Would you credit it

[ewx]

My bank have written to me to say that they are going to stop issuing Visa credit cards and instead send me two credit cards, one an American Express and one a Mastercard, both backed by the same account.

Do you have an Amex? Is it accepted everywhere? (I have a feeling the answer to the latter is a resounding "no".)

Do you have a Mastercard? Is it accepted everywhere?

Can you see any advantage (to me) of this scheme that outweighs the nuisance of having two bits of plastic instead of one? (You get airmiles if you spend money on these cards but I don't travel enough for that to be actually useful and really I just want a credit card, I don't care about complicated reward schemes.) Apparently it's "more flexible" but I can't help but feel that it's just a way of increasing the chance of being at the top of a randomly sorted wallet.

Is there a credit card you'd recommend? I buy things online, over the phone and in person; I want to be able to pay off by direct debit monthly without incurring any interest; I don't want to pay any fees; I don't borrow money long term on credit cards.

To clarify:

• the Amex accumulates airmiles faster than the Mastercard does; it's not totally pointless if you actually care.
• the letter explicitly says "two credit cards", i.e. the Amex is a credit card too not just a charge card.
• I don't spend much time in rural Belgium.

Comments

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

Is the Amex a credit card or not? The charge card was completely useless for me and cost money.

I've been places that don't accept Mastercard, and also to those that don't accept Visa, and obviously some places don't accept credit cards at all. I'd recommend travelling to other countries with a selection of credit and debit cards (don't get foreign currency on a Visa Debit card, whether here or abroad because it costs), but either Visa or Mastercard is fine for a day to day card in the UK.

There is a CC that I'd recommend, but not in an unlocked post. If you pay off in full each month (as I presume you do) then a cash back one is good.

[crazyscot.livejournal.com]

Using a Visa Debit card in an ATM abroad is cheaper than using a credit card.

MBNA MasterCard for €70 in Apr 2007: Their exchange rate + £3 cash advance fee + 47p interest between xaction & statement date + 21p interest between statement & paid date. (Despite paying off in full.)

Barclays Visa Debit card for C$100 in Aug 2006: Their exchange rate [explicitly including £1.28 commission] + £1.50 fee.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

I'd always use a debit card rather than a credit card in an ATM anyway. Last time I looked, using a credit card in a UK ATM was also expensive.

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

Using a Visa Debit card in an ATM abroad is cheaper than using a credit card.

Yes, but you still get hit with the Visa fee, which you don't for Maestro, which is (IMO) the best way to get money out when you travel.

[covertmusic.livejournal.com]

That's worth knowing about; my current acct is Visa Delta. Who can I get a Maestro card off in a hurry, and will it work in the US? :)

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

:)

The individual bank may also charge you to get money out, so wouldn't necessarily be the cheapest option for you anyway were you to decide to get an extra account just for that.

I've been able to use such a card as a cash card (back when it was switch) when I was in the US years ago, but I've usually used CCs, travellers' cheques or cash in the shops, so I don't know how easy it would be to use there as a debit card.

I've not looked into it in detail myself, so don't know how it compares, but I noticed that the Post Office offers cards (US$, Euros and sterling versions)that you can load with money and use abroad.

[ewx.livejournal.com]

The letter says "two credit cards". I do pay off in full every month, I've never borrowed a penny at CC interest rates yet and have no plans to change this. Email me the recommendation?

[dave holland (from livejournal.com)]

There is a CC that I'd recommend, but not in an unlocked post.

I am curious and/or nosey and/or considering a new credit card... please share.