Credit card replacement advices

Ben8282

I do not need any foreign FX convenient fee, as I use my Starling Debit card for FX txns.
I want a credit card as I prefer to use a credit card rather than give around my debit card.
I know you like your Starling debit card. You have mentioned it several times. Is that because of the app?
Don't you find what you have written to be slightly contradictory?
If you are in the UK you prefer the convenience of using a credit card over a debit card (very sensible) but you don't need a credit card to use outside the UK as you use your Starling debit card. Perhaps you should re-think that position.
I do not collect rewards
Not even Amex rewards on your £575 a year charge card?

Based on what you have written it is impossible to recommend a specific credit card for you over any other as you appear too have no specific requirement other than the existance of an app!

pilotamx

Ben8282 wrote: »

Don't you find what you have written to be slightly contradictory?

No, why?

Ben8282 wrote: »

If you are in the UK you prefer the convenience of using a credit card over a debit card (very sensible) but you don't need a credit card to use outside the UK as you use your Starling debit card. Perhaps you should re-think that position.

Why?

Ben8282 wrote: »

Not even Amex rewards on your £575 a year charge card?

I do not have this card for points, you get the same amount of points as with the gold and green. I have it for benefits, and, because the service is so good, it's top of my wallet.

Ben8282 wrote: »

Based on what you have written it is impossible to recommend a specific credit card for you over any other as you appear too have no specific requirement other than the existance of an app!

The existence of an app is de facto a requirement. A very good customer service is another requirement. The ability to use your card connected to a third-party app (via openBanking API) is yet another requirement (HSBC Cards are not on openBanking APIs).
If the requirement has to be only 'financial' I have no requirement, for my intended usage.

System

I'd probably suggest Barclaycard Rewards as it's forex free and some cashback with a decent app. Should Mastercard not be accepted, you have Visa as fallback.

If you don't like the HSBC current account, then Santander 123 lite and their Zero credit card might be a good combo to switch to.

[Deleted User]

pilotamx wrote: »

I do not have this card for points, you get the same amount of points as with the gold and green. I have it for benefits, and, because the service is so good, it's top of my wallet.

That’s not entirely true.
The gold card earns more points for bookings on the Amex Travel site and for forex spends.

pilotamx

!!! wrote: »

That’s not entirely true.
The gold card earns more points for bookings on the Amex Travel site and for forex spends.

Correct, but considering the value for point they give you, you probably don't want to pay in foreign currencies with 2.99% fee for more points.
For travel you are right, I forgot it, I rarely use amex travel as I get better offers on other sites.

[Deleted User]

If not for the points then why the Platinum card?

I get full Travel Insurance, and breakdown cover and mobile phone cover with my Nationwide FlexPlus account for £13 per month.

Lounge passes are also considerably cheaper if purchased separately, plus Amex card holders have the right to be turned away from full (or near capacity) lounges

Ben8282

I said
If you are in the UK you prefer the convenience of using a credit card over a debit card (very sensible) but you don't need a credit card to use outside the UK as you use your Starling debit card. Perhaps you should re-think that position.
to which you replied
why?

I will answer your why.
As an individual who pays £575 a year for an Amex platinum charge card for 'the benefits' (but not I note the rewards) I am assuming that you do from time to time travel abroad.

Yes I travel, and normally use my starling for expenses abroad
Do you really use your Starling debit card for everything as you claim. Car hire? Hotel stays? If you do are you not encountering problems with car rental companies asking for a credit card or problems with large 'holds' being placed on the funds in your Starling account by car rental companies and/or hotels? Have you never considered the advantages of s75 protection? Or perhaps you don't actually use the Starling debit card for everything as stated but in fact use your Amex charge card for everything and pay a foreign currency transaction fee every time. Would a credit card which offers fee-free foreign purchase transactions not be a good idea?

What 'service' is so good with Amex. Yes their customer service agents are polite as they would be to somebody paying that amount of money each year to have the card, but how many times a year do you actually call them? As for Amex travel service, as stated in previous posts, I do not have a very high opinion of their service and competence.

I also get full travel insurance and breakdown cover from my packaged bank account for less

I will pay this fee from next renewal.
This is one of the few cards where Amex don't give the first year fee-free so if you already have the card you paid the fee which would have been charged on your first statement issued very soon after you first got the card.

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pilotamx wrote: »

The existence of an app is de facto a requirement. A very good customer service is another requirement. The ability to use your card connected to a third-party app (via openBanking API) is yet another requirement (HSBC Cards are not on openBanking APIs).
If the requirement has to be only 'financial' I have no requirement, for my intended usage.

I honestly find these requirements to be a rather strange reason for choosing a particular credit card.