Who is your main bank?

[Lonford]

I agree @Seb, my NatWest flat card looks and feels, to me, really cheap and naff

[Seb]

Yes, it’s a shame as back in the days of traditional cards they used to be quite well made, actually some of the sturdiest cards I had.

[Topsy2]

@anon47616136

can anyone banking with Nationwide say how they are? I keep reading they’re a bit behind on the tech front and like blocking card purchases at inconvenient times

Their ‘tech’ is one of my biggest moans. As a bank or we should really say building society, they’re ok. I’ve never had a blocked card purchase with them, so couldn’t comment further. I will at the moment keep them anyway, purely for the insurance, but tech wise, in my view, they must up their game significantly.

[Topsy2]

@Seb

Did you ever have one which wasn’t flat?

I think the first card I had was embossed and I didn’t like it. I can’t stand cards with embossed numbers. It’s just a personal preference. I’d absolutely hope when my BA Amex card is renewed, it comes unembossed, but I think that’s not going to happen.

[anon47616136]

Ah, why is picking a JA such a dilemma! I think Nationwide’s instance offering is great, but I dread going back to the card reader age. Not sure who to pick, maybe I’ll have to wait and hope Chase bring something interesting (with joint account support)

Regarding card quality, the other really crap card I have is my Barclaycard. The lamination feels cheap and is indeed peeling after 2 years of putting it in and out of wallets. Never been in a card machine, I don’t think

[anon47616136]

Amex have some great card designs and have been improving existing designs in other places, except the UK. No idea why we’re not getting any of the rose gold metal Gold card or the funky new Green card

[Seb]

Nothing stopping you taking out an account with Nationwide purely for the insurance, then having your actual spending joint account elsewhere.

I suppose the problem is that joint accounts are, overall, a fairly niche product so nobody has put significant effort into designing a high quality one.

[Topsy2]

I tell you what, card aside, I really rate Amex’s mobile app.

[Seb]

And Dark Mode!

[anon47616136]

They’re my credit card provider of choice (when accepted by merchants). They’re fantastic, both with the app experience and also support. I would just like a slightly refreshed card, but then I’m shallow when it comes to card designs

[Topsy2]

@anon47616136

I would just like a slightly refreshed card

I’m with you completely. The Amex BA card is a bit naff looking if I’m honest.

[RSheff]

@Topsy2

Yes, one of the ‘moans’ I’ve oft heard, is the fact that the joint debit cards are indistinguishable from the personal account cards. Why Starling won’t just make them different colours, I don’t understand personally.

That’s the same with most banks, unfortunately. I don’t know of any bank, apart from Monzo, where the debit card on a joint account looks any different from an individual account. Barclays let you design your own debit cards (within limits) so you could always choose a different design for a joint account card.

[Seb]

I think Amex don’t want to change their designs as they want them to be recognisable.

That way, prospective customers notice people using the cards which helps to combat the perception (which is out there) that acceptance of Amex is so bad it’s not worth having one - when actually, acceptance is now rarely an issue.

[anon47616136]

look at this:

It looks great! And it’s made of (mostly) reclaimed plastic. Why can’t we have it here in the UK?

[anon47616136]

Their US redesigns have been great. Maintained the recognisable Amex brand identity, but brought a bit of a facelift with nicer colours, and slightly updated font/graphics. That’s all I need

I sense a card designs thread coming! @Graham , will you do the honours?

[Seb]

The texturing almost gives the appearance of a metal card. It is nice!

[Topsy2]

I have thought of applying for another Amex card just to get a different card, (oh that makes me look pathetic )

[Seb]

@anon47616136

Their US redesigns have been great. Maintained the recognisable Amex brand identity, but brought a bit of a facelift with nicer colours, and slightly updated font/graphics. That’s all I need

I agree that would be nice in the U.K.

It must be coming, if it’s already happened in the US?

[anon47616136]

Their gold card has been refreshed a couple of years ago now and the UK still hasn’t seen any of it… but I’d throw money at them for a rose gold metal Amex!

Edit: even the EU got it before we did But generally the EU likes Amex even less than the UK does so I’m not sure I get why

[Topsy2]

I made a terrible mistake one day at a Nationwide ATM. Without taking the notice I should have, I put my Nationwide credit card into the slot instead of my Nationwide debit card to draw out a tenner. Yes, you got it, out of that tenner, 3 quid of it went in fees. I was absolutely bloody livid at myself. Different colours would definitely be a worthwhile thing for me personally.