Fellow Wazuans, please share your experiences with Credit Cards that you use? How much do you pay for it annually? What extra benefits eg. points/lounge access does one get? I have only had an experience with I&M. I was considering getting the Amex from Equity but would like to hear about Alternatives.

My "financial problems" reduced significantly some 3yrs ago when i chopped my credit card to pieces and threw it into the dustbin.

@Museveni. By experience, I meant the only card I have had the chance to deal with. I don't mean a negative experience in any way.

@hardwood That is a good choice, my friend, though I manage my finances well and use the card purely for benefits purposes so I believe I will continue to maintain one ;) Trust yourself :)

@winmak It's good to know you are keen. My knowledge is very limited so I can share what I know.

As of my Gold Card with I&M - No complaints, service is 10/10, whenever I wanted to travel they would activate the card upon instruction for my specific given dates. I have contacted them from abroad for short-term limit raises and they have done so out of goodwill. The little difference making things they did so I appreciate. Don't do online shopping a lot so have no say but I believe should be okay. exchange rates depend on the vendor, in this case, VISA, not so good not so bad. They give some rewards points though I don't see much use of it.

Standard I have heard is solid too, plus for the gold whether an account holder or not. I hear they can even waive first-year changes of over 5k if they see you will use the card a lot. Not bad at all. They also do rewards not sure what they are redeemable for. Though the card has Priority pass membership (Airport Lounge access) which is a thumbs up.

Where I am sort of keen is Amex from Equity, it rewards with Membership Rewards points for every 100 bob you spend and this can be used for flight hotels etc of international brands, a global system so will have an appeal. I mean if there a transaction I will make with cash at Supermarkets/ restaurants etc and pay 100 bob, why not pay with the card and get the points. pay off the balance on the card weekly. This is used by many to their benefits around the world. Though one needs to be an account holder which I am not which is the struggle.

Pre Paid Cards make no sense to me. You pay charges to get the card then for other things etc Just use a debit card. Online companies have issues with a prepaid card because of the use of black money for wrong reasons. For those who really really want a USD/GBP/EUR account. Look up REVOLUT. Fintech at it's best. you even get an EU bank account and Google Rates. Evolve people.

Winmark which prepaid card exactly were you using

which card do we settle for now is there a safe bet card really for matters online shopping?

Standard Chartered Credit Card is the best in the market. A truly international card.

> Lowest interest rate @14% pa
> Cash back on fuel & dining
> Lounge access
> Extended warranty on purchases
> Buyer protections
> rewards points
> VbyV compliant

check out more details here - https://www.sc.com/ke/credit-cards/

Thanks for the clarification.

I&M are always solid.

I do not like credit cards. Their debit cards are very effective allowing online management and swift support.

what challenge exactly did you face with this card that caused you to be blocked am following this thread on some other forums and people tend to be vouching for the NIC prepaid card, Am curious to know what are the downside of using this NIC card and what challenges did you experience yourself?

Kind request to those who are anti-credit cards. I understand your willpower is weak and you may not be good money managers hence I definitely agree you need to avoid credit cards. This thread is for those who have decided they want to learn about the offerings in Kenya please allow them to do so in peace. Whether they are good managers of their money or not, they have shown interest in this so please show some respect.

Very good information Ayush... I will visit the banks and see which one I can get