Backup Credit Card options

Guesthouse

Hi all, new account but a user several years back.
I've had my Creation credit card account closed - seems to be a current thing. I'd had it for about 8-9 years and it was primarily for overseas spending (best card at the time) but also as a backup to my AMEX. It hasn't been heavily used past 2-3 years - maybe once or twice for online buys or insurance renewals, where AMEX wasn't accepted. 
I'm now reasonably fortunate to have enough in my (First Direct) current account that I can use my debit card if AMEX isn't accepted. But, I like having a backup credit card for larger item purchases (Section 75 protection) and also as an online option - so that my current account can't be emptied if I use it for  the like of a one off purchase from a supplier and (despite due diligence) it's fraud or compromised.
I have a Santander 1-2-3 account which is mostly maintained for the cashback on bills & interest, and I use it for some larger purchases like home repairs and small family & friend money transfers.

Q: What's my best option for a backup credit card to AMEX, that will likely be infrequently used, monthly fee free and with any perks?

I'm not a big flyer, so Avios isn't important. Shopping loyalty isn't a thing, I go local - Lidl, Co-op, M&S are less than 1 mile away - with forays to Morrisons, Sainsbury, Asda, Tesco if necessary.

I obv have regular offers from FD and Santander 

lr1277

I believe some Creation cards had fee free forex transactions. Is this something you want in your new card?

Edited to add you may want a fee free forex card if you buy lots of stuff from abroad, even though you may not necessarily travel.

CliveOfIndia

Guesthouse said:

I'd had it for about 8-9 years and it was primarily for overseas spending

If you're still wanting a card that doesn't charge FX fees (useful if you're abroad on holiday or even for buying things online in a different currency) then there are some suggestions here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Halifax Clarity is one of the "old favourites" and is still a decent enough option.  But I think it's slightly trumped these days by the Barclaycard Rewards.

As ever, it's always a toss-up as to what is more valuable to you personally - no FX fees, or rewards of some kind.  And of course, different lenders have different acceptance criteria, so it's possible you could be rejected for one card but accepted for another.

But that MSE article should give you quite a few options to consider.