0.5% cashback card (Alliance & Leicester Credit Card)

Member Name: aksram

Product:	Alliance & Leicester Credit Card
Date:	08/09/09 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cashback, introductory bonus

Disadvantages: couldn't use internet banking when abroad

Having got used to shopping using credit cards, it has become one of my best friends! For years I was just a joint holder with my partner in credit cards. But alliance Leicester card was one of my first successful credit cards. I was looking for a good credit card with cashback but I wasn't getting any good one for my salary range. That's when I was introduced to this card.
I had a current account with A&L then and they called up with the offer of getting a credit card in alliance with the account. Their cashback offer was not bad too. It is almost like 0.5%. Initially it was very confusing as they have the points system which has to be redeemed either for rewards, vouchers or cash. They didn't have an easy answer for how many points equals to how much money in cashback form. But as the points got collected and the days passed, I got used to it. Also they gave a bonus 2000 points if shopped using the card within 90 days- which wasn't that difficult!!!
I usually exchange mine for restaurant/leisure voucher. 4000 points= £20 voucher (pizza hut, tgi Fridays, London attractions etc). As cashback 5000 points= £20. There are lots of choices for rewards on the website.
This credit card is acceptable in all places where MasterCard is accepted unlike the Amex cards.
They do have online banking and you can manage your account, view pin, pay bills etc through the web. They do have telephone banking but I have never used it.
Their customer services are quite helpful. They have free phone number (0800) to help 24/7.
One major problem is when you go abroad you can't access alliance Leicester accounts unless you inform them before hand. I was stuck once when I tried to log in to my account and couldn't transfer some money into it. On returning they informed that it is in their terms and conditions that for security purposes when you are trying to log into your account, it will not be accessible. But if you inform them, they will make it accessible- don't ask me how!!??!!

Summary: It is a good start off credit card