Brand new to Credit Cards..

buckman

I am with Santander Everyday account and Santander Business Account, and use debit cards fine.

However I have been advised to look at Credit Card for the extra protection (when paying for things abroad etc) and the added security over a debit card.

Obviously a Santander CC would be handy and I will give them a call today, but I just wanted to ask any advice on the best credit cards out there for a newbie like myself?

Also if people pay back / refund to the original credit card, does this go back to the linked bank account, or does it sit on the card?

Be gentle, as like I mention, i've only ever used debit, but would like the added security offered by a CC.

Ebe_Scrooge

buckman wrote: »

I am with Santander Everyday account and Santander Business Account, and use debit cards fine.

However I have been advised to look at Credit Card for the extra protection (when paying for things abroad etc) and the added security over a debit card. Just beware of transaction fees that some cards will charge for foreign transactions. Some don't, most famously the Halifax Clarity card. Look at the "Cards & Loans" section on this site for comparisons.

Obviously a Santander CC would be handy and I will give them a call today, but I just wanted to ask any advice on the best credit cards out there for a newbie like myself? If your credit history is solid then you may want to look at a card that gives you rewards for spending - airmiles, cashback, Tesco clubcard points etc. Some of the "best" reward cards charge an annual fee, so just check to see if it'll be worth it for you. But if your history is less than ideal, then yes, your own bank is a good first port of call.

Also if people pay back / refund to the original credit card, does this go back to the linked bank account, or does it sit on the card? It goes back to the card, but some cards don't like you being in credit so will move the money to the linked account ( or send you a cheque ).

Be gentle, as like I mention, i've only ever used debit, but would like the added security offered by a CC.

My thoughts above.


To clarify, the main "protection" benefit that credit cards offer is called Section 75, and it is mandatory for card issuers to provide this. In a nutshell, if you buy something between £100 and £30,000, and something goes wrong ( goods aren't delivered, or are faulty, or supplier goes bust, etc. ) then the card company is liable and you'll get your money back. Full details here : http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

grumbler

For spending abroad get a proper card instead of Santander's:

• Top Travel Spending Cards
• Your Card: Overseas Charges

However, unless you are a 'newbie' with a good credit history, indeed, for your first CC you'll possibly have to chose between Santander and one of "Credit Cards for Bad Credit"

For most transactions in UK and abroad chargeback protection is sufficient and is the same for debit and credit cards: Visa, Mastercard & Amex Chargeback

"People" can't "pay back / refund to the original credit card", only companies can. The refund gets credited to the CC account and "sits" there. There is no and "linked" current account except the one that you pay pay your CC from by a DD - if you pay by DD that isn't necessary.