Credit Card Advice...

Hugogo · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:14

Whats the best card on the market at the moment.

I am soon to be going on a bit of an adventure accross the world (see http://www.mongolbeavers.co.uk ). I need a card which can be used in the capital cities of the countries I am due to be going to.

Which cards do people advise? (HSBC are being odd about giving me one even though i have an income and an amazing credit rating).

Thanks

Scuzi · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:16

How long is a piece of string? It depends on what sort of use it is going to get. Check out the articles here - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/
It's an excellent source of information.

Darkwave · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:26

I got myself a platinum Visa with Abbey not long ago, very impressed with it.

Not as impressed as people who spot it though.

Scuzi · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:35

Ulfhedjinn said:
Not as impressed as people who spot it though.

Any eejit on a paltry £20k a year can get their hands on a Platinum Visa nowadays. They're not as exclusive as they used to be.

355F1512TR · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:41

Ulfhedjinn said:
Not as impressed as people who spot it though.

If you were to whip out an Amex black, that might impress me

kitten_caboodle · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:43

I'd be more impressed by someone paying by cash than credit to be honest, no matter what colour your card is, it's still not yours

Relentless · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:48

kitten_caboodle said:
I'd be more impressed by someone paying by cash than credit to be honest, no matter what colour your card is, it's still not yours

Amen.

I bought a new guitar a few months back, just under £1900 cash and the guy at the counter was shaking when he was counting it

Ironic Namesake · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:50

Any Visa or Mastercard will do, pretty much accepted anywhere

Nationwide is the cheapest if buying in foreign currency I believe.

Ulfhedjinn said:
I got myself a platinum Visa with Abbey not long ago, very impressed with it.

Not as impressed as people who spot it though.

a platinum card is nothing special any more, I got one at 18

Bes · 3 Jun 2007 at 20:52

Amex Platinum offers 3% cashback

Hugogo · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:03

OoOverclockaoO said:
Any Visa or Mastercard will do, pretty much accepted anywhere Nationwide is the cheapest if buying in foreign currency I believe.

a platinum card is nothing special any more, I got one at 18

Was about to say yeah Ive been offered one with little income and im 22 year old.

Good advice so far guys keep it coming

.

(Thanks!)

Ironic Namesake · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:14

Bes said:
Amex Platinum offers 3% cashback

3% is only for the first 3 months, then after that 0.5% for up to £3500, 1% for £3501 to £10,000 and 1.5% for above.

Plus a lot of places don't accept Amex cards :mad:

Morgan Stanley gives you 1% cashback on any amount for whole period afaik, but I don't think they are taking on any new applicants at the moment

Bes · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:16

OoOverclockaoO said:
3% is only for the first 3 months, then after that 0.5% for up to £3500, 1% for £3501 to £10,000 and 1.5% for above.

Plus a lot of places don't accept Amex cards

Morgan Stanley gives you 1% cashback on any amount for whole period afaik, but I don't think they are taking on any new applicants at the moment

I know- I have the card

But it is fairly widely accepted and 3%@3M is the best rate out there.

Darkwave · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:18

Scuzi said:
Any eejit on a paltry £20k a year can get their hands on a Platinum Visa nowadays. They're not as exclusive as they used to be.

It's harder to get one when you don't have a job as such.

They begged me to take one, lol.

Scuzi · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:21

Ulfhedjinn said:
It's harder to get one when you don't have a job as such.

They begged me to take one, lol.

And that's why there are so many people with unmanageable debt. Credit card companies giving credit to the unemployed. Genius!

Ironic Namesake · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:26

Bes said:
I know- I have the card But it is fairly widely accepted and 3%@3M is the best rate out there.

Not as widely accepted as Visa/Mastercard unfortunately , bit annoying as its one of the only cards I can actually remember my PIN number for

hominid · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:28

Don't get one.

Darkwave · 3 Jun 2007 at 21:30

Scuzi said:
And that's why there are so many people with unmanageable debt. Credit card companies giving credit to the unemployed. Genius!

Aye indeed. Luckily for me I'm not that way inclined, or I'd probably be screwed. :eek:

Vanilla · 3 Jun 2007 at 22:04

I want one of those cards you can get in the US where you can have any picture you want on the front of the card.

POB · 3 Jun 2007 at 22:41

Nationwide card for traveling excellent rates on conversions much better then most cards.

iCraig · 3 Jun 2007 at 22:56

hominid said:
Don't get one.

Why?

Visa, Mastercard etc are very well distributed and he stands a very good chance of having access to his money along his travels than if he uses a debit card. Also beats carrying travellers cheques.