Many thanks for all the reads, rates and comments - all are appreciated. An accountant by day and a ...
Many thanks for all the reads, rates and comments - all are appreciated. An accountant by day and a random reviewer by night I am not a professional writer, nor do I have any ambitions to be I guess I am just opinionated.
Member since:07.03.2007
Reviews:250
Members who trust:67
When I first moved to the city the nearest supermarket became Sainsburys - which subsequently became my local. For months and months the till operators used to ask if "I had a credit card?". As always the answer was "no" and my housemate scooped up the points. I never realised how good it was until he had a new Ipod delivered - with the points that he accumulated over around 6 months.
It was then that I got thinking. All those missed points - what could have I got? I spent the money anyway but got nothing back. It was then I decided to apply for a nectar card. I never realised how many places you could earn points from and what the points could be redeemed against.
Included in 'normal' shops there are several online Nectar E-stores. I
love internet shopping and would much prefer to do most of my shopping online - away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The number of E-stores is growing all the time and now includes things from leisure to finance to music to DVDs etc etc. The list is endless.
I noticed the Nectar credit card on the Nectar website. I used to be a sceptical of credit cards - if I don't have the cash then I won't buy. However, carrying a lot of cash and getting mugged whilst on holiday soon put a stop to that! I have now been totally converted and never carry cash. It is not uncommon for me not to even have enought to buy a packet of chewing gum. All I need to know is that whenever I go out I have access to a stupid amount of funds thanks to American Express.
When I looked in to the Amex card the first thing I noticed was the 3,000 bonus points credited to the account if the application was accepted. If you apply for one before 31 March 2007 then there are 6,000 bonus points available (You'd have to spend £3,000 to obtain that many points!!). The next thing was the APR at 15.9% it was very competitive. Natwest offered me 16.9%.
The Nectar Amex card does not have a 0% purchases for x number of months, unlike a lot of other cards. Which is a shame. This fact had no influence on my choice since I live off my credit card for the month and then pay it off at the month end. I do not make the minimum payment (i.e. interest element only).
Using the Amex card you get 1 point for every pound spent. If you use the card at Nectar sponsors: Sainsburys, Debenhams, BP, Brewers Fayre etc then you get 2 points per pound spent. This includes Nectar E-stores.
The main disadvantage with Amex is that it is not accepted everywhere. Such places include Evan Cycles and The Giant Pet Store to name but a few. The fact that many places won't take Amex has meant that I have had to apply for an additional Visa card - this was done via Natwest at the higher rate. I only ever use this card when I have to and the Amex is not taken. Although I cannot confirm, I have been told that Amex is more widely accepted abroad.
Another thing with the Amex card is the silly credit limits you get. I suppose that this can be viewed as a good thing, or bad - it depends upon your own spending habits and ability to say no.
As with all cards the Amex card is a chip and pin, and the pin was received before the card. In addition, the Amex offers an online banking facility that enables you to keep track of all purchases, obtain statements online and pay off the balance on line. This is no different to other cards, and is not a USP.
SInce I have owned the Amex I have noticed my Nectar points balance increase no end. I do not go out of my way to ensure that I shop at a Nectar sponsor, and pay over the odds to obtain the points, but if I am planning to buy something I will check Nectar E-stores to see if I can get the product and check that it is in the same price range as everywhere else.
If you hold a nectar card, and like me you are aiming toward the 140 odd thousand points required for the flat screen TV, and you live off a credit card, then I can highly recommend the Nectar Amex card with it's competitive APR. However, make sure you have a back up card, like a Visa, just in case!
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Advantages: low APR for balance transfers - but only if you can actually get it! Disadvantages: apalling customer service, incompetent staff, non-existent complaints procedure
Advantages: low APR for balance transfers - but only if you can actually get it! Disadvantages: apalling customer service, incompetent staff, non-existent complaints procedure
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