CoverMapWhat credit card should I get? Start with what you need
Comparing credit cards is easier once you know the job you want the card to do. Use this table to find the card type, then jump to that section.
| What you need | Card type to compare | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Clear existing card debt | 0% balance transfer card | One-off fee, usually around 3% on the longest deals |
| Spread the cost of a big purchase | 0% purchase card | Interest at the standard rate once the 0% ends |
| Both of the above | All-rounder card | 0% periods are often shorter than single-purpose cards |
| Earn money back on spending | Cashback card | Rewards are small next to interest if you don’t clear the balance |
| Points, vouchers or Avios | Rewards card | Some charge an annual fee after year one |
| Spending abroad | Travel card with no foreign fee | Cash withdrawals usually still attract interest |
| Build or rebuild your credit record | Credit builder card | High APRs and low starting limits |
UK Finance figures show 60 million credit cards in issue in June 2026, with £24.4bn spent on them that month, 9.2% more than a year earlier.
Best 0% balance transfer and purchase card deals
These are the longest 0% deals in MSE’s tables. “Up to” means some accepted applicants get a shorter 0% period. A “definite” deal gives every accepted applicant the stated term. For a fuller comparison, read balance transfer vs 0% purchase cards.
0% balance transfer cards
| Card | 0% on transfers | Transfer fee |
|---|---|---|
| TSB | Up to 38 months | 3.49% |
| HSBC | 36 months | 3.09% |
| Virgin Money | 36 months | 3.1% |
| Tesco Bank | 36 months | 3.45% |
| Capital One | Up to 36 months | 2.9% |
Source: MoneySavingExpert credit cards hub (dated 24 September 2026), checked October 2026. Representative APRs vary by card; check the issuer page.
0% purchase cards
| Card | 0% on purchases | Rep APR after |
|---|---|---|
| M&S Bank | Up to 26 months | 24.9% |
| TSB | Up to 26 months | 24.9% |
| Lloyds Bank | Up to 25 months | 24.9% |
| Tesco Bank | 22 months (definite) | 24.9% |
Source: MoneySavingExpert credit cards hub (24 September 2026); Lloyds Bank from MSE best 0% cards (11 August 2026); checked October 2026.
All-rounder cards (0% on both)
| Card | 0% purchases | 0% transfers | Transfer fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyds Bank | Up to 25 months | Up to 23 months | 2.99% |
| NatWest | Up to 23 months | Up to 21 months | 3.49% |
| Tesco Bank | 21 months (definite) | 21 months (definite) | 2.95% |
Source: MoneySavingExpert, 0% balance transfers and spending (18 September 2026), checked October 2026. All three listed at 24.9% representative APR.
You usually need to transfer a balance within 60–90 days to get the 0% deal and the advertised fee. You can’t usually transfer between cards from the same banking group.
Best cashback credit cards
Cashback cards pay back a percentage of what you spend. Which? warns that you should clear the balance in full each month, or “the interest you’re charged will quickly outweigh any rewards you earn.”
| Card | Cashback | Annual fee | Rep APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum Cashback Everyday | 5% for 5 months (up to £125), then 0.5%, or 1% on spend over £10,000 a year | £0 | 29.1% |
| Amex Platinum Cashback | 5% for 3 months (up to £125), then 0.75%–1.25% | £25 | 34.6% |
| Lloyds Ultra | 1% in year one, then 0.25% | £0 | 14.9% |
| Santander All in One | 0.5%, capped at £10 a month | £36 | 29.8% |
Source: Which? best cashback and reward credit cards (correct as of 1 October 2026); American Express card page, checked October 2026.
Watch the conditions. On the Amex Platinum Cashback Everyday card you must spend at least £3,000 a year to earn cashback. The welcome offer isn’t available if you’ve held a personal Amex card in the past 24 months.
Best rewards and points credit cards
Supermarket and retailer cards
| Card | What you earn | Annual fee | Rep APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Nectar | 3 points per £1 at Sainsbury’s, 2 per £1 elsewhere | £30 after year one | 35.8% |
| Tesco Bank Low APR | 5 points per £4 at Tesco, 1 per £8 elsewhere | £0 | 12.9% |
| John Lewis Partnership | 5 points per £4 at John Lewis and Waitrose, 1 per £10 elsewhere | £0 | 29.9% |
| M&S Bank Rewards | 1 point per £1 at M&S, 1 per £5 elsewhere | £0 | 23.9% |
Source: Which? best cashback and reward credit cards (1 October 2026), checked October 2026.
Travel points and Avios cards
| Card | Earn rate | Annual fee | Sign-up bonus (as reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Preferred Rewards Gold | 1 point per £1; 2 on airlines; 3 via Amex Travel | £0 in year one, then £195 | 20,000 points for £3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Barclaycard Avios Plus | 1.5 Avios per £1 | £240 (£20 a month) | 25,000 Avios for £3,000 spend in 90 days |
| Barclaycard Avios | 1 Avios per £1 | £0 | 5,000 Avios |
Source: Head for Points Avios card comparison (3 August 2026); Money to the Masses rewards cards (September 2026); checked October 2026. Bonuses change often.
Annual fees push up the representative APR. Money to the Masses lists the Amex Gold at 85.8% representative APR once the £195 fee is included. MSE notes the card comes with four free airport lounge visits a year.
Best travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Most standard cards add around 2.99% to spending in other currencies, according to MSE. Specialist travel credit cards remove that fee. Some debit cards also offer fee-free spending abroad, but they are not credit cards and are not listed here.
| Card | Foreign spending fee | Cash abroad | Rep APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barclaycard Rewards | None | Interest-free if you pay in full each month | 28.9% |
| Santander Rewards | None | 3% fee (min £3) plus interest | 24.9% |
| NatWest Travel Reward | None | 3% fee (min £3) plus interest | 27.9% |
| Lloyds Ultra | None | No fee, but interest applies | 14.9% |
| MBNA Travel Cashback | None for 3 years, then 2.95% | 5% fee plus interest | See issuer |
Source: MoneySavingExpert travel credit cards (28 August 2026); Lloyds Ultra APR from Which? (1 October 2026); checked October 2026.
Halifax says its Clarity card charges no non-sterling purchase fees and no cash withdrawal fees, but interest on cash withdrawals starts straight away.
Credit builder cards
Credit builder cards are aimed at people with a thin or poor credit history. They come with high APRs and low starting limits. Used well, by paying on time and staying under your limit, they can help you improve your credit score.
| Card | Rep APR | Credit limit |
|---|---|---|
| Zable | 29.9% | Up to £4,000 |
| Capital One Classic | 34.9% | £200–£4,000 to start |
| Vanquis Credit Builder | 37.9% | £250–£2,500 |
| Aqua | 39.9% | £250–£1,500 to start |
Source: Issuer websites (Zable, Capital One, Vanquis, Aqua), checked October 2026. All variable rates.
MSE also lists 0% deals for people with weaker credit. Capital One offered 22 months 0% on balance transfers (2.9% fee, 26.9% APR) in its 24 September 2026 table.
Credit card fees to watch
- Late payment fee: HSBC and Barclaycard both charge £12. Missing a payment on a 0% card can also cost you the deal. Late payments can stay on your credit file for six years, Zable says.
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.99% at HSBC and Barclaycard on non-sterling spending.
- Cash advance fee: HSBC charges 2.99% (minimum £3). Interest on cash usually starts on the day you withdraw it, even if you clear your bill in full.
- Annual fee: common on premium rewards cards, for example £195 on the Amex Gold after year one.
Section 75: protection when you pay by credit card
MoneyHelper explains that if you use a credit card to buy something costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, you’re covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. The card company is equally responsible with the seller if there’s a problem with the purchase or the firm goes bust.
- You only need to pay part of the price, such as the deposit, on the card. You can still claim the full amount.
- The limit applies to the price of a single item, not the total bill.
- Paying through a PayPal account you log into removes Section 75 cover. Which? adds that cash withdrawals aren’t covered.
- If your claim hasn’t been resolved after eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Chargeback is a separate, voluntary scheme run by the card networks. It covers debit cards. You usually need to ask within 120 days.
Eligibility checkers and soft searches
A full credit card application leaves a hard search on your credit file that other lenders can see. An eligibility checker uses a soft search instead, which doesn’t affect your credit score. HSBC, Capital One, Vanquis, Aqua, Zable and Halifax all offer one. Capital One says the APR shown after its check is the APR you’ll get. Several hard searches close together can have a bigger effect, so checking first can help you avoid unneeded rejections. Read more on how UK credit scores work.
APR basics
The representative APR is the rate at least 51% of accepted applicants get. Your personal APR depends on your credit record and can differ. Most cards give up to 56 days interest-free on purchases if you pay in full each month. Our guide to credit card APR explained covers how interest is worked out and what minimum payments cost over time.
If card debt is becoming hard to manage, free help is available from MoneyHelper and free debt advice services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit card should I get?
It depends on the job. A 0% balance transfer card suits existing card debt, a 0% purchase card suits a planned big purchase, cashback and rewards cards suit people who clear their balance every month, travel cards suit spending abroad, and credit builder cards suit a thin or poor credit history.
What is the longest 0% balance transfer card?
In MSE's table dated 24 September 2026, TSB offered up to 38 months 0% on balance transfers with a 3.49% fee. HSBC, Virgin Money and Tesco Bank offered a definite 36 months.
Are cashback credit cards worth it?
Only if you pay the balance in full every month. Which? warns that interest will quickly outweigh any rewards. Some cards also have minimum spend rules or annual fees.
Which credit cards have no foreign transaction fees?
MSE's travel table (28 August 2026) lists Barclaycard Rewards, Santander Rewards, NatWest Travel Reward, Lloyds Ultra and MBNA Travel Cashback (fee-free for three years). Most standard cards charge around 2.99%.
Does checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
No. Eligibility checkers use a soft search, which other lenders can't see and which doesn't affect your score. A full application uses a hard search.
What does Section 75 cover?
It covers credit card purchases of a single item costing more than £100 and up to £30,000. The card provider is jointly responsible with the seller if something goes wrong, even if you only paid the deposit on the card.
What is the typical late payment fee on a UK credit card?
HSBC and Barclaycard both charge £12. A late payment can also cost you a 0% deal and harm your credit record.
Sources
- MoneySavingExpert – Credit cards hub (24 Sep 2026)
- MoneySavingExpert – 0% balance transfers and spending (18 Sep 2026)
- MoneySavingExpert – Travel credit cards (28 Aug 2026)
- Which? – Best cashback and reward credit cards (1 Oct 2026)
- American Express – Platinum Cashback Everyday Card
- Head for Points – Best Avios credit cards (3 Aug 2026)
- Money to the Masses – Best UK rewards credit cards (Sep 2026)
- MoneyHelper – Section 75 and chargeback protection
- Which? – Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act
- UK Finance – Card Spending Update, June 2026 (16 Sep 2026)
- Bank of England – Money and Credit, August 2026
- HSBC – Credit card fees
- Barclaycard – Credit card fees
- Capital One – Classic credit card
- Vanquis – Compare our credit cards