loveMONEY Champions: who should win the best credit card provider?

These credit card providers won the most votes from the loveMONEY readers. But which is your favourite?

The loveMONEY readers have spoken and named the providers most deserving of the loveMONEY Champion award for best credit cards 2015/16. Here is the final shortlist. It's up to you to pick your final winner!

American Express

American Express has a range of brilliant credit cards, offering you some of the best rewards around, covering everything from Avios and Nectar points to cold, hard cash.

Its cashback credit cards are particularly eye-catching. For example, the Platinum Everyday Cashback Credit Card pays 5% cashback in the first three months (capped at £100), followed by a rate of up to 1.25% depending on how much you spend.

Then there's the Platinum Cashback Credit Card, which again pays 5% cashback in the first three months (this time capped at £125), followed by a flat rate of 1.25%, which doubles to 2.5% in your anniverdary month with the card each year. However, it does come with an annual fee of £25.

To see how they measure up against the rest of the field, check out The best cashback credit cards.

Barclaycard

Barclaycard has consistently topped of the tables when it comes to balance transfer credit cards. Its 37-Month Platinum Credit Card is one of the longest deals the market has ever seen. Read The best 0% balance transfer credit cards to see how it compares.

The Barclaycard PayTag makes it really easy to pay with your mobile phone too.

Halifax

Halifax has a terrific range of credit cards across its range. The 37-month Balance Transfer Credit Card is among the longest balance transfer cards around. If you want more in the way of purchases, the 24-Month Credit Card gives you 24 months interest-free on both purchases on balance transfers (with 0.8% transfer fee) and purchases, making it one of the very best all-round cards.

And if you just want a tiny interest rate, the Halifax Low APR Credit Card has a tiny 6.4% APR.

MBNA

MBNA is another provider that features towards the top of the best buy tables when it comes to 0% balance transfer deals, with its 37-Month Balance Transfer Credit Card.

MBNA is also the firm behind most football team and charity-related credit cards.

Nationwide

Nationwide is the only building society that made it on to the shortlist. 

The Nationwide Credit Card comes with 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months, and also includes a commission-free allowance to use abroad on any purchases in sterling.

However, the Select Credit Card (exclusively for existing current account customers) is the real star. You get 0.5% cashback on all spending, unlimited commission-free purchases abroad and a £25 reward when you spend £25 or transfer a balance onto the card within the first 60 days. 

Both cards give cardholders access to Simply Rewards, which gives you cashback when you spend on your card with companies like Argos, Emirates and Toby Carvery.

Santander

Santander has been one of the big names when it comes to cashback credit cards, with its 123 Credit Card. You get 1% cashback at supermarkets, 2% cashback at department stores and 3% cashback on travel spending.

If you are a fan of the card just be aware that Santander has now implemented a cashback cap, so you can earn no more than £9 cashback a month from the card. What's more, it will set you back £3 a month from January, up from £2 a month.

Tesco

Tesco's credit cards have been popular in the past because of the combination of lengthy 0% periods and the ability to earn Clubcard points when you spend. However, the number of points you earn when spending outside of Tesco has recently been halved, which may dent its popularity in future.

You get five Clubcard points for every £4 you spend at Tesco and for every £4 you spend on Tesco fuel and one point for every £8 you spend elsewhere.

You can currently enjoy a 21-month 0% period on purchases or a 37-month 0% period on balance transfers with Tesco's credit cards.

What you should read now:

The best 0% balance transfer credit cards

Get paid to bank

Why I'm dumping Tesco

The best low-fee balance transfer credit cards

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