Credit Where Credit's Due (Natwest Credit Cards)

Member Name: Ric!

Product:	Natwest Credit Cards
Date:	18/08/02 (2445 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Efficient, Reliable, Air Miles

Disadvantages: May be better offers on the market

At the end of the day, any old credit card is good enough for me. I'm not attracted by any of these fancy offers and incentives. I just want a credit card that I can use, with good customer service to back it up. I'm quite disciplined with my money, and I only put on my credit card what I can definitely pay off completely at the end of the month, so paying interest is never an issue.

I have had my Natwest Credit Card dual account for over 6 years. I signed up because at the time I had a NatWest bank account. After problems with my current account, I moved on and changed banks, but I've never had any reason to change Credit Card company. With the dual account, I get a Mastercard and a Visa card on the same account, using a combined credit limit.

As I've said, the back-up of good customer service is the only thing that really matters for me. My dealings with them have all been more than satisfactory.

- When I needed to add another card holder on to my account urgently, they told me to fax the details and they would sort it out. I did so, and received the secondary card holder's credit cards within 3 days.

- When I didn't receive a shipment from Tanzania that I'd ordered, Natwest Credit Cards automatically refunded the whole amount within a couple of days, and then went on to make enquires afterwards. I had expected them not to make the refund for weeks, until they'd argued it out with the retailer.

- When I needed to change my address, I went through the security checks over the telephone and then gave my new details. I've found that some other banks aren't satisfied that you've passed the security checks, and they make you inform them in writing.

- New cards always arrive a month before the old ones expire.

- They continually review and increase my credit limit without me having to ask them.

So that's it - if you want a credit card to just
use, pay off in full every month, with good customer service, then I can certainly recommend NatWest.


Now for the other bits, which is probably what determines which credit card most people select:

The interest rate is 1.385% per month on purchases and cash advances.
Cash advances also incur a 1.5% handling fee, subject to a minimum charge of £1.50.

(Drawing cash out with your credit card is always a bad idea, I think.)

Overseas transactions incur an administration levy equivalent to 2.75% of the value of the transaction based on the Sterling equivalent.

Accounts which go over their credit limit are charged £18.
If you don't make your minimum payment by the date shown on your statement, you are also charged £18.

The incentive scheme offered by NatWest is Airmiles, you get 1 airmile for every £20 you spend on purchases (cash advances are not included). So, if you use your NatWest Credit Card along with your Tesco Clubcard, you will be earning Airmiles in two different ways simultaneously, and they'll soon add up.


Your monthly statement comes on A4 paper. It shows transaction date, transaction reference and details of the place and amount of each purchase, together with whether you paid using Visa or Mastercard. You can pay your bill by bank giro credit at your own bank, by posting a cheque, or by direct debit. Personally, I pay one month at a time using my HSBC Internet Banking. This gives me the opportunity to check my statement when it arrives, and then pay the bill from the comfort of my computer.

You're bound to find better offers and interest rates on the market, but for ease of use and reliability, I can't fault NatWest.

Summary: