Moneyfacts Annual Star Ratings – Personal Current Accounts and Personal Credit and Charge Cards announced

The Moneyfacts 2021 Five and Four Star Ratings for the personal current account and personal credit and charge card sectors have been announced, providing consumers with an easy way of comparing the best products available in these markets.

When choosing what products will be awarded a Five or Four Star Rating, a team of experts at Moneyfacts analysed over 300 fields of information per individual product in the personal current accounts and personal credit or charge card sectors.

Some of the key features that were considered when assessing the ratings include:

Features

• Account management
• Account opening
• Funding
• Card availability
• Credit interest
• Overdraft availability
• Introductory offers
• Direct debit, standing order & cheque book availability
• Penalty charges
• Foreign usage charges
• Text alerts.

Benefits

• Switching incentives
• Cashback
• Travel insurance
• Preferential deals on savings, mortgages, loans & credit card products
• Emergency cash services
• Vehicle breakdown
• Gadget & mobile phone insurance
• Personal concierge
• Discounts on restaurants and leisure attractions.

Flexibility

• Opening and operating options
• Payment options
• Balance transfer availability
• Money transfer availability
• Charges
• Card fees
• Balance & money transfer fees
• Cash withdrawal fees
• Late payment charges
• Foreign usage charges
• Minimum interest charges.

Benefits

• Airport lounge access
• Free emergency card
• Free emergency cash
• Interest-free days
• Loyalty schemes
• Luggage insurance
• Free text alerts
• Extended appliance warranty
• Cashback
• Travel accident insurance
• Flight delay/cancellation insurance
• Enhanced purchase protection.

Samantha Owens, star ratings and personal finance analytics manager at Moneyfacts, said: “Now, more than ever, it is essential for consumers to get the right products for their daily banking, offering the flexibility and protection needed while getting rewarded as much as possible.

“Searching for the best bank account can be a daunting task with the range of accounts on offer, however finding the right one can not only save the consumer money straight away but offer benefits that will help further down the line. The Moneyfacts Annual Star Ratings take away some of this hard work, allowing customers to focus their attention on the most complete products.

“In addition, getting the right credit card in a world where customers are becoming increasingly reliant on online purchases can not only offer more protection, but can be potentially rewarding. Considering the functionality, benefits and incentives on all cards in today’s market, the Moneyfacts Annual Star Ratings highlight those products that may be the most rewarding long-term.”

To see which products have been give a Star Rating visit our personal current account and credit card star rating pages.