Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only) review
- Representative example:
- When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £4.75 per month, your representative rate is 46.8% APR (variable).
- Earn rate
- 1p per £2 spent
- Interest-free each billing period
- Up to 56 days
- Minimum credit limit
- £700
Our verdict
The Vitality Amex credit card offers a generous cashback scheme for customers whose credit card is as active as their lifestyle.
The Vitality Amex credit card offers up to 1% cashback to customers who are active with their credit card purchases, and also maintain an active lifestyle.
Of course, there are certain conditions you'll have to meet to enjoy the full cashback offer. You'll need to spend over £10,000 to get the full 1% Amex cashback, and need to have two eligible Vitality insurance plans (and earn more than 160 Vitality activity points each month) to get the additional 2% cashback booster.
Otherwise, the Vitality credit card boasts a fairly competitive purchase rate of 30.7%% p.a., but a representative APR of 46.8%.
So while you're likely to find a lower APR elsewhere, the Vitality credit card could be worthwhile for Vitality customers who are generally active and able to make the most of the full cashback offer.
Pros
- Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with American Express
- Earn cashback on day-to-day spending
Cons
- Annual fee
Details
Product overview
| Issuer | American Express |
| Network | Amex |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 (but £4.75 fee for the Vitality programme) |
| Balance transfers | 30.7 |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Purchases | 30.7% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Cash advances | 38% |
| Minimum credit limit | £700 |
| Maximum credit limit | Subject to status |
| Additional cards available | 25 |
| Additional Rewards Info | Refund Protection - provides refunds to cardmembers in the event of any retailer, online or offline, refusing to refund the value of any goods taken back within 90 days of them being purchased, maximum £200, max £750 per annum. Global Assist - 24/7 help available when travelling outside the UK. Access to tickets for must-see music, theatre and film events, often before they go on sale to the general public with American Express Experiences. Eligible for American Express Connect where cardmembers can choose offers from selected retailers to obtain discounts or cashback. |
| Introductory Rewards | New Cardmember offer: earn a £100 statement credit when you spend £2,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. |
| Cashback details | 0.5% on £1 to £10,000 of yearly spend and 1% thereafter. Paid on anniversary. Must spend £3,000 annually to earn cashback. Earn up to 2% additional cashback on first £1,000 spend each month based on Vitality products held and monthly activity points earned. New cardmember offer: earn £100 statement credit when £2,000 spent in first three months. |
| Potential costs | 5Standard |
| Doing its job | 5.3Standard |
| Extras | 8.5Great |
| Overall Finder Score | 5.6Standard |
Fees and charges
| Minimum monthly payment | 2% or £25 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges, 1/12th of annual fee plus 2% of the outstanding balance. |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 (but £4.75 fee for the Vitality programme) |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% |
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Replacement card fee | £0 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £2 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £0 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
Application requirements
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Residency | UK resident and has a UK bank or building society account. |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
How does it compare?
American Express's card
Other popular cashback deals
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through American Express's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0800 917 8047). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | |
|---|---|
| Fixed amount | |
| Fixed percentage | |
| Full amount |
How to apply
You can apply by visiting the American Express site and completing an application form. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have all your necessary personal and financial details ready.
The bottom line
It’s fair to say there’s very few cards on the market quite like the Vitality American Express credit card. With an ambitious cashback scheme tied that’s tied to your Vitality insurance plan, it’s definitely worth a look for anyone who’s ever wished their active lifestyle could be rewarded through their credit card.
However, there’s a lot of criteria you’ll need to meet to get the most out of the card, and there’s also a large monthly fee you’ll need to consider. But if you’re an existing Vitality customer, you could find the cashback more than worth it.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only)?
If American Express offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on American Express's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £700, and American Express does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown American Express you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only)?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
The cash advance fee on the Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only) is 3% (min. £3). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £3.00. Withdraw £250 and you'll incur a fee of £7.50.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 38% (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).
How much does it cost to use the Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only) abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge (which is very standard). For example, if you spend 200 euros (£164.83), it'll cost you around £4.93 in fees.
Can I request an additional Vitality American Express® Credit Card (Vitality Members only)?
Yes, in fact, you can request up to 25 more. There's no fee for additional cards. Plus, with additional cards, you could earn cashback at a faster rate. Bear in mind that card debt accrued by additional cardholders is the sole responsibility of the account holder – not the additional cardholder.
