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CREDIT CARDS

Compare our best credit cards today and save up to £356.94i

  • Unlock a year of rewards with SuperSaveClubii

  • Check your eligibility without harming your credit score

  • See your personalised chance of being accepted and apply online

MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. Representative 24.90% APR

A wallet with a credit card poking out from the fold, in the form of a trophy

Check your eligibility for a credit card

Compare credit cards from 23iii providers

Shopping around is always important, especially when it comes to credit cards. We help you compare deals from leading providers across the market so you can be confident to pick the best deal for your needs.

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Our top credit cards

With MoneySuperMarket you can compare 125 different credit cards with us, all from FCA-regulated providers. Below are our top picks for 0% purchase cards.

Updated daily

Earn up to 15% cashback automatically when you spend at a range of participating retailers with Barclaycard Cashback Rewards. This is a new benefit, available to all Barclaycard Visa credit card customers. T&Cs apply

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Barclaycard

Platinum Purchase Offer

  • Purchases

    0% 21 months, then 24.9%

  • Rewards

    Entertainment


Representative example: If you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 24.9% (variable)


Great for

  • 0% interest on purchases for 21 months from the date you open your account
  • 0% interest on balance transfers for 21 months from the date you open your account (3.45% fee applies). Transfers must be made within 60 days to benefit from the 0% offer
  • Earn up to 15% cashback automatically when you spend at a range of participating retailers with Barclaycard Cashback Rewards. This is a new benefit, available to all Barclaycard Visa credit card customers. T&Cs apply.

But be aware that

  • You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances
  • You must transfer a balance within the first 60 days to get the promotional offer

Pay no interest for 21 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers you make in the first 60 days. Earn up to 15% cashback with selected retailers on your Credit Card purchases by registering for MBNA Smart Rewards. T&C’s Apply

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MBNA

Dual 0% Transfer and Purchase Credit Card

  • Purchases

    0% 21 months, then 24.9%

  • Rewards

    Cashback


Representative example: If you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.94% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 24.9% (variable)


Great for

  • Transferring money to your current account with 0% interest for 12 months (4% fee applies)
  • Contactless payments for items up to £100
  • You could earn cashback with MBNA Smart Rewards – see provider site for more details

But be aware that

  • You might get different interest rates and promotional periods and fees to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances
  • Balance transfers, money transfers and purchases must be made within the first 60 days to get the promotional offers
  • You can't transfer a balance from another card issued by MBNA

Pay no interest for 21 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers you make in the first 60 days. Earn up to 15% cashback with selected retailers on your Credit Card purchases by registering for MBNA Smart Rewards. T&C’s Apply

provider logo

MBNA

Dual 0% Transfer and Purchase Credit Card

  • Purchases

    0% 21 months, then 26.9%

  • Rewards

    Cashback


Representative example: If you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.94% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 26.9% (variable)


Great for

  • Pay no interest for 12 months from account opening on the money transfers you make in the first 60 days. Each money transfer is subject to a 4% fee
  • Contactless payments up to £100
  • You could earn cashback with MBNA Smart Rewards - see provider site for more details 

But be aware that

  • You might get different interest rates and promotional periods and fees to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances
  • Balance transfers, money transfers and purchases must be made within the first 60 days to get the promotional offers
  • You can't transfer a balance from another card issued by MBNA

What is a credit card?

A credit card lets you borrow money to purchase goods and services, with the understanding that you’ll repay the card issuer at a later date. If you don’t pay the balance in full within the set period, interest is usually added to the amount you owe. However, some cards offer a 0% interest period for new customers during the first few months to encourage sign-ups.

As well as using them for everyday spending, credit cards have other benefits. They can be used to consolidate debts, earn rewards and cashback and even boost your credit rating, which can help with future borrowing.

How to apply for a credit card?

  1. Decide on the type of credit card you want: Are you looking for a credit card to build your credit rating? Or do you want to spread the cost of a larger purchase with a purchase credit card? You’re likely to be asked what you’ll use the credit card for when you apply.

  2. Provide any information asked for: Lenders will ask for some of your personal details, including your salary so you can prove you’ll be able to repay what you owe.

  3. See your eligibility: When you compare credit cards with us, you’ll be shown your chances of being accepted for the card so you can apply with confidence.

  4. Choose the card: You’ll need to pick which lender and card you want – different lenders offer different deals and interest rates, depending on your financial circumstances.

  5. You’ll receive your card: Once you’re accepted for the credit card, you should receive your card quickly

What are the different types of credit cards I can apply for?

Not every credit card will suit every person’s needs – and some are quite niche, so choose the best based on what you need it for, from consolidating debt, to getting rewarded when you spend or making interest-free purchases.

  • 1

    Balance transfer card

    Switch an existing card balance to a lower rate or 0% interest balance transfer card to clear your debts more quickly. The best cards offer 0% interest for more than two and a half years. There will usually be a balance transfer fee.

    Compare balance transfer credit cards

  • 2

    Credit cards for bad credit

    You’ll start with a low credit limit. But with careful use you can build up your credit score – and credit limit - over time. Improving this can help with other credit applications in the future, such as for a loan or mortgage.

    Compare credit cards for bad credit

  • 3

    Rewards card

    Earn loyalty points or Air Miles with purchases you make using the card. Can suit those who spend a lot on their card but always clear the balance in full each month, as interest rates can be high.

    Compare rewards credit cards

  • 4

    Money transfer card

    Allows you to consolidate other debts and pay a lower interest rate. Typically they are used to transfer cash to a current account so you can pay off an overdraft. Transfer fees usually apply.

    Compare money transfer credit cards

  • 5

    Purchase card

    Offers a low or 0% interest period on what you buy for an extended offer period. This time period will vary depending on the deal, but it could be up to two years – great if you need to make a big purchase.

    Compare purchase credit cards

  • 6

    Cashback card

    Gives you a percentage back in on certain purchases made on the card. Suits spenders who know they can clear their card balance every month as interest rates can be high. There may be an annual fee but cashback can be generous.

    Compare cashback credit cards

  • 7

    Balance transfer and purchase card

    A combined card for those who have an existing card balance to switch to a lower or 0% rate, but who also need to spend on the card. The best deals offer 0% interest on transfers and new spending for a time.

    Compare balance transfer and purchase cards

  • 8

    Travel credit card

    These are ideal for taking abroad because the fees and charges for overseas use are much lower than those on standard credit cards. You should also get competitive exchange rates.

    Compare travel credit cards

How do credit cards work? 

  • Apply for a credit card You’ll be asked for personal details, such as your name and address, when you apply. You should also expect questions about your financial situation, such as your employment status and salary. 

  • Get your credit card: Once you’ve been approved for a credit card, you’ll receive it shortly. You will have a credit limit, which is the maximum amount of money you can borrow.  According to MoneySuperMarket data, the average credit limit for people searching through us is £3000iv .

  • Make credit card repayments: You’ll receive your bill every month and it’ll show you the balance you owe. It’s important to make payments on time and, if possible, you should aim to pay off your card in full.   

Will interest rate cuts make borrowing cheaper?

On 19th September 2024, the Bank of England maintained the base rate at 5%, but is expected to make cuts later this year and in early 2025.

A lower base rate can encourage lenders to reduce the interest rates they charge on credit cards, making borrowing more affordable. You may therefore see credit card interest rates start to come down in the coming months, particularly if more rate cuts are announced.

However, it is still worth noting that interest rates, and therefore borrowing costs, are still high compared to recent times, with the base rate being as low as 0.1% just 3 years ago. It is worthwhile to consider cards that come with interest free periods, such as 0% balance transfer cards or 0% purchase cards.

Do credit limits change based on the card type?

You'll enjoy higher credit limits on balance transfer credit cards, whereas cards for building your credit rating have the lowest available credit limits on average.

Credit Building

£500.00v

Spending Abroad

£2,000.00vi

Balance Transfer

£3,000.00vii

Interest Free Spending

£2,000.00viii

How to choose the best credit card for you

With so many types of credit card to choose from it can be tricky to decide which might be best for you. Luckily, there are few simple rules you can follow to make sure you pick the right card for your needs: 

  • Tick

    Consolidate any debt efficiently

    With a balance transfer credit card you can consolidate debts: for a small fee, you transfer all your existing debt onto the new card, which will come with a hefty period of low or even zero interest.  

  • Tick

    Build or repair your credit score

    If you have a poor credit rating for whatever reason, there are cards that can strengthen your score. With MoneySuperMarket, you can compare credit cards for bad credit, where you could still get a card even with bad credit.

  • Tick

    Seek low interest for everyday spending

    Credit cards can be handy for day-to-day spending or spreading out the cost of a larger item - or maybe a big purchase like a holiday. Many cards give you 0% interest on any purchase made within three months or so, saving you the usual cost of borrowing – provided you stick to making your repayments on time.

  • Tick

    Consider if you want rewards

    There are many types of credit card that offer rewards on your spending. Frequent flyers can benefit from airline credit cards which give you travel-related rewards. Savvy shoppers can also take advantage of cashback which rewards you when you buy.

Can I get a credit card with bad credit?

  • There are certain credit cards for bad credit which are specifically designed to boost the scores of people who’ve struggled with debt in the past, or people who don’t have much credit history at all (either because they’re young, or because they’ve just moved to the UK).

  • How they work: You’re offered a low credit limit and a high APR, but if you make regular small purchases and pay the balance off in full every month, your credit score will begin to improve after a few months – allowing you to qualify for better credit cards or other borrowing products.

Representative 34.9% APR

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Your credit score plays a part in the deal you get

When you apply for a credit card, the bank of building society will use your credit rating to decide whether to accept you, and what rates to offer you. Find out where you stand with our free Credit Monitor tool

Credit monitor

What are the pros and cons of credit cards?

  • Tick

    Advantages

    • A 0% purchase credit card is useful for funding big-ticket purchases and affords you time to pay them off without accruing interest

    • Used responsibly, a credit card can be a good way of improving your credit score

    • Some cards come with potentially money-saving sweeteners, such as travel perks or cashback

    • Section 75 applies to credit cards and covers you if a purchase you make is faulty or doesn’t arrive

  • Cross

    Disadvantages

    • Credit cards are so convenient and easy to use, it can be tempting to overspend and rack up debt

    • Some card providers charge high fees for missing payments. While others levy annual fees to qualify for rewards

    • Credit cards usually have variable rates, which means your repayments could rise and make it more costly to service your debt

Kara Gammell

Our expert says

Used responsibly, a credit card can be a useful money management tool. But with such a range of credit cards designed for different circumstances, it’s important to be clear about what you want yours to do for you. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around and compare before applying. What’s more, when interest rates are high, as is the case right now, comparing can help you find an affordable new credit card that really works for you.

- Kara Gammell, Personal Finance Expert

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How to compare credit cards with MoneySupermarket

Comparing credit cards couldn’t be easier with MoneySuperMarket. Our eligibility checker tool will show you the cards you’re most likely to be approved for – and we'll protect your credit using a soft search.

  • Icon-Clipboard-110x110

    Tell us about yourself

    We'll ask you a handful of simple questions about you and your financial circumstances, and what you need from a credit card

  • Icon-Search-110x110

    We browse the market

    We'll sift through dozens of offers from across the market, and show you the cards we think will suit you best

  • Icon-Cards-110x110

    Pick the card you want

    You'll be shown a range of cards, which you'll be able to sort according to APR, features and your chances of being approved

Find everything you need to know about credit cards

When you take out a credit card from a selected provider, you’ll be eligible for SuperSaveClub rewards. At the moment, not all providers are part of our rewards programme. When you search for a credit card with us, you’ll be able to see which providers are part of the programme, as the cards that come with a SuperSaveClub reward will be highlighted in your results. 

The providers who are currently signed up to SuperSaveClub are: 

  • 118 Money 

  • American Express 

  • Aqua 

  • BIP 

  • Capital One 

  • Halifax 

  • John Lewis Finance 

  • Lloyds 

  • Marbles 

  • MBNA 

  • Natwest Bank 

  • Post Office 

  • Santander 

  • Yonder 

  • Zable 

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate and it represents how much it’ll cost to borrow money on a particular credit card. It’s calculated by taking into account: 

  • Your interest rate 

  • Additional fees and charges. 

However, you might see the term ‘representative APR’ on adverts for credit cards – this means that the interest rate quoted only has to be offered to at least 51% of successful applicants, so it may not be the actual rate you get when you apply. 

First consider what you want to use the credit card for – cards come with different features that are useful for different purposes.

If you have a large purchase coming up, you might want to spread the cost with a 0% purchase card, if you fly a lot you might want an airmiles card, and if you want to transfer a balance to avoid interest payments, a balance transfer card could be ideal.

By comparing with us you’ll be able to see a list of credit cards, so you can browse at will and choose which one suits you best.

You’ll get a cooling off period of two weeks from when you receive your card, and you’ll have 30 days to pay off your balance. You can cancel by contacting your bank or building society, either by post, phone, online, or in-branch.

However, if you want to cancel your card after the cooling off period, your account balance generally must be zero.

If you miss a repayment on your credit card balance, you likely have to pay a penalty fee. What’s more, if you have any type of promotional offer with your card, such as an interest-free deal, this may be cancelled, and a missed payment may have a negative effect on your credit score.

If you get rejected for a credit card, this will leave a mark on your credit report and could lead to further rejections in the future. It’s a good idea to use MoneySuperMarket’s Eligibility Checker to see how likely you are to be accepted for a card before applying to get it.

Unlike many loans and mortgages, you generally won’t be charged for making early repayments on your credit card – which means it’s a good way to get ahead of your balance.

You can’t get joint credit cards in the same way as bank accounts and mortgages, but you can add additional users to your own credit cards. However, you should remember that it’s still the primary cardholder’s responsibility to pay off the balance. 

You can cancel your credit card by contacting your lender, by phone, email, online, post, or in person if they have a local branch. 

In most cases your provider will set your credit limit after you’ve been accepted. So you will not be able to ‘apply’ or request a certain spending limit. Your credit limit will be based on your income, financial circumstances and your credit score as well as the individual policy of the card provider. Card issuers will want to be satisfied that the limit is affordable for you. You’ll be told what it is once your application is approved and your account is open. 

Whether you're approved or not will depend on your personal circumstances. There's no universal standard applied by lenders. But factors that will influence your eligibility include: Your income, age (you must be over 18 in most cases), your financial history and your credit score.

You can overpay on your credit card and that happens when you pay back more than you owe on your balance. When you do this, you’ve cleared your balance, but you’ve gone a step further and your card issuer now owes you money.

Yes, you can have multiple credit cards but keep in mind that if you’re struggling with one credit card it’s best not to get any more. 

Personal loans offer a fixed amount with set repayment terms and predictable monthly payments, making them a reliable alternative for managing expenses and avoiding high interest rates. However, you won't be able to enjoy 0% periods like you can with certain credit cards.

For most people, it won't matter too much whether you choose a Mastercard or Visa, as both are accepted worldwide and there are very few differences between the two. Both Visa and Mastercard come with their own exclusive benefits, but it’s the perks offered by the bank issuing your card – such as cashback, loyalty points or air miles – that are more enticing and therefore should carry more weight in your decision.

It’s best to pay off your entire credit card balance every month if you can afford to – this way you won’t pay interest and you can avoid building up debt. If you can’t afford to pay off the full balance, you must pay off at least the minimum monthly payment – ideally more.

Avoid missing credit card payments – credit card providers will often charge a penalty if you miss a payment and you also risk harming your credit score.

Setting up a direct debit could be a good way to ensure you pay off at least the minimum amount of your credit balance each month.

Each time you make an application for a credit card, it leaves a record – known as a ‘hard search’ - on your credit report. Too many applications can make lenders think you are in desperate need for credit and your application may be rejected.

Some credit cards have extra benefits that reward you when you use them a certain way. While some of them can be tempting, it’s better to get a credit card that will give you rewards for the way you spend already. For example, an airmiles credit card is only going to be useful if you’re a regular flyer, but if you’re a regular shopper at a particular high street store, there might be a credit card that gives you cashback for shopping there.

If you’re planning to use your credit card overseas, check whether or not you’ll be charged for doing so. Many credit cards charge fees for foreign transactions, so it can be a good idea to look for a card that won’t charge you for using it abroad.

Some credit cards will charge a fee if you use them to take cash out of a cash machine, and on top of that you’ll be charged interest from the moment you receive your money. Avoid using your credit card for cash withdrawals unless it’s an emergency.

Credit card fraud, like any fraud, is serious – you should always take care when using your credit card and be careful where you keep it. Never tell anyone your PIN and regularly check your statements every month – or if your credit card has an app, check that regularly - to make sure there are no surprises.

If you’re applying for a credit card, you might be able to find a better deal if you look through offers from different providers before taking one out. With MoneySuperMarket you’ll be able to search through multiple credit cards and compare them by a range of factors, including their interest rates and any benefits and rewards they come with.

All you need to do is answer a few questions about yourself and your financial situation, and our Eligibility Checker will show your chances of being accepted for different credit cards. This won’t affect your credit score, so you can run a check without any worries.

Once you know which card you want, you can normally apply by phone, online, or in person if the provider has a high street branch. However, when you do apply, the provider will usually run a hard credit check – which will show up on your credit report – to confirm whether they’ll give you the card. If you’re accepted they’ll tell you your credit limit and interest rate, and soon you’ll be ready to start using your credit card.

MoneySuperMarket gives you lots of clever ways to save a lot, by doing very little.

  • Take control of your credit score by checking and improving it for free with Credit Monitor

  • Never overpay again with Energy Monitor, our energy monitoring service

  • Over 50 ways to Get Money Calm

So how do we make our money? In a nutshell, when you use us to buy a product, we get a reward from the company you’re buying from.

But you might have other questions. Do we provide access to all the companies operating in a given market? Do we have commercial relationships or ownership ties that might make us feature one company above another?

We commit to providing you with clear and informative answers on all points such as this, so we have gathered the relevant information on this page.

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