Free Cashback credit card with instant notifications

aht

Hello,

Can anyone please recommend a credit card which meets all of the following requirements?

1. Free
2. Instant notifications to my phone when there is a transaction on my card
3. Cashback
4. Easy to use (Android) app
5. Easy to use web site

I have an Amex credit card which I really like because it meets all of the above requirements. The only issue is some places won't accept Amex. Unfortunately, my Barclaycard meets all but the instant notifications requirements.

Thanks in advance.

hgt

If it doesn't have to be a credit card, there's the Chase debit card (1% cashback for a year), though there's no web access (App only).

Alternatively have you considered a Curve card, and link it to your existing Barclaycard - that would essentially add instant notifications to any (non-amex) card. 

WillPS

aht said:

Hello,

Can anyone please recommend a credit card which meets all of the following requirements?

1. Free
2. Instant notifications to my phone when there is a transaction on my card
3. Cashback
4. Easy to use (Android) app
5. Easy to use web site

I have an Amex credit card which I really like because it meets all of the above requirements. The only issue is some places won't accept Amex. Unfortunately, my Barclaycard meets all but the instant notifications requirements.

Thanks in advance.

Get a Curve card and link your Barclaycard to it. Curve will give you instant notifications when your Curve card is used. Barclaycard are one of the providers who will still pay cashback even if you spend via Curve.

longjohnjohnson

Why is an instant notification on spending so important?

It's not like you're going to be held responsible for transactions that you didn't report within 5 femtoseconds?

aht

hgt said:

If it doesn't have to be a credit card, there's the Chase debit card (1% cashback for a year), though there's no web access (App only).

Alternatively have you considered a Curve card, and link it to your existing Barclaycard - that would essentially add instant notifications to any (non-amex) card. 

Thank you hgt. I will look into the Curve card. Never heard of it...

aht

longjohnjohnson said:

Why is an instant notification on spending so important?

It's not like you're going to be held responsible for transactions that you didn't report within 5 femtoseconds?

Because if I lose my card and someone else starts using it, I will know straight away and I can take action straight away.

FYI I started work in a small private bank back in 2010 and there were only 4 people working in its Financial Crime team. There are now 35 people working in that team. Financial Crime is going through the roof, so I keep a very close eye on my statements and notifications.

NoodleDoodleMan

Most cards can be managed via an app on mobile or tablet - you can lock/unlock the card for payments and cash withdrawals in a few seconds.

Lock it after you use it - until you need to use again.

[Deleted User]

aht said:

longjohnjohnson said:

Why is an instant notification on spending so important?

It's not like you're going to be held responsible for transactions that you didn't report within 5 femtoseconds?

Because if I lose my card and someone else starts using it, I will know straight away and I can take action straight away.

FYI I started work in a small private bank back in 2010 and there were only 4 people working in its Financial Crime team. There are now 35 people working in that team. Financial Crime is going through the roof, so I keep a very close eye on my statements and notifications.

I get the level of "paranoia" for want of a better phrase but provided you have not done anything stupid with the card like writing PIN on the back of it, banks will refund payments on a stolen card provided you notify them quickly. Knowing instantly vs knowing in 1 hour, even 24 hours, doesn't make any difference.

I would suggest if you want that level of "protection" then use apple or android pay on your phone, behind biometric security, and leave the cards hidden at home