From MoneyWeek · · 2m
Monzo's new credit card auto-invests your cashback
The UK's first card to automatically invest your rewards, but a £180 annual fee makes it a tough sell.
In brief
The UK's first card to automatically invest your rewards, but a £180 annual fee makes it a tough sell. Monzo Aura's auto-invest feature is novel, but you need to spend heavily and pay off your balance monthly to make the £180 yearly fee worthwhile compared to cheaper alternatives. Originally reported by MoneyWeek.
Monzo launches auto-invest credit card
Monzo has released the UK's first credit card that automatically invests your cashback earnings. The Aura card is available to existing Monzo customers aged 18 and over, rolling out gradually.
How the cashback works
You earn 1% cashback on food shopping and 0.5% on everything else, with no upper limit. Cashback is uncapped, so high spenders can accumulate significant rewards.
The £180 annual fee
The card costs £15 per month (£180 yearly). This high fee results in a 64.2% representative APR, though the purchase rate is 29% if you don't pay off your balance monthly.
Included perks worth £360
The card bundles Apple TV (£9.99/month), Google AI Plus (£4.49/month), two airport lounge passes, and two fast-track passes annually. Monzo values these perks at £360 per year.
Auto-invest feature explained
Your cashback automatically invests into ETFs like the FTSE 100, S&P 500, Nasdaq, or commodities like gold and silver. You can toggle the feature on and off anytime.
BlackRock manages investments
Asset manager BlackRock handles the investments and charges a fund management fee deducted from your investment value, not as a separate charge. Investment values can rise or fall.
Competitors offer better value
American Express Platinum gives 5% cashback (up to £125) for three months then 0.75%, with only a £25 annual fee. Santander's card has no fee and offers 3% on travel and dining in year one.
Who should consider Aura
The card suits heavy grocery spenders who want to automate small investments through cashback. You must pay off your balance monthly or interest charges will erase any cashback benefits.
“It's important to pay off debts before interest applies, because interest charges could wipe out the benefits of the cashback offer.”
The big picture
Monzo Aura's auto-invest feature is novel, but you need to spend heavily and pay off your balance monthly to make the £180 yearly fee worthwhile compared to cheaper alternatives.
