I had a standard bank-issued card for years - you know the sort - given to you when you open a bank account with one of the main UK banks even though you probably don't want it, and thus never tend to use it. To be honest, I wasn't a big credit-card user until I started online shopping. For me, the importance of security online is imperative, and I'll always use my MasterCard rather than Switch/Delta when handing out card details online.

The process of actually finding myself a new card was longwinded, slow and inevitably resulted in a declined application or two (much to my anger). I did most of my research on the Internet, visiting many of the UK money sites and reading up about the best reward-scheme credit cards.

So, I did a spot of research on AmEx - no use as an annual fee was charged for the card - plus it's not so widely accepted as most Visa/Mastercard. I then applied for Goldfish, but was declined. I chose not to find out why (although I could) as I assumed that it was because I currently live in rented accommodation (am looking to buy somewhere soon). I knew I met all of their salary requirements etc, so that was my only assumption - perhaps I wasn't showing on the electoral roll as I'd only recently moved.

From the website, there was a specific link to the Virgin Credit card. I won't bore you with all the details, as if you're reading this and want to know more, you can check it out for yourself at your own leisure (at http://www.virginmoney.com/card/want.shtml). However, I will say that it's simplified, but focussed customer approach appealed to me and I decided to flick through the FAQs to see if I qualified for a card.

- no annual fee: Yes - a completely free credit card with no charge for the privilege of owning it!
- APR - as this didn't matter to me, I wasn't *too* worried, but Virgin offers a choice of cards with APR, which I thought was interesting
- Rewards for using the card - Virgin pays its customers back in a reward points offer, and also has an exclusive 'members shop' with different offers available.

~# APR #~
Virgin offer 3 types of their credit card as "to go" products - these are set APR rates and are the most popular choices. I don't think that these have changed since I got my card in May this year, and are broken down as follows:

~# Card itself #~
The actual card was, well, for want of a better word, slightly 'funky'! ;-) At the bottom of the card details for the three main Virgin cards offered, there is a funky little selection of card designs. All the cards are the familiar Virgin red in colour, although you can choose which 'skin' you want for your card (ie the background design) - a choice of 5 are offered, from silk, feathers, snakeskin, zest (orange peel then), and steel. Not being a fussy child, I opted for the 'silk' background (plus it was the nicest!).

~# Card service #~
The card is backed by MBNA - one of the biggest credit card issuing companies in the world. They have a dedicated team of Virgin Credit card people at the end of the phone and not just for a few hours a day either. We're talking 24/7 phone service, and yes - even on Christmas Day.

One particular aspect I did like was that my card split (obviously over-used!), and whilst I could've phoned the customer service helpline, I opted to use the electronic servicing to order a new card. If my card had been stolen, I obviously would've called them, but I reported the damage to my card over the internet, and 5 working days later received a new card through the post. Very efficient!

Firstly, you are eligible to join the online "exclusive Members Shop" which have offers exclusively for Virgin card holders. Everything's included here: holidays and cases of wine to CDs, cosmetics and new mobile phones. For example, I received - totally out of the blue at the weekend - a nice little 10% discount voucher to spend in Virgin Megastore just in time for christmas. If I didn't do all my shopping online I might use it (and you have to use your Virgin Credit card with it to get the discount), but it might be useful if it doesn't run out before the January sales...

As with almost all credit cards, you are also charged for withdrawing cash from the ATMs - as it's not your money to withdraw (remember, at all times a credit card is a borrowing tool), you are charged a 'cash advance' charge.

Oh, and it's a Mastercard. No Visas on this site, MBNA is backed by Mastercard and thus the Virgin Credit Card bears the distinctive red and yellow Mastercard symbols only. Not a problem to me, as I've never had it refused in any store, here in the UK or overseas.

~# ... and finally #~
As already mentioned, I've had my card about 6 months now and am extremely happy with it. I don't use it on a frequent basis, which is why I haven't yet racked up many reward points. Still, anything is better than nothing in my book, and I don't think I would change to another provider given that I'm perfectly satisfied with the APR, interest rates on transfers (if I had anything to transfer) and the rewards points will eventually allow me a big choice of goods to spend 'em on (a friend of mine has the Sony Card which I was tempted with, but opted against because I don't want to be restricted to just one type of product). I've always found the people at the end of the phone very helpful, and when the postman lost my initial papers to sign for a card they apologised and sent me a new set which arrived the next day.