Reward Credit Card options

[Rotty]

With the change top the 2-4-1 voucher the Virgin Atlantic card is now excellent, we are now prioritising this one over our BA card (that and I already have 600k avios and a few 2-4-1 )


I often hold on to old cards too, I have an Amex cashback at 1.5% that I don't use any more


Sometimes you can find a debit card with even better kick backs, I use a Tesco debit card (no longer open to new people) that gets me over 100k clubcard point a year

 

[bazzabear]

If you shop at Amazon a lot, you could look at their card. Although I think the reward is pretty low these days as a percentage.
it does have the advantage of not being AmEx though, so you're not always having to deal with working out whether it will be accepted.

 

[Rotty]

Had the Amex Gold for years and well worth the yearly cost so long as you stay on top of the freebies and cash back etc. Loads of reward points bonuses going atm too which can be used on a load of things including Amazon vouchers which can always be used.

used to be a great card until they clamped down on churning

 

[OldKitMan]

Amex Green Chargecard? Get membership rewards which you can convert into airline/hotel/amazon/etc.

 

[Mike_J_Smith]

Thanks for the responses.

I’ll take a look at the moneysavingexpert site and the cashback sites and see what clicks. I like the idea of something telling me I can save before I buy.

Sounds like an Amex cashback card used where cashback sites don’t get you more is possibly the way to go.

We spend a lot, but probably not enough in anyone store.

I’m finding I’m using Paypal more and more these days, so someone needs to invent a cashback app for that. Unless it exists already?

actually, that’s a point. If you have a cashback AMEX linked to PayPal, do you earn cashback on that?

 

[Mike_J_Smith]

used to be a great card until they clamped down on churning

What’s churning?

 

[Rotty]

What’s churning?

there used to be huge sign up bonuses (they are still good put the time periods are longer)

as an example

1st Jan I sign up, get 35k points ish with the min spend

end Jun I refer my wife, I get 9k , she gets 35k , I cancel my card

december she refers me and then cancels, rinse and repeat as as soon as you had been cancelled 6 months you could re apply, the issue is it's now 24 months

Also card is free in first year and you get free airport lounge vouchers


at the same time I was doing the same with the BA and Virgin cards

 

[Bluecube]

actually, that’s a point. If you have a cashback AMEX linked to PayPal, do you earn cashback on that?

Yes

 

[Mike_J_Smith]

there used to be huge sign up bonuses (they are still good put the time periods are longer)

as an example

1st Jan I sign up, get 35k points ish with the min spend

end Jun I refer my wife, I get 9k , she gets 35k , I cancel my card

december she refers me and then cancels, rinse and repeat as as soon as you had been cancelled 6 months you could re apply, the issue is it's now 24 months

Also card is free in first year and you get free airport lounge vouchers


at the same time I was doing the same with the BA and Virgin cards

Ah, crafty! I like it. Can see why they clamped down though

Yes

brucie bonus; that may work out well for me then

 

[rodders]

how often do you check for deals? That’s what I can’t work out with cash back sites; it feels like you’d have to spend ages doing it in order to achieve anything worthwhile

I only check for deals if I'm buying something. I get deals emailed to me also, but rarely take them up.

As someone else said, get a plugin for your browser and it reminds you too.

 

[Martynt74]

There's the AMEX Cashback card as sudden mentioned. I personally have the Vitality AMEX Card through my health insurance, teamed with an Amazon mastercard for none-AMEX places. I spend a lot at Amazon so the rewards are decent there (works out at 1.5%) - none amazon purchases are not so good for rewards but still get something

I've got the Vitality Amex too. Just hit my renewal and looks like i've "earned" £330 this year. The second year is meant to be boosted to 5% which would be fantastic!

 

[Martynt74]

With the change top the 2-4-1 voucher the Virgin Atlantic card is now excellent, we are now prioritising this one over our BA card (that and I already have 600k avios and a few 2-4-1 )


I often hold on to old cards too, I have an Amex cashback at 1.5% that I don't use any more


Sometimes you can find a debit card with even better kick backs, I use a Tesco debit card (no longer open to new people) that gets me over 100k clubcard point a year

Oooh what change? I remember a few things putting me off the Virgin Atlantic card. From memory you weren't able to redeem on anything other than economy. Has that changed?

Still not sure it would beat my 5% Vitality Amex, but could be worth looking into, especially when it drops back to the standard 3% or if i lose Vitality.

 

[Russinating]

used to be a great card until they clamped down on churning

I find it's still worth it personally. But yeah, the offers are far less lucrative than they used to be. Even Shop Small was £10 rather than the £5 it is now for example. Back in the heyday I bought a £750 TV completely free using Amex offers.

 

[Rotty]

Oooh what change? I remember a few things putting me off the Virgin Atlantic card. From memory you weren't able to redeem on anything other than economy. Has that changed?

Still not sure it would beat my 5% Vitality Amex, but could be worth looking into, especially when it drops back to the standard 3% or if i lose Vitality.

What you need to know about the new improvements to Virgin Atlantic credit cards (thepointsguy.co.uk)

 

[Rotty]

I find it's still worth it personally. But yeah, the offers are far less lucrative than they used to be. Even Shop Small was £10 rather than the £5 it is now for example. Back in the heyday I bought a £750 TV completely free using Amex offers.

I get most of my miles from Tesco clubcard these days so Virgin is now way to go for me