Like it or not, Christmas is fast approaching and if you want to spread the cost of your Christmas shopping, now could be the time to apply for a 0% purchase credit card. Our top pick right now is from Barclaycard as it offers up to 21 months interest-free on purchases, giving you plenty of time to pay off your spending without racking up interest.
If a 0% purchase credit card isn’t what you’re looking for, you could check out 0% balance transfer, travel, credit builder or rewards credit cards instead. We’ve rounded up the best deals on the UK market at the moment.
Which are the best credit cards at the moment?
Our experts put the full UK credit card market to the test and picked out the best credit cards available for September 2024 listed below.
No foreign transaction fees Over a year to spread the cost of purchases Earn 0.5% cashback
To choose the best card for each category shown above, our experts analysed rates, features and perks for cards from the current credit card market. If we show any "promoted" picks, these are based on factors that include special features or offers and the commission we receive. You can read our full methodology here. Further down the page are our credit card editor's top picks for different categories. Keep in mind that our picks may not always be best for you – it's important to compare for yourself and find a card that does the job you need it to do.
Our expert says: Credit and loans expert Michelle Stevens explains how to pick the best credit card
"When choosing a credit card I would first think about what it is you want from it - do you want rewards for spending, an interest-free period on a large purchase, or to transfer an existing balance from a different credit card?
Then find the providers that offer that particular type of credit card and compare the different features, fees and rates of those cards, to find the one that best suits your needs.
You can then use an eligibility checker to make sure you qualify for the card you've chosen before you make an application - as it's during the formal application process that you will be hard credit checked, which will be then recorded on your credit file."
Interest-free periods: 0% interest on purchases for 21 months. 0% interest on balance transfers for 20 months with a fee of 2.99%.
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: This versatile all-rounder from Barclaycard gives you a lengthy break from interest on both purchases and balance transfers. With no annual fee and a low reverting purchase rate, it can help keep the cost of your purchases down.
Need to know: The 0% offer is restricted to new cardholders, and transfers must be made within 60 days of account opening. You'll need to earn at least £20,000 per year and have a fairly good credit score to apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Benefits: If you’re comfortable paying an account fee, Tesco Bank offers up to 2 years for successful applicants to spread the costs of purchases. Plus, you could earn Clubcard points on all your spending.
Need to know: This card does come with a monthly account fee of £7.99 per month, and you'll need to be a Tesco Plus subscriber to apply for this card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £7.99 per month, your representative rate is 37.7% APR (variable).
Benefits: If you're open to something new, the Monzo Flex credit card offers the option to spread purchase costs over 3, 6, or 12 months, blending buy now, pay later with a traditional credit card. If you pay in full monthly or over 3 months, you could be eligible for 0% purchases.
Need to know: To be eligible for this card, you’ll need to have an existing Monzo account.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29% APR (variable).
0% purchase credit cards let you make purchases up to your credit limit and then pay 0% interest on them for a promotional, introductory period. At the end of this period, any outstanding balance will start to accrue interest at the card's standard purchase rate, which will be much higher.
If you're anticipating a major upcoming expenditure – perhaps a new car or getting hitched, then a 0% purchase credit card could be the best credit card for you, letting you spread the cost without incurring interest.
How good is the 0% purchase offer? Purchases offers feature 0% interest during the promotional period only, so you'll want to consider how long the promotional period lasts. Check to see if the 0% rate applies to purchases made at any point during the promotional period or if it only applies to purchases made within a specified window from account opening.
What's the revert rate? When the promotional 0% period is up, you'll start being charged interest on any outstanding balance. If there's a chance you won't clear your balance before this point, then the rate that your balance reverts to should be a consideration. Yes, you could apply for a new 0% deal at this point, but acceptance is never guaranteed.
What fees apply? Some cards come with an annual or monthly fee, although these tend to be the more premium rewards cards. Other fees you could find yourself hit with include cash advance fees and non-sterling transaction fees.
Are you eligible? The longest 0% deals on the market are likely to be restricted to individuals with good credit. Most card issuers now offer a "soft search" facility though, so you can find out if you're eligible without affecting your credit score. It's not unusual for applicants with less-than-perfect credit scores to be offered a shorter 0% deal.
What other features does the card come with? While the details of the 0% purchases deal are likely to be your main focus, some cards will have other features might benefit you. For example, a Sainsbury's Bank or American Express credit card might reward your spending with Nectar points.
Benefits: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months of Cardmembership and 0.5% thereafter (or 1% on annual spend over £10,000). Earn £20 cashback for each friend you invite (provided they're approved).
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: An accessible and easy-to-use card that rewards your everyday spending with cashback. With no annual fee, you can also keep your costs low, provided you pay off your balance in full each month.
Need to know: If you don't pay off your balance in full every month, you're likely to pay more in interest than you'd earn in cashback, and a 0% purchase or low rate card might be more suitable for you. You'll need to spend £3k per year to qualify for cashback on every £1 you spend using the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Benefits: 0.5% cashback is one of an array of benefits (along with 0% on purchases for 15 months and fee-free overseas spending) that come in exchange for a fee of £3 per month (spend £600 per month and your cashback outweighs it).
Need to know: You’ll need to have a good credit history to be eligible for this card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).
Benefits: Although its cashback rates are not as high as some deals on the market, it makes up for this by not charging an annual fee or capping the amount you can earn. Plus, as a new customer, you could earn up to £20 introductory bonus cashback.
Need to know: Unlike other cashback credit cards on the market, cashback is paid into your credit card account every January. This could help reduce balance, but it won’t count towards your minimum payment.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 22.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 22.9% APR (variable).
Cashback credit cards reward you for spending in the form of pounds or credit on your account. How much you can earn will depend on the card's "earn rate", plus any "earnings caps". Cards that are affiliated with a brand may offer a better earn rate when you spend with that brand, and in some cases, cards come with an introductory enhanced earn rate for a specified period or an enhanced earn rate once your spending has exceeded a specified threshold.
Cashback cards are the best credit cards for big spenders who clear their balance in full every month and who prefer the simplicity of cash rewards instead of point rewards will stand to benefit the most from this type of card.
What's the earn rate? Be realistic about how much you'd actually use the card, and calculate how much this would earn you, considering both the earn rate plus any caps or restrictions on cashback. It's not unusual for the earn rate to vary depending on where you use your card and/or how much you spend.
Is there a cap on earnings? Many cashback cards limit the total cashback you can earn over a specified period.
Is there a minimum spend? Sometimes, you'll need to spend a certain amount within a specified timeframe to maximise cashback earnings.
Is there an introductory promotion? Cashback cards sometimes come with a juicy bonus – typically an enhanced earn rate for a specified period. It might be that the "best" cashback option will only be the best for a certain period...
Do you actually earn cashback (account credit) or vouchers? Watch out for cards billed as offering cashback that issue vouchers (with restrictions on where they can be redeemed). Not really the same, is it?
How much will the card cost to run? Interest rates on purchases tend to be quite high with this type of credit card, so if you carry a balance from month to month, the interest will probably outweigh the cashback earnings. Check whether or not the card you're considering has a monthly or annual fee.
Are you eligible? Some deals will be restricted to individuals with good credit. Most card issuers now offer a "soft search" facility, however, so you can find out if you're eligible without affecting your credit score.
What other features does the card come with? While the cashback terms are likely to be your primary focus, some cards will have other features might benefit you.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card
Finder Score: 4.0 ★★★★★
Benefits: 2 complimentary airport lounge visits every year, 20,000 Membership Rewards Points welcome bonus (provided you spend £3,000 in your first 3 months), plus an otungoing earn rate of 1 point per £1 spent.
Account fee: Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum.
Why we like it: Amex is working super hard to entice and retain new customers, coming top in our latest customer satisfaction survey. This statement rewards card offers points by the bucketload – when you join, as you spend, when you refer friends or add an additional cardholder, and also on the anniversaries of your being a cardholder. Plus, there are more perks to unlock through the app. Did we mention travel inconvenience and travel accident insurance (subject to enrolment)?
Need to know: While accepting Amex is increasingly becoming the norm, some places still only take Visa or Mastercard.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum, your representative rate is 88.8% APR (variable).
Benefits: Enjoy a 10,000-point welcome, then earn points on all your day-to-day spending with no annual fee. Refer friends to earn even more point bonuses. A great first rewards credit card with an engaging app.
Need to know: If you’re likely to carry a balance over month to month, you might end up paying more in interest than the value you’ll get out of the rewards programme.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Benefits: With the Yonder credit card you can earn 5 points for every £1 you spend. These points can then be redeemed on meals out, flights and selected theatre tickets. The Yonder credit card has a £15 per month fee, but there’s currently a 10,000 points introductory bonus for signing up, plus you’ll get your first month free.
Need to know: The Yonder credit card is only available in London, Manchester, Bristol, Bath and Birmingham, although it is looking to expand. If you don’t want to spend £15 per month on the card fee, Yonder also has a free version of its card, where you earn 1 point for every £1 spent.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 66.7% APR (variable).
Rewards credit cards offer points or cashback based on the amount you spend and may also offer an introductory "welcome" bonus. Your points "earn rate" may vary according to where you use the card – a Tesco reward card will earn you points at a higher rate when you use it in Tesco, for example. You can typically redeem your points for shopping, travel, gift vouchers, etc. Premium rewards cards may bundle in other perks, like airport lounge access or flight upgrades, for example, but this could be offset by an annual fee, in which case you should weigh up whether the benefits would outweigh the running costs.
Big spenders who clear their balance in full stand to benefit the most, and because these cards are often affiliated with a brand, for example, John Lewis or Sainsbury's, if it's a brand that you regularly spend money with, you're likely to appreciate the rewards more. If you don't clear your balance each month, you could be earning more in interest.
What kind of rewards do you want to redeem? Reward programmes differ greatly in the variety of rewards they offer, from flights to shopping, gift cards and experiences. If the rewards on offer appeal to you, great. If they appeal to you and they stand to save you money, that's even better.
What's the earn rate? Check how many points a card offers per £1 spent. It's not unusual for the earn rate to vary depending on where you use your card and/or how much you spend, so be realistic about how many points you'll accrue.
Is there a bonus on account opening? Rewards cards very often come with an introductory sweetener, like a lump sum of reward points or an enhanced earn rate for a limited period.
Is there a cap on points earnings? Many rewards credit cards also have points caps that only allow you to earn a specified amount of points during a statement period or over a year.
Is there a minimum spend? Sometimes you'll need to spend a minimum amount within a specified timeframe to enjoy that introductory bonus or to unlock the best earn rates.
How much will the card cost to run? The right rewards card for you should earn you more than it costs to run. Weigh up any annual/monthly fee (plus any interest charges you anticipate incurring) against the value of any rewards you expect to earn.
Is this a card for the short term or the long term? The best credit card deal for you might only be the best for a short time. Your strategy might be to get the card, spend the minimum necessary to bag any introductory rewards, then ditch it. Or, you might not want the hassle of changing cards every year or so. Whether you're more interested in the short view or the long view will impact the importance of any introductory bonuses to you.
Are you eligible? Most card issuers now offer a "soft search" facility so you can find out if you're eligible without affecting your credit score.
What else can the card do for you? Check the other features of the card, such as complimentary insurance, airport lounge passes or balance transfer offers.
Benefits: 0.25% cashback on everyday spending, fee-free currency conversion on non-sterling transactions and cash withdrawals.
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: The Barclaycard Rewards Visa card has replaced Halifax Clarity as our top credit card pick for travel. It's one of a few cards offering commission-free non-sterling cash withdrawals in addition to the more common commission-free card spend, all with no account fee and some cashback. If you do use it to withdraw cash overseas, this part of your balance will benefit from the usual 0% interest grace period.
Need to know: Making cash withdrawals using a credit card can hurt your credit score, so it's still best avoided. If cash is key on your trip, consider taking some foreign currency with you or backing this card up with a debit card that charges no fees on non-sterling transactions.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.9% APR (variable).
Benefits: The nation's go-to holiday credit card charges no non-sterling transaction fees on purchases or cash withdrawals made overseas. Otherwise, an extremely standard credit card.
Need to know: There are still some fees you’ll need to look out for – such as cash advance and foreign ATM fees.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Benefits: A generous intro bonus (20,000 points) and ongoing rewards for regulars at Marriott properties, where you can earn 6 points per pound spent.
Need to know: This is an expensive option if you’re likely to carry a balance over month to month.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £95 per annum, your representative rate is 54.8% APR (variable).
These credit cards are designed to make it more affordable to spend money overseas or online with international retailers. Unlike most debit and credit cards, they don't charge a foreign transaction fee when you use your card to spend in an international currency. Currencies will usually be converted using the standard Mastercard rate or Visa rate. Just remember that "fee-free" does not mean "interest-free".
When you're using one of these cards, don't forget that if a merchant/bank abroad offers to take payment in sterling (this is called dynamic currency conversion), you should decline and choose to pay in the local currency. Otherwise, it will be the local bank or merchant whose currency conversion fee structure will apply rather than your card issuers.
If you're a frequent traveller, have a holiday coming up or regularly use your credit card for shopping with international stores online, a no foreign transaction fee card could be a smart way to avoid extra costs.
Does commission-free currency conversion apply to the country you're visiting? While there are plenty of cards offering fee-free spending overseas, some will restrict this to Europe. Sometimes the quickest way to get to the bottom of this one is to look for the card's "summary box" (all card issuers are obliged to provide this standardised document).
What network is the card on? There's no getting away from it – Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks. If a merchant takes plastic, it probably takes Visa and Mastercard. If you're all about Amex, then bear in mind these are expensive to use overseas, and it could be worth backing it up with a travel-focused Visa or Mastercard.
What point is interest charged from? Usually, provided you clear your balance in full each month, you can enjoy up to 55 or 56 days interest-free on your purchases. However, it's not unusual for non-sterling transactions to incur interest from the day on which your account was debited, regardless of your repayment habits.
What fees will apply if you withdraw cash abroad? Withdrawing cash on a credit card should be avoided – it can impact your credit score. But if you're going to do it (perhaps if you're heading to a country with a largely cash-based economy), does your credit card's commission-free currency conversion promise apply to cash advances? And is there a flat fee for cash advances? Do you still avoid paying interest on cash advances, provided you pay off your balance in full each month? Finally, don't forget that whatever your card issuer's policy is, a bank overseas may still charge you for the privilege of using their cash machine.
Are there any travel perks? If you're looking to use your card overseas, see if it can offer further savings/earnings like complimentary credit card travel insurance. The insurance available and eligibility requirements differ from card to card, so comparing options will help you make sure the cover is right for you. Other travel perks that could come with a no foreign transaction fee card include rewards programmes and airport lounge access.
How much will the card cost to run? You may be saving on foreign currency conversion fees, but you'll want to make sure any interest or annual/monthly account fees that you stand to incur don't outweigh these savings. It's not unusual for a travel credit card to be your "second" credit card – in other words, you might have one card for use at home and one for using when you're out of the country.
Are you eligible? Some deals will be restricted to individuals with good credit. Look for a "quick check" or "eligibility checker" facility, so that you can find out if you have a decent shot at getting approved.
Barclaycard Platinum 28 Month Balance Transfer Visa
Finder Score: 3.8 ★★★★★
Interest-free period: 0% interest on balance transfers for 28 months with a fee of 3.45%.
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: With the longest 0% deal on the market right now, there’s no doubt why Barclaycard took the balance transfer crown this month. To enjoy this interest-free period, you’ll need to make your transfers within the first 60 days.
Need to know: The main catch with this card (as with all the longest balance transfer deals) is the balance transfer fee. If you don't need the full 28 months to clear your debt, then think about the no-fee deal below. Secondly, if you don't have good enough credit, Barclaycard may offer you a shorter 0% period (potentially only half as long). Finally, there's the very-standard-but-still-painful revert rate, which applies to any outstanding debt after 28 months. If you haven't cleared your balance by that point, it'll be time to balance transfer again, if possible.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Balance transfer credit cards let you move existing credit card debt to a new card at a different bank, where you'll enjoy 0% interest on the balance for a set period. At the end of this introductory 0% period, the card's standard rate kicks in – which is typically much higher. Provided you don't use them for additional spending, these cards allow you to clear debt faster because all of your monthly repayment goes towards the outstanding balance. The catch? There's generally a "balance transfer fee" to pay - which is a percentage of the balance you're transferring.
If you have existing credit card debt that's accumulating interest, a balance transfer deal can help you to pay off that debt faster (and more cheaply).
How long is the balance transfer offer? Divide your outstanding debt by the number of months at 0%, and you'll see how much you'd need to pay each month to clear your debt.
How much is the balance transfer fee? Balance transfer deals usually come with a balance transfer fee, which is a percentage of the amount being transferred – typically around 3%. That becomes more significant if you're transferring a large balance. Fee-free balance transfer deals are available but have shorter 0% interest periods.
Are there any limitations? Check whether the 0% rate only applies to transfers within a specific window from account opening. For example, a card's promotion might be worded: "0% interest for 24 months on balances transferred within 60 days from account opening".
What's the revert rate? When the promotional 0% period is up, you'll start being charged interest on any outstanding balance. If there's a chance you won't clear your balance before this point, then the rate that your balance reverts to should be a consideration. Yes, you could apply for a new 0% deal at this point, but acceptance is never guaranteed.
What other fees apply? The vast majority of balance transfer cards don't charge an annual fee. If you're going to use the card for additional spending (ideally avoid this), then other types of fees might apply – such as cash advance fees or non-sterling transaction fees.
Are you eligible? The longest 0% deals on the market are likely to be restricted to individuals with very good credit. Look for an "eligibility checker" so that you can find out if you're eligible without affecting your credit score. It's not unusual for applicants with less-than-perfect credit scores to be offered a shorter 0% deal. Because it's all about acquiring new customers, you'll need to be moving the debt from a different banking group (you can't balance transfer from First Direct to HSBC, for example).
What other features does the card come with? While the details of the balance transfer interest deal are likely to be your primary focus, some cards will have other features might benefit you. For example, Sainsbury's Bank or American Express credit card might reward your spending with Nectar points.
Benefits: Collect 1 Avios for every £1 you spend plus a 5,000 Avios welcome bonus if you spend £1,000 in your first 3 months. You'll also bag a companion voucher (use this to take a companion with you on the same flight) if you spend £12,000 in a membership year (membership years start and end on the anniversary of taking out the card).
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: With no annual fee, this is a great introduction to collecting air miles. You can also opt for the Premium Plus version for an even better earn rate and heftier intro bonus in return for an annual fee. If what you'll earn in rewards outweighs the annual fee, then that could be a smart choice.
Need to know: If you're not going to pay off your balance in full each month, chances are you'll pay more in interest than you'll earn in air miles. If that sounds like you, you could consider a 0% purchase or low rate deal instead.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Frequent flyer credit cards let you earn frequent flyer points or air miles on everyday purchases, either directly or by transferring card reward points to your chosen airline loyalty programme e.g. Avios. These cards tend to be more premium options, so there's often an annual fee to consider, but chances are it'll be offset by some tasty perks.
Frequent flyer cards are suited to anyone who wants to maximise their points total to enjoy free flights and other benefits. Frequent flyer cards are also suited to those who spend a lot on their credit card but also clear their balance in full each month stand to benefit the most. Naturally, frequent flyer cards are the best credit cards for those who travel (or plan to travel) often.
Which frequent flyer programme is available? Some credit cards are tied directly to a specific airline rewards scheme, such as Virgin's Flying Club or Lufthansa's Miles & More. Others allow you to transfer credit card reward points to partner frequent flyer programmes. Lloyds Bank, for example, offers a card that earns Avios, which can be redeemed with a number of airlines.
What is the points earn rate? The earn rate is the number of points you earn per £1 spent. It's not unusual for the earn rate to vary depending on where you use your card and/or how much you spend. Sometimes, there are limitations to what purchases are eligible for points, so make sure you read your card's T&Cs.
Is there an introductory promotion? These cards often come with a "welcome bonus" – either a lump sum of points or a better points earn rate for a specified period.
Is there a cap on points earnings? Check whether there's a cap on how many points you can earn each month or each year.
Is there a minimum spend? Sometimes, you'll need to spend a certain amount within a specified timeframe to maximise points/miles earnings.
How much will the card cost to run? Is there an annual/monthly account fee to pay, and if there is, do the potential rewards outweigh this? If you anticipate carrying a balance from month to month, what interest rate will you be charged?
Are there any other perks? What other features do you want from your card? Does it come with perks like complimentary insurance or airport lounge access?
Are you eligible? Most card issuers now offer a "soft search" facility so you can find out if you're eligible without affecting your credit score.
Benefits: Designed for customers with a less-than-perfect credit record or simply not much in the way of credit history, Tesco offers a popular card to help you build your credit.
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: Credit Builders rarely offer much in the way of perks, but Tesco's Foundation card lets you earn Clubcard points on day-to-day spending (at Tesco or elsewhere). It also lets you track your credit score through Tesco Bank CreditView.
Need to know: The card's standard interest rate is relatively high, making it an expensive option if you don't clear your balance in full each month. Ideally, you should set up a direct debit to clear your full balance each month (Tesco Bank can do this for you). Expect a low initial credit limit – from £250 to £1,500, depending on Tesco Bank's assessment of your situation. After a few months, you may be able to request an increase if you've made all repayments on time.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
Benefits: Earn money-saving rewards on day-to-day spending. Plus, new customers can earn up to £20 back in Asda Pounds. You must apply by 13 May 2024 and meet the eligibility criteria.
Need to know: You may be offered an opening credit limit as low as £250.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).
Benefits: Up to 6 months 0% interest on purchases (depending on eligbility) and price promise benefit – meaning a 3% interest rate reduction if you repay on time for your first year and 2% reduction if you do the same in year 2.
Need to know: You may be offered a personalised opening credit limit as low as £50.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 33.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 33.9% APR (variable).
Credit builders are simple credit cards designed to improve credit scores for people with bad or no credit history. Expect low starting credit limits that can be quickly reviewed provided the card is used responsibly. This type of card will often be a "stepping stone" product to credit products with a better interest rate.
Credit builder cards are best suited to first-time credit card users or those looking to rebuild a poor credit record to increase their credit score.
Are you eligible? Start by checking whether you're likely to be able to get approved for the card. Most card issuers offer a "soft search" facility so that you can find out if you're eligible without affecting your credit score.
How much will the card cost to run? These types of cards tend not to charge annual fees, but you should aim to pay off your full balance every month, as the standard interest rates tend to be high.
What credit limits are available, and when are they reviewed? Credit builder cards tend to come with lower credit limits than other cards, but provided you use them responsibly, this will typically be reviewed after a specified interval. Limits are tailored to the individual, but a card issuer may declare the minimum and maximum credit limits available with a particular card.
Does the card have any perks? Credit builders clearly aren't about the rewards, but a select few do let you collect points on your spending or offer fee-free spending overseas.
Interest-free periods: 0% interest on balance transfers for 12 months with a fee of 2.9%. 0% interest on money transfers for 12 months with a fee of 4%. 0% interest on purchases for 12 months.
Account fee: £0.
Why we like it: This specialised card lets you move funds to a different account and avoid paying interest (you'll just pay the one-off transfer fee), and this is one of the longest deals around. Unlike other 0% offers, money transfer deals give you much more flexibility – great if you need to pay several parties in cash, for example.
Need to know: The 4% money transfer fee reverts back to 5% after the 12-month 0% period. You'll need to have a good credit to apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
A 0% money transfer card allows you to make transfers from the credit card to your bank account and won't charge interest on this balance for a specified period. After the 0% period, the card's standard rate kicks in, which is invariably much higher.
If you want to clear a big overdraft or pay off a loan, a money transfer card could be a low-cost way to do so. They're also useful when you need to transfer money to individuals or when you need to make payments in cash.
How long is the money transfer offer? Most current money transfer offers feature 0% interest for a promotional period, which could potentially be over two years. Work out how much you need to transfer and how much you expect to be able to repay each month to get an idea of how long you need.
Is there a transfer fee? Typically, these cards have a money transfer fee of around 3%, which for larger transfers could get painful. It is possible to find fee-free money transfer deals, but these usually won't have the very longest 0% periods on the market.
Are there any limitations? Check whether the 0% rate only applies to transfers within a specific window from account opening. For example, a card's promotion might be worded: "0% interest for 24 months on transfers in the first 3 months".
What's the revert rate? When the promotional 0% period is up, you'll start being charged interest on any outstanding balance. If there's a chance you won't clear your balance before this point, then the rate that your balance reverts to should be a consideration. Yes, you could apply for a balance transfer deal at this point, but acceptance is never guaranteed.
What other fees apply? Check to see whether the cards you're considering come with an annual or monthly account fee. Other fees you might incur include cash advance fees and non-sterling transaction fees.
Are you eligible? The longest 0% money transfer deals will be reserved for individuals with good credit. Card issuers now usually offer a "soft search" facility, however, so you can find out if you're eligible without hurting your credit score.
What other features does the card come with? While the details of the money transfer promotion will be your primary focus, some money transfer cards come with other features that might appeal to you.
A money transfer credit card allows you to transfer money from the credit card to your current account (up to your credit limit), whereas with a balance transfer, you transfer existing card debt to a new, cheaper card, then close the old one.
It depends on how you use the card. For example, if you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, then you’ll usually pay more in interest than you’ll earn in rewards. If you always clear your balance in full each month, however, then with most cards on the UK market right now, you won’t pay interest at all, thanks to a grace period on purchases. That means that, provided you choose the right card and use it carefully, you can earn reward points interest-free.
Some rewards or frequent flyer cards come with annual or monthly account management charges, but thankfully, plenty don’t charge this fee. If you think you would spend a lot on a credit card but would also clear your balance in full each month, then paying an annual fee might actually be worth it. That’s because these cards tend to come with the best reward point earn rates.
Can I get a credit card with bad credit?
Possibly, yes. Although realistically, some top cards will be off the table, plenty of card issuers specialise in credit-builder cards – which are specifically designed for those with a damaged or limited credit history.
Additionally, the interest rates and credit limits of credit cards are often tailored to the applicant, which means you may find that you are offered a card but with a relatively low opening credit limit and potentially with a rate that’s higher than the advertised representative APR (this is the rate that most people will pay and includes the interest rate and any mandatory fees such as an annual fee, which some cards have).
If you’re just starting out your credit card journey, you might have a low credit score and can’t apply for the more competitive rates on the market. However, there are credit builder credit cards available to those looking to build or rebuild their credit history.
What are the most popular credit card payment networks in the UK?
Founded in 2006, Finder has been comparing credit cards for more than 15 years. Here’s an overview of the criteria we use to pick our top credit cards:
Providers. The “best” and “promoted” credit cards at the very top of the page are chosen from among a pool of card providers we have partnerships with. However, our list further down the page considers the wider market of cards and providers.
The best at doing the job they’re meant to. There’s no absolute “best credit card” for everyone, so our aim is to help you find a card that works for you. That’s why we picked a card for each of the main types.
Quality and price. Zero annual fees and low APRs sometimes don’t tell the whole story – we take them into account but also look at what you get in return.
Going the extra mile with rewards. Some credit cards do the job just fine but don’t give you anything else. We like credit cards that offer ongoing rewards, be it tickets for your favourite concert or extra supermarket loyalty points.
Finally, we check whole-market rates, fees and terms every single day to make sure the features on our credit card tables are accurate. Read more about our ratings methodology for credit cards.
2024’s top credit card companies for customer satisfaction
We asked credit card users to rate their card issuer (using a 1-5 star rating) and tell us whether they’d recommend it to a friend. We’ve shown both in the table below, which is ordered by the percentage of customers who said they’d recommend the brand to a friend. Our independent survey of 750 card customers was carried out in December 2023.
Card issuer
About
Would recommend
Overall satisfaction
Range and review
Virgin Money
Virgin Money takes the gong this year, with an impressive 4.9 out of 5 from its credit card customers in our survey and 98% saying they’d recommend the brand.
American Express was our winner last year. This year Amex was just pipped to the top spot. Still, its customers gave it 4.9. out of 5 for overall satisfaction and 93% would recommend the brand.
Tesco Bank shares the podium this year, coming highly commended jointly with Amex. Customers gave the bank a score of 4.9 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
Sainsbury’s Bank adds another supermarket brand to the top 5 this year. Customers we surveyed gave it a score of 4.8 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
Barclaycard scored 4.6 out of 5 for overall satisfaction. The brand offers a wide range of cards and has a long history of providing market-leading deals including some of the longest balance transfer periods going.
NatWest offers cards for balance transfers, rewards and more. NatWest customers in our survey gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
Royal Bank of Scotland’s cards are very similar to those of its sister, NatWest. Both banks are part of NatWest Group. RBS customers in our survey gave the bank 4.5 out of 5 for overall satisfaction (just like NatWest).
Capital One offers credit cards to help people improve a bad credit rating. Customers in our survey gave the brand 4.5 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
Halifax is part of Lloyds Banking Group and offers a wide range of cards including the popular Clarity, which charges no fees for transactions abroad. Customers in our survey gave the brand a score of 4.3 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
HSBC has a broad range of cards, including for students, for balance transfers and for earning rewards. HSBC customers gave the bank 4.3 out of 5 for overall satisfaction in our latest survey.
MBNA cards have some competitive transfer and purchase offers, and many boast competitive default rates that the cards revert to when offer periods expire. Customers in our survey gave the brand 4.2 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
Aqua’s credit cards are designed to help people with a low credit score, or with little or no credit history, to build up their credit records. Customers in our survey gave Aqua 3.5 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio
Chris's expertise
Chris has written 616 Finder guides across topics including:
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Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
