Morgan Stanley Platinum

You've probably seen the TV advertising for this card which promotes the cashback feature as a way of earning money from the day to day things you'd be buying anyway. While some may think that cashback in general is a bit overhyped, the Morgan Stanley Platinum's offer is pretty strong, with a generous rate of 3% until 1st May 2007, then 1% after that.

If you spend a lot using the card but make sure you pay off your balance every month, so avoiding interest being charged, you could 'earn' a tidy sum from this feature, especially in the first few months. Be aware though that the standard 1% rate only applies to the first £2000 of spending in any one year, and any spending over this amount will only earn a cash back bonus of 0.5%.

Other features of the card include a middle-of-the-road interest rate of 15.9% typical APR, coupled with a long term balance transfer offer of 3.9% fixed until 1st July 2010 - not quite a 'for life' offer, but as close as makes little difference.

Is this Morgan Stanley card for you? The main reason to choose this card is really the cashback feature. If you usually clear your card balance every month, while using the card a lot, then your earnings could mount up. If, however, you carry a balance on the card then your cashback may be cancelled out by the relatively uninspiring APR, and a lower rate card might be a better option.

Morgan Stanley Platinum Card Details

Standard Rate:	15.9% typical APR (variable)
Balance Transfer Deal?	3.9% APR until 1st July 2010
Purchases Deal?	No offer on purchases
Balance Transfer Fee:	1%
Introductory Cashback
Standard Cashback	3% until 1st May 2007, then 1%
Rewards Program?	-
Annual Fee:	-
Interest Free Period:	Up to 55 days on purchases, no interest free period on cash advances
Minimum Repayment:	Greater of 5% of outstanding balance or £5 per month
Minimum Credit Limit:	£500
Notes:	Why not earn from the things you'd buy anyway? Get up to 3% cashback with this platinum card, plus a low balance transfer rate until mid-2010