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Credit card statistics - 2026

Article author's profile picture
Written by  Victoria Russell
3 min read
Updated: 22 Sep 2026

Key takeaways

  • The average person could save £411[1] by moving credit card balances to a specialist balance transfer credit card.

  • Average credit card debt for UK households in July 2026 was is £2,836

  • Total outstanding credit card debt in July 2026 was £82.3bn, up 8.9% over a year.

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UK credit card statistics - 2026

Credit cards are a flexible method to borrow money, earn rewards for spending, consolidate debt, and enjoy additional protection. In the UK, we rely on them to manage our finances.

We've collated credit card statistics from our own enquiry data and trusted third-party reports to dive into the market, UK spending, and how we're using them in everyday life.

UK credit card spending and balances

  • In July 2026 average UK credit card spend was £815, 1.8% higher than a year ago.

UK credit card market - 2026

Today, there are 25[2]credit card providers with products available through MoneySuperMarket.

Top cards by card type

  • The longest interest free balance transfer period available through MoneySuperMarket is 36[2]months.

  • The longest interest free purchase card period available through MoneySuperMarket is 26[2]months.

  • The highest guaranteed credit limit available through MoneySuperMarket is £2700[3], available on balance transfer credit cards, and interest-free spending credit cards.

Median credit limits

Card type

Median credit limit

Credit builder

£500[4]

Rewards

£1000[5]

Balance transfer and purchase

£2500[6]

Balance transfer

£2700[3]

Travel (spending abroad)

£1000[7]

Interest-free purchase

£1000[8]

Median APR

Median APR varies by card type, and many cards come with promotional interest rates.

Card type

Median APR

Credit builder

35.3%[9]

Rewards

35.6%[10]

Balance transfer and purchase

24.90%[11]

Balance transfer

24.90%[12]

Travel

24.90%[13]

Interest-free purchase

24.90%[14]

Sources and methodology

Live MoneySuperMarket Enquiry Date

Bank of England - Outstanding credit card lending

FICO -Credit card spending

Author

Article author's profile picture

Victoria Russell

General Manager - Commercial

Vikki has worked across financial services for over 20 years, and for the last 15 years, created and nurtured a career within MoneySuperMarket Group, leading to her current role as General Manager...

More about Victoria
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Sources and supporting information
  1. [1]

    Annual saving based on 51% of customers transferring £2,349 from a 24.9% (variable) p.a. card, with a 5% monthly repayment (June 2026). BoE and UK Finance.

    Representative example: transferring £2,349, 3.49% balance transfer fee, 0% over 38 months then 24.9% (variable) p.a. Representative 24.9% APR. Credit broker not lender. 18+ UK only. Subject to status. Moneysupermarket data correct as of 8th July 2026

  2. [2]

    Accurate as of 09 October 2026.

  3. [3]

    Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to transfer an existing balance through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  4. [4]

    Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to improve their credit rating through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  5. [5]

    Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to earn rewards on their spending through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  6. [6]

    Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  7. [7]

    Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  8. [8]

    Based on the median guaranteed credit limit of users searching for credit cards to have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket in September 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  9. [9]

    Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to improve their credit rating through MoneySuperMarket between July 2026 and September 2026.

  10. [10]

    Based on the average Representative APR of users clicking out on credit cards products, to earn rewards on their spending through MoneySuperMarket between July 2026 and September 2026.

  11. [11]

    Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to transfer a balance & have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket on 08 October 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  12. [12]

    Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to transfer an existing balance through MoneySuperMarket on 08 October 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  13. [13]

    Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to spend abroad through MoneySuperMarket on 08 October 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

  14. [14]

    Based on the median Representative APR of users searching for credit cards to have interest free spending through MoneySuperMarket on 08 October 2026, by the highest eligibility rating returned.

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