended the Tandem Money cashback credit card on numerous occasions.

It really had everything (apart from miles):

• no annual fee
• no foreign exchange fees

• 0.5% cashback on all spending
• operates as a Mastercard so widely accepted

Unsurprisingly, since I cannot imagine any scenario under which Tandem was making money from this product, it has been pulled to new applicants.  The website also seems to imply that the clock is ticking for existing cardholders too.

You can find out more on the Tandem website here.

My preferred Visa / Mastercard cashback product is probably now the John Lewis / Waitrose one.  This DOES have FX fees, but you also get 0.5% back on third party shopping and 1% back at John Lewis and Waitrose.  There is no fee. All rewards are paid in shopping vouchers.  There is currently a £30 sign-up bonus too.

The Aqua credit card also has 0.5% cashback – and paid in real cash – but capped at £100 per year.  It DOES NOT have FX fees.  I am not a fan of this product because it is aimed at people with credit defaults and is advertised as such.  This means that you will get a low credit limit and it isn’t necessarily one to wave around in the pub.  I know some HfP readers use it and are happy with it, however.

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – December 2024 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 30,000 Avios. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 80,000 Avios! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) and NO FX fees Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback when you spend at least £2,000 per month.

Barclaycard Select Cashback Business Credit Card

Get 1% cashback when you spend at least £2,000 per month* Read our full review