Homes and Property

Reap credit card rewards

By Lucy Tobin
Banks aren’t known for their generosity, but as the credit card market gets back on its feet, providers are offering a host of new reward cards that are well worth a look - as long as you pay off your balance in full every month.

If you’ve been with the same credit card provider for a couple of years, there’s a good chance you can get a better deal elsewhere. Opt for a card that rewards you with free flights, cash or shopping vouchers when it tots up your total spending at the end of the year. With Lloyds TSB’s Airmiles Duo credit card, for example, spending £386 a week would pay out 6,478 airmiles - enough for four return flights to Rome - at the end of the year.

Spending the same amount on American Express’s platinum cashback card would lead to a payout of £305, while the Barclaycard Platinum would offer £200-worth of shopping vouchers, according to research by confused.com. Play.com’s credit card would pay £202 in gift vouchers for use on the website. But remember these deals are only worthwhile if you clear your balance each month - otherwise, you’re better off applying for a card offering an interest-free overdraft.

More fantastic money-saving tips.



  • London’s epidemic of discounting

    A combination of greedy sellers, nervous buyers and unscrupulous estate agents who promise sky-high prices in order to tempt clients, is being blamed for an epidemic of discounting in the London property market, where a third of all homes for sale have had their original asking price slashed.

  • Only 639 new homes are for sale in Greater London

    The scarcity of land is changing the face of London as offices become homes and commercial centres go residential.

  • Homes gossip

    Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have reduced the price of their magnificent Malibu beach house; and electro-pop pioneer Gary Numan has put his "all pink" cottage, which enjoys acres of woodland in east Sussex, on the market.

  • New Homes Awards 2012: the winners

    From classy commuter mansions to city-centre apartments at NEO Bankside and first-time buys to penthouses, this year’s best new homes were awarded for innovative design, eco living and impressive architecture.

  • New homes bloom in Chelsea

    New townhouses and flats will divert the crowds from Chelsea's annual flower show this year, with the property market in SW3 something of a hardy perennial itself, growing stronger with each year.

  • Secret money-saving tips

    Times are tight but frugal life doesn’t have to be boring. Follow these secret money-savers - from discounts at Starbucks and the cinema, to free kids meals at restaurants.

  • Homes that slash your heating bills by 90 per cent

    The UK’s first “greenhauses” - highly efficient German-designed homes said to slash utility bills by 90 per cent, have been unveiled in west London.

  • The best new homes 2012

    Here we showcase this year's winners of our London Evening Standard New Homes Awards - the capital's property Oscars.

  • Property insider: Islington

    Well-connected Islington is a hotspot for City workers and young professionals who are seeking more space than a Square Mile crash pad without a long commute. We take a property tour of N1 and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

  • New Homes Awards 2012: the winners

    From classy commuter mansions to city-centre apartments at NEO Bankside and first-time buys to penthouses, this year’s best new homes were awarded for innovative design, eco living and impressive architecture.


Advertisement

Sign up for our e-newsletter

Sign up for weekly property news, design trends, decorating & gardening tips, offers and giveaways...

Terms & conditions (Usual opt-out rules apply)

Thank you for signing up

We hope you enjoy the H&P weekly e-newsletter,
which will be delivered to your inbox every Wednesday,
starting soon.

Terms & conditions (Usual opt-out rules apply)

Please try again

Sorry, your email address was entered incorrectly. Please click here to try again.

Terms & conditions (Usual opt-out rules apply)




*