Saga credit card review

One of its most successful ventures in recent years has been the subscription-only Saga magazine, which is mailed to more than 350,000 subscribers every month. Saga has recently entered the financial products market, with offerings apart from credit cards including equity release, savings, loans and wealth management.

Key features of the Saga credit card

Saga offered just a single credit card, provided by the Bank of Ireland. The card was an “all-rounder” – useful for a variety of requirements rather than being solely focused on a single function.

• 0% foreign currency fees on transactions worldwide

  If you enjoy travelling and spending money abroad, this feature lets you use your card to pay for non-sterling goods and services and you’ll benefit from a 0% foreign currency conversion fee on these transactions.

  Learn more about cards designed for overseas spending

• 0% on purchases

  Cards with an introductory 0% on purchases feature allow you to spread the cost of an upcoming purchase (or purchases). The 0% rate won’t last forever, remember, so you’ll want to aim to clear the balance before the 0% period ends and a significantly higher rate kicks in.

  Learn more about 0% purchase cards

• 0% on balance transfers

  If you have an outstanding balance with another card issuer, that could be charging you a painful amount of interest, it needn’t stop you from switching to a new credit card. A 0% on balance transfers feature lets you bring your outstanding balance over to the new card and enjoy a 0% interest period. Aim to clear the balance before the end of this period, when a higher rate will kick in.

  Learn more about 0% balance transfer cards

Alternatives to a Saga credit card with no charge for foreign transactions

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Name	Product	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Credit rating	Link	Incentive	Representative example
NatWest Credit Card		12.9%	£0	12.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Go to site Read review		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).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Royal Bank Credit Card		12.9%	£0	12.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Go to site Read review		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).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander All in One Credit Card		0% for 15 months reverting to 21.9%	£3 per month	27.7% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Check eligibility Read review	0.5% 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 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 27.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card		21.9%	£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum	40.7% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Go to site Read review	Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 40.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NatWest Reward Black Credit Card		21.9%	£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum	40.7% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Go to site Read review	You'll earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 40.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Yonder Credit Card (only for London residents)		27.71%	£0 for the first 3 months, £15 per month thereafter.	64% APR (variable)	Fair credit ratings considered	Go to site Read review	Welcome offer: First 3 months free membership, thereafter £15 monthly membership fee, plus a sign-up reward of £50 at one of Yonder's partners. Terms apply.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 27.71% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 64% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard		12.9%	£0	12.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review		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).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide Member Credit Card All Rounder		0% for 15 months reverting to 19.9%	£0	19.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review		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...
Halifax Clarity Credit Card Mastercard		19.94%	£0	19.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review	£20 cashback for the 1st purchase made within 90 days of account opening. Available to accounts opened from 9th May 2023. Terms apply.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 19.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide Member Credit Card Balance Transfer		0% for 3 months reverting to 19.9%	£0	19.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review		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...
Virgin Money Travel Credit Card		0% for 9 months reverting to 23.9%	£0	23.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review	Enjoy exclusive offers and rewards on the Virgin Red app.	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).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Barclaycard Rewards Visa		25.9%	£0	25.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review	0.25% after £1 of yearly spend. Cashback paid On request into Card Account. Cashback paid annually or on request. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 25.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 25.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tymit Credit Card		0% for 3 months reverting to 29.9%	£0	29.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review		Representative Example: 29.9% (variable) based on a borrowing of £1200 over 12 months with no annual fee.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bip Credit Card Mastercard		29.95%	£0	29.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
118 118 Money Guaranteed Rate Card		34%	£0	34% APR (variable)	Poor/limited credit considered	Read review		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Aqua Advance credit card		34.95%	£0	34.9% APR (variable)	Poor/limited credit considered	Read review	Reduce your rate over three years if you stay within your credit limit and pay on time. No extra fees on what you spend abroad.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Zopa Credit Card Visa		34.9%	£0	34.9% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tesco Bank Clubcard Plus Credit Card Mastercard		0% for 24 months reverting to 19.944%	£7.99 per month	37.7% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	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 an enhanced rate of 1 point per £1 spent on fuel. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers which can be used towards shopping or exchanged for Partner Rewards. 1 point = 1p (min 250pts)	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.944% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £7.99 per month, your representative rate is 37.7% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander World Elite Mastercard		0% for 18 months reverting to 18.9%	£15 per month	49.8% APR (variable)	Requires a good credit rating	Read review	0.5% on £1 to £3000 of monthly spend. Maximum of £15 cashback paid per month. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.0.5% cashback on monthly spend of up to £3,000. Access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots, no foreign transaction fees, discount on travel insurance.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 49.8% APR (variable).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What benefits can I expect from a SAGA credit card?

• Extra security for online purchases. Saga’s credit card uses the Verified by Visa system, which asks users to set up an extra layer of security, a kind of ‘belt and braces’ approach which means that, even if your PIN is discovered by thieves, it’s more difficult for them to use the card online.
• Online account management. You can keep track of all your card spending, even when you use the Saga credit card overseas, and pay your card bill wherever you are.
• Discounts on Saga cruise ships and holidays. You can get a 5% discount on things you buy on-board when you’re on a Saga cruise, while many of Saga’s resorts also offer cardholders similar, exclusive savings. These vary between resorts, so check when you book.
• Fraud text alerts. A text-only phone number will send an SMS to your mobile if the card issuer notices any activity on your card which it thinks might be suspicious.

Applying for a Saga credit card

It’s quick, easy and secure to apply for a Saga credit card online, and the process takes about 15 minutes.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the Saga credit card, you need to:

• Be aged 50 or over.
• Hold a UK bank account.
• Have a permanent UK address (including the Channel Islands and Isle of Man).
• Have a regular income of over £12,000 a year.

You should ensure that you can meet the monthly repayments, as missed payments incur a charge and could have severe consequences on your ability to obtain future credit.

Why might your application not be approved?

If you meet the broad criteria outlined above, but have a history of bad debt or no credit history, you could be rejected. Also, if you have been made the subject of a CCJ you may not be accepted, and you are unlikely to be given a card if you have ever declared bankruptcy.

Frequently asked questions

• Will I be charged for using a Saga credit card abroad?

  No charge is made for converting a foreign currency into sterling to settle transactions on your account, making the card a good choice for purchases abroad.

• How can I keep track of my account?

  Saga offers online account management, so you can keep track of your card use and spending even when on the move, or on holiday. You can check all your recent transactions, request a replacement card, and carry out a range of other services.

• Is there a minimum income requirement?

  You need to prove that you have an annual income of at least £12,000.

• Can I use my Saga credit card to make contactless payments?

  Yes, but you’ll have to first use your card for a regular Chip & PIN or cash machine transaction before the contactless facility is activated.