First Direct credit card review
What do First Direct credit cards offer?
First Direct offers two credit cards, including a 0% balance transfer and an interest-free purchase card.
Its Balance Transfer Credit Card offers a period of up to 20 months interest-free with a 2.99% balance transfer fee. The card has a representative APR of 24.9% (variable).
However, you'll need to have a current account with First Direct to take out one of its credit card.
How does First Direct compare to other providers?
First Direct achieved a below-average customer score of 67% in our latest credit card satisfaction survey, coming joint 18th out of 31 providers, alongside Bank of Scotland and the Post Office.
- Find out more Visit our guide to the best credit card providers to read the full survey results and compare First Direct's score with other companies
Is First Direct a good credit card provider?
Our survey also reveals how First Direct customers rated the provider across the following five categories:
| Customer satisfaction category | First Direct star rating |
|---|---|
| Customer service | |
| Application process | |
| Clarity of statement | |
| Transparency of charges and penalties | |
| Ability to manage account online or via mobile app |
Table notes: star ratings out of five show levels of satisfaction for each category. We carry out this survey annually and update our review pages accordingly. Jump to the section on how we review First Direct to find out more about our research.
Your First Direct credit card questions answered
Grace, our credit card expert, answers the top questions people have about First Direct credit cards.
Does First Direct offer an eligibility check?
First Direct doesn't offer an eligibility check. This is because it only offers credit cards to its existing customers.
Do I need to have a current account with First Direct?
You can only apply for a First Direct credit card if you already have an account with the company. You can apply for the credit card through online banking, by phone, or using the app.
Is First Direct a Visa card?
First Direct uses the Visa network for its credit cards, so you will be able to use them to pay in thousands of places in the UK and abroad.
Who owns First Direct?
First Direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank.
How we review First Direct
Here's some more information about our research and the terms we use in this review.
Customer score
Our customer scores for credit card companies are based on an online survey of 3,775 members of the public, conducted in October 2023.
The score is calculated using a combination of overall satisfaction with the brand and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend.
Star ratings
We also ask credit card customers to rate brands on five categories including customer service, application process, clarity of statement, transparency of charges and ability to manage the account online or via a mobile app — so you can get an idea of the quality of service you might receive before you sign up.
Star ratings for each category are calculated independently of each other and the provider customer score.
Providers must receive a minimum sample size of 40 respondents to be included in our customer satisfaction tables.
- Find out more: Which? symbols, logos and ratings explained
Why should you trust Which? research?
We’re not influenced by third parties. We work entirely on behalf of you, the consumer – nobody else. See our statement of editorial independence for more.
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of a provider before committing to any financial products.