NatWest Reward Credit Card review
- Representative example:
- When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 25.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £24 per annum. Reward Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
- Balance transfer fee
- 0%
- Interest-free each billing period
- Up to 56 days
- Minimum credit limit
- £250
Our verdict
Get rewarded as you spend with points that can be converted into cash, vouchers or charitable donations.This straightforward rewards card from NatWest earns you points as you spend on anything from everyday groceries to clothes to meals out (you’ll even earn rewards when you use your card overseas). There’s no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn, and they can be turned into cash, shopping vouchers or even charitable donations.
You’ll need to weigh up whether the potential rewards you could earn would outweigh the annual fee (although you’ll avoid this altogether if you’re an existing NatWest Reward current account holder).
Similarly, if you anticipate carrying a balance on the card from month to month, then what you'll pay in interest will probably outweigh any rewards you'll earn. If you need the card for a major upcoming expense, then you may wish to consider a 0% purchases card instead.
Pros
- Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with NatWest
- Earn points on day-to-day spending
Cons
- Annual fee
- Minimum annual income requirement of £10,000
- Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible
- You may be offered an opening credit limit as low as £250
Details
Product overview
| Issuer | NatWest |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Representative APR | 31% APR (variable) |
| Annual/monthly fees | £24 per annum. Reward Current Account holders: £0 per annum |
| Loyalty scheme | Rewards |
| Incentive | You'll earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.25% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back. |
| Purchases | 25.9% |
| Purchases interest-free period (days) | 56 |
| Balance transfers | 25.9% |
| Potential costs | 7.2Great |
| Doing its job | 6.7Standard |
| Extras | 9.4Excellent |
| Overall Finder Score | 7.6Great |
Fees and charges
| Minimum monthly payment | 1% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges, 1/12th of annual fee plus 1% of the outstanding balance or double the amount of that month's interest and any default charges, plus any instalment plan fee(s), plus £1. |
| Annual/monthly fees | £24 per annum. Reward Current Account holders: £0 per annum |
| Balance transfer fee | 0% |
| Money transfer fee | 0% |
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.75% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.75% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Duplicate statement fee | £3 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £12 |
| Additional card fee | £0 |
| Dormancy fee | £0 |
Application requirements
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Minimum income | £10,000 |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
The NatWest Reward Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network, so it's accepted at more than 50 million merchant locations across more than 210 countries and territories.
How does it compare?
NatWest's card
Finder Score for credit cards
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.
Read the full methodologyOther popular reward cards
Finder Score for credit cards
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.
Read the full methodologyApproval 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 NatWest's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0345 788 8444). 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 for the NatWest Reward Credit Card
If you've compared cards and settled on the NatWest Reward Credit Card, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the NatWest Reward Credit Card?
If NatWest offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on NatWest's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £250, and NatWest does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown NatWest you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the NatWest Reward Credit Card?
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 NatWest Reward Credit Card 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 26.9% (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 NatWest Reward Credit Card abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.75% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£164.83), it'll cost you around £4.53 in fees.
