Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card review 2021

Suitably decorated with a picture of the Great Wall of China, this card lets you earn reward points while spending.

Finder rating: ★★★★★

Potential costs: 4/5
Doing its job: 4/5
Extras: 3.5/5

In a nutshell:

Purchase rate is very competitive.

Reward program is quite limited and not great value.

No reviews yet. Write a review

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 17.1% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £10 per annum, your representative rate is 19% APR (variable).

Chris Lilly

Last Updated Jan 21, 2021

Earn 10 points

per £1 spent

19%

Representative APR

£10

Yearly account fee

Up to 50 days

Interest-free each billing period

Details

Issuer	Bank of China (UK)
Network	Visa
Annual/monthly fees	£10 per annum
Purchases	17.1%
Purchases interest-free period	Up to 50 days
Cash advances	17.1%
Min credit limit	£250
Max credit limit	Subject to status: £10,000
Additional cards available	1
Incentive	Earn 10 points per £1 spent on card; points can be redeemed for selected gifts or card annual fee waiver.

Annual/monthly fees	£10 per annum
Minimum monthly payment	5% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 5% of the outstanding balance.
Foreign usage charge (EU)	2%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world)	2%
Cash advance fee	2% (min. £0)
Late payment fee	£12
Duplicate statement fee	£3
Exceeding limit fee	£0
Additional card fee	£5
Dormancy fee	£0

Minimum Age	18
Availability	Available to existing customers

Review by

Chris Lilly

chris.lilly@finder.com

Chris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.

Expert review

Only available to existing customers, Bank of China’s Great Wall International Classic Credit Card does the job nicely with a decent interest rate and the possibility to get an additional card at a reduced yearly fee.

Provided you don’t carry a balance from month to month, you’ll also enjoy up to 50 days of 0% interest on your purchases each billing cycle. Unlike with most credit cards, this also applies to cash advances.

The reward programme isn’t exactly breathtaking and you can only choose among a very limited catalogue of rewards that don’t translate as very good value for money. However, if you use the card enough you’ll be able to waive the annual fee completely thanks to the points you earn, so as long as you pay the bill on time every month, the Great Wall International Classic Credit Card doesn’t have to cost you a single penny.

The Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card is issued on the Visa network (used by a whopping 3.3 billion cards), so you'll be able to use it at more than 46 million merchants across more than 200 countries and territories.

Pros and cons

Pros

Earn points on day-to-day spending

Cons

£10 annual account fee
Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible
Each additional card incurs a fee (£5)
Only available to existing customers

How does this card compare with other similar cards on the market?

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first

Rewards cards
Low rate cards

Name	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Link	Incentive	Representative example
M&S Bank Rewards Offer Mastercard	0% for 12 months reverting to 19.9%	£0	19.9% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	Double points on spend in M&S for first 12 months (2 points per £1). Then earn 1 point for every £1 spent at Marks and Spencer's and 1 point for every £5 spent elsewhere. 100 points = £1 reward voucher. Points will be converted into reward vouchers 4 times a year.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card	0% for 22 months reverting to 21.9%	£0	21.9% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	Earn 1 point for every £1 spent at Marks and Spencer's and 1 point for every £5 spent elsewhere. 100 points = £1 reward voucher. Points will be converted into reward vouchers 4 times a year.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
M&S Bank Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard	0% for 3 months reverting to 21.9%	£0	21.9% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	Earn 1 point for every £1 spent at Marks and Spencer's and 1 point for every £5 spent elsewhere. 100 points = £1 reward voucher. Points will be converted into reward vouchers 4 times a year.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander All in One Credit Card	0% for 20 months reverting to 17.9%	£3 per month	23.7% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	0.5% cashback after £1 of monthly spend. Cashback paid monthly into card account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 17.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 23.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday Card Finder Award	24.5%	£0	24.5% APR (variable)	Go to site Read review	New Cardmember offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £100) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.5% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1% cashback on purchases.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.5% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Rewards Credit Card Finder Award	24.5%	£0	24.5% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	As a new Cardmember, earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Earn 1 point for every £1 spent thereafter.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.5% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways American Express Card Finder Award	24.5%	£0	24.5% APR (variable)	Go to site Read review	Limited time offer: Earn 10,000 bonus Avios when you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months. Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent. Spend £12,000 annually and get a travel companion voucher when redeeming Avios for a BA reward flight.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.5% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Credit Card Mastercard	21.9%	£24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum	26.8% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	1% Rewards earned on supermarket spend and 0.25% at their petrol stations, at least 1-15% Rewards earned at MyRewards retailers and 0.25% everywhere else when shopping at home and abroad. 5 Rewards is £5 when redeemed. Rewards can be converted into money and transferred to a current account, exchanged for gift cards or tickets with some retailers doubling their value or converted into money and donated to one of the RBS Group chosen charities.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 26.8% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NatWest Reward Credit Card Mastercard	21.9%	£24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum	26.8% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	1% Rewards earned on supermarket spend and 0.25% at their petrol stations, at least 1-15% Rewards earned at MyRewards retailers and 0.25% everywhere else when shopping at home and abroad. 5 Rewards is £5 when redeemed. Rewards can be converted into money and transferred to a current account, exchanged for gift cards or tickets with some retailers doubling their value or converted into money and donated to one of the RBS Group chosen charities.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £24 per annum. Reward or Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 26.8% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Platinum Cashback Card Finder Award	24.5%	£25 per annum	29.8% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	As a new Cardmember, get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.75% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1.25% cashback on purchases.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £25 per annum, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The American Express Nectar Credit Card Finder Award	24.5%	Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £25 per annum	29.8% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	Earn 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first 3 months. Earn a minimum of 3 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 Nectar points for virtually every £1 spent elsewhere.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £25 per annum (waived in year one), your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Finder Award	24.5%	£75 per annum	41.6% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	Earn 20,000 points bonus when you spend £3,000 in the first 3 months. Earn 2 points per £1 spent and 6 points per £1 of eligible spend at Marriott properties.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £75 per annum, your representative rate is 41.6% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card Finder Award	24.5%	Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £140 per annum	59.9% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	Limited Time Offer: Earn 30,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £3,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. Offer ends 9 November 2021.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a. with an annual fee of £140 (£0 in first year), your representative APR is 59.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways American Express Premium Plus Finder Award	24.5%	£250 per annum	101.1% APR (variable)	Check eligibility Read review	As a new Cardmember, earn 40,000 bonus Avios when you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. Earn 3 Avios for per £1 spent directly with BA and 1.5 Avios per £1 spent elsewhere.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.5% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £250 per annum, your representative rate is 101.1% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The American Express Green Card Finder Award	N/A (this product is a charge card).	£60 per annum	N/A (this product is a charge card).	Check eligibility Read review	1 point earned for virtually every £1 spent. Rewards points can be used as currency to buy flights and package holidays through American Express Travel. Reward points can also be redeemed for a wide range of products, experiences, travel and hotel stays. If you're an existing Cardmember, invite your friends to join American Express and you'll get 5,000 points if they are approved.		Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card Finder Award	N/A (this product is a charge card).	£575 per annum	N/A (this product is a charge card).	Check eligibility Read review	Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £6,000 in your first six months of Cardmembership.		Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tesco Bank Low APR Card	9.942%	£0	9.9% APR (variable)	Read review	1 point per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco, must have available credit to earn points. Card can also be used as a Clubcard to collect standard points at 1 point per £1 spent on shopping and 1 point per £2 spent on fuel. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers which can be used towards shopping or exchanged for Partner Rewards.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.942% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Co-operative Bank Members' Credit Card Visa	18.3%	£0	18.3% APR (variable)	Read review	1p earned for every £2 spent in The Co-operative Food stores (excluding in-store concessions) and 1p earned for every £3.33 spent anywhere else. Cashback will be added to your share of the Group profits and this will be paid to you twice a year.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.3% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.3% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
John Lewis and Waitrose Partnership Mastercard	0% for 9 months reverting to 18.9%	£0	18.9% APR (variable)	Read review	Earn 5 points for every £4 spent in store or online at John Lewis, Waitrose and John Lewis Insurance. Earn 1 Point for every £4 spent elsewhere. Vouchers issued once customer reaches 500 points in Feb, Jun or Oct when vouchers are automatically issued to customers. Every 500 points is worth £5.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
AIB Options 1 Credit Card	18.9%	£0	18.9% APR (variable)	Read review	0.5% after £5000 of yearly spend. Minimum of 12 transactions per year required. Maximum of £250 cashback paid per year. Cashback paid Anniversary into Card Account. For initial £5K a £25 cashback is paid, plus an additional £1 for every further £200 spent.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

Name	Purchases	Balance transfers	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Incentive	Link
The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Credit Card	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).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
MBNA Long Term Low Interest Credit Card	4.9% for 48 months reverting to 8.9%	4.9% for 48 months (0.5% 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).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
TSB Advance Credit Card Mastercard	0% for 3 months reverting to 9.95%	0% for 3 months (0% fee)	£0	9.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tesco Bank Low APR Card	9.942%	10.362% (3.99% fee)	£0	9.9% APR (variable)	1 point per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco, must have available credit to earn points. Card can also be used as a Clubcard to collect standard points at 1 point per £1 spent on shopping and 1 point per £2 spent on fuel. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers which can be used towards shopping or exchanged for Partner Rewards. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.942% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Lloyds Bank Platinum Low Rate Credit Card	9.94%	9.94% (5% fee)	£0	9.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Halifax Credit Card Mastercard	9.93%	9.93% (5% fee)	£0	9.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.93% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bank of Scotland Platinum Low Rate Credit Card	9.93%	9.93% (5% fee)	£0	9.9% APR (variable)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 9.93% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 9.9% APR (variable).	Read review	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

Repayment options

You can make manual repayments through Bank of China (UK)'s app, by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (020 7282 8763). 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 credit cards and decided this is the one that works best for you, you can apply at one of the five branches that Bank of China has in the UK.

In order to be eligible, you have to be 18 or more and hold a Bank of China current account with a good credit history. To complete the application, you'll need to bring the following:

A completed application form. You'll need to download it from Bank of China's website and complete it with your personal details and details of your employment.
Proof of ID. Such as your passport.
A bank statement. It has to cover the last three months.
Proof of employment. For example, your job's contract and payslips.

Unfortunately, no online application process is available for this card.

Frequently asked questions

What credit limit will I get with the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card?

If Bank of China (UK) is able to offer you this deal, the offer will specify a personalised credit limit based on Bank of China (UK)'s assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on the card is £250, while the maximum is £10,000. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Bank of China (UK) that you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.

Can I withdraw cash using the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International 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 Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card is 2%.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 17.1% (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 50 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).

How much does it cost to use the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£168.93), it'll cost you around £3.38 in fees.

What is the minimum payment on the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card?

Each month you must pay at least 5% of your balance at that point or £5.00 – whichever of the two figures is greater. So if you had, say, £90.00 outstanding, you'd pay £5.00, and if you had £400.00 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.

Can I request an additional Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card?

Yes, you can request one more. Each card comes with an additional fee of £5. Plus, with additional cards, you could earn points at a faster rate. Bear in mind that card debt accrued by additional cardholders is the sole responsibility of the account holder – not the additional cardholder.

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Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Classic Credit Card review 2021