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John Lewis: Partnership Card reviews

Name: Partnership Card
Rating: 1.31 (890 reviews)

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1.31

Based on 890 reviews, last reviewed 27th Mar 2026

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

20% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

88%

Latest highest rating:

4

The JLP card offers cashback based upon spending and... The JLP card offers cashback based upon spending and it is possible to generate £100+ cashback per year. Managing the account is straightforward via t... Read more Reviewed on: 22nd January 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

I used my card to pay for petrol at my local Sainsbu... I used my card to pay for petrol at my local Sainsbury's. Later that day I received a message saying there was a suspicion of fraud. A simple glance a... Read more Reviewed on: 27th March 2026

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About this product

Read our John Lewis Finance Partnership Card reviews to help you to find out about the pros and cons of taking out the Partnership credit card. What kind of features does the John Lewis Partnership card have? What do people think of John Lewis' customer service? Does the card have great benefits?

Find out more about the Partnership card by reading our reviews from the Smart Money People community - people like you. You can also write your own John Lewis Partnership Card review to share your own experiences.

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John Lewis Partnership Card reviews (890)

Review of the John Lewis, Partnership Card:

JLP and Newday in cahoots.

Told I'm ineligible - despite >50 years loyal JLP customer, 5 figure credit limit and score excellent - I have after communications with JLP managers concluded that this oust has been orchestrated by JLP. From sources including JLP and Newday websites,, I speculate: JL stores are in financial difficulty, currently supported by Waitrose itself on the brink. It’s not that JLP doesn't want higher spending loyal customers, it sure does; but what it wants is custom that doesn’t sap profits.    With the HBSC JL Partnership card, each £1 spent qualifies for a point, whose number depends upon whether spent at JL and/or W or elsewhere. The more elsewhere the less JLP gets the more it costs JLP. I think it used to be one point for every £1 spent in JLP, two for every £1 elsewhere. Nowadays for some eligible purchases at JL and W 5 points for every £4 spent; and for other eligible purchases at JL and W 1 point for every £4; 1 point for every £4 spent elsewhere. Fewer vouchers for spending elsewhere is not a deterrent. For example, if a card-holder with £5,000 credit limit spends £4000 a month elsewhere then JLP issues vouchers. Vouchers can only be used in JL or W but it doesn't follow the purchase price has to exceed the vouchers value. A cardholder could amass a substantial sum in vouchers without having spent a penny at JL or W. When using vouchers to buy in JL or W not have to buy anything involving any extra payment for the difference between the vouchers and price. JLP would make a loss. JLP says that over the last five years £230m has been issued in vouchers. How much of approximately £126,000 a day average has gone to customers that haven't paid JLP anything. By enlisting Newday to either render higher credit limit existing Partnership cardholders ineligible or where the applicant is eligible a substantially lower limit JLP is reducing the value of vouchers issued. JLP is probably getting a share of any interest paid by new card-holders and paying a lower commission on receivables (transaction sales). JLP I suspect envisages that where an existing Partnership cardholder is rejected that person would obtain a desired credit limit from another card provider and continue to buy from JL/W whenever. Whether enough existing Partnership cardholders would want to continue loyal to JLP is a separate issue. A JLP partner qualifying for discount told me that for most goods and services there are cheaper deals elsewhere. Not a deposit-taker Newday hasn't any revenue beyond credit cards. It borrows to re-lend, loan note interest between 2% and 6+% a year - with interest rates rising costs will go up: for how much longer its business is sustainable is anyone's guess. To finance JLP's transaction, Newday has taken out a loan of £650M. Any cardholder paying the whole balance monthly is getting an interest-free loan from the date of purchase to balance payment date - if you time it carefully then up to 45 days - so for that reason alone an existing JL Partnership cardholder is ineligible. Newday plans to float shares on the stock market next year so boosting the number of cardholders is to impress shareholders. A £5000 credit limit to one card holder (unlikely to pay interest) is akin to £500 limit to 10 card holders (likely to pay some interest). The net proceeds of a stock market float (rumoured capitalisation £2.5Bn) would provide a injection of interest-free cash. The sad part is that JLP could increase its profit margin and number of loyal customers without having to resort to destroying long-term customer relationships with JLP. Instead of the vouchers issued regardless of where a JL Partnership cardholder spends, the vouchers should be linked to the myJohnLewis and myWaitrose cards. Show or scan a my-card before paying and have the voucher value credited to the my-card - and since printing on paper is costly to administer, to issue every JL and W customer a my-card which can be produced by the customer at the check-out for credit and debit with the points/voucher value. Reviewed on: 5th September 2022

new account card with New Day

Have been provided with new card and set up account but it is impossible to activate the new card and there is no telephone assistance as there is clearly a technical problem as the process is going round in a loop. I wasted an hour trying to report it and get support. There is no telephone activation as previously. John Lewis has chosen a very poor provider Reviewed on: 10th September 2022

Not accecpted

Recently I signed up for a new credit card. Gave my details, and boxes duly ticked as being correct, only to be told that I have been declined for this new card. Have requested a credit card from a well-known grocery store without any problems. Reviewed on: 10th September 2022

Won't Bother

We have had joint John Lewis cards for decades. My wife used to work for them. I have had the invite to transfer but I can't be bothered, as other cards, we have, already offer better perks, kept out of loyalty for Waitrose. Looking at all the negative reviews, I assume we are not the kind of customers they want. No financial issues 25K limit cleared every month. Reviewed on: 9th September 2022

Disappointed and annoyed

Like so many people I was irritated that I had to go through the process of applying for a new credit card after holding the existing one since the card was launched in 2004. Like so many others I am now declined a new card after years of faultless credit history, paying off the monthly balance in full. It is all very short sighted of John Lewis and one more reason to shop elsewhere. Reviewed on: 8th September 2022

Declined three times!

Having been told I had to make a purchase to activate, although I keep it for online use only I took it for my weekly shop having memorised the PIN. Three timesthe machine said ‘PIN OK’ then ‘card declined’. SO annoying. Reviewed on: 8th September 2022

New Day Death Knell for John Lewis

Like almost everyone else here I have been declined for a new JL credit card, despite having no debts, owning my home outright, being in work and paying off my balance by direct debit every month. I no longer have a reason to shop with John Lewis and in fact find bigger choice at other retailers, especially for electrical goods. Waitrose will still have some of my custom, but this will be after I have bought all I can elsewhere first. What a stupid decision. Reviewed on: 8th September 2022

Partnership Card

I tried to find out what type of card Newday would issue (Mastercard or visa) as the main reason I had the partnership card was because it was a Mastercard and I carry a visa also. Couldn’t get a response so ditched John Lewis and opted for Virgin Money who assigned a decent credit limit . Reviewed on: 8th September 2022

Feeling insulted and really rather sad!

Like many others - rejected for new card. Had card for many years, no problems, paid on time and in full. Answered truthfully - now retired and ... possible problems ahead ill health etc.... however joint income high enough £50K? Good credit. What is the problem. I have a Tesco card which I can highly recommend - now considering M&S or Sainsburys. Advised husband not to bother with reapplying for John Lewis. Already limiting JLP spending. What a shame - they have been so good in the past. Reviewed on: 7th September 2022

Appalling and no awareness of customer care

Won’t repeat our similar experiences re being loyal, long-standing, solvent customers. As I use the current card I tell anyone in earshot about this stupid and uncaring decision. Have contacted Which magazine and BBC radio 4 You and Yours consumer programme. We don’t have mobiles so as we tend to be older this is probably unlawful indirect age discrimination. Any lawyers out there? My husband has just secured a card with Tesco and with a landline which you can select. Oh if in want of a cosmetic procedure (not) JL will be providing fillers etc. Sounds desperate and agree after this experience, won’t be surprised if the ship is deserted. Just feel sorry for loyal staff who weren’t properly briefed and supported and who are having to face angry and shocked customers as a result of the decisions of their rather out of touch ‘leaders’. Reviewed on: 7th September 2022

Lose of JLP credit card

My Experience / comments on JLP card - change to new provider covered on comments already written by others . Utterly appalling service , I will now go out of my way not to shop JLP in the future . Consequently applied for M & S card - similar points offer , approved instantly ! Conclusion JLP not interested in high spend customers who clear card monthly , their lose on so many levels . Reviewed on: 7th September 2022

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