MONEY MORSELS

Amex reward cut

AMERICAN Express cardholders will see their cashback cut from August 4. The free Amex Platinum Everyday card currently offers 0.5 pc cashback on spends up to £5,000, and 1 pc on those above this. But from August 4 it will offer 0.5 pc cashback up to £10,000 and 1 pc above this threshold.

Cash withdrawals up

ATM withdrawals are on the rise as Britain escapes lockdown. Twothirds of people surveyed by ATM network Link say they have used cash in the past two weeks.

Keys warning

SOME 3 million house keys are hidden in UK gardens, putting people at risk of intruders. Home insurance giant Admiral found that one in five homeowners hide keys under flowerpots and doormats, while 60 pc do not replace locks after losing house keys.

Electric savings

MOTORISTS who drive electric cars pay £45 less for cover than those with petrol or diesel vehicles, according to Comparethemarket. Analysis of annual premiums by the comparison site found electric vehicle drivers pay £566 on average for car insurance, while petrol and diesel motorists pay £611.

Home move claims

SOME £1.3 billion worth of items were lost, damaged or stolen during a home move last year. Nearly two million people who moved home in 2020 reported possessions did not make it to their new home in the same condition.

Application delays

FAMILIES are being warned of delays of up to 15 weeks to register a lasting power of attorney, which allows someone to make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity. The Office of the Public Guardian blamed the delays on social distancing restrictions.

Safe spaces in branch

TSB has become the first High Street bank to offer ‘safe spaces’ in branches to those suffering domestic abuse as part of a scheme launched by charity Hestia. There will be dedicated areas in 290 branches where individuals can phone a helpline or talk to a friend or family member.

Not much help

TESCO is axing its cashback services at checkouts in some of its supermarkets. The change will only take place at large stores without free cash machines and shoppers can still ask for cashback at customer service desks.

Covid cover gap

ONE in five travel insurance policies does not cover cancellation costs for travellers who test positive for Covid-19, according to ratings site Defaqto. And only 37pc of insurers cover cancellation costs if the traveller has to self-isolate.