RBS Classic (Existing Customers Only) Credit Card

RBS credit card review: Classic (Existing Customers Only)

FOR everyday purchases it's hard to beat the RBS Classic credit card.

It comes with a low introductory rate on purchases plus discounts not-so-everyday purchases such as travel and shopping and extra protection on your spending.

The introductory rate of 4.9% is ideal if you want to cover a period of higher spending, especially if you're an RBS customer and think you might have trouble getting hold of a 0% purchases credit card.

After nine months the RBS Classic credit card lives up to its name and becomes a standard credit card with a 19.9% typical APR and an interest-free period of 56 days.

That makes the RBS Classic credit card ideal for everyday shopping when you pay off your credit card bill at the end of every month.

This includes discounts such as:

• 20% off at buyagift.com
• 10% off at HP UK and
• 10% off UK short breaks with Superbreak

As an RBS Classic credit card holder you'll also be entitled to member services.

These include the RBS travel service - which offers discounts on flights, hotels and insurance - and the RBS wine club.

In all, the RBS Classic credit card is just that: a true classic for everyday spending.

Interest Rates and Fees
		Notes..
Typical APR	19.9% APR (variable)	Royalties Account customers will receive a 1% discount in the APR for at least 12 months. The typical APR is the rate most people are offered.
Introductory Purchases	4.9% for 9 months	Payments will be applied towards promotional purchases first.
Balance Transfers	19.95% p.a.	-
Balance Transfer Fee	None	There is no balance transfer handling fee to pay.
Cash Withdrawal Rate	27.95% p.a. (variable)	You can withdraw up to £300 each day, within your credit limit.
Cash Withdrawal Fee	3% (£3 minimum)	-
Annual Fee	None	-
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.75%	This fee will be charged if you make a purchase or cash withdrawal in a foreign currency.

Rewards
		Notes..
Reward #1	Shopping Discounts	- 20% off at buyagift.com - 10% off at HP UK - 10% off UK short breaks with Superbreak.
Reward #2	Travel Discounts	Travel discounts when you use your RBS credit card at rbstravelservice.co.uk. Discounts available on advance bookings, last minute bargains and from flights to airport parking.
Reward #3	Wine Club Offers	The Royal Bank Wine Club has special offers when you pay with your RBS credit card. Special offers and occassional free gifts.

Cardholder Services & Extras
Online Account Management		You can manage your account online if you have a Royal Bank of Scotland current account and use digital banking.
Internet Fraud Guarantee		If your card has been used on the internet without your knowledge or consent, RBS guarantee not to hold you liable for the fraudulent transaction if you've signed up to RBS Secure (a free service in partnership with MasterCard SecureCode).
Fraud Monitoring		Active Fraud Monitoring with Free Mobile Text Alerts Choose SMS text alerts and receive a text message instead of a phone call if RBS spot anything suspicious on your account.
Identity Protection
MasterCard SecureCode		An extra layer of security when shopping online. Register and set up a password-protected identity-check when you shop online with participating online retailers.
Purchase Protection Insurance
Purchase Delivery Insurance
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance
Travel Inconvenience Insurance
Assistance Abroad		Travel Helpline Get advice and help with medical emergencies whilst abroad.
Emergency Card Replacement
Other Extras	- Free additional cardholder
Optional Extras	These are extras that you can choose, but you will have to pay for them. - Card Protection - Identity Protection Cover - Payment Protection.

Payments & Payment Details
		Notes..
Credit Limit	£300 minimum	Maximum credit limit is subject to status.
Interest Free Period	Up to 56 days	For purchases if you pay your balance in full and on time, and have paid the previous month's balance in full and on time. There is no interest free period on balance transfers, money transfers or cash advances.
Minimum Monthly Payment	2.25% (£5 minimum)	The minimum monthly payment will be the greater of: - 2.25% of the outstanding balance (rounded down to the nearest pound), OR - The amount you owe over your credit limit, less any overdue amounts from previous statements, OR - £5.
Allocation of Payments	Interest on Special Offers » Other Interest, Fees & Charges » Special Offers » Purchases & Balance Transfers » Cash Advances & Money Transfers	-
Default Charges	£12	- Returned Payment: £10 - Returned Promotional Cheque: £12 - Late Payment: £12 - Exceeding Credit Limit: £12
Copy of Statement Fee	£3	This is the fee you will be charged for duplicate statements.

Card Details
		Notes..
Online Application	Yes	Only available to existing RBS current account customers. Remember: always ensure you meet the application requirements before applying, as getting rejected can affect your credit score.
Card Type	Classic	-
Payment Company	MasterCard	The company who provides the payment technology and infrastructure to allow you to use this credit card. Retailers and ATM machines displaying the 'MasterCard' logo will accept this credit card.
Card Issuer	Royal Bank of Scotland	The bank who issues this credit card.
Card Advertiser	Royal Bank of Scotland	The company who advertises and promotes this credit card.

Review Continued...

The RBS Classic credit card could help you with your everyday spending with discounts on shopping, travel and a low introductory rate.

Classic RBS Services

The RBS Classic credit card comes with a range of discounts to help you to save on purchases.

These are usually minimal - 10-20% - but every little helps and with big brands such as HP involved that little percentage could save a lot.

RBS Classic credit card holders will also get discounts on travel services when they book holidays through the RBS travel service. The service also includes information on visas and basic medical support.

Finally, the wine club offers money off booze plus a freebie or two.

4.9% Charged on Purchases

There's a fairly low 4.9% interest rate on purchases when you spend on the RBS Classic credit card within the first nine months.

That's still more than you'll pay with a 0% purchases credit card - and those rates often last for longer periods - but if you don't plan on spending much the RBS Classic credit card could still be a good way to borrow short-term.

If you're having trouble getting credit elsewhere and you're an RBS customer note that a credit card application from your own bank is more likely to be successful since they have a reliable credit history for you already.

Note also that the following don't count as credit card purchases so they'll attract a higher interest rate:

• Cash withdrawals (including cashback at the till)
• Gambling transactions
• Foreign currency purchases
• Shopping vouchers

It's also important to make at least the minimum repayment on the Royal Bank of Scotland credit card every month to keep the low purchases rate.

More Protection

Both purchases and your personal details are protected by the RBS Classic credit card.

The RBS Classic credit card protects purchases over £100 under section 75. This is the same level of protection offered to all credit card holders.

Signing up for MasterCard Securecode - the online equivalent of chip and pin - also guarantees your account against online fraud.

Any unusual activity on your RBS Classic credit card account can be flagged by for you with the RBS text alert service.

Just say no to...

There are two transactions with the RBS Classic credit card that you're best off saying no to: cash transactions and use abroad.

Use abroad attracts a fee of 2.75% on any purchase or cash withdrawal.

Cash withdrawals will attract a 3% fee (with a minimum fee of £3) and interest charged at the rate of 27.95%.

There's no interest-free period.

All in all

The Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card offers extra protection and a low interest rate on everyday purchases.

Apply Online for RBS Classic (Existing Customers Only) credit card »