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.
Compare Nationwide credit cards
What is Nationwide?
The Nationwide Building Society is a ‘mutual’, which means it’s owned by and run for the benefit of its members. To become a member, you’ll need to have a current account, mortgage or savings account with Nationwide. If you’re already a member, you can apply for a Nationwide credit card.
Nationwide credit cards are issued on the Visa network and so they’re accepted in over 20 million locations worldwide.
What are the benefits of a Nationwide credit card?
Nationwide credit cards are all-round (rather than specialised) cards. They are designed to offer a broad range of benefits to users rather than trying to lead the market in one particular area. The benefits include:
- 0% on balance transfers. If you have expensive debt on another card, you can bring it across to your Nationwide card and enjoy 0% interest on a transferred balance for a specified period. Learn more about 0% balance transfer cards.
- 0% on purchases. Planning a significant expenditure on your card? Enjoy 0% interest on purchases for a specified period. Learn more about 0% purchase cards.
- No annual fee. No need to get the calculator out to see if paying an annual fee is worth it – there isn’t one! Learn more about no annual fee cards.
- Commission-free purchases abroad. If you use your credit card overseas, or expect to, then commission-free purchases abroad could save you money. Learn more about cards for overseas spending.
If you bank with Nationwide you’ll also get access to it’s sophisticated banking app. Through this you can check your balance faster, search, filter and compare you transactions over the last 15 months and make fast simple payments to your contacts.
Nationwide take the security of their customers very seriously and as a result have issued a digital banking promise. In this they outline that they’ll refund any money taken from an account as a result of fraud through its Banking app or Internet Banking service, how they monitor and protect accounts 24/7 with the latest technology and will provide education on how to stay safe and avoid scams.
How do Nationwide’s cards hold up against the rest of the market?
What is APR?
If you’re comparing any credit products, it won’t be long before you’ll come across the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This figure is designed to provide an annual summary, taking into account both interest and any mandatory charges to be paid (for example an annual fee). All lenders must calculate the APR of their products in the same way, and must tell you the APR before you sign an agreement, so for consumers it can be a handy tool for comparison.
Bear in mind, however, that lenders are only obliged to award this rate to 51% of those who take out a card – the other 49% could pay more. That’s why it’s often referred to as the representative APR.
How to apply for a Nationwide credit card
To even begin applying for any credit card you need to at the least hold a current account, mortgage or savings account with Nationwide. If, however, you are already a Nationwide customer then the easiest way to apply is online. Simply fill out an online form providing personal information such as name, address, income and work status.
Eligibility requirements
There are basic eligibility requirements you will most likely need to meet to be accepted for a Nationwide credit card. The eligibility requirements are as follows:
- You are aged 18 years or over
- You have a permanent UK home address
- You have not have missed three or more payments on any credit commitments in the last 12 months
- You currently don’t hold a Nationwide credit card
- You are a member of Nationwide Building Society
- You have a gross annual income of at least £5000
- You cannot currently be bankrupt, subject to an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA), or have any county court judgements (CCJs)
Why might you not be approved?
Typically you won’t be approved for a credit card if you’ve got a history of bad debt or don’t meet the above eligibility criteria. If you’ve got an outstanding CCJ or are on an IVA it is also likely you will not be approved. Equally, if you do not have a credit record at all, you may be turned down. It is advisable to go to Experian, or another credit rating agency, and to ask for a credit report.
Nationwide customer reviews
Nationwide has poor reviews from customers overall, according to review aggregator Trustpilot. It has a rating of 1.8 out of 5, based on more than 3,700 reviews (updated April 2023). Some customers reported problems with receiving their cards, or being unable to access card statements.
Contact Nationwide Building Society’s customer support
Telephone support | To call about credit cards, ring 03456 00 66 11. They are available Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm (GMT) and Sunday 9am to 5pm. An automated enquiry service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
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Report card lost or stolen | You can report a lost or stolen card via the app by heading over to the Menu, click ‘Manage Cards’, select the lost or stolen card, then select ‘Report as lost or stolen’. Alternatively, you can call 0800 055 66 22. |
Overview of Nationwide BS credit cards
Representative APR | 24.9% |
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0% balance transfer offer | Up to 18 months |
0% purchases offer | Up to 15 months |
0% money transfer offer | No money transfer offer available |
Cashback with brand | Cashback not available |
Cashback elsewhere | Cashback not available |
Cash advance | From 24.9% |
Introductory bonus offer | No introductory bonus offers available |
Frequently asked questions
More guides on Finder
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Nationwide Member Credit Card Balance Transfer Offer – 2024 review
Nationwide thinks it’s time to take your membership to the next level – offering 0% interest (for a promotional period) on existing card debt that you transfer across from other card issuers.
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Nationwide Member Credit Card All Rounder – 2024 review
Existing Nationwide members can enjoy 0% deals on purchases and balance transfers, plus fee-free spending overseas.