Compare UK Credit Cards

Compare a wide range of credit cards to find some great offers with the CardSmart Best Buy comparison table. Compare 0% balance transfer, 0% purchase, credit builder, low rate, student credit cards and more all in one convenient place. Alternatively, compare by card type by selecting the type of card you’re after below.

Best Buy Credit Card Rates		0% Purchases	0% Balance Transfers	APR Representative (Variable)	Rewards
	Virgin Credit Card You are over 25 years of age. You have a Good Credit History. You are in full time employment. You are a permanent resident / citizen of the UK. You have a Bank or Building Society account.	3 months	20 months	16.8^%	Great Discounts on Virgin Products
		Instant Decision
16.8% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 16.8% p.a(variable).
	Tesco ClubCard Credit Card Earn ClubCard Points 0.0% for 13 months on Purchases 0.0% for 9 months on Balance Transfers Minimum Age 18 Minimum Income £5,000	15 months	9 months	16.9^%	Earn ClubCard Points on EVERY purchase
		In store. Out of store. Collect points. Typical 16.9% APR (variable)
16.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 16.9% p.a(variable).
	Barclaycard Platinum with BT 0.0% for 3 months on Purchases 0.0% on Balance Transfers	3 months	22 months	17.5^%	Latest Slide technology. Great holiday deals with Barclaycard Travel Service
17.5% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 17.5% p.a(variable).
	NatWest Platinum Card 0.0% for 20 months on Balance Transfers 0.0% for 6 months on Purchases	6 months	20 months	17.9^%	Great discounts with NatWest travel service
		Available exclusively to customers with a NatWest current account
17.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 17.9% p.a(variable).
	RBS Platinum Card 0.0% for 20 months on Balance Transfers 0.0% for 6 months on Purchases	6 months	20 months	17.9^%	10% off RBS TaxCheck Service
		Available exclusively to customers with an RBS current account
17.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 17.9% p.a(variable).
	Bank of Scotland All in One Card You need to be over 18. You are currently employed. You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years. You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJs, current arrears or missed payments). You have a Bank or Building Society account. 3% balance transfer fee	12 months	12 months	17.9^%	Choose from a range of card designs
17.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 17.9% p.a(variable).
	Capital One Classic Card No Annual Fee Ideal for building your credit rating You need to be over 18. You need to have some history of managing your credit even if you have had CCJs or defaults in the past. You are on the electoral roll.	No 0% Purchase Offer	No 0% Balance Transfer Offer	34.9^%	Register for email alerts to help you stay in control. Response in 60 seconds.
		Great Credit Builder Card
34.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 34.9% p.a(variable).
	bmi Amex Card You are over 23 years of age. You are currently employed. You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJs, current arrears or missed payments). You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years. You are a homeowner. You have an income of over £20,000.	3 months	12 months	16.9^%	Earn 1.5 destinations miles for every £1 spent.
		20,000 bonus miles when the cardholder spends £250 within 90 days
16.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 16.9% p.a(variable).
	AA Credit Card 0% on card purchases of motoring, fuel and AA products until December 2010. You need to be over 18. You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years. You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJs, current arrears or missed payments). You have a Bank or Building Society account.	10 months	12 months	16.9^%	Earn AA Rewards Points on your everyday spend plus earn double points on motoring spend
	Virgin Atlantic White Amex You need to be over 18. You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJs, current arrears or missed payments). You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years. You have a Bank or Building Society account. You are currently employed.	No 0% Purchase Offer	6 months	17.9^%	Earn 1 mile per £1 spent. Double miles on Virgin Atlantic and Holidays.
		3,000 Bonus miles with first Purchase
17.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 17.9% p.a(variable).
	HSBC Bank Credit Card 0.0% for 3 months on Purchases 0.0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers	3 months	15 months	16.9^%	8% discount off 1000’s of holidays.
		Available to HSBC account holders ONLY
16.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of 1200 and purchase rate 16.9% p.a(variable).

A guide to Choosing a Credit Card

Many consumers still do not like credit cards and point blank refuse to hold one. However, if used efficiently and sensibly, credit cards can be made to work for you. They also offer added layers of protection not available with debit cards.

What needs to be decided is what your needs are.”

So what exactly should you look for when choosing to apply for a credit card?

There unfortunately is no one card that will suit all of your needs. What needs to be decided is what your needs are. For example:

Will you pay the card off in full
every month?
Do you require a 0% balance transfer?
Do you require a low rate balance of life transfer?
Will you be using your card overseas?

The list could go on and on. But by starting with basic questions you will be able to immediately narrow down your search. Remember, too many credit card applications in a short space of time can lead to a refusal of cards due to too many credit checks being performed.

How reliant will you be on the card?

Another important question to ask yourself is to look at your spending habits. How often will you be using the card? Will you use the card rarely, at least once a month or daily?

Those of you that will use your cards for just about everything instead of using cash or cheques should consider looking for credit card protection. There is often a charge for this but if you lose your card or it is stolen, you will not be held responsible for any purchases made.

If you are using your card for almost all purchases then a cashback card can be a good option. The best deals refund up to 5 per cent of the cost of your shopping - make your card work for you.

Alternatively, if you have a favourite supermarket or would like to earn free flights etc, you could opt for a loyalty card. These work in a similar way to cashback cards but offer rewards such as discount vouchers which can then be used towards days out.

Do you travel? Then why not consider a card with frequent air miles as a reward. Or perhaps one that offers travel insurance or is free from currency exchange fees.

How safe are credit cards?

Credit cards offer much more protection for consumers than debit cards. For example:

Legal Rights. If you buy something and the company goes bust, or the goods are damaged or broken then you can go straight to the credit card provider. This protection only applies to credit and not debit cards.
Purchase Protection. Some cards offer an additional 'purchase protection'. This covers you if the goods are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged. There is often a charge.
Travel Accident Insurance. Many cards also have free travel accident insurance with £50,000 to £250,000 worth of cover. While this isn't the same as full travel insurance, some platinum or gold cards do offer that as well.
ID Fraud Protection. Some credit cards have started offering ID fraud protection as part of their benefits. This means you'll get access to their help lines if you have a problem.

Cash advance fees and interest rates

Beware of withdrawing any money from the 'hole in the wall' with your credit card. This should be considered only in emergencies as the cost of interest is likely to be extortionate. Ask about the fees and interest rates when choosing a new credit card.

You should also find out about what outstanding debts are cleared first. Most card providers use your repayments to clear the cheapest debt first and the most expensive debt last, meaning any cash withdrawals can remain on your balance for months.

Base your choice of card around your lifestyle... not the other way around

What matters most is to find the best card that fits your spending habits. Don't get sucked in by the offers… make the card work for you!


American Express doubles cashback rate for Platinum card		Christmas with CardSmart: Our 3 Top Credit Cards for Christmas Spending
American Express customers can now earn five per cent on purchases for the first three months of use Read more...		With Christmas fast approaching, many people are now buying gifts for their loved ones, or just... Read more...
More from the CardSmart News Desk Latest Most Read Brits pay back £377m in debt in December Brits boost savings balances in 2011 Savers urged to reduce borrowing levels ahead of interest rate rise Elderly Brits urged should make their money 'work for them' Credit cards can be a 'useful' budgeting tool The number of Brits' seeking debt advice doubles in January Gap year students urged to take pre-paid cards on their travels Bank overdraft charges too 'difficult' to understand Government to ban excessive credit card payment fees		More guides Latest Most Read Balance Transfers How to Repay your Credit Cards - Managing Your Money How Credit Card Interest Fees are Calculated Why Use a Credit Card? How to Improve Your Credit Rating Christmas with CardSmart: Our 3 Top Credit Cards for Christmas Spending Virgin Atlantic American Express credit cards offer great rewards The Best Payment Methods for a Skiing Holiday Prepaid cards could suit many different types of consumer Credit Scoring Can Affect the Rate Offered by Credit Card Companies

Compare UK Credit Cards

Best Buy Credit Card Rates

Many consumers still do not like credit cards and point blank refuse to hold one. However, if used efficiently and sensibly, credit cards can be made to work for you. They also offer added layers of protection not available with debit cards.

More from the CardSmart News Desk

More guides