Barclaycard Nectar Points

Sun

Just received a letter from Barclaycard, they have decided to stop awarding Netcar points on purchases made after 31st August 2005.


Possibly because of this -> http://www.nectar.com/americanexpress


:mad:

daveboy

I think that is more a result of Barclaycard walking away.

American Express aren't big here and probably see that as a good method of making themselves get noticed.

It'll be interesting to see what Sainsbury's do as that is going to create competition with their cards again.

ITFC

One more reason to walk away from Barclaycard.

Kazza242

Sun wrote:

Just received a letter from Barclaycard, they have decided to stop awarding Netcar points on purchases made after 31st August 2005.


Possibly because of this -> http://www.nectar.com/americanexpress


:mad:

I stopped using my Barclaycard ages ago, regardless of the Nectar points scheme. On calculating how many Nectar points I was gaining by using my Barclaycard, I realised it wasn't worth it. For me, it made better sense to opt for a cashback credit card, as I always pay my monthly statements in full. I've already accrued about £60 cashback so far, whereas if I was still with Barclaycard, I'd probably have gotten about 2,000 points i.e. a measly £10.

Milky_Mocha

Tut tut, Barclaycard. First they stop their free extended warranty, now this. I'm closing my Barclaycard account at the end of this month.

Sun

http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/Offers/Nectar/register.html

Introducing FREE travel insurance from 1st September


You will receive free travel insurance when you book and pay for your holiday with your Barclaycard through the Barclaycard Travel Service.

How many of you have ever booked using Barclaycard Travel Service??

:rotfl: :rotfl:

mancitychick

Got a letter this morning to say that as of 31st August you will no longer receive nectar points from Barclaycard.

From 1st September if you book through Barclaycard Travel service and pay on your Barclaycard, they will, however, give you free travel insurance. (No doubt with an inflated holiday price to cover free insurance costs!)

Also they have decided not to have another points-based scheme - They are going to "concentrate on enhancing the services and benefits we offer to provide even better value for money"

Rafter

Sainsburys is also reducing the Nectar points you receive on their card - except for spending in their store.

The reason is that 'interchange' rates are falling and the amount the retailers pay the bank isn't enough to cover costs any more.

I think the Barclaycard travel service is just Thomas Cook Direct. You are right though - you can probably beat their deals by shopping around.

May be best to find the best price then see if they will match it and get free insurance at the same time.

R.

Rafter

Sainsburys are reducing the number of points you get when shopping everywhere except sainsburys too.

A lot of cards are reducing their cashback and points deals at the moment because it makes no sense financially:

> A bank give you a card that you can use anywhere in the world to make purchases.
> You don't have to pay a fee for the card.
> You don't have to pay back what you spend on the card for up to 2 months.
> The card gives you cash back and rewards
> The card protects you from fraud and from businesses that go bust within the UK

In return the bank gets 0.9% of everything you spend from the retailer, barely enough to cover the operating costs and cost of financing the interest free period.

BUT

If you choose not to repay in full, you lose your interest free period, pay loads of interest and if you forget to make a payment you get clobbered with a high fee.

IF YOU PAY YOUR BILL IN FULL ANY CARD COMPANY WILL BE HAPPY TO LOSE YOUR BUSINESS BECAUSE YOU LOSE THEM MONEY. THE WHOLE POINT OF INTRO DEALS IS TO MAKE SURE YOU BORROW ENOUGH SO YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY BACK IN FULL ONCE YOUR INTEREST FREE PERIOD ENDS.

The exception is American Express who charge a much higher fee to the retailer and an annual fee for some of their products.

If you don't pay in full and pay high interest charges and fees you are a great customer for them.

I think Barclaycard Travel service is Thomas Cook. Not sure how competitive they are. I guess if they price match it could be a good deal.

R.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

I'm sure this is a really dumb question but please bear with me, I think the peroxide's affecting my brain. I've just noticed I have 133 cashback points on my Sainsbury Bank Visa card account. Can anyone tell me how much they're worth and how I go about spending them?

isasmurf

Sainsbury's pay cashback at the rate of 25p for every £100 you spend (i.e. 0.25%). Each point is worth 1p, so you have £1.33 cashback. This will be credited to your account on your 12 month anniversary with them.

What I hadn't realised until recently, is although the advertised cashback is 0.25%, they will only give whole points. So in reality it seems you will get 1p for every whole £4 spent, and nothing for any part of £4 spent. What I'm trying to say is if you spend £15 at the advertised rate of 0.25% you should get 3.75p back, but it looks as if you will only get 3p back.