Vanquis Bank and Credit Card

Advantages: Gives credit to those who wouldn't otherwise get it.
Disadvantages: Very high interest, terrible customer service.

...A couple of months ago we made the mistake of getting a credit card "for emergencies", it was meant to be...but as always happens, it was used when it wasn't necessary (mainly by my husband!!!!). Vanquis Bank are a company who offers credit to people with a bad credit history (i.e. CCJs, missed payments etc and just no credit history). Anybody who has ever tried to get credit for the first time will know its sometimes very difficult, if you have never had any kind of credit given to you, companies won't take you on, as they don't know if your a risk or not...and so Vanquis offer a "credit score boosting card"...basically they give a credit card with £300 limit on it to people who have never before had a credit card and probably don't know how to use them correctly. (Before you start...I'm not calling everyone with no credit history...

stephbond89 14.06.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Vanquis Credit Card

Vanquis Credit Card

Advantages: Convenient, Accessible to those with poor credit rating
Disadvantages: High interest rate and heavy debt collecting if you default

...I have been unfortunate in my life to accumulate a number of credit card and loan debts. I have been struggling to pay these for the last four years, although I have now reached a point where things are getting much easier to handle, and the total value of my debt has decreased significantly. When I realised there was a problem, all my credit cards were cut up and returned to the respective creditors. However, this of course left me without a credit card. Initially, this didnt seem to be a problem, as quite frankly I had had enough of them! However, when my bank decided to withdraw my debit card as well, things took a turn for the worse. In this day and age it is increasingly difficult to be without either a debit or credit card. Because of this, I have tried continuously over the last couple of years to apply for both credit...

TheHairyGodmother 15.04.2006 (17.03.2007) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Vanquis Credit Card

Virgin Credit Card : 'Plastic Fantastic'

Advantages: Lower interest rates than other credit cards, stylish choice of card designs, widely used
Disadvantages: Minimum payment of £25 is quite high. Additional charges can be costly, alot of additional post.

...The Virgin Credit Card from Virgin was launched in the UK in 2002. Since that time it has grown into one of the most well known and recognizable credit cards on the market today. Offering low APR, interest, and a range of other features such as money off other virgin products this card do have many rewards. Signing up to a Virgin card is easy and can be done either on the phone or the Internet. I chose to use the internet because I felt that it was the quicker option and less hassle. I went to, www.virginmoney.co.uk, clicked on the virgin credit card option and this loaded up the details and benefits of the card along with how to sign up. Through the online credit card application you simply fill in your details, income earned per year, address and phone number. You have the option to choose a card design, at the moment there are 3...

f1insidetrack 01.12.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Virgin Credit Card

A Great 'DEAL' On A Credit Card

Advantages: Clubcard points
Disadvantages: Interest rate which kicks in if you don't pay the full balance monthly

...I chose a Tesco Clubcard Credit Card for the loyalty bonus it offers (below). I know most people understand how credit cards work, but I have many university educated, generally smart friends who have no idea, so humour me a little. ** The Basics ** The Tesco Clubcard Credit Card can be used to make purchases and withdraw cash all over the world. It comes with an interest free period of up to 46 days (depending on when in your payment-statement cycle the transaction takes place) although, in keeping with standard credit card arrangements there is NO interest free period for cash advances, and therefore these cost you an arm and a leg in interest. My card is a MasterCard so can be used anywhere where MasterCards are accepted (i.e. most places). The cards and now all chip-and-pin so you need to know your PIN before going shopping...

zoe_page 06.01.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Tesco Credit Card

Tesco Credit Card - Every Little Helps

Advantages: Earn extra Tesco clubcard points.
Disadvantages: Only earns Tesco clubcard points

...About 18 months ago I was looking to change my credit card to one which offers cash back as a way of getting a little bit extra. After looking at several different cards I decided on the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card. Where I live the only supermarket in town is Tesco and the closest petrol station is at the Tesco supermarket. This means that I do all of my grocery shopping and get my fuel from Tesco's. The Tesco Clubcard Credit Card does not offer cashback but awards Tesco Clubcard Points; you get 5 points for every £4 spent with Tesco, in addition to your points for your purchase and 1 point for every £4 none Tesco Purchase. The credit card is a mastercard and comes in 2 design choices, a predominantly silver card or a blue card, I choose the silver card so not to get this mixed up with my clubcard. I decided to get this card to...

dotjay19 07.08.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Tesco Credit Card

Some advice on the usage of credit cards.

Advantages: Can be worth while...
Disadvantages: ...but usually isn't

...I've just recently started working as part of a collections team for a bank, making collections on missing credit card payments and other payments to do with credit cards (over-limit charges, late fees, arrears). Previous to start the job I didn't know all that much about credit cards, I knew my mother had one, or two store based ones with some reward schemes that she paid off the whole balance at the end of every month, only spending 30 or so on. To me that seemed really simple, she had a limit, she knew what she spent she paid it off at the end of every month in case she wanted to use it again and as far as I was concerned this was how credit cards worked. Turns out not everyone uses them like this, to protect my job I won't mention the bank I currently work for, though they are a big British bank. It would seem the bank in question...

iamasadlittleboy 29.04.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Member Advice on Credit Cards & Loans

Handy Card! (Abbey Zero Credit Card)

Advantages: Zero fees
Disadvantages: High interest, only 3 months free on purchases

...I have had the Abbey Zero credit card for about 2 months now, and have found it to be an absolute necessity. With the massive selling point of having zero charges on transactions abroad, I have been able to save a relatively large amount, useful especially with pound at such lows. How to Apply I found out about the card on a visit to my local branch, and the application process took about a half an hour. Most of this time was taken up by the banking advisor trying to sell me their payment care and insurances, but I found them to be very expensive, so would avoid the questions if you do ever go down! From what I understand you can apply over the internet or on the phone, which may be a bit speedier. I received the pin number within a week, and the card a few days later, which I found to be very efficient. Benefits As I...

bobinder 04.09.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Abbey Zero Credit Card

Vanquis Credit Card - Only if you must!!

Advantages: easy application, good customer service
Disadvantages: no internet banking, high interest rates and long awaited decision

...I applied for this card online when i realised that my credit score wasnt looking too good and was advised to open a credit card account and make all payments on time. This was to increase my credit score when lenders see a good clean payment history. I applied on the vanquis credit card application on their website. The application is simple enough and took about 10 minutes. Once i had submitted i was told online that all checks were done and i would be advised via email the decision. I waited a few days and still i had not received anything from them. I then received an email from vanquis with a credit agreement, It also advised that receiving a credit agreement did not mean i had been accepted for the card. After 2 weeks and giving up on it i received my card in the post and my pin arrived shortly after. I was given a credit...

ashansell 19.11.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Vanquis Credit Card

The best credit card around!

Advantages: points
Disadvantages: if you dont pay it off

...Overview ------------ I have had this credit card for around 4 years now. It has always worked perfectly for me. As an avid Tesco fan i trade my points in for deals tokens and enjoy a treat every year. Incentives ------------- 1 point for every £1 spent in Tesco. 1 point for every £4 spent elsewhere. But dont forget with deals tokens you can get 4x the value of your points. These tokens can be used for restaurants, trips, hotels, days out ect. Theres hundreds of activities to choose from and they change some every 3 months. Looks -------- I have a Platinum card which looks great - I think they have stopped doing these cards now which is a shame as my partner wanted one. The normal cards arnt as cool and i wouldnt be as keen to use them i dont think. Paying them back ---------------------- I pay the balance on my card in...

johanna18 21.03.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Tesco Credit Card

A Credit Card that Rewards You

Advantages: Cheap, quick, helpful, most people are eligible
Disadvantages: I missed the new deals

...In today's society we all have credit cards and here's one of mine How I ended up with Tesco? Just before Christmas when money was as ever tight, I went to Abbey National to ask for a Visa card because my electron seemed to be becoming extinct and was accepted in less places than ever. I needed a card that would be accepted wherever I went and which I could use over the phone, for booking tickets etc. They wouldn't give me a Visa card but said they could offer me a credit card with a £400 limit; unfortunately I jumped at the chance. When I received correspondence that I couldn't have either a Visa debit or credit card from Abbey I was annoyed and went looking for an alternative. Tesco seemed to be the most probable company to accept me, I filled all the criteria plus the rate was fairly low. So I applied. The Application...

Jennet1987 17.05.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Tesco Credit Card