Best and Worst online user interfaces

[JKSIMMONS]

As many people that frequent this site, I have a few of the major cards and use online banking quite a lot. As everyone knows, not all online user interfaces are created equal and it can have a big impact on which card I pull out of the wallet if it's an apples to apples rewards choice.

I personally think that Discover has an incredible online page and App. It is so intuitive and user friendly and it makes me want to use the card even though it doesn't currently offer me a good rate or reward structure.

AmEx is a close second in my mind and I use this card a lot. No complaints at all.

My NFCU account has become much better since they updated thier online page. NFCU's iPad and iPhone app are great as well.

Now for the loser....Chase. This has to be one of the worst apps and online user interfaces I have every encountered. It's stale, hard to navigate and honestly makes me use a card that has similar rewards instead because it's just that awful. I understand they are updating the app sometime this month. I hope it is a major overhaul because it's embarrassing that a company that big is so far behind.

Anyone else have any good or bad thoughts about any card issuers/banks out there?

[Anonymous]

THere is appearance and then there is functionality.  So the Fidelity Amex (FIA) website is usually panned because it looks so old-fashioned, but works well enough.

Then there are PenFed and US Bank.   Until recently, neither of them showed pending transactions (though US Bank DID on its mobile app).   US Bank updated its website, and now shows pending transactions, just omitting one tiny bit of detail, the amount.  No idea how these passed testing.

[rockinn8]

I agree that the Discover and Amex online interfaces and mobile apps are awesome!  I also agree that Chase is stale in both online and their app.  Hopefully they step it up with their new app sometime this month...also, BOA's app and online pages are simple, nothing flashy, but I do like simple.  I wish all the companies would take notes from Discover though!

Edit:  I forgot to add that although i find the chase app and online page stale, it doesn't affect my usuage of either of my chase cards.  In fact, my new Marriott Premier card is quickly becoming my favorite card, but my Discover IT is still my #1 spend card

[JKSIMMONS]

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@rockinn8 wrote:

I agree that the Discover and Amex online interfaces and mobile apps are awesome!  I also agree that Chase is stale in both online and their app.  Hopefully they step it up with their new app sometime this month...also, BOA's app and online pages are simple, nothing flashy, but I do like simple.  I wish all the companies would take notes from Discover though!

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That's true! I wonder if a card issuer who's primary business is cards has an advantage over bigger institutions like chase, BOA, Wells Fargo etc due to their limited size and focus. Revamping an online design is an enormous task, especially  when there are so many important functions like there are on a banking site. Everything has to work perfectly  or customers will go nutts and it could lead to attrition. With Discover, they only have to make sure the credit card portion works. Same with Amex.  (I know they have other services but they are very small compared to the chase's and the BOA's of the world)

Discover seems like they are going for the younger crowd with their card designs, advertising etc. Having a great app and online design is going to be very important to the younger generation.

[trumpet-205]

I have to say the worst in my experience is Capital One. The website is unstable from time to time.

[bossladymom]

I love NFCU iPhone app! It's so easy & quick

[corymcd88]

I would have to say Chase it is the same interface since '06 when I opened my first account with them.

[JKSIMMONS]

the NFCU iPad app is even better than the iPhone app. I just started using it and it let's you "Drag and Drop" a transfer or a payment. I know it's a little thing but it's awesome. There are so many other features as well.

Now if they will just get some better rewards on their cards. If they made their cash rewards card a BCE type rewards system or made a rotating catagory card, they would be really really hard to beat.

[Gunnar419]

Best: Barclays, simple but highly functional. Easy to find anything you need.

Second best: Discover

Worst: Chase. Both unattractive and hard to find things you need.

[eagle2013]

Barclays seems pretty good as well