Cashback or miles – which is better?

Cashback is flexible and usable immediately as cash value. Miles can offer a higher value with good redemption but are tied to programmes. It depends on your travel and spending habits.

Is a cashback card with an annual fee worth it?

Only if your annual cashback exceeds the fee. Multiply your typical annual spend by the cashback rate – our calculator helps with this.

Miles & Cashback Credit Cards 2026

Miles and cashback credit cards reward your spending: you either get a percentage of your spending back (cashback) or collect reward miles and points for flights and rewards. The key is that the value exceeds the annual fee.

Who is it for?

For anyone who pays a lot by card and wants something in return – as a cash rebate or as miles/points.

What to look out for

Weigh the cashback rate or miles/points value realistically against the annual fee
Check the terms and caps for rewards
Consider how miles/points can be redeemed
Welcome bonus as an extra starting benefit

At a glance

Cards compared: 17
Issuers: 9
Card types: 5 credit cards with revolving option, 9 charge cards (pay in full), 3 debit cards
Networks: Visa (3), Mastercard (5), Visa or Mastercard (1), American Express (8)
No annual fee: 5 of 17; otherwise €29 to €850 per year
No foreign transaction fee: 6 of 17; otherwise 1.5% to 2%
With revolving credit option: 5 of 17; APR 10.05% to 24.95%
With travel insurance: 10 of 17
No SCHUFA check: 2 of 17

Calculated automatically from the current card data in this comparison.

Recommendations compared

Trade Republic Card – Debit card for the Trade Republic account with 1% Saveback into your savings plan. Score: 9.5/10 (Excellent) · Top rated · Annual fee: €0 · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.6/10
Amazon Visa – Credit card for Amazon fans – 1 point per euro at Amazon, instalments available. Score: 7.1/10 (Good) · Annual fee: €0 · Bonus: — · Rating: 6.6/10
Miles & More Gold Credit Card Business – The miles card for business spending and travel. Score: 7.3/10 (Good) · Annual fee: €138 · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.4/10
GMX WEB.Cent Credit Card (Mastercard Gold) – Free gold credit card with travel insurance and free worldwide withdrawals. Score: 8.6/10 (Very good) · Annual fee: €0 · Bonus: +€20 · Rating: 8.2/10
American Express Business Platinum Card – Premium business card with lounge access and top services. Score: 6.4/10 (Fair) · Annual fee: €850 · Bonus: 200,000 points · Rating: 8.7/10
American Express Business Gold Card – Earn points and manage business spending flexibly. Score: 7.6/10 (Good) · Annual fee: €175 · Bonus: +€150 · Rating: 8.6/10
American Express Gold Card – Collect points with attractive travel and shopping benefits. Score: 5.2/10 (Adequate) · Annual fee: €240 · Bonus: +€200 · Rating: 8.6/10
Hilton Honors Credit Card – Hotel credit card with Gold status, Hilton Honors points and no foreign currency fee for €6 a month. Score: 6.9/10 (Fair) · Annual fee: €72 · Bonus: 50,000 points · Rating: 7.0/10
BMW Card from American Express – Amex card for drivers with 1% credit on fuel and Membership Rewards points for €44 a year. Score: 5.8/10 (Adequate) · Annual fee: €44 · Bonus: +€44 · Rating: 6.0/10
American Express Card (Green Card) – Entry-level Amex with Membership Rewards that costs nothing from year two with regular use. Score: 5.6/10 (Adequate) · Annual fee: €60 · Bonus: +€40 · Rating: 5.6/10
BMW Premium Card Carbon – Premium Amex for BMW drivers with lounge access, a comprehensive insurance package and double points around the car. Score: 5.2/10 (Adequate) · Annual fee: €500 · Bonus: 37,500 points · Rating: 5.3/10
American Express Platinum Card – Premium metal charge card with worldwide lounge access, travel insurance and yearly credits. Score: 5.1/10 (Adequate) · Annual fee: €720 · Bonus: +€340 · Rating: 5.1/10
Miles & More Gold Credit Card – Collect miles for flights with comprehensive travel cover. Score: 5.3/10 (Adequate) · Annual fee: €138 · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.5/10
PAYBACK American Express Card – Collect points with no annual fee – ideal for PAYBACK fans. Score: 7.1/10 (Good) · Annual fee: €0 · Bonus: 4,000 points · Rating: 8.3/10
PAYBACK Visa – Credit card for PAYBACK fans — collect points on every purchase. Score: 8.1/10 (Very good) · Annual fee: €29 · Bonus: 3,000 points · Rating: 8.4/10
Revolut Metal – Stainless steel card with cashback on payments and partner travel insurance — Revolut's top everyday card. Score: 6.5/10 (Fair) · Annual fee: €155 · Bonus: — · Rating: 7.9/10
C24 Smart Debit Card – Free debit card with the C24 Smart account and fee-free payments worldwide. Score: 9.2/10 (Excellent) · Annual fee: €0 · Bonus: — · Rating: 8.4/10

All information without guarantee (continuously updated). Conditions may change – the provider's details are always decisive.

Frequently asked questions

Cashback or miles – which is better?: Cashback is flexible and usable immediately as cash value. Miles can offer a higher value with good redemption but are tied to programmes. It depends on your travel and spending habits.
Is a cashback card with an annual fee worth it?: Only if your annual cashback exceeds the fee. Multiply your typical annual spend by the cashback rate – our calculator helps with this.

Which card suits you best?

Use your personal usage profile to calculate the real annual cost of every card.

Go to the calculator