This leaderboard ranks cards by pure earning potential, Value for Money adjusted. Cards offering high rewards at low fees rank higher than expensive cards with similar rates.

We give cashback a 35% bonus because it's guaranteed value—points can be devalued and have uncertain redemption rates.

• Base rate 1%+: Anything under 1% is below average
• Accelerated categories: 5-10% on categories you use frequently
• No or high caps: Monthly caps can severely limit earnings
• Clear redemption: Know exactly what your points are worth

• Match card to spending: Use the right card for each category
• Avoid interest: 40% APR destroys any reward value
• Redeem strategically: Some redemptions offer better value than others

The best rewards card maximizes returns on your actual spending. High earners benefit from uncapped premium cards; average spenders often do better with no-fee cashback options.