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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

Completely shocked

I have been a partnership card holder for nearly 20 years and NewDay have refused my application. I can't appeal it despite being a higher tax payer, owning my own home, paying off my balance every month and have a credit limit of £12,000. What on earth were JL thinking joining forces with New Day. Goodbye JL I feel really saddened you no longer want customers like myself. Reviewed on: 3rd September 2022

If only I could give no stars!

Loyal JL and Waitrose customer for well over 10 years. Have held a Partnership card for the majority of those years. Was a bit cheesed off at having to re-apply but dutifully did so and was refused a card. I am a high-rate tax payer, own my own home and have a perfect credit rating. I've never missed a JL payment (or any other payment for anything else for that matter!) Unbelievable and a real smack in the face from JL. Will be reverting back to using Amex who have incredible customer service. Will also be walking the extra 5 minutes to shop at Sainsburys rather than Waitrose. Despicable way to treat loyal customers Reviewed on: 3rd September 2022

Rejected despite 15 years loyalty!

Cannot believe that I was rejected when reapplying for my partnership card. I use this card every single week for my food shopping, always pay the balance in full, never a late payment, excellent credit rating etc. Initially thought I was being rejected for having widowed status but reading other reviews appears I’m not alone. Disgraceful!!! Why on earth wasn’t the transition made seamless for all existing customers? Put in a complaint but not getting anyway so will also complain to Financial Ombudsman (at least then NewDay will get a small fine). Annoyed, embarrassed, stressed and upset that this has happened. Reviewed on: 3rd September 2022

Disgraceful treatment of established customer

I’ve held a Partnership card for about ten years, and have paid off the full balance every month by direct debit since day one. Last year, when we were carrying out a £400k building project on our home, I rang JLFS to ask for an increase in my credit limit from £3k to £10k, to maximise our opportunity to earn points on materials and appliances, including a new tumble dryer and LG flat screen TV bought from John Lewis. The increase was granted immediately, and without question. I had expected a seamless transition to the new card, but my application was declined without reason. I immediately rang the dedicated JLFS helpline, only to be told that the decision was made by NewDay, who would notify me of their reasons by email within 24 hours. Three weeks later, I’m still waiting. This all reflects very badly on the John Lewis brand, and I shall now look elswhere for a replacement credit card. Reviewed on: 3rd September 2022

I too was rejected

I too was rejected for the new card no explanation. Loyal customer pay in full every month and I have no debt I have gone elsewhere Was told to write a letter whe I got through on phone to ask them to reconsider no chance they need to write a letter of apology I think to all there loyal customers making them reapply and for the rejections for god knows what reason Reviewed on: 3rd September 2022

A milestone

As of this morning, the combined total of one-star reviews, here and on Trustpilot, for the new Partnership card has passed one hundred. I await with relish John Lewis's well-deserved future bankruptcy. Reviewed on: 3rd September 2022

So easy to apply and excellent phone App

Wow, the new application process was a breeze. Took just a couple of minutes using the reference given which auto filled in my information. You can link your card to Google pay, was so easy and was offered the same credit limit I had with my old card. Love the new design and since I see many people are declined will make me feel more special with an air of exclusivity! Perfect will be shopping more at JLP and Waitrose, Reviewed on: 2nd September 2022

Disappointing

I too have been declined a ‘ New Day’ credit card with JL and I’m pretty annoyed about it! I have a small pension and savings, I have an exemplary credit rating and have always paid my partnership card on time, for 15 odd years! What on earth is going on? My experience has been much the same as the other reviewers..I rung New Day for an explanation, no joy there but was on hold for 15 mins, probably due to other loyal JL customers kicking off too! I now don’t want a credit card through JL, I will take my money elsewhere. Us retirees, contrary to belief, are often the group that have the most disposable income so I consider this move pretty shortsighted! I’m just glad I found this platform to comment as I realise I’m not the only unjustified reject! Thanks for rewarding me for my loyalty JL and goodbye! Reviewed on: 2nd September 2022

Declined for being a loyal customer!

Had the email arrive today with instructions to apply for new card, the application was declined, no explanation given, phoned the John Lewis support number and they could offer no help either, other than saying they would 'log a complaint ' for me. Have had existing JL credit card since 2004, always cleared balance monthly, and shopped at JL and Waitrose, well not anymore! Am homeowner with perfect credit record. Will switch to another stores loyalty credit card instead. Reviewed on: 2nd September 2022

Not been invited to apply for new Partnership Card

Have held the Partnership card since 2004 and never had any problems usually paying balance off each month. I have an impeccable credit rating and earn a good salary. I have still not received any invitation to apply for the new card. When I contacted JL finance to ask why I was told that I obviously had not been selected to apply for the new card but could apply when applications were open to new customers. I spend a lot of money each month in both JL and Waitrose but will now be looking to shop elsewhere! Reviewed on: 2nd September 2022

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