Jalexa:

Lab05:

Use the comparison on this website to the right and take your pick.

I would actually say this website doesn't seem to advertise all the cards to chose from tbh, some just aren't advertised and its easier to shop around through other frequent flyers maybe or a specialist broker imo. (No offense to anyone).

Fourthly, only accept as big a credit limit as you really need.

I wouldn't agree here, i think for someone who is responsible as a borrower a larger limit may be better, seeing as it looks like Lab05 has no interest in gettin any oher cards, nor does he wish to spend more than he has.

It may prove to be a cost effective means to saving money in the long run if he can transfer some of his day to day use onto that card and pay it off every month and earn more miles that way...seems to make more sense than paying for every flight himself. (If its company paid, then try get it off your card and have them re-emburse you immediately so you can keep the rewards, everyone tries to do it, but unfortunately very few employers agree to this due to their liability and various agreements etc).

Another option may be a chargecard instead maybe? There will likely be no limit and whatever you spend is debited out of your A/C every month, but if the benefits outweigh the cost (usually a small fee for most chargecards) then go with that i guess Lab05.

Lab05:

I have never used a credit card and have always relied on a debit card for everyday use. However, I travel a great deal both in the UK and abroad and it is becoming increasingly embarassing when I am asked to leave my credit card details with the reception for any additional costs incurred during my stay. When I advise that I only have a debit card this is not acceptable especially abroad.

I would advise that you firstly asses that you check your credit report before anything else, get a rough idea of your score...then go from there.

I do understand that as a lot of different countries use different nd unique systems they cannot always accept foreign debit cards because they are not using the same system. Credit card formats are much more universal, though even there, there is some scope for defference.

I am therefore looking for a credit card which will fit my needs. I have a current account (Royalties Gold) and an investment account both with RBS. I own my home and have no HP or other similar commitments. I do however have the use of an overdraft facility with the bank and pay things like house and car insurance by monthly DD.

I would be grateful for any advice you have.

Seeing as you are/may be in use of your overdraft, it may already be marked as such against your name that you have "a" (solitary) lending facility and that may well work in your favor, so long as you're not using more than 50% or so on a regular basis. If you don't use your O/D, usually lenders don't take it into account as it is not marked as a available lending some of them time. (Its not with HSBC with the way they pass it on to CRA's but it is with Barclays, even with reserve accounts, ir is with Lloyds, but only when used). Not sure on RBS or Natwest i'm sorry.

I would say you should also consider very carefully, where it is you travel.

If you travel to North America a lot more often than anywhere else it is refferable you have a 15 digit card, i.e. Amex because there is no way you'll get Discover unless you're a US citizen. Also you may wish to ask Amex for a signing card as C&P payment methods are not frequent in America and can lead to ransactions being declined.

If you travel to Europe then you are better off with the 16 digit format, which is widely used across the EU and parts of Asia.

If you frequent both then you might be interested in something like the duo premier miles account from Lloyds:

http://www.lloydstsb.com/credit_cards/airmiles_duo.asp

That also kills off another bird with the same stone, because it has travel rewards, which i think would be helpful to you. You may get some free trips dependant on how much you spend, and if you travel a lot and get the tickets from there you are elligable for a 10% cash discount from airmiles and or airmiles in exchange.

There is a Premier Plus duo card which is free for all Lloyds premier banking customers which also has better rewards and no foreign transaction fee, which is something else you ideally want. Howver you need to be an online banking customer to benefit enough to get that card.

From what it sounds like, you have a good credit profile, all be it with no (non mortgage) lending history as you've never had a credit card, HP or loan as best you have described so it sounds like you can shop around a bit. You don't need to take the real crap out there, and you want something which is universally accepted.

If you were to take the idea of rewards in mind, especially for those who travel, a couple of cards i might advise would be maybe the BA miles account:

https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/int/gb/en/personal/ourcards/allcards/bacreditcard/allthedetails_cm.do?vgnextoid=f9703e37ad444110VgnVCM100000cef4ad94RCRD&page=CM

The BMI card:

https://wwwa.mbna.co.uk/apply/UKCCapp/Ctl/entry?sc=8bmiamhpall_ost&mc=ECO-UK-33333-11780

The United Miles card:

https://wwwa.mbna.co.uk/apply/UKCCapp/Ctl/entry?sc=8utdairmbna_ost&mc=ECO-UK-33333-11767

And the Virgin miles cards:

http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/vaa-amex/

None of the cards above (other than the black card from Virgin) have fees and they all serve the same purpose of gaining miles for travel.

Of course who you travel with might effect your decision too, if you fly with Virgin more then go with them and or MBNA (despite their nunerous problems), if its BA then go with them.

That would be my advice.

Lab05:

Use the comparison on this website to the right and take your pick.

The main advice I would give is never use a credit card from the organisation you bank with (because of "set off"). Google if you don't know what that means.

Secondly, always set up a direct debit for the minimum payment to avoid non-payment indicators in your credit history.

Thirdly, if you are travelling abroad with a credit card, carry two from different organisations, because it's inevitable one will get blocked at some time.

Fourthly, only accept as big a credit limit as you really need.

I have never used a credit card and have always relied on a debit card for everyday use. However, I travel a great deal both in the UK and abroad and it is becoming increasingly embarassing when I am asked to leave my credit card details with the reception for any additional costs incurred during my stay. When I advise that I only have a debit card this is not acceptable especially abroad.

I am therefore looking for a credit card which will fit my needs. I have a current account (Royalties Gold) and an investment account both with RBS. I own my home and have no HP or other similar commitments. I do however have the use of an overdraft facility with the bank and pay things like house and car insurance by monthly DD.

I would be grateful for any advice you have.