In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Your reviews

Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card review 2023

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Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card Visa
3.0
★★★★★
Finder score
Representative example:
When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.79% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £8 per annum, your representative rate is 24.3% APR (variable).
Interest-free each billing period
Up to 56 days
Minimum credit limit
£500

Our verdict

A straightforward credit card for existing AIB customers.

This credit card is as straightforward as it gets: it does the job, but doesn't offer anything more than that. It's only available to existing AIB customers.

If you don't plan to carry a balance from month to month, then you'll get up to 56 days of 0% interest on your purchases each billing cycle, which really is the main pro of this card. That's in return for an account fee of £8 per annum.

Apart from keeping accounts "under one roof", there's little to encourage you to choose this card over others available on the market. Fees are very average, interest rates on purchases and balance transfers aren't competitive and there are no perks or rewards to make the rest a bit more attractive.

If you're looking to earn rewards on your spending or to spread the cost of upcoming expenditure, there are better deals out there, for those willing to shop around.

Finally, AIB cards are offered on the Visa network, so they're accepted at over 20 million locations worldwide.

Pros

  • The APR is relatively low

Cons

  • It's only available to existing customers
  • £8 per annum annual fee
  • You're unlikely to be approved if you have bad credit
  • There's plenty of better options out there that don't charge annual fees

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Your reviews

Details

Product overview

Issuer Allied Irish Bank (GB)
Network Visa
Annual/monthly fees £8 per annum
Balance transfers 22.79%
Balance transfer fee 1.5%
Purchases 22.79%
Purchases interest-free period Up to 56 days
Cash advances 22.79%
Minimum credit limit £500
Maximum credit limit Subject to status
Additional cards available 1
Potential costs ★★★★★
Doing its job ★★★★★
Extras ★★★★★
Overall Finder rating ★★★★★
Overall customer rating Not yet rated

Fees and charges

Minimum monthly payment 3% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 1% of the outstanding balance.
Annual/monthly fees £8 per annum
Balance transfer fee 1.5%
Foreign usage charge (EU) 2.75%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) 2.75%
Cash advance fee 1.5% (min. £3)
Late payment fee £12
Duplicate statement fee £10
Exceeding limit fee £12
Additional card fee £0
Dormancy fee £0

Application requirements

Minimum Age 18
Availability Available to existing customers
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How does this card compare with other similar cards on the market?

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Name Product Ratings Finder rating Customer rating Balance transfers Balance transfer fee Purchases Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 28 months reverting to 23.9%
2.99% (min. £5)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
2.99% fee, min £5
0% for 18 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Santander Everyday Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 26 months reverting to 23.9%
3% (min. £5)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Royal Bank of Scotland Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Not yet rated
0% for 23 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Not yet rated
0% for 17 months reverting to 24.9%
2.99%
0% for 17 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 23 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 16 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%, min £5
0% for 18 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
NatWest Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 14 months reverting to 24.9%
0%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Royal Bank of Scotland Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Not yet rated
0% for 14 months reverting to 24.9%
2.99%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 27 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49% fee, min £5
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
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Compare low rate credit cards

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Name Product Ratings Customer rating Finder rating Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
The Royal Bank Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
8.9%
8.9%
(0% fee)
£0
8.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 8.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 8.9% APR (variable).
Tesco Bank Low APR Clubcard Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
10.941%
11.457%
(3.99% fee)
£0
10.9% APR (variable)
5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants, entertainment or Avios points.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.941% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
Lloyds Bank Platinum Low Rate Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
10.94%
10.94%
(5% (0% fee if transfer is completed within the first 90 days) fee)
£0
10.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
Halifax Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
10.94%
10.9%
(5% (0% fee if transfer is done within the first 90 days) fee)
£0
10.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
Bank of Scotland Platinum Low Rate Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
10.94%
10.94%
(5% (0% fee if transfer is completed within the first 90 days fee)
£0
10.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
TSB Advance Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 3 months reverting to 12.95%
0% for 3 months
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
The Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
AIB Student Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
12.9%
N/A
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
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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.

Repayment options

You can make manual repayments through Allied Irish Bank (GB)'s app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0345 600 5204). 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

If you've compared your options and wish to apply for an AIB card, you'll need to head to a branch or phone AIB on 0345 600 5204.

Frequently asked questions

What credit limit will I get with the Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card?

If Allied Irish Bank (GB) is able to offer you this deal, the offer will specify a personalised credit limit based on Allied Irish Bank (GB)'s assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on this card is £500 and Allied Irish Bank (GB) does not specify a maximum. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Allied Irish Bank (GB) that you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.

Can I withdraw cash using the Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic 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 Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card is 1.5% (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 £3.75.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 22.79% (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 Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.75% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£171.28), it'll cost you around £4.71 in fees.

What is the minimum payment on the Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card?

Each month you must pay at least 3% of your balance at that point or £5.00 – whichever of the 2 figures is greater. So if you had, say, £150.00 outstanding, you'd pay £5.00, and if you had £666.67 outstanding, you'd pay £20.00.

Paying only the minimum required amount each month is generally not advisable as it tends to be a very expensive way to borrow money which can lead to persistent debt.

Finder credit card ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Our experts score credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like its suitability for its intended purpose, any perks/extras it brings to the table, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.

You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.

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We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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