The 10 worst credit cards, and the 10 best - as voted by customers

 
 

High-street retailers, such as John Lewis, offer much better credit cards than traditional lenders, the latest customer satisfaction survey by consumer organisation Which? has found.

In a survey, 10,207 Which? members rated their credit card providers based on their levels of satisfaction with the ease of making an application, interest rates and discounts on offer, the accuracy of statements they received, how well they are kept informed about better deals and the standard of customer service.

Satisfaction scores were calculated using a combination of overall satisfaction and how likely Which? members are to recommend the card to a friend.

The John Lewis /Waitrose credit card came out on top with a score of 88 per cent, compared to the average score of 68 per cent. Mint was the worst provider, scoring just 46 per cent.

Here are the ten credit card providers that scored the worst, and ten that Which? members rated as above average.

	Credit card	Customer service	Customer satisfaction rating (%)
Worst
1	Mint	3/5	46
2	MBNA	3/5	54
3	Royal Bank of Scotland	3/5	56
4	Halifax	3/5	56
5	Virgin Money	3/5	56
6	Lloyds TSB	3/5	57
7	Barclaycard	3/5	58
8	Bank of Scotland	3/5	58
9	NatWest	3/5	59
10	Abbey	3/5	59
Best
1	John Lewis/Waitrose	5/5	88
2	Smile	5/5	84
3	First Direct	5/5	81
4	Marks & Spencer	4/5	78
5	Co-operative Bank	5/5	78
6	Nationwide	4/5	77
7	SAGA	4/5	76
8	Tesco	4/5	75
9	Egg	4/5	73
10	Sainsbury's Finance	4/5	71

 

 

 

To compare the best credit card interest rates, click here

By: Laura Whateley

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Comments

[alex harrison]

I totally concur with the view about MBNA. My dealings with them have been illuminating to say the least as they exhibit a complete lack of respect for their customers. I tried to cancel my PPI with them and they put me through to no less than 3 other people to stop me from doing so and I felt totally brow beaten and pressurised and I think their behaviour is disgusting

[Nathan Graf]

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, and Discover are all predators. They especially love those with poor credit history or those who miss payments because they know that they can charge high interest rates. People with good credit are not money makers for credit card issuers.

But in this day and age, it is hard not to have a credit card. One needs a credit card to book a hotel room, rent a car, etc. But since I am prudent with my finances, I always try to use a debit card and by paying cash. If I use a credit card, I try to pay off the entire balance every month or make more than the minimum payment so that interest does not accrue.

Credit card issuers are predators, plain and simple.

[Lukasz]

"The HSBC Group means HSBC Bank plc, its subsidiaries, associated and affiliated companies and includes Marks & Spencer Money, John Lewis Partnership Card and first direct."
4 of top 10 are actually one bank. It tells a lot about HSBC. I have my current account with firstdirect for over 4 years and had absolutely no problems. Great customer service 24/7.

[Anna]

I am surprised American Express is not in the top 10 best cards.
Though the interest rates are high the customer service is the most professional and efficient I have ever received in the UK.
For customers who pay their balance in full this is by far the best in my experience.

[Ian Eiloart]

It's interesting that four of the top six cards are offered by mutuals - John Lewis, Smile, Co-op and Nationwide. And none of the demutualised building societies are in the top ten, but Halifax and Abbey seem to have fallen in among the big high street banks with poor service.

Why do HSBC require affiliates to get in the top ten? Where are their own-branded cards?

[Mike]

HSBC is one of the best for me. Why its not in rating?

[Noel woutersz]

I use Barclay and Nationwide Visa cards and pay the balances off monthly and don't spend a penny for their use. Why pay to use an American Express card?

[Joe]

How the hell is M&S 4th ahead of the co-op. Both on 78% but co-op customer service rated better.
Shorley shum mishtake.

[Asmodeus]

Credit cards are excellent things AS LONG AS you pay off the amount run up at the end of each month.
Simple as that.

[Adam Wilkins]

I've always found Amex to be the most helpful, but the rates are not great. My personal epxerience with Braclaycards Indian call centre was appalling - canned answers to my emails that clearly weren't read, and worse on the phone.

[NAW]

Had an Amex Blue for years for internet purchases. No charges for using it and great customer service. I also have the John Lewis Partnership card. Again great service but the online statements etc are not as clear as they could be.

Others are substandard re service (including HSBC, Sainsburys, Tesco and NatWest - all used at somepoint in the last 10 years for interest free purchases or balance transfers)

[bill clarke]

mbna virgin are the worst, they reduced my credit limit then charged me a £20 penalty because my balance was then over my new limit set by them,! beware!

[Roger Davies]

Skycard has very bad customer service. I had a dispute with a transaction and was advised by Emma Clark of Skycard not to pay the ammount until resolved. In the meantime I was charged interest on the amount and denied a refund when queried. All letters were from Emma Clark but she would never answer any correspondence or talk to me on the phone. I got the impression that she doesn't really exist but is used as a front to rip off customers. If she does exist then Skycard should sack her for total incompetance.

[J Purcell]

AmEx (especially the cashback card) and First Direct are great, with fantastic customer service.

Halifax is usueful (and not just the credit cards)

Interest rates are irrelevant if you pay off the balance each month

[Jane H]

Roger, a bit off topic but I also had letters from Emma Clark who would never take calls or get back to me. I think its a non-existent person which Skycard uses to stop customers getting fair service. Also agree that if she does exist that she should be struck off for not being upto the job.