Card battle hots up

MIDLAND Bank is joining the battle to persuade card holders to use their cards, writes Vivien Goldsmith.

It will award points for every pounds 10 spent. A variety of offers is promised. For instance, Access and Visa cardholders can reclaim their pounds 12 annual fee for 220 points.

One million of NatWest's 4.5 million cardholders are registered for Air Miles, which reward card users with one air mile for every pounds 20 spent.

Barclays' Profiles scheme awards points for every pounds 10 spent on the card. These can then be spent on goods from a catalogue or saved towards a discount on a Ford car.

More than 3,000 cardholders have already used their points for a car discount. The maximum discount is pounds 1,800 - pounds 600 a year for three years.

The new Ford card is being launched with Barclaycard on 1 April. The pounds 10 annual fee will be waived for the first year.