The best balance transfer cards on the market:
Abbey
0% on balance transfers: for 15 months
Transfer fee: 3%
Typical APR: 15.9%
Extras: 0% on purchases for 3 months
Contact: www.abbey.com
Virgin Money
0% on balance transfers: for 16 months
Transfer fee: 2.98%
Typical APR: 16.6%
Extras: 0% on purchases for 6 months, Virgin Members Shop reward points
Contact: www.virgin.co.uk*
HSBC Bank credit card
0% on balance transfers: for 15 months
Transfer fee: 2.9%
Typical APR: 16.9%
Extras: 0% on purchases for 56 days
Contact: www.hsbc.co.uk
Barclaycard OnePulse
0% on balance transfers: for 14 months
Transfer fee: 2.5%
Typical APR: 14.9%
Extras: 0% on purchases for 3 months. Can be used in the same way as a standard Oyster card. Allows you to make 'OneTouch' payments of £10 or less
Contact: www.barclaycard.co.uk
Tesco Personal Finance Bonus Mastercard/Vis
0% on balance transfers: for 14 months
Transfer fee: 2.9%
Typical APR: 15.9%
Contact: www.tesco.co.uk
Best credit cards for new purchases:
Capital One Platinum Card
0% on purchases: until November 1 2009
Typical APR after that: 14.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers until November 1 2009, 3% balance transfer fee
Contact: www.capitalone.co.uk
Halifax All In One
0% on purchases: For 9 months
Typical APR after that: 15.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers for 9 months, 3% balance transfer fee
Contact: www.halifax.co.uk*
Bank of Scotland All In One
0% on purchases: For 9 months
Typical APR after that: 15.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers for 9 months, 3% balance transfer fee
Contact: www.bankofscotlandhalifax.co.uk*
Bank of Scotland Harley Davidson Platinum Mastercard
0% on purchases: For 9 months
Typical APR after that: 12.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers for 9 months, 3% balance transfer fee
Contact: www.bankofscotlandhalifax.co.uk
HSBC Premier
0% on purchases: For 9 months
Typical APR after that: 11.9%
Contact: www.hsbc.co.uk
Marks & Spencer
0% purchase period: 10 months
Typical APR after this: 15.9%
Note: there is also a balance transfer option at 0% for 6 months on all balances transfers with a 2% fee. However see our balance transfer section for better offers on transfers. You can also earn points as you shop on this card under the stores loyalty scheme.
Contact: www.marksandspencer.com
Virgin Money
0% purchase period: 6 months
Typical APR after this: 16.6%
Note: this card also offers one of the best balance transfer deals on the market at 0% for 16 months with a handling fee of 2.98%.
Contact: www.virginmoney.com*
Barclaycard OnePulse
0% purchase period: 6 months
Typical APR after this: 16.6%
Note: this card also offers one of the best balance transfer deals on the market at 0% for 16 months with a handling fee of 2.98%.
Contact: wwww.barclaycard-onepulse.co.uk
Lowest APR:
Barclaycard Simplicity
Standard rate: 6.8%
Extras: Holiday deals with Barclaycard's travel service, Identity Protection Service
Contact: www.barclaycard.co.uk
Capital One Fixed Rate Mastercard
Standard rate: 9.9%
Extras: Has an interest free period of 56 days and an online fraud guarantee
Contact: www.capitalone.co.uk
Saga Platinum
Standard rate: 11.9%
Extras: The card also offers no foreign currency charges for transactions within 'Visa Europe', covering most European countries
Contact: www.saga.co.uk
and finally....
want to use abroad but dont want to be charged for doing so...
Abbey Zero - (Withdrawn from the market until May - Find out more)
Foreign currency exchange rate fee: Nothing
Cash withdrawal fee: nothing
Typical APR: 18.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 6 months. No transfer fee
Contact: www.abbey.com
Post Office Classic Mastercard
Foreign currency exchange rate fee: Nothing
Cash withdrawal fee: 2.5%, minimum £3
Typical APR:19.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers for 10 months, 0% on purchases for 3 months. 2.75% transfer fee
Contact: www.postoffice.co.uk
Nationwide Gold Card
Foreign currency exchange rate fee: 0.84%
Cash withdrawal fee: 2.5%, minimum £3
Typical APR: 19.9%
Extras: 0% on balance transfers for 10 months, 0% on purchases for 3 months. 2.5% transfer fee
Contact: www.nationwide.co.uk