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Balance transfer and purchase cards
Compare our best 0% balance transfer and purchase cards
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. Representative 24.9% APR
Most users see cards they’re likely to be accepted for
68%^
of MoneySuperMarket users were pre-approved for a balance transfer & purchase credit card.
Average guaranteed credit limit of
£2400^
for MoneySuperMarket users searching for a balance transfer and purchase card.
Our best balance transfer and purchase cards
Check your eligibility for our top balance transfer and purchase cards with the longest interest free transfer period.
Accurate as of Friday, 26 December 2025
Barclaycard
Platinum Balance Transfer Offer
Representative example: If you spend £1,200.00 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 24.9% (variable)
Great for
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0% interest on balance transfers for 24 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
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0% interest on purchases for 21 months from the date you open your account
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If you do not pay your balance in full Barclaycard will allocate your payments to balances with the highest interest rate before balances with lower interest rates. Please refer to Barclaycard terms for full breakdown
But be aware that
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You might get different interest rates and promotional periods and fees to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances
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Balance Transfers must be made within the first 60 days to get the promotional offer
Barclaycard
Platinum Balance Transfer Offer
Representative example: If you spend £1,200.00 at a purchase rate of 31.9% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 31.9% (variable)
Great for
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0% interest on balance transfers for 24 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
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0% interest on purchases for 21 months from the date you open your account
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If you do not pay your balance in full Barclaycard will allocate your payments to balances with the highest interest rate before balances with lower interest rates. Please refer to Barclaycard terms for full breakdown
But be aware that
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Balance Transfers must be made within the first 60 days to get the promotional offer
Pay no interest from account opening with 24 months on balance transfers and 22 months on purchases you make in the first 60 days. Winner of Credit Card Provider of the Year at the Moneyfacts Awards 2025
MBNA
Dual 0% Transfer and Purchase Credit Card
Representative example: If you spend £1,200.00 at a purchase rate of 24.94% (variable) p.a. your representative APR is 24.9% (variable)
Great for
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Transferring money to your current account with 0% interest for 9 months (4% fee applies)
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Contactless payments for items up to £100
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You could earn cashback with MBNA Smart Rewards – see provider site for more details
But be aware that
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Balance transfers, money transfers and purchases must be made within the first 60 days to get the promotional offers
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You can't transfer a balance from another card issued by MBNA
This is a selection of our top 3 balance transfer and purchase cards, ordered by longest 0% balance transfer period.
What is a balance transfer and purchase credit card?
A balance transfer and purchase credit card is a card designed to accept debt from other credit cards and be used for spending. It is a combination of a:
Balance transfer card: Offering low or 0% interest rates on transferred balances from other credit cards to help you clear your debt
Purchase credit card: Offering low or 0% interest rates on new purchases you make on the card
The best balance transfer and purchase cards offer 0% interest on transferred balances and spending for a time, sometimes up to six months or more.
According to MoneySuperMarket data, the average credit limit for people searching for balance transfer and purchase credit cards through us is £2400
How do they work?
Transfer debt: Move a balance from an existing credit card onto the new card with a much lower rate of interest. There may be a one-off fee to pay
Spend on the card: Use the new card for making purchases with low or even 0% interest to pay for a fixed period, giving you need more time to clear the balance
Pay off the balance: Keep an eye on when the 0% or low interest rates end for both the balance transfer and purchases because the APR will then rise considerably
According to our data, the average representative APR for those searching for balance transfer & purchase cards is 27.8%
How can I best manage my balance transfer and purchase card?
Combined balance transfer and purchase credit cards can be a great budgeting tool. Use them wisely to bring down your borrowing costs and super save.
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Pay off debts
Use the 0% offer period to pay off outstanding debt more quickly – saving you money.
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Interest free purchases
If you have a large purchase to make you can pay it off without incurring interest.
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Important dates
Clear your balance or switch to a new card when you reach the end date of your 0% offer.
When should you transfer your balance?
There’s a range of reasons to use a balance transfer credit card, including:
You’re on a high interest rate: If your current credit card charges a high APR on your balance you could save money and pay it off faster by switching to a 0% card
Your existing card has high fees: Some types of credit card charge monthly or annual fees just to use them
You have more than one card: Transferring several balances onto one credit card can simplify monthly repayments making it easier to keep track of your money
What fees will I have to pay to transfer a balance?
Most balance transfer credit cards charge a fee to move existing card debts. This is usually expressed as a percentage of the amount being transferred.
For example, if the fee is 2.5% and you transfer a debt of £1,000, you’ll pay £25 and owe a total of £1,025. In some cases there will be a minimum and maximum fee you’ll be required to pay.
Always read the small print of your card deal before switching.
What are the pros and cons of a balance transfer and purchase card?
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Advantages
Allows you to pay low or 0% interest rates on balance transfers
Lets you make purchases without paying interest during the promotional period
Ideal if you’re looking to boost your credit score and save money
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Disadvantages
0% interest rates are time limited
Failure to pay off within the promotional period means you may be subject to high annual percentage rates and have to do another balance transfer
Can be hard to get 0% deals when you have a poor credit rating
Temptation to spend more on purchases on credit card during the low-interest, or 0%, period
Am I eligible for a balance transfer and purchase card?
To apply for most credit cards in the UK, you must follow certain criteria:
Must be 18 years or older
Be a UK resident
A good credit score
Regular income
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Can I get a balance transfer and purchase credit card with bad credit?
If you’ve struggled with debts in the past and have a low credit score, or if you have no credit history, you should still be able to get a combined balance transfer and spending credit card. But the best deals and 0% offers may be harder to get. If your credit score is low you should expect:
To be offered higher interest rates or APR
Not to get the longest 0% interest periods
Our credit monitor tool has lots of useful tips and information about how to boost your credit score to gain access to better card deals.
Will interest rate cuts make borrowing cheaper?
In December 2025 the Bank of England cut the base rate from 4% to 3.75%, which sees the base rate at its lowest level since March 2023.
While credit card interest rates aren't directly tied to the base rate, they often track it to some extent.
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 interest start to come down for balance transfer and purchase credit cards 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.
How long will the 0% period be on a balance transfer and purchase card?
The 0% interest period on a balance and transfers card will differ from card to card and depending on how individual card providers view your creditworthiness.
It’s worth noting that the 0% introductory period for balance transfer may also be different to the 0% period for purchases – with either being longer depending on the specific deal.
Typically, a minimum interest-free period would be three months, but this could extend to around 20 months on a joint balance transfer and purchase credit card for someone with a good credit rating.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer?
You won’t be able to make a balance transfer for more than the credit limit on your new card, but you won’t know your credit limit until your card application has been approved.
If you’re concerned that your new card won’t have enough capacity to handle your existing card debt, you may be able to request a credit limit from a potential new card provider. However, this is not a guarantee it will be granted.
What are the alternatives to a balance transfer card?
If you're unsure whether or not balance transfer cards are the right option for you, here are some alternatives:
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Loans for bad credit
There are lenders who specialise in offering loans to people with poor credit history, but your options may be more limited and the interest rates are often higher.
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Money transfer card
Transfer funds into your current account to clear overdrafts.
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Guarantor loans
A guarantor loan can be an alternative if you’re struggling to get a credit card. With someone you trust backing your repayments, you may be able to borrow more or at a lower rate than you’d get on your own.
Compare balance transfer and purchase cards with MoneySupermarket
If you feel that a balance transfer and purchase credit card could be right for you, the next step is to use the MoneySuperMarket Eligibility Checker to see what cards are available – and your chances of being approved for each card.
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Tell us about yourself
We’ll ask you some questions about you and your financial circumstances, and what you need from a credit card.
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We browse the market
We’ll sift through dozens of credit card offers from across the market, and then show you the most suitable deals for you.
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Pick the best card for you
You’ll be shown a range of credit card deals, which you can sort according to 0% interest periods, interest rates and your chances of being approved.
Our expert says…
If you’re paying a high rate of interest on a credit card, transferring it to a 0% card via a balance transfer usually makes sense. You lower the rate of interest so you can focus on paying off the debt. But if you also need a 0% purchase card, perhaps because you want to spread the cost of a new item over three or six months, a purchase credit card can help. So, instead of taking out two cards, a combined card might be your best bet. Just remember, there will be a charge for the balance transfer and interest will apply after the initial 0% period so keep a close eye on the charges and interest.
Kara Gammell Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
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What happens if I miss a payment?
If you don’t make at least the minimum payment on your credit card when required then you run the risk of:
Having your 0% introductory period withdrawn so you revert to the much higher APR
Being charged a late payment fee
Damaging your credit rating for failing to keep up with repayments
Is a balance transfer a good idea?
A balance transfer can be a great way to manage a moderate amount of credit card debt – provided you’re disciplined about paying the debt off in time. Every balance transfer card has a time limit on the low-interest period it offers; if the balance isn’t cleared when that period runs out, you’ll end up paying quite a high rate of interest on what remains – potentially wiping out the savings you’d made.
Can you still use your credit card after a balance transfer?
You can, but most normal balance transfer cards don’t have terms that are particularly good for spending. If you want a card that lets you transfer balances and spend money, a balance transfer and purchase credit card is a better idea.
What is the longest 0% period for balance transfer and purchase cards?
The interest free periods on balance transfer and purchase cards will vary depending on the provider. As a general rule the higher your credit rating and the stronger your financial circumstances the more likely a lender will accept you for the longest 0% interest offer periods. With a combined transfer and spending card the 0% offer periods are often different lengths. For example a card may offer 18 months 0% interest for balance transfers and six months at 0% interest for new spending. In some cases it may be possible to get 0% interest on a balance transfer for between two and three years, for example.
Are there balance transfer cards with no transfer fee?
Some cards will come without a transfer fee, but typically they will offer shorter 0% interest periods, or a low APR rather than 0% interest.
Should I get a 0% APR interest balance transfer card?
A zero per cent interest balance transfer card can be a good choice if you have existing credit card debts which you want to pay off more quickly. By switching your balance to a new card with 0% APR for an extended time you can pay down the debt without incurring more interest on your borrowing. Remember to factor in any balance transfer fee on the new card. And also be aware that the interest rate (APR) is likely to rise steeply after the 0% interest offer period ends. For this reason you should look to clear your debt during the offer period or move the balance again to another 0% interest balance transfer card.
What is the best way to pay off my balance on a balance transfer and purchase credit card?
To effectively pay off your balance on a balance transfer and purchase credit card, set up a direct debit from your bank account for at least the minimum payment. This ensures you never miss a payment and helps avoid interest charges and fees. To reduce your balance faster, consider setting up a direct debit for a fixed amount higher than the minimum payment each month. This strategy helps clear the debt more efficiently while also maintaining a good credit score.
How is the card different to a money transfer credit card?
A money transfer card allows you to transfer funds directly from your credit card to your bank account, enabling you to pay off overdrafts or other expenses. In contrast, a balance transfer and purchase card is designed for transferring credit card debt and making new purchases at lower interest rates.
Work out a payment schedule
Divide the amount you transfer by the number of months your interest-free deal lasts for. The result is the amount you need to pay each month to clear the debt.
Don’t add to your balance
If you do not clear the balance by the end of the 0% period, you will be charged interest on what you owe.
You will have to make at least a minimum payment each month.
If you know you’re not going to clear the balance within the 0% period, you could consider transferring to another card with an interest-free period.
What is the difference between balance transfer and money transfer?
Balance transfer and money transfer cards work in a similar way – helping you move expensive debts onto a cheaper and more manageable rate or 0% APR interest for a time. The difference is that they’re used for different types of debts. A balance transfer card lets you move debt onto it from another credit card or cards, while a money transfer card lets you move debt from your bank account instead – typically to pay off an overdraft.
Stick to your limit
Avoid exceeding your credit limit or you’ll face penalties such as losing your interest-free deal.
Manage your old cards
Make the necessary payments to the card or cards you move the balance from, especially if you do not clear the balance completely.
Transfer again if necessary
If you do not clear the balance by the end of the interest-free period, transfer that sum to another 0% balance transfer card.
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Reviewed on 25 Dec 2025 by
Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket in November 2025, by the highest eligibility rating returned.
Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.
Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to transfer an existing balance through MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.
Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)
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Based on the credit card enquirys with the aim to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket between September 2025 and November 2025.