Representative example: If you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a £3 monthly fee your representative APR is 29.8% APR (variable)
Great for
No fee for transferring a balance. No foreign transaction fees on purchases and cash withdrawals abroad when made in the local currency. A cash withdrawal fee of 3% (minimum £3) applies
Earn 0.5% cashback (up to £10 a month) on all your purchases
Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised with Santander Boosts
But be aware that
There is a £3 monthly fee
You can't transfer a balance from another card issued by Santander, including Cahoot
Who is Santander?
Santander is a Spanish bank which has been operating since 1857. The UK operation began when it bought Abbey National in 2004, followed by Bradford & Bingley in 2008. In 2010, its UK high street banks were rebranded as Santander, and it is now one of the biggest bank brands in the country.
What types of cards do Santander offer?
Santander offers a wide range of credit cards, here are some of the different types of cards on offer
Balance transfer and purchase card
Santander’s ‘All In One’ card, is a balance transfer and purchase card that gives you 0% interest on spending and balance transfers for a fixed period without a transfer fee. You can also get up to £10 a month cashback on purchases, although there is a £3 monthly fee.
Balance transfer credit cards
Santander’s dedicated balance transfer card allows you to pay 0% interest on a balance for longer periods – over two years in some cases. There is a fee-free option that comes with a shorter 0% interest period. The cards also offer the added benefit of 0% interest on purchases for a short time.
Rewards cards
Santander also has a rewards card – available for existing customers only. It comes with a long 0% interest period on both purchases and transfers, plus cashback points – along with a host of extra perks, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges around the world, a 24/7 concierge service, and discounts on Santander travel insurance. However, it comes with a £15 a month fee.
A balance transfer card might suit your needs if you already have existing card debts and you’re looking to cut your bills. Santander has different options with a transfer fee or no fee – so weigh up which works out lower cost for you – based on the size of the debt you need to pay off
Santander offers all-in-one cards if you’re looking for a balance transfer card but also want to continue to spend. It offers 0% interest for a time on debt transfer and purchases. Just be aware of the monthly fees attached
If you’re a frequent globetrotter, Santander’s elite rewards card comes with plenty of perks to help you travel in style. But it’s only for people with a particular lifestyle – if you’re not taking advantage of its access to airport lounges and concierge services, you’ll be paying £15 a month for a credit card deal that could be matched for cheaper elsewhere
Am I eligible for a Santander credit card?
18 or over and a UK resident
Be aged 18 or over in most cases (some cards may have a minimum age of 21), a permanent UK resident and have a UK bank account
Annual income of over £10,500
You must have an a guaranteed annual income of £10,500 or more (before tax)
No CCJs
You can’t have been declared bankrupt, had a County Court Judgement (CCJ) or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) within the last six years
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How likely am I to get accepted?
Santander credit cards offer some enticing deals, but some people may not be accepted. The best way to ensure you won’t be turned down for a card is to have a good credit score.
Your credit score tracks how well you’ve handled credit in the past, and it’s the most important thing credit card providers consider when they make a lending decision. Having a high credit score doesn’t just mean you’re more likely to get approved – odds are you’ll get a higher credit limit and lower interest rates too.
If you don’t know your credit score, it’s easy to get all the information you need with MoneySuperMarket’s free credit score tool – plus, we’ll give you extra help and tips to building better credit.
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.
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
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
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
How long goes it take to get a Santander credit card?
You can usually expect to hear whether you’ve been approved within a few days. But if your credit is high and you’re applying for an easier-to-get card, you could hear within minutes of making your application.
You’ll then typically then receive the card in the post within 10 working days.
Can I get a Santander credit card with bad credit?
You might be able to, but you should expect to be offered less attractive rates. Your best chance is probably to take a look at its standard Santander Edge Credit Card (only available to Santander current account customers). Getting a Santander card with rewards or a balance transfer card might be tricky with an impaired credit rating.
Alternatively, look at getting a credit builder card from another lender first. As long as you make your payments on time and in full, you should improve your credit score. And, in turn, you may be eligible for the more attractive Santander cards in future.
How can I contact Santander?
You can get in touch with Santander’s customer support team on 0845 972 4724. Opening hours are Mon - Sat 7am to 11pm. Sun – 8am to 10pm.
Pay off as much as you can – in full if possible
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.
Don’t miss payments
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.
Set up a direct debit to pay your credit card balance
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.
Don’t apply for new credit cards too often
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.
Get credit cards that offer rewards
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. or one that earns you Avios travel-related points, 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.
Be careful when travelling overseas
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.
Don’t use your credit card for cash withdrawals
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.
Protect yourself from fraud
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.
Our credit card calculator shows you how much it would cost in interest to pay off your card balance
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