Can you apply for and run the Natwest credit card without the Natwest app?

lr1277

My mum is thinking about getting a 2nd credit card after her current (and only) credit card would not work at the tills at Tesco both with contactless and chip and pin. Luckily her debit card did work.

My mum is not confident with tech and got her first smartphone 18 months ago.

Thinking about a 2nd credit card with Natwest as that is where her income is put. But reading Natwest's web pages, I get the feeling you need the Natwest app to at least run the credit card.

I don't think mum will do any online transactions unless I am present.

But that doesn't mean the app won't be required in certain situations.

So is it possible to appy for and set up the Natwest credit card and to run the credit card account without the app?

TIA

Btw: her current credit card is with Nationwide. She has no app for that but can log into Nationwide on the web should she need to take any action. And if secuirty is required for a online transaction (and I am there with her), we use an OTP.

I also realise if we go down the app route, all mum's accounts with Natwest will be on the app which may or may not be a good thing.

[Deleted User]

The credit card would show up in the standard NatWest online banking and could even use paper statements.
They will usually verify transactions via a voice call or text message if she doesn't use their banking app. 

tacpot12

My partner has recently applied for a NatWest Credit Card and won't use online banking apps, so it would seem to be possible.

Belenus

Can she use online banking on a computer? 

I took out a Natwest credit card a year ago, purely for stoozing. (0% interest for 18 months on a balance transfer from another card.)

I have never used it to make a purchase. I never bothered to download the smart phone app. I use my laptop to check the balance and to receive monthly statements. I set up a direct debit to automatically make the required monthly payments.

It might be possible to run it the old fashioned way by posted statement but I can't be certain of that.

lr1277

Thanks for the replies so far.

Yes she can log onto online banking and she does. As it looks possible, I will have the discussion with her about making the application.

daivid

I agree with the other responses. I have a natwest cc which I do manage via the app though I definitely signed up to the app after getting the card, I can also manage it through the website so the app certainly is not essential, and I'm almost certain I opted for paperless rather than being told I had to be. 

One consideration for the OP ( & their mum) is if they can get a different card type to the Nationwide i.e. have one Mastercard and one Visa, that way if one experiences a service outage the other can still be used.

lr1277

Thanks @daivid. As far as I know the Mationwide is Visa and the NatWest is Mastercard. But I will check before applying.

daivid

lr1277 said:

Thanks @daivid. As far as I know the Mationwide is Visa and the NatWest is Mastercard. But I will check before applying.

Sounds ideal

[Deleted User]

daivid said:

lr1277 said:

Thanks @daivid. As far as I know the Mationwide is Visa and the NatWest is Mastercard. But I will check before applying.

Sounds ideal

Probably overkill for a low usage user such as the OPs mother.
Also, Nationwide's standard APR has jumped up to 24.9% now versus Natwest's 12.9% - mutuality pays obviously.

lr1277

May or may not be overkill.

After the card failed in Tesco, she took the card to branch to have them look at it. Nationwide had not cancelled the card. They got her to put the card in the machine and enter the PIN. All worked fine.

But when she needed the card it was not playing ball.

So good to have a backup.