new cc

locheeboy

Hi,
newbie here . I've had the same credit card for over 30 years (MBNA Platinum Mastercard). A couple of months ago , MBNA changed some security settings, since then I have had nothing but problems trying to login online. Most times I end up, waiting 5-15 mins for a human agent to give me credit card purchases etc.
Finally, I cancelled my account and went to my bank for a new card. It arrived this morning - a Visa credit card. I had specifically asked for another Mastercard. After a conversation with a First Direct agent, I cancelled this one too. FD had just cancelled my Visa debit card a few weeks ago, replacing it with a Debit Mastercard but they can't give me a Mastercard credit card!
Anyway I am now looking for a new card. I clear my balance every month. My card was at zero when I cancelled it. I don't want a reward this or cashback that. A simple (as was ) credit card, for online purchases (mostly)

I have no idea which card to go for. Any help or suggestions would be very welcome.

Cheers, Locheeboy.

Ebe_Scrooge

Most banks will issue Mastercards, with a few exceptions.  Here's a link which may be helpful: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/11/amazons-visa-credit-card-ban-should-you-switch-to-mastercard/

If you're not bothered about rewards etc., and you always pay every statement in full, then take your pick.  Although, if you're going to use a card anyway, why not use one that gives you some rewards?  Admittedly you're not going to make a fortune, but if it's effectively money for free then why not?  The main MSE site has a good article on the various reward cards that are on offer: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/best-credit-card-rewards/

[Deleted User]

Use an eligibility checker and see what you may be able to get and choose from there.

NoodleDoodleMan

Is there a specific reason you don't want a Visa CC ?

locheeboy

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Is there a specific reason you don't want a Visa CC ?

Aye, there are still many more choices using a Mastercard over a Visa cc and Mastercard is much more acceptable abroad.
Thanks for the input, I'll try the suggestions. My first thoughts were Nationwide or M+S - M+s  because my siste is a former employee and still gets staff discounts as a retiree. She shops for me about once a month so I could concentrate more shopping there with subsequent shop points etc.

Nationwide . because they still seem to be more ethical than ALL the rest
  '
Thanks, for the input. Any other input will be welcome...

Brie

locheeboy said: .

M+s  because my siste is a former employee and still gets staff discounts as a retiree. She shops for me about once a month so I could concentrate more shopping there with subsequent shop points etc

M+S is ok as a card.  Balance transfers are a bit of a faff but only because it's one of the few cards you can do a BT and still use it for purchases but you end up guessing how much you have to pay to clear the purchases each month as the BTs are NOT listed separately on your statement.  Website is a bit glitchy at times for me but I like that they do have secure messaging which means I almost never have to ring them and any answers they give me are therefore in writing.  Weird mini pin sentry for online access but it's ok.

BUT are you going to get a card for your sister to use?  Will she be able to and still get the discount if it's your account and not hers?  And (as delicately as I can put it) do you trust her with your credit??  She could clear the local M+S of knickers and jumpers and put the lot on ebay and leave you to pay the card off.

MBNA is straightforward.  Barclaycard got stupidly strict about credit limits (reduced mine to less than 10% which is next to useless).  But both have straight forward websites and statements.  Santander is a bit fussier but not bad.

locheeboy

Brie said:

locheeboy said: .

M+s  because my siste is a former employee and still gets staff discounts as a retiree. She shops for me about once a month so I could concentrate more shopping there with subsequent shop points etc

M+S is ok as a card.  Balance transfers are a bit of a faff but only because it's one of the few cards you can do a BT and still use it for purchases but you end up guessing how much you have to pay to clear the purchases each month as the BTs are NOT listed separately on your statement.  Website is a bit glitchy at times for me but I like that they do have secure messaging which means I almost never have to ring them and any answers they give me are therefore in writing.  Weird mini pin sentry for online access but it's ok.

BUT are you going to get a card for your sister to use?  Will she be able to and still get the discount if it's your account and not hers?  And (as delicately as I can put it) do you trust her with your credit??  She could clear the local M+S of knickers and jumpers and put the lot on ebay and leave you to pay the card off.

MBNA is straightforward.  Barclaycard got stupidly strict about credit limits (reduced mine to less than 10% which is next to useless).  But both have straight forward websites and statements.  Santander is a bit fussier but not bad.

Nae offence Brie...but what kind of a family do ye come from - smackheads and alcoholics ? . My sister has been doing M+S shopping for me for around 30 years...and -  aye, ah do trust her.

Anyhow, having checked out many offers, decided tae go with M+S. Thanks to all for the helpful input.

PS Brie, don't need a balance transfer, MBNA account has zero pending, and  Zero balance, so no faffing just a straightforward application./..

NoodleDoodleMan

"Aye, there are still many more choices using a Mastercard over a Visa cc and Mastercard is much more acceptable abroad."

We use Visa where our Amex is not accepted - never experienced any issues. Apart from Amazon's new policy I've never heard of Visa not being taken.

If foreign travel use is a tick the box requirement for you then a Halifax Clarity (Mastercard) CC is recommended as it'll do the business in the UK and abroad - visit your nearest Bank of Scotland branch.........................presumably in Dundee ?

[Deleted User]

locheeboy said:

Brie said:

locheeboy said: .

M+s  because my siste is a former employee and still gets staff discounts as a retiree. She shops for me about once a month so I could concentrate more shopping there with subsequent shop points etc

M+S is ok as a card.  Balance transfers are a bit of a faff but only because it's one of the few cards you can do a BT and still use it for purchases but you end up guessing how much you have to pay to clear the purchases each month as the BTs are NOT listed separately on your statement.  Website is a bit glitchy at times for me but I like that they do have secure messaging which means I almost never have to ring them and any answers they give me are therefore in writing.  Weird mini pin sentry for online access but it's ok.

BUT are you going to get a card for your sister to use?  Will she be able to and still get the discount if it's your account and not hers?  And (as delicately as I can put it) do you trust her with your credit??  She could clear the local M+S of knickers and jumpers and put the lot on ebay and leave you to pay the card off.

MBNA is straightforward.  Barclaycard got stupidly strict about credit limits (reduced mine to less than 10% which is next to useless).  But both have straight forward websites and statements.  Santander is a bit fussier but not bad.

Nae offence Brie...but what kind of a family do ye come from - smackheads and alcoholics ? . My sister has been doing M+S shopping for me for around 30 years...and -  aye, ah do trust her.

Anyhow, having checked out many offers, decided tae go with M+S. Thanks to all for the helpful input.

PS Brie, don't need a balance transfer, MBNA account has zero pending, and  Zero balance, so no faffing just a straightforward application./..

While you may trust your sister, if she gets robbed and the bank find out she has your card (and presumably PIN) you'll potentially end up liable for the losses as it's against the Ts & Cs of the card to just give them to other people. You'd do better getting the card and putting her on as a secondary card holder