First Credit Card

[ruknroller]

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking of getting my first credit card (for online purchases and such) - who would be the best to go with? I bank with Absa, and their's seem pretty ****e compared to something like.. say virgin money? Any reason why?

 

[bullzeye.za]

Depending on your income, Virgin Money is the best for low-income earners, anything above R12k/mo, I think FNB works out better in the long run.

Calculations were done a few years ago though, things might have changed.

 

[catman37]

Don't get one if you can't manage money. It will come back and bite you in the ....

 

[cpu.]

Don't get one if you can't manage money. It will come back and bite you in the ....

So true. It's very convenient to sit online and buy, but when you have to get up and work extra to pay arrears, no fun.

 

[VG008]

If you want a credit card for online purchases look @ www.vcpay.co.za

Otherwise virgin is a good choice.

 

[Messugga]

Depending on your income, Virgin Money is the best for low-income earners, anything above R12k/mo, I think FNB works out better in the long run.

Calculations were done a few years ago though, things might have changed.

Care to motivate the FNB statement? I'm well above R12k pm and have always been with Virgin Money because they're free, but if there's a better deal out there, I'm all ears.

 

[VG008]

Care to motivate the FNB statement? I'm well above R12k pm and have always been with Virgin Money because they're free, but if there's a better deal out there, I'm all ears.

It all depends on your spending.
For example. I'm with DiscoveryCard and for this year I've received +R700.00 in rewards. My fees are R300pa. Thus I've earned R400.00. This rewards exclude the holiday packages, which I currently save 45% on certain bookings.

FNB offers eBucks...

 

[killadoob]

Be very careful, a credit card is needed or you will struggle to obtain bonds, cars etc but at the same time that extra money burns a hole in your pocket.

Discovery card is pretty good as mentioned, fnb and i am with standard bank. Not bad but with the money i spend on it ebucks or some rewards would be welcome .

Guys would fnb offer me a credit card with my current limit then i would use the limit to pay standard bank and go with them?

 

[Ekstasis]

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking of getting my first credit card (for online purchases and such) - who would be the best to go with? I bank with Absa, and their's seem pretty ****e compared to something like.. say virgin money? Any reason why?

don't underestimate this part. "The Card" falls in love with this part....

 

[Messugga]

It all depends on your spending.
For example. I'm with DiscoveryCard and for this year I've received +R700.00 in rewards. My fees are R300pa. Thus I've earned R400.00. This rewards exclude the holiday packages, which I currently save 45% on certain bookings.

FNB offers eBucks...

I buy literally everything on my credit card so I suppose there's probably some room for play. Will look into the numbers a bit.

 

[DominionZA]

I got an FNB Cheque card for this purpose.
It is a standard cheque account with a VISA card. I can use it wherever a credit card can be used with the exception there must be funds available and not credit (unless you take an overdraft).

I pay my salary into this account.

Don't know if there are any pitfalls to this but it works for me.

 

[I.am.Sam]

I got an FNB Cheque card for this purpose.
It is a standard cheque account with a VISA card. I can use it wherever a credit card can be used with the exception there must be funds available and not credit (unless you take an overdraft).

I pay my salary into this account.

Don't know if there are any pitfalls to this but it works for me.

yeah good idea ...OP rather go this route cause the fnb cheque card has the details of a CC when buying online

 

[Toitjie]

Be very careful, a credit card is needed or you will struggle to obtain bonds, cars etc but at the same time that extra money burns a hole in your pocket.

Discovery card is pretty good as mentioned, fnb and i am with standard bank. Not bad but with the money i spend on it ebucks or some rewards would be welcome .

Guys would fnb offer me a credit card with my current limit then i would use the limit to pay standard bank and go with them?

AFAIK, you have an option to do that.

basically the fees will just be transferred.

I stand to be corrected though, as I haven't personally done this.

 

[hellfire]

Virgin Money. They actually have amazing customer service, and their are zero fees associated with the account

 

[TJ99]

I agree with the cheque card for online purchases, rather do that. Even on the rare occasions where I do use my credit card, I transfer the money into my account first and then use my cheque card to buy. It's just safer.

 

[guest2013-1]

Virgin Money is underwritten and run by ABSA. So stay away. If you want a credit card for online purchases and stuff, consider getting a cheque card from FNB (with an account, and switch to FNB while you're at it)

 

[Wall]

Don't do it! I hate my credit card..waiting to cut it up...

 

[ruknroller]

Thanks all. Think I'll go the Virgin Money route.

 

[ld13]

Even on the rare occasions where I do use my credit card, I transfer the money into my account first and then use my cheque card to buy. It's just safer.

How? A credit card is always the safest way to buy stuff online as you are mostly protected by VISA et al should something go seriously wrong.

Virgin Money is underwritten and run by ABSA. So stay away.

Nothing wrong with those credit cards - you do not even have to deal with ABSA ... ever.

 

[TJ99]

How? A credit card is always the safest way to buy stuff online as you are mostly protected by VISA et al should something go seriously wrong.

So are cheque cards. Both cards' protection only help if you are aware of, and react in time etc. though. With a cheque card, the most you can ever lose is the amount in your account currently. A credit card can end obviously end up costing a lot more.