Uphold Cashback Card Review 2025: Get 1% Back on Almost All UK Spending Review
Uphold is a financial platform offering a debit card with 1% cashback on all UK purchases, 0% FX fees, and Apple/Google Pay support. Terms apply....
Maximise Your Cashback
Always start your shopping journey through the cashback platform's website or browser extension to ensure your purchases are tracked.
Maximise your savings with the Uphold Debit Card, offering 1% cashback on all UK purchases up to £100/month. No annual fee, 0% FX fees, and a free virtual card. Learn how this card can help you earn money back on everyday spending. Terms apply. Non-Uphold fees may apply. Uphold Card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, a principal member of Mastercard and authorised by the FCA.
Best For
Uphold Cashback Card Review is good for:
Ways to Earn Money
The different ways you can earn on this platform.
Payment Methods
How you can withdraw your earnings.
Platform Details
Key information about how this platform works.
Offerwalls & Survey Providers
Third-party offer and survey providers available on this platform.
Offerwalls Available
Survey Providers
Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
- 1% cashback on all UK purchases
- Free virtual card
- No annual fee
- 0% foreign exchange fees
- Works with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Stacks with other cashback platforms
Cons
- £9.95 fee for physical card
- £100/month cashback cap
- ATM fees apply (£2.50 UK, £3.50 abroad)
- E-money license, not full bank
Referral Code: N/A
I've been using Uphold for everyday spending since 2024. The 1% cashback is reliable, payouts arrive monthly, and stacking it with Curve and gift card apps means I often get 3-5% back on supermarket shops.
Full Review
Overview & How to Get Started
Uphold offers one of the best flat-rate cashback debit cards available in the UK. Since Chase reduced their cashback offering, Uphold has become a go-to option for anyone wanting consistent 1% back on all spending without jumping through hoops. The virtual card is completely free, works with Apple Pay and Google Pay, and there are no annual fees or foreign transaction charges.
What makes Uphold particularly valuable is how well it stacks with other cashback methods. I use it alongside gift card cashback apps and Curve to regularly hit 3-5% back on supermarket shops.
How to get your Uphold cashback card
- Visit the Uphold website on your mobile phone.
- Download the Uphold app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Sign up and verify your identity – you'll need to complete KYC verification.
- Activate your free virtual card in the app by tapping the card tile.
- Add to Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless spending in stores.
- Top up your GBP account via bank transfer and start earning 1% cashback.
Cashback is calculated monthly and added to your Uphold balance within 15 days. The minimum payout is £1 – anything below rolls over to the next month. You can earn up to £100 cashback per month.
*Terms apply. Non-Uphold fees may apply. Uphold Card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, a principal member of Mastercard and authorised by the FCA.
Get Your Free Uphold CardDo I Use Uphold?
Yes, Uphold is my main everyday debit card! I've been using it since 2024 for most of my debit card purchases. It pairs perfectly with my cashback stacking strategy alongside Curve and gift card apps like Cheddar and Jam Doughnut.
Why I Like Uphold
- 1% cashback on almost everything – no categories to track, no hoops to jump through.
- Free virtual card – works instantly with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- 0% FX fees – one of the best cards to use abroad.
- Stacks with other cashback – I regularly hit 3-5% on supermarket shops.
The payouts are reliable – cashback lands in my account within 15 days of each month end. The only minor downside is the £9.95 physical card fee, but I just use the virtual card through Curve instead.
What is Uphold?
Uphold is a multi-asset financial platform that launched in 2015, originally focused on cryptocurrency and precious metals trading. For UK users, the main draw is their Mastercard debit card offering 1% cashback on all purchases – one of the best flat-rate cashback cards available since Chase scaled back their offering.
Unlike traditional banks, Uphold operates under an e-money license and is registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset firm. The card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, which is authorised by the FCA. While your funds aren't FSCS protected like a regular bank account, Uphold holds 90% of assets in cold storage and undergoes quarterly solvency audits.
The Uphold app where you manage your card and track cashback
Quick Facts About Uphold:
- Website: Uphold.com
- Founded: 2013 (launched 2015)
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Available: UK (card), 184+ countries (platform)
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Cashback Rate: 1% on all UK purchases
- Monthly Cap: £100 cashback maximum
- Minimum Payout: £1 (rolls over if below)
- Payout Timing: Monthly, within 15 days
- Virtual Card: Free
- Physical Card: £9.95
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
- ATM Fees: £2.50 UK, £3.50 abroad
- Regulation: FCA registered, card issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited
- Finder Score: 9.8/10 (2025 Award Winner)
Is Uphold Legit?
Yes, Uphold is legitimate and well-regulated. I've been using it since 2024 and received cashback payments every month without issue. The platform has been operating since 2015 and has never experienced a successful hack.
Evidence that Uphold is Legitimate
- Registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset firm
- Card issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, authorised by the FCA
- Operating since 2015 with no successful hacks
- 90% of assets held in cold storage
- Quarterly solvency audits
- 24/7 security monitoring
- 2FA required for all users
- Finder Score: 9.8/10, 2025 Multipurpose Crypto Platform Award Winner
Uphold isn't a traditional bank – it operates under an e-money license rather than a full banking license. This means your funds aren't protected by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) like they would be with a high street bank. However, for a spending card where you're only keeping small amounts topped up, this is a reasonable trade-off for 1% cashback on everything.
The cashback has been reliable in my experience. It's calculated at the end of each month and credited to your account within 15 days. If your cashback is below £1, it rolls over to the next month rather than being lost.
The only complaints I've seen from users typically relate to the crypto side of the platform (which you don't need to use for the cashback card) or account verification delays. The debit card itself works exactly as advertised.
*Terms apply. Non-Uphold fees may apply. Uphold Card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, a principal member of Mastercard and authorised by the FCA.
How Uphold Cashback Works
Getting started with Uphold is straightforward:
Download the app
Get Uphold from the App Store or Google Play on your mobile
Sign up and verify
Create your account and complete KYC identity verification
Activate your free virtual card
Tap the card tile in the app to activate instantly
Add to your mobile wallet
Link to Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless spending
Top up and spend
Add funds via Apple Pay or Google Pay and earn 1% on all purchases
Note: Uphold currently only supports top-ups via Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bank transfer top-ups are not available at the moment. Make sure your GBP account is selected as your funding source – purchases funded by crypto or other currencies don't earn cashback.
Cashback is calculated at the end of each month and credited to your Uphold balance within 15 days. You can earn up to £100 cashback per month, with a minimum payout of £1 (anything below rolls over).
Final Verdict: Is Uphold Worth It?
After using Uphold as my main spending card since 2024, I'd say it's one of the best flat-rate cashback options in the UK right now. Since Chase scaled back their offering, Uphold fills that gap nicely.Why Uphold Stands Out
- 1% cashback on all UK purchases – no categories to track
- Free virtual card with instant Apple Pay/Google Pay setup
- 0% foreign exchange fees – great for travel
- Stacks perfectly with Curve, gift card apps, and other cashback methods
- Reliable monthly payouts within 15 days
Who Should Use Uphold?
- Everyday spenders who want simple, guaranteed cashback on all purchases
- Cashback stackers who combine multiple methods for maximum returns
- Travellers who want 0% FX fees and competitive exchange rates
- Ex-Chase users looking for a replacement since the 1% reduction
- Apple/Google Pay users who prefer contactless spending
*Terms apply. Non-Uphold fees may apply. Uphold Card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, a principal member of Mastercard and authorised by the FCA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Uphold?
Uphold is a multi-asset financial platform offering a Mastercard debit card with 1% cashback on all UK purchases. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in London, the platform is registered with the FCA. The card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, a principal member of Mastercard and authorised by the FCA.
How does Uphold cashback work?
You earn 1% cashback on all UK purchases made with your Uphold card when funded by your GBP balance. Cashback is calculated at the end of each month and credited to your Uphold balance within 15 days. The minimum payout is £1 – anything below rolls over to the next month. You can earn up to £100 cashback per month.
Is the Uphold card free?
The virtual card is completely free to activate and use. If you want a physical card, there's a one-time £9.95 delivery fee. There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees. ATM withdrawals cost £2.50 in the UK and £3.50 abroad.
How do I top up my Uphold card?
Currently, Uphold only supports top-ups via Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bank transfer top-ups are not available at the moment. Make sure your GBP account is selected as your funding source – purchases funded by other currencies don't earn cashback.
Can I use Uphold with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Yes, you can add your virtual Uphold card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless payments in stores. This means you don't need to pay for a physical card – just use your phone to tap and pay while still earning 1% cashback.
Is my money protected with Uphold?
Uphold operates under an e-money license rather than a full banking license, so your funds are not FSCS protected. However, Uphold holds 90% of assets in cold storage, undergoes quarterly solvency audits, and has 24/7 security monitoring. It's best to only top up what you plan to spend rather than keeping large balances.
Does Uphold cashback stack with other offers?
Yes, Uphold cashback stacks brilliantly with other methods. You can combine it with Curve, gift card cashback apps like Cheddar and Jam Doughnut, and Airtime Rewards. This lets you earn 3-5% or more on purchases like supermarket shopping.
What purchases don't qualify for Uphold cashback?
Certain transactions are excluded from cashback, including money transfers, financial services, gambling, cash withdrawals, gift card purchases from some providers, insurance payments, parking, and securities trading. Regular retail and online purchases all qualify.
Do I need to be 18 to use Uphold?
Yes, you must be at least 18 years old and a UK resident to sign up for an Uphold account and use the cashback debit card. KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification is required during registration.
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