Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card review

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Allied Irish Bank (GB) Classic Credit Card Visa
Representative example:
When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 20.64% (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 20.64%
Balance transfer fee 1.5%
Purchases 20.64%
Purchases interest-free period Up to 56 days
Money transfers 20.64%
Cash advances 22.79%
Minimum credit limit £500
Maximum credit limit Subject to status
Additional cards available 1
Potential costs 8.2Great
Extras 5Standard
Overall Finder Score 5.6Standard

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

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

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Product Finder Score Balance transfers Purchases Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive
Finder score
0% for 12 months
(3.49% fee)
24.9
£0
24.9% 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: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility More info
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Finder score
0% for 20 months
(2.99% fee)
24.9
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility More info
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Finder score
0% for 33 months
(3.19% fee)
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: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
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Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card (12 Mths) image
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Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card (12 Mths)
Finder score
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0% for 12 months
(1% fee)
24.9
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
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Tesco Bank Balance Transfer and Purchases Credit Card image
Finder score
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Tesco Bank Balance Transfer and Purchases Credit Card
Finder score
Not yet rated
0% for 18 months
(2.75% fee)
24.942
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
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HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card  image
Finder score
Finder score
0% for 17 months
(3.49% fee)
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: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility More info
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Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card image
Finder score
Finder score
0% for 12 months
(0% fee)
24.9
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Spend with your Santander Mastercard debit or credit card in the UK or abroad from 1 Jul to 31 Dec and get entries into a monthly prize draw to win a European trip for two. You must enter the promotion to take part. T&Cs apply.
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility More info
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Halifax Longest 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card image
Finder score
Not yet rated
Halifax Longest 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
Not yet rated
0% for 29 months
(3.49% fee)
24.94
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.94% p.a. (variable).
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Barclaycard Platinum 21 Month BT and 24 Month Purchase Visa image
Finder score
Barclaycard Platinum 21 Month BT and 24 Month Purchase Visa
Finder score
0% for 21 months
(2.95% fee)
24.9
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Buy tickets for up to 3500 selected live events through Barclaycard entertainment and get 5% off tickets per year and exclusive presale tickets on selected festivals with 10% off ticket prices.
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility More info
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Tesco Bank Clubcard Low Fee Balance Transfer Mastercard image
Finder score
Finder score
0% for 18 months
(0.99% fee)
24.942
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
5 points per £4 spent in Tesco, 1 point per £8 spent outside Tesco and 1 point per £4 spent on Tesco fuel (excluding Esso) plus 1 point for every 1 litre bought. 100 points = £1 in vouchers
Representative example: Representative 24.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 24.9% p.a. (variable).
Check eligibility More info
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Showing 10 of 88 results

Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

Read the full methodology

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Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
9 of 9 results
Product Finder Score Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Key benefit Representative example
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11.46%
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£0
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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: Representative 10.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 10.9% p.a. (variable).
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10.94%
10.94% for months
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0% for 3 months
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12.9%
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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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12.9%
12.9%
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Representative example: Representative 12.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 12.9% p.a. (variable).
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12.9%
12.9%
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12.94%
12.94% for months
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12.9%
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Representative example: Representative 12.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 12.9% p.a. (variable).
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loading
Showing1 - 9 of 9 results

Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

Read the full methodology

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 Defaqto.

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) offers you this deal, it 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) 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 (£172.71), it'll cost you around £4.75 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.

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. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

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