Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

What credit card should I get

17 replies

Menopants · 20/03/2023 06:43

i would like a credit card for insurance when buying on the internet etc. the John Lewis one looks ok but wondering if I am missing a trick? Money saving expert seems to be pushing Amex cards but are they widely accepted? Basically I will pay it off every month , would prefer an app to manage it any perks etc hold be nice .
tia

OP posts:
Xrays · 20/03/2023 06:45

Go for one with the longest 0% interest on purchases (if that’s what you’re planning to use it more). Most cards can be managed online now.

Floofydawg · 20/03/2023 06:49

I have the John Lewis one and I like it - app is user friendly and it's easy to pay your bill. The points are ok and you get double for purchases from JL. If you're paying it off every month you don't need an interest free period.

Original poster
Menopants · 20/03/2023 06:52

Thank you

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 20/03/2023 06:58

Don’t go for Amex Card, unless you are a high earner, you won’t get accepted for one, also a lot of places don’t take them. If you have a bank account, get one with them. We are with Barclays so have Barclaycard credit card. I’ve also got a Tesco credit card, I get loyalty points on this card, not a lot but it helps.

AuntieMarys · 20/03/2023 07:09

Had a JL one for about 20 years. The rewards aren't as good now, but better than nothing. We put everything on it...food shopping, holidays day to day spending, meals out/ drinks...pay off in full.

Brahumbug · 20/03/2023 07:28

Sorry, there is nothing wrong with Amex and nearly all places take it, certainly anywhere you do a big spend such as supermarkets or petrol stations and their customer service is excellent. You don't have to have a large income for acceptance and there is a 5% cashback for the first 3 month, then 0.5% thereafter. Pulse credit card do a 0.25% cashback and they are a MasterCard. If you only want protection for online purchases then consider PayPal credit. It acts like a credit card, so you get section 75 protection and for purchases over£100 you automatically get 3 months interest free credit.

UsingChangeofName · 20/03/2023 07:36

A friend with an Amex does regularly get it refused. I mean, not all the time, but often enough that she always carries a back up card.
I think that Amex charge the business more, so some won't pay it.

Yoyooo · 20/03/2023 07:37

I have a MBNA and the cash back is good with that.

Brahumbug · 20/03/2023 07:49

Yes, some places do refuse Amex, but not many, and I have a MasterCard and Visa as well.

stepfordwifey · 20/03/2023 08:03

Brahumbug · 20/03/2023 07:49

Yes, some places do refuse Amex, but not many, and I have a MasterCard and Visa as well.

It's mainly small businesses who won't accept Amex. I use the BA Amex card and Sainsbury's Mastercard. You can convert Nectar points to Avios and add them to the account.
Amex were brilliant when I had a recent scam purchase. The Reward app is easy to use to earn extra Avios through online shopping.

NashvilleQueen · 20/03/2023 08:31

How about one with air miles? If you pay everything with it and then clear each month you can earn a lot. You need to be disciplined though.

WalkAwaySugarbear · 20/03/2023 08:37

I have an Amex Platinum everyday. I'm not a high earner but they gave me a £12k limit. It has an annual fee of £25 but the cashback is around £200 a year. It is accepted mostly everywhere bar small traders and B&M. If its not accepted online, I can use it with PayPal and it works.
I have a secondary cashback credit card for non Amex spends but it's not available anymore. I used to have the Amazon card, I'd earn avg £40 a year in vouchers but it has gone now. I'd get the new card when they release that.

Hoppinggreen · 20/03/2023 08:39

We have a Lloyds one we pay off in full each month and get cash back on.

mondaytosunday · 20/03/2023 09:14

I just got the Virgin one as I want the air miles. Their interest was good and 0% for six months on transfers. Did it online was approved in seconds.
If I didn't go with them I would have got JL.

DappledOliveGroves · 20/03/2023 09:22

I have an Amex Gold Card and DH has a BA Amex. We got them specifically because of the bonuses with airmiles. Both had excellent introductory offers of Avios/Virgin Airmiles and DH's card also comes with an annual reward flight if you spend £10k per annum.

Assuming you're not that bothered about Airmiles, then just have a read up on the various offers. Some have very good 0% rates on purchases - so you can buy something expensive and spend up to three or four years paying it off interest free. So if you have any big purchases coming up, that can be helpful. Some cards have useful features if you travel abroad a lot. My Santander All In One credit card is fee free for foreign transactions which is great when we're on holiday.

Other cards have cashback and loyalty vouchers depending on the brand.

LegoLady95 · 20/03/2023 09:54

I am not a high earner, working part time, and have an Amex card. I got it because the cashback was the best as I also pay off in full each month. I do carry my old Mastercard as well in case anywhere doesn't accept Amex (there are some places that don't).

My PayPal account uses my Amex card so I am also collecting cashback on any Paypal purchases.

Jane96Homy · 07/04/2023 12:04

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page