Customers with a less-than-perfect credit score should not be deterred from applying - the bank claims that the majority of people will qualify.

However, The Telegraph reports that those without an ideal financial history may not be able to take advantage of the full interest-free period allocation.

All successful applicants can benefit from zero percent interest for the first six months on balance transfers made within 30 days of account opening, though.

A three percent fee does apply, but the credit card could still be a fantastic option for customers looking to move their debts to a new piece of plastic.

The representative APR on a credit limit of £1,200 is 16.9 percent variable, and the purchase rate would rise to 16.95 percent per annum after the introductory period.

Customers can also take advantage of Online and Mobile Banking services, meaning they can easily keep track of their spending.

Positive news about the UK economy could be inspiring improved consumer confidence, encouraging more shoppers to flash the plastic.

Preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.3 percent in the first quarter, allaying fears of a triple-dip recession.

Online shopping has been particularly popular, with internet spending up 12 percent compared to the same period last year.

The research, which was conducted exclusively for The Mail on Sunday, shows that customers are investing more in their homes too, with DIY and garden spending on the up.

Barclaycard also notes a "shift to cheaper forms of entertainment" as credit card customers splashed out an additional 20 percent on cinema tickets and 11 percent more in restaurants.

Those looking to get the most out of their plastic might benefit by applying for a product which offers a cashback or rewards scheme.

While people can put off purchasing expensive holidays and cars in the tough financial climate, more are resistant to postponing their wedding as a result of low funds.

And with the average cost of the event at £21,939, many aspiring newlyweds are turning to the plastic to help them realise their dreams.

These engaged couples are also choosing to take matters into their own hands, rather than relying on the bank of mum and dad as 29 percent do.

Couples can spread the cost of their wedding day by picking out a credit card that offers a prolonged interest-free period.

The Tesco Credit Card offers zero percent interest on purchases made within the first 16 months, as well as bonus Clubcard point rewards.

The charge has been dropped from 3.5 to 2.85 percent, while the interest rate on balance transfers made within 60 days is zero percent for an impressive 24 months.

This could therefore be one of the most affordable credit cards for people looking to move debts from another account, and other rates are competitive too.

Customers can take advantage of zero percent interest on purchases for three months, and the representative variable APR, based on a credit limit of £1,200, is 16.9 percent per annum.

Those who sign up for the MBNA Platinum Credit Card will also receive great customer service, as there is a UK-based helpline at hand 24 hours per day.

Holders can also access account information easily online, with the ability to view previous statements and recent transactions being particularly useful functions.

Deals including £25 off Monarch Airlines flights and five percent off the Thomas Cook Holiday Club have been added to the website - perfect for those planning a trip this summer.

However, the discounts are available with a number of different companies, so the credit card users can find themselves making savings every day.

Brands such as Krispy Kreme, Interflora, Toys R Us, The Body Shop and La Tasca are participating, providing Nationwide customers with exclusive deals.

Those wishing to benefit could apply for the Nationwide Credit Card, which has two impressive introductory offers available.

There is also the Nationwide Select Credit Card, which offers zero percent on balance transfers for 20 months, zero percent on purchases for 12 months and unlimited 0.5 percent cashback on sterling purchases.

Research from thinkmoney shows that three million people in the UK have seen a friendship crumble after grievances arose from lending.

It seems that William Shakespeare's adage in Hamlet, "neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend", is still true to this day.

A fifth of 18 to 54-year-olds agree that borrowing money from friends is a risky tactic, perhaps since lenders can feel resentment when their friend has difficulties with repayment.

Survey results reveal that people may be more optimistic than realistic when it comes to their expectations about borrowing from loved ones.

More than seven-in-ten people who take a loan off someone they know think they will pay it back in full and without delay, but lenders say this actually occurs just 47 percent of the time.

Consumers who need cash may therefore be well advised to turn to a credit card rather than a friend or relative.

MoneyComms' Andrew Hagger said: "The combination [...] will appeal to savvy shoppers who are striving to make every penny count in this tough economic climate."

Both cards offer a 7.8 percent APR variable standard interest rate on purchases, meaning they are a good option for customers who need to borrow over the long term.

The Sainsbury's Low Rate Nectar Credit Card allows customers to boost their Nectar points balance, so they can get their hands on more vouchers for the likes of easyJet and Argos.

When shopping at the supermarket, customers will receive five-times the usual number of points at the till for the first three months, and two-times the amount thereafter.

However, shoppers could gain money rather than Nectar points by applying for the new Sainsbury's Low Rate Cashback Credit Card.

For the first three months, customers will receive a five percent commission on their groceries, with a maximum reward of £50 per month available.

After this period, they will receive a £5 reward each month that they spend £250 in-store and £250 elsewhere.

Successful applicants will receive an American Express and a Mastercard credit card, which are linked to one account, one balance and one statement for added convenience.

Customers will add one Avios point to their balance every time they spend £1 on the former, and one point for every £5 they spend on the latter - this doubles when abroad.

Users who apply before September 15th and spend £500 per month on their American Express for the first three months will also receive a 15,000-point bonus.

This total is enough for a return flight from London to the like of Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Rome through the airline rewards scheme, although a £30-per-person fee applies.

The representative purchase rate, based upon £1,200 of borrowing over 12 months, is 17.95 percent variable.

Saga Platinum Credit Card researchers found that a third of this age group selected their current piece of plastic because it was from their bank.

With hundreds of products on the market, comparing the pros and cons of different offerings is vital to getting the most out of spending.

Over 50s are using other types of dubious search criteria, with 27 percent admitting that they are enticed by free gifts that come with certain cards.

Basing a decision on this factor could mean forfeiting cashback, spending more than necessary on charges and losing out on benefits like interest-free periods.

Saga Services chief executive Roger Ramsden said: "People should pick an all round good card that [...] won't turn round and bite them if they don't pay their monthly bill in full."

The organisation is one of many to use this tactic, as it attempts to draw more new customers in the light of increasingly tough competition.

Shoppers will also benefit from zero percent interest fees on the first three months of purchases - perfect for consumers with big spends in the pipeline.

Even though the credit card may not be market leading in terms of charges and period durations, it does have a unique selling point.

Fluid will consult a person's financial history thoroughly and let them know their chance of approval before they make an official application.

Customers who are unlikely to be accepted can therefore avoid adding a rejection to their record and hence prevent damage to their credit score.

Spokesperson Will Becker said: "Plus, with Fluid’s 'apply with confidence' service, we are helping take some of the fear out of applying for a new credit card."

Many games on virtual stores like Google Play are free to download, but the creators make their profit from transactions within that unlock new features.

The media has highlighted numerous instances where parents have let their children use these apps, only to later find huge charges on their credit card statement.

Five-year-old Danny Kitchen racked up a £1,700 bill after playing Zombies v Ninja for just a few minutes on his mum and dad's iPad.

Apple have agreed to refund many of the affected customers, but the OFT wants to ensure developers are not unscrupulously encouraging kids to make purchases.

Saving credit card details in an iTunes account is more convenient when it comes to buying multimedia, but users should always set up a password to ensure financial security.

As part of the new regulations, retailers will only be permitted to take a small charge that reflects the true cost of transferring a debt or credit card payment.

"We will be monitoring the ban closely and want people to tell us about surcharges they think are excessive," Richard Lloyd executive director Which?, said.

Andy Millmore, a partner at law firm Harbottle & Lewis, added that sellers should not get complacent about the new rules as they could face legal action if they are found to be in breach of the legislation.

"The challenge will be how customers are supposed to know what is and what is not the legitimate processing cost," he added.

As a result, card holders with the company can expect to receive better support, as employees will be encouraged to access a series of flexible training options and personal learning plans to address gaps in their knowledge and skills.

Phillip King, director of ICM, said at a press conference that the development "breaks new ground" for the two firms.

"Professionalism is about continuous and continual improvement, and this agreement shows the desire that exists between both organisations to invest in relationships that deliver tangible results," he added.

Beyond providing a better service for consumers, it is hoped the partnership will enable MBNA to improve its ability to identify those it can lend to, with the provider aiming to become the first in the UK to achieve the QICM accreditation.

Posted by Alex Adams

Tesco Bank is the latest to introduce a fresh balance transfer card to enable some people to move their debt from one plastic to another.

As part of the offer, the bank has announced its zero percent, 25-month period, for balance transfers on the Clubcard Credit Card.

This comes with a fee of 2.9 percent and offers Tesco customers an additional value of zero percent interest on purchases for a three-month period.

"The Clubcard Credit Card regularly tops best-buy tables and increasing our balance transfer offer reflects our ambition to consistently provide good value products that combine great customer service and reward our customers' loyalty," said Will Curley, credit card director at Tesco Bank.

Clubcard Credit Card holders will also receive Clubcard points on their spending, getting one point for every £4 they put on their plastic.

People using the credit card as their Clubcard in Tesco stores can also get up to five points for every £4 spent, a statement from the bank revealed. 

Posted by Alex Adams

Using data from the Office for National Statistics, Halifax discovered that a rise in the cost of essentials in the last ten years has meant they now make up about 50 percent of people's monthly spend.

Shelter, food, water and heating come to about 25 percent of people's monthly outgoings, the study showed, with the cost of transport, health and personal care pushing this up to half.

As a consequence, people have less disposable cash to pay for the things they like, with the amount spent on recreation and culture falling 13.5 per cent over the decade.

"There is no easy solution, but showing expenditure in its most basic terms like this serves to highlight the importance of budgeting," said Anthony Warrington, director of personal current accounts at Halifax.

"In order to make sure people can pay for the things they need to buy before they look at the things they want to buy." 

The study from American Express discovered more than double the number of people plan to take an Easter break this year compared to 2012 - 45 percent  in contrast to 18 percent.

Some 85 percent of these holidaymakers will reduce their spend while overseas in a variety of ways including choosing picnics over eating out and avoiding buying souvenirs.

According to the study, 37 percent of those who are members of a rewards programme have used their rewards to pay for or upgrade their flights.

Some 24 percent of those respondents said they had even been able to exchange rewards points for day trips and experiences to make the most of their holidays without dipping into their wallets.

Vice president of consumer cards UK Heather Laverne said: "In addition to saving money, using loyalty points wisely can make for a more enjoyable and stress free holiday." 

Posted by Alex Adams 

And with new research from M&S Bank revealing the eurozone is still many Britons' top holiday choice, it seems some will be looking to the power of sterling on their foreign break.

The study showed eurozone countries remained people's top choice, although sterling has fallen two percent against the euro in recent times.

Remaining in second place, however, is the US, where sterling has also taken a three percent decline against the dollar.

"Sterling has declined against a number of currencies from this time last year so we'd encourage holidaymakers looking for a good deal to look at the total cost of their holiday, including exchange rates and local costs," commented Paul Stokes, head of travel money at M&S Bank.

Holidaymakers can order their prepaid travel cards ahead of their break, helping them to skip the queue at banks and airports, where rates may not be as competitive.

Posted by Jack Ramsey 

As part of the offer, consumers will benefit from zero percent interest on balance transfers for the 26 months from the account opening, with a 3.5 percent handling fee applying.

Furthermore, zero percent interest will apply for six months on purchases made with the credit card from the time the account is opened.

The advantage of balance transfer cards is that people can repay debt on other cards through the new card without incurring the same level of interest over a fixed-period of time.

To maximise these benefits, however, consumers might also be best advised to avoid making purchases on the new card, helping them to manage their debt so they can get back in the black.

People using Barclaycard can also make contactless payments up to the tune of £20, making it quicker and easier to make purchases.

Posted by Sarah Nyman 

That is according to the UK Cards Association, which published figures that showed a 14 percent increase in fraud losses on debit and credit cards in 2012 in comparison to a previous ten-year low in 2011.

The total stolen from people with plastic stood at £388 million last year, with the organisation suggesting there has been a rise in fraudsters using distraction tactics and shoulder surfing to swipe their cards or dupe them into handing over their details.

Those carrying plastic around shops and bars or using them at cash points should remain vigilant no one is peeking over their shoulder or trying to ask them questions when using their cards.

Detective inspector David Timmins, from the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit, said: "This latest set of national figures demonstrates the new frontline in the fight against fraud.

"As a consequence of more robust security features, criminals are resorting to low-tech deception crimes designed to dupe customers into parting with their cards."

Posted by Alex Adams 

The study from the Payments Council also found 80 percent of people named cash machines as their preferred method to accessing cash, with eight percent preferring counter services.

While people can look to their credit card to free up cash, the study also showed people's main considerations when deciding where to get cash is that the access point is free to use and conveniently located.

They also prioritise outlets that dispense of cash quickly, with men typically preferring a speedy transaction and women preferring to feel safe when accessing money.

The study also found a barrier to accessing cash for people living in the countryside was limited access to ATMs in some areas and queues at busy cash points in poorly-served locations.

Chief executive of the Payments Council Adrian Kamellard said: "It’s encouraging that the substantial majority of consumers and businesses are able to get cash easily, but the Payments Council’s focus is on those who have reported difficulties - particularly as these customers are often those most dependent on cash to help them manage on a tight budget."

Posted by Sarah Nyman