Recommend me a Credit Card

[RichTT]

I never used to have credit cards up until about 3 years ago. Currently bank with Natwest and have Mastercard through them. With their cashback system I used to gain about 90 pounds a month just on Direct Debits / groceries / petrol station spending and general purchase. However they have changed how it works and this is now only gaining 30 pounds a month or so in benefits from both current and credit accounts.

I already get things like airport lounge access / mobile insurance through my current accounts so looking for a credit card that actually gives us some good benefits in return for spending.

Monthly spending on the card would be between 2.5-5k. International travel is relatively frequent (in normal years) but usually corporate bookings so I don't get the spend on my cards. Card cleared in full each month with no carry over.

[Matt p]

BA Amex if you’re clearing it every month. Double up with nectar card to change into Avios points. They moved from Tesco clubcard. Also companion voucher once £20k spend is reached.

[RichTT]

I did look at that, however I really resist using BA as they're such a garbage airline these days. Usually fly Scotland > Amsterdam rather than any London airports.

Was looking at either the AMEX Platinum cashback or possibly the AMEX preferred Rewards gold cards..

[LordHaveMurci]

I’ve had my AmEx Platinum cashnback card for years, many places don’t take it.

I also have Tesco card & a John Lewis card which earns vouchers sent 3 times a year.

Interested to see if there’s anything better, all the treally good deals got pulled years ago

[PF62]

LordHaveMurci said:

I’ve had my AmEx Platinum cashnback card for years, many places don’t take it.

Most places do take Amex, but some claim not to even though they do.

Add your Amex card to Apple/Google Pay on your phone and pay with that to avoid them seeing the Amex card and falsely claiming they don’t take it. And if it doesn’t go through, well just use your back up VISA/MasterCard.

LordHaveMurci said:

I also have Tesco card & a John Lewis card which earns vouchers sent 3 times a year.

God help you if you need to speak to John Lewis credit card as it is run by HSBC and you really don’t want to experience their incompetence.

[LordHaveMurci]

PF62 said:

LordHaveMurci said:

I’ve had my AmEx Platinum cashnback card for years, many places don’t take it.

Most places do take Amex, but some claim not to even though they do.

Add your Amex card to Apple/Google Pay on your phone and pay with that to avoid them seeing the Amex card and falsely claiming they don’t take it. And if it doesn’t go through, well just use your back up VISA/MasterCard.

LordHaveMurci said:

.

Every
Single
Time

I nearly mentioned the fact that somebody would dispute not everywhere taking AmEx.
They don’t, major corporate chains etc, yes, most businesses I buy from don’t & never have, hence the two Mastercards.

[PF62]

LordHaveMurci said:

PF62 said:

LordHaveMurci said:

I’ve had my AmEx Platinum cashnback card for years, many places don’t take it.

Most places do take Amex, but some claim not to even though they do.

Add your Amex card to Apple/Google Pay on your phone and pay with that to avoid them seeing the Amex card and falsely claiming they don’t take it. And if it doesn’t go through, well just use your back up VISA/MasterCard.

LordHaveMurci said:

.

Every
Single
Time

I nearly mentioned the fact that somebody would dispute not everywhere taking AmEx.
They don’t, major corporate chains etc, yes, most businesses I buy from don’t & never have, hence the two Mastercards.

You said "many places don’t take it". Nonsense. Utter, utter nonsense. It is just that lots of places don't like taking it and say they don't when they do.

[hellorent]

A Halifax clarity card is handy for foreign travel.

[illmonkey]

Went through this recently, as it seems we spend a fortune between us. It's for joint purchases, but any large purchase gets put on it for the points then cleared.

Ended up with Amex rewards gold, as it offered the best way to earn avios. The 1st year is free, so we'll probably move to platinum after the first year.

MSE has a good guide: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/bes...

[Condi]

They changed the rules around cashback/reward cards a few years ago, and all the good deals went pretty much overnight.

IMO the Natwest one is about as good as any, unless you want something specific like Avios points.

[gabbyberrong]

Maybe you should reconsider the banks you contract with for credit cards. I, too, had cards with little cashback, which wasn't very profitable because I spent a lot at gas stations and supermarkets. I found the article at youngandthrifty.ca, which has a list of the best banks with good cashback, very helpful. Some credit cards allow you to accumulate more than a hundred pounds on various purchases at the mall and at the most important places for bank customers. On some, you can choose where you get a favorable cashback. I think these credit cards are indispensable for students, fathers and mothers of large families, and bachelors who want to live a good and quality life.

Edited by gabbyberrong on Monday 15th August 16:29

[valiant]

hellorent said:

A Halifax clarity card is handy for foreign travel.

Use Santander Zero for the same reason. No foreign fees and as I’m with them anyway it’s all tied in on one app.