Bank Cler Visa Classic

First year free, then CHF 75. Most silver cards charge CHF 100. Plus annual loyalty points.

The Bank Cler Visa Classic combines below-average pricing with an unusual perk: 1,000 loyalty points annually on top of your spending rewards. Most cards offer welcome bonuses then baseline rewards only. Bank Cler rewards you for staying, which adds incremental value over years of holding the card. Also available on the other network: Bank Cler World Mastercard Silver.

Is CHF 75 Worth It?

Most cantonal bank silver cards charge CHF 100. Bank Cler charges CHF 75 (first year free), saving you CHF 25 annually. Over five years, that's CHF 125 plus the free first year. Add the 10,000 welcome Surprize points worth CHF 50-100, and year one is essentially profitable.

The 1,000 loyalty points annually is unusual. That's roughly CHF 5-10 extra each year beyond what you'd earn from spending. Small, but it compounds: over 10 years, you've earned an extra CHF 50-100 that other cards wouldn't provide. For long-term holders, this adds up.

What Actually Stands Out

The loyalty reward structure differentiates Bank Cler from other cantonal banks. You earn 1 Surprize point per CHF 1 spent like everywhere else, but the annual bonus acknowledges ongoing customers rather than just acquisition. It's a philosophical difference in how they treat cardholders.

Travel insurance covers CHF 10,000 trip cancellation and CHF 7,500 trip interruption for trips up to 90 days. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay all work. The 1.75% FX fee is standard. Nothing exceptional, but everything works reliably. Our credit card insurance guide compares coverage across all Swiss cards.

What Most Reviews Miss

Bank Cler positions itself as Switzerland's sustainability-focused bank. The credit card itself doesn't have specific green features (no carbon offsets, no eco-rewards), but if banking with an environmentally-conscious institution matters to you, the card integrates with that broader relationship.

The first year free makes this essentially a risk-free trial. Use it for a year, evaluate whether it fits your needs, cancel before year two if it doesn't. You've lost nothing. Few cards offer this kind of try-before-you-commit structure.

The Bottom Line

A well-priced silver card that rewards long-term loyalty rather than just acquisition. The CHF 75 fee undercuts most competitors, the first year free eliminates risk, and the annual bonus points add value over time. Compare alternatives in our best credit cards in Switzerland guide. Bank Cler also offers this on Mastercard (World Mastercard Silver) with identical benefits.

Verdict: Good choice for Bank Cler customers or anyone wanting a silver card that rewards staying, not just signing up.