A Damm Decent Card (Nationwide Building Society)

Member Name: ultras67

Product:	Nationwide Building Society
Date:	18/01/03 (313 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Low interest rates, No foreign usage charges, internet option

Disadvantages: Dull card design

Apply for and use a Nationwide Visa card you will not earn free loyalty points.

Huh ? Well, Nationwide have basically decided that points based loyalty schemes only benefit a few people as you need to spend large amounts to get any decent return. So what they have done is create one with damm good features and low interest rates instead.

There are actually 3 options you can get - the Classic, The Comic relief Charity and the Cash Back. You can apply online or in a branch.

The Classic (which I have ) gives you an introductory rate of 0% p.a. for the first six months for purchases and balance transfers and 13.9% after that. With its low rates, this card is a option if you are trying to repay a balance from a more expensive card.

There is free protection for loss, theft or damages to purchases over 50 pounds - conditions apply obviously. There is also a free extended warranty for a further 12 months on selected gas and electrical goods. As Nationwide account holder you can also buy your travel money commission free. There is no annual fee either.

You can also manage your credit card securely over the Internet. This lets you see the balance outstanding, your transaction details and lets you pay the account (if you have a Flex account )

Because it is issued by Visa it has all the normal advantages -acceptable in thousands of places in the UK & worldwide, cash advances and so on. Cash withdrawals only attract a 0.5% advance fee instead of 1 or 1.5 % other banks charge. Unlike most banks when you use the card abroad there is no loading charge, no currency charge at all. The only money charged to your account is the exact sterling equivalent - excellent news.

The Comic Relief card comes with all the above apart from -
The first time you use it, a donation of 5.25 will be made and then 0.5% of your transactions will be donated. The interest rate is 15.9%

The Cash Back card is like the Classic exc
ept -
You get a cashback of 1% for the first 6 months and then 0.5% after that. The interest rate is 15.9%

If you clear the balance every month in full or pay off some of it and dont want a loyalty scheme the Classic is the card for you. If you pay it off in full then consider the Cashback or if you feel like giving then choose the Comic Relief one.

Which ever one you choose, they all come with great service and features. So far, I have had no reason to contact anyone about the card so can only go on what I experienced when applying for it - it seems good so far. The only real drawback is the card design is a quite dull and doesnt stand out from the crowd.

Summary: