What we think of it...

A good all-rounder, the Natwest Classic credit card is fantastic for balance transfers and along with its online shopping protection, an internet shopper's best friend.

The lengthy thirteen month period for balance transfers is one of the most generous around, and with a 2.9% transfer fee it's a tiny bit cheaper than the 3% fee charged by many of its competitors.

Alongside the Internet fraud guarantee, online shopping is also made safer with Natwest Secure, a system that ensures your card can't be used on certain websites without a password.

The Natwest Classic credit card has enough in its arsenal to make it one of our favourites. We just wish they'd increase the length of that introductory rate on purchases!

A little more detail

Rates and Fees

			Special Note..	Any good?
Typical APR		15.9% APR (variable) -	-
Introductory Purchase Rate		0% for 6 months	Payments are applied towards introductory rates first.
Balance Transfer Rate		0% for 13 months	- Must be made within the first 3 months your account is open. - Payments are applied towards introductory rates first. - You cannot transfer balances from other Royal Bank of Scotland group cards.
Balance Transfer Fee		2.9% (£5 minimum)	-
Cash Withdrawal Rate		27.948% p.a. (variable)	-
Cash Withdrawal Fee		3% (£3 minimum)	-
Annual Fee		£0	-
Foreign Transaction Fee		2.75%	-

Rewards

			Special Note..	Any good?
Reward Type #1	-	Wine Club Offers	Enjoy special offers and the occasional free gift from the Natwest Wine Club.

Extras

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Account Management		Yes	You can manage your account online if you have a Natwest current account.
Internet Fraud Guarantee		Yes	-
Travel Accident Insurance		Up to £50,000	Travel accident insurance covers you and your family against death or serious injury when you buy your travel tickets with the Natwest Classic credit card.
Other Extras		Natwest Secure	-
Optional Extras	-	- Natwest Card Protection - Payment Protection	These are not free services, but are available for this card.

Payments

			Special Note..	Any good?
Credit Limit		£300 - £20,000.00	-
Interest Free Period		Up to 56 days	There is no interest free period on cash withdrawals, money transfers, or balance transfers not in the introductory period.
Minimum Monthly Payment		2.25% (£5 minimum)	-
Allocation of Payments		Interest » Fees » Introductory rates » Purchases » Balance transfers » Cash withdrawals » Money transfers » Cheques	-
Default Charges		£12	- Late payments: £12 - Returned payments: £10 - Exceed credit limit: £12
Copy of Statement Fee		£3	-

Card Details

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Application	-	Yes	Instant decision in most cases. Remember: always ensure you meet the application requirements before applying, as getting rejected can affect your credit score.
Card Type		Classic	-
Payment Company		MasterCard	-
Card Issuer		Natwest	-
Card Advertiser		Natwest	-

At a Glance

Typical APR	15.9% APR
Credit limit	£300 to £20,000
Intro purchases	0% for 6 months
Balance transfer	0% for 13 months (2.9% transfer fee - £5 min)
Interest free period	Up to 56 days
Annual fee	£0

	This card includes:
	Online Account Management
	Internet Fraud Guarantee
	Travel Accident Insurance
	It is best suited for:
	Anyone wanting to make a large initial purchase or transfer a balance. Also great for online shoppers.
	Wait! Only apply if you are...
Aged 18 or over and UK resident OR aged 21 or over and Channel Island resident Earn a minimum of £10,000 a year

More about this card...

If the Natwest Classic credit card was a cricketer, it'd be the batsman, the bowler, the wicketkeeper AND the umpire!

This card is a great all-rounder, offering a good introductory purchase rate, an excellent 13-month balance transfer rate - and a decent range of cardholder extras.

0% purchases for 6 months
The Natwest Classic credit card allows you to spend all you like in the first 6 months (credit limit allowing), and you'll not have to pay a penny in interest.

This is not the best introductory rate available, but at three months it does provide a good six months of respite on interest you may incur on any large purchases.

Remember though, that no interest charges doesn't mean no payments, and you will have to make at least the minimum payment each month.

However, as with any credit card, it's always best to repay as much as you can each month, especially so that you can clear any purchases before the end of the introductory period.

This is particularly crucial if you are planning to use the introductory balance transfer offer as well, since anything left outstanding at the end of the introductory purchase period will get trapped behind your cheaper balance transfer.

This could leave your intro purchase balance racking up huge amounts of interest and there will be little you can do to pay it off until your transferred balance is cleared first.

Transfer your balance
The Natwest Classic credit card also offers a 0% introductory balance transfer period for 13 months too.

You will have to pay a small fee of 2.9% to transfer the amount, but this will be quickly outweighed by the savings in interest.

Shop securely online
The Natwest Secure scheme is a real bonus for Internet shoppers using the Natwest Classic credit card.

At various participating retailers, once set up, the card can only be used if a password is given.

Like a pin number, this ensures that only you are able to use the card online - even if it falls into the wrong hands.

Unfortunately not all online outlets sign up to the Natwest Secure scheme. However, if your card is used fraudulently without your consent, Natwest will not hold your liable for the transaction.

Final word
A fantastic classic credit card with some very tempting introductory offers, but be careful of not being tempted into spending on this card if you are transferring a balance as well.