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John Lewis: Partnership Card reviews

Name: Partnership Card
Rating: 1.86 (894 reviews)

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1.86

Based on 894 reviews, last reviewed 30th Apr 2026

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

700% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

88%

Latest highest rating:

4

High interest although you gain points using your cr... High interest although you gain points using your credit card whilst shopping in John Lewis Reviewed on: 17th April 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Zero TRUST, and HONESTY Customer service is shocking. A distinct lack of ANY rewards for points earned. You call to say you have recieved zero vouchers depite clocking up ove... Read more Reviewed on: 30th April 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?

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John Lewis Partnership Card reviews (894)

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

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

new John Lewis card

This is just a waste of my time, report the card was no working, this was after I log-in on line and went to a cash machine, did not work on the underground, and also on line today, and I did get a text message to enter, still not working, then had a chat online with them, nothing, then a phone call which COST ME MONEY NOT JOHN LEWIS, and then told up to 8 weeks before, so this card has cost me time and money and not working, so please please go to someone else, and don't waste you time nowhere Reviewed on: 2nd September 2022

Useless

Worked for Waitrose for almost 33 years before taking redundancy in April after the management cull they adopted. I’ve had the Partnership Card almost since its inception with a flawless payment record, but because I’m now taking some time out from working life I don’t qualify for the new one - even though I have a healthy bank balance. Yet another kick in the particulars from a company I gave so much to that now literally couldn’t care less Reviewed on: 1st September 2022

Rejected after more than 35 years

Having used the Partnership card and before that the Peter Jones card for more than 35 years and having paid off amounts each month my wife and I were rejected. Calling Newday provides no answer or a person who has any idea as to the algorithms being used . It seems that anyone who can manage finances well and not have debts on CC is being cut out from the partnership card. Sadly JL seems to forget that we spend large sums of money at Waitrose & JL which I do not see us doing in future. You do not treat long term customers in this way and expect further loyalty. What should happen is that all JL customers who have partnership cards should cancel these as NewDay would then have spent a great deal of money for no return. Newday's actions should be stopped in its tracks - Newday is showing the very unhealthy side of capitalism. The regulator (FCA) should step in. It will be interesting to see if JL management respond to the many comments and the contacts that have been made with the company management. If no, it shows that the Board are fully complicit with NewDays actions - in this case one should then boycott JL group going forward. A very sad day for what was once a greatly revered British institution. Reviewed on: 1st September 2022

Never received the Cards!

Like many others I have been a loyal John Lewis customer for many years. When receiving the information and request to apply for a new account/credit card I did felt it was a little strange, but but trusted the 'John Lewis' brand and made my application. My account was opened very quickly but a month later and I still have not received the card! Two very unproductive phone calls to NewDay, - an automated system so difficult to get to a person to talk to, and when you do eventual get some one they are not interested in your issues or concerns. I'd had many emails, mostly contradictory, and at least two to say if you have not received your card by now please ring! I was just told the card would turn up at some point, and in very pleasant terms stop bothering us! Fortunately I was able to login to my account online and close it. I did receive an email to confirm the account had been closed but no follow up as to the reason for my actions. This is not what we have all come to expect from the John Lewis brand and whichever way you put it the service is badged up as a John Lewis Service. If you are reading this before applying for an account with NewDay please think very carefully before proceeding. Reviewed on: 1st September 2022

Insulting to loyal customers

New application for Newday version of Partnership card refused, despite excellent credit record and holding previous (HSBC) version. No explanation offered, and impossible to get any information from any of the John Lewis/Waitrose, partnership or Newday contact numbers. Feel totally insulted, and have ceased shopping at John Lewis and Waitrose. Reviewed on: 1st September 2022

Accepted but can't use old card and can't use new temporary card

Why on earth have they done this? No doubt lower charges from newday. how to ruin brand trust in one sweeping action. Complained via twitter, will see what the response is Reviewed on: 1st September 2022

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