Spotting the very best in charge and credit cards
REMEMBER when the American Express Gold Card was the celebrity’s payment card of choice in the movies? Well, times have changed. Every bank is offering exclusive cards to its premium customers now – they’re always keen to sign up City high-fliers. But which bank is offering the best deal?
Kevin Mountford from MoneySupermarket.com says: “None of them are worth it if you don’t cash in on the benefits, so you need to use the card that offers you the most benefits that suit your lifestyle.”
ASK THE EXPERTS
With this in mind, we asked MoneySupermarket.com and Moneyfacts for their card recommendations and put together a shopping list of rewards.
NATWEST BLACK CREDIT CARD
APR: 19.7 per cent
ANNUAL FEE: £250
BENEFITS:
Free card protection
Travel service
Worldwide multi-trip
annual travel insurance, including winter sports
Lost or delayed luggage insurance
Flight delay or cancellation insurance.
Car breakdown cover
AMERICAN EXPRESS PLATINUM
APR: N/A
(charge card)
ANNUAL FEE: £300
BENEFITS:
Preferred seating at the theatre, sporting and cultural events
Priority pass for 600 airport lounges
Membership reward points that can be cashed in at Links of London, Sony and Molton Brown
Travel service
COUTTS & CO WORLD CARD
By bank invitation only
APR: N/A
(charge card)
ANNUAL FEE: £350
BENEFITS:
World concierge service
Travel insurance
Continental car breakdown cover
Priority pass for 600 airport lounges
Currency delivery service
LOYALTY SCHEME THAT CAN BE USED TO PAY FOR FLIGHTS AND HOTELS
Royal bank of scotland black
APR: 19.7 per cent
ANNUAL FEE: £250
BENEFITS:
Free card protection
Travel service
Worldwide multi-trip annual travel insurance, including winter sports
Lost or delayed luggage insurance
Personal insurance
AMERICAN EXPRESS REWARDS GOLD
APR: N/A
(charge card)
ANNUAL FEE: £93 in the first year
BENEFITS:
Pay for travel with reward points
Free independent financial advice service
7,500 reward points on Card anniversary
VIP airport lounge access at over 350 locations worldwide
Lost or delayed luggage insurance
Flight delay or cancellation insurance