Credit cards, prestige and snobbery

CopperPlate_2

I posted something similar about this time last year, so it would be interesting to get the view of new posters on the site. How many of you stick with a card that makes you feel it reflects how you would like others to see you - perhaps you feel it offers you a bit of status when you hand it over in a shop, or it might make you feel a bit special to have it in your wallet, even though you could get a far better offer/deal from another provider?

For example, you hold a black coloured card, all silver writing or gold writing and dressed up in the literature as being 'like gold dust' or 'chic' (with no annual fee, but the provider has marketed it in such a way that you feel a bit special to have it) but the cashback or points offer is 0.5% or even nil. There could be other cards on offer that gave you 4% cashback but it might be from a card provider that usually supplied cards to low credit-scorers, or perhaps you felt the card design didn't reflect what you wanted to 'aspire' to.

Is this a triumph of marketing over cold logic? How much would you be willing to sacrifice for the image over substance?

liberty_tiger

CopperPlate wrote: »

I posted something similar about this time last year, so it would be interesting to get the view of new posters on the site. How many of you stick with a card that makes you feel it reflects how you would like others to see you - perhaps you feel it offers you a bit of status when you hand it over in a shop, or it might make you feel a bit special to have it in your wallet, even though you could get a far better offer/deal from another provider?

For example, you hold a black coloured card, all silver writing or gold writing and dressed up in the literature as being 'like gold dust' or 'chic' (with no annual fee, but the provider has marketed it in such a way that you feel a bit special to have it) but the cashback or points offer is 0.5% or even nil. There could be other cards on offer that gave you 4% cashback but it might be from a card provider that usually supplied cards to low credit-scorers, or perhaps you felt the card design didn't reflect what you wanted to 'aspire' to.

Is this a triumph of marketing over cold logic? How much would you be willing to sacrifice for the image over substance?

Not at all for me! I'm always looking for the best deal and switching cards around like billyo!

chinbergs

Hi Copperplate.

Yes! I know what you mean. I really enjoy the consumer experience when companies get it right. I think branding is a really important part of the whole package. I'm always a little disappointed when I get a great deal from a company and then I get their credit card or log in to their online banking and it's rubbish!

I had Capital One's 4% cashback card before it became the world card, and I had to choose between a pig, a puppy, a monkey etc on the front. Ugh! And I just hate using their website. I don't think it's nice at all. I had an Alliance & Leicester card a couple of years ago too that had orange and blue balls on a white background - nasty!

My Morgan Stanley Premier card is great - just a classic black card. And I find their online banking really good too.

I don't understand why so many companies come out with these rubbish credit card designs! I actually like the new Halifax ones which are just plain simple black/white/pink.

I don't just see these things as simple maths or faceless transactions - I like to experience the branding too!

But at the end of the day, I'd put the offer first and hope the branding is just as good. If it isn't, I'd be disappointed. If the branding was great, I'd hope they'd bring out a good enough offer so I could justify taking advantage of it!

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

I have no brand loyalty whatsoever.

I get the card for what it offers, irrespective of how it looks and once the offers done , I close it down and move on.

Mozette

Totally down to what the card offers, it can be sky blue pink with lime green spots for all I care. When they arrive I do think, 'oh that looks smart' or, 'don't like that colour much', but that does not influence what cards I have or use.

Moggles_2

Ditto. It's what the card can do for you that counts.

Good online services, a Freefone telephone number if you need to call Customer services and the ability to accept payments over the phone are also factors which may make me think twice about cancelling.

Fozzee

I don't think you'll get an honest answer from those who do care more about the card status. It's a bit like owning up to being a bit shallow lol

MABLE

I have Lloydstsb Classic card and in some stores I visit I feel I should apologise for presenting such a lowly card. However I could easily have Lloydstsb Premier card but begrudge paying the monthly fee.

If I am to be judged by my plastic then we live in a pretty fickle world.

SarahNeedle1872

A good question......

I have a Sky card that I'm using because its 0% on purchases til March, but I feel a little odd using it because its not one of the more 'established' cc brands - not like, say, Barclaycard.... My OH has a Vanquis card purely for the purpose of helping to rebuild his credit history, and I always move away when he pays with it, because I know, and anyone else who knows about CCs knows, that it is considered 'sub-prime' - call me a snob!:o

HOWEVER - if Vanquis offered a deal not to be sniffed at (10% cash back for example) I would definately use it, as it was to my advantage

I see quite a few people in my area that have 'sub-prime' credit cards, but flash them around purely because they want everyone to know they have a credit card, so I guess the 'snob' factor means different things to different people!

Sarah x

kuohu

I'm not too fussed with the designs of credit cards, but I do like Egg's brand advertising with the guinea pigs.

DaisyFlower

Hi I'm Daisy and I'm shallow lol. I have the RSPCA credit card because I love the cat design, had it for years and still get comments when I use it.

The only defence I have is that I pay the balance in full every month (use it mainly for large purchases and for online use) so the interest rate isnt a problem and I am now part time and would never get a new card with the limit I have now.

Hubby moves occasionally between cards and has no interest in what they look like.