
If you click a link with an * to go through to a provider, we may get paid. This usually only happens if you get a product from it. This is what funds our team of journalists, and keeps us free to use. Yet there are two crucial things you need to know about this.
- This never impacts our editorial recommendations – if it's in, it's in there because we independently rate it best.
- You'll always get as good a deal (or better) than if you went direct.
For a more detailed explanation see How MSE is financed.

0% Balance Transfer & Purchase Cards
Get up to 24 months 0% on both with one card
Most credit cards are good for new spending OR cutting the cost of existing debt. But some offer cheap intro rates on both. Lenders have tightened acceptance criteria in light of financial concerns from coronavirus, but our Balance Transfer & Spending Eligibility Calculator will show the cards you have the best odds of getting before you apply.

Who's this guide for? Anyone with existing card debt, who wants to transfer a balance and spend at 0% on the same card.
Not what you want? Other related best-buy guides...
0% money transfer cards | 0% spending credit cards | Balance transfer cards | Debt help | Credit cards explained
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
What is a 0% all-rounder credit card?

Most 0% credit cards are good for new spending OR cutting the cost of existing debt, but an all-rounder card offers 0% intro rates for a number of months on both.
You can usually get a longer 0% period with a dedicated balance transfer card, though if you have a need to borrow further (eg, a planned, affordable, one-off purchase, such as replacing a broken fridge) then an all-rounder card offers one fewer application hitting your credit file, protecting your creditworthiness.
Watch out for cards with two different 0% lengths
Certain cards have, for example, 20 months 0% on spending and 16 months 0% on transfers. In this case, after 16 months you'd start paying interest on any amount left that you'd transferred. It's therefore best to clear the card by the shortest 0% period, so you don't get caught out.
However, if you can't, any repayments you make has to go towards paying off the most expensive debt first, so this will at least clear first.
The five golden rules
Before applying for a 0% balance transfer & spending card, ensure you read the five golden rules.
See which credit cards you've the best chance of getting, in your own personal best-buy table.
Usually, applying is the only way to know if you'll be accepted for a credit card. Yet that marks your credit file, affecting your ability to get future credit. To help, our tool uses a 'soft search' to find your chances of acceptance before applying.
Check your chance of acceptance
Top 0% 'all-rounder' cards
You'll pay a one-off fee for transferring a balance, so it's best to go for the card with the lowest fee in the time you're sure you can repay it. If unsure, play safe and go long.
Important. These include 'up to' cards, so poorer credit scorers may get a shorter deal than advertised – unless you're showing as pre-approved in our eligibility calculator. This is the best route as it shows which cards you're most likely to be accepted for.
Top 0% balance transfer & spending cards for new cardholders
LENDER | 0% LENGTHS + FEE (i) | APPLY |
The longest definite 0% spending period – all accepted get the full 24 months at 0% for both purchases and transfers. It also gives ongoing M&S points – one point (worth 1p) per £1 spent at M&S and one point per £5 spent elsewhere, which convert to M&S vouchers every three months. Full card spec | ||
- 24mths 0% - 2.9% fee (min £5) - 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
![]() Sainsbury's Bank |
The joint-longest 0% spending period, plus bonus Nectar points worth up to £25, though some may get 16mths at 0% for both spending and transfers. It gives a bonus 500 Nectar points for each £35+ spend at Sainsbury's (not fuel) in the first two months (max 5,000 points, worth £25), plus 2 points per £1 spent at Sainsbury's and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Full card spec | |
- Up to 24mths 0% - 3% fee (min £3) - 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
|
Long 0% periods, though only on spends/transfers made in the first 60 days. It's an 'up to' card so, unless showing as 'pre-approved' in our eligibility calculator, you could get just 12 months at 0% and/or the higher transfer fee. Any purchases or transfers made after the first 60 days will attract interest and a higher 5% fee, so diarise the cut off carefully. Full card spec | |
- Up to 24mths 0% - 2.89% or 3.49% fee - 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* |
||
The longest 0% period for transfers, plus 0.5% cashback on spending. However, be mindful of the different 0% lengths and fixed monthly fee (it can be more expensive than other cards in this table for transfers under £2,700). Full card spec | ||
- 23mths 0% (spending) - 24.7% rep APR, including the fee |
Check eligibility | |
Apply* | ||
The next best 0% all-rounder cards. Here are quick details of decent alternatives. | ||
Barclaycard | - Up to 24mths 0% (spending) - Up to 22mths 0% (transfers) - 2.9% fee - 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
NatWest (ii) Existing customers only |
- 23mths 0% - 2.49% fee - 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
The card above is also available for existing RBS (check eligibility / apply*) and Ulster Bank (apply) customers. | ||
Tesco Bank | - Up to 20mths 0% - 1.99% fee - 20.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* | ||
Virgin Money | - 19mths 0% - 2.9% fee - 21.9% rep APR |
Check eligibility |
Apply* |
Important: (i) Fee as a percentage of debt shifted. To get the 0% and fee, you must usually do the balance transfer within 60/90 days of opening. You can't transfer a balance between cards from the same bank/group. (ii) You'll need an existing savings, credit card, mortgage or current account to apply.|Representative APR (variable) after the 0% period is stated above – your balance transfer interest may be different.|See all official APR examples.
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Cashback sites may pay you for signing up
As an extra boon, members of specialist cashback websites can be paid when they sign up to some financial products. Do check it's exactly the same deal though, as terms can be different. And remember that cashback is never 100% guaranteed until it's in your account.
There's full help to take advantage of this and pros and cons in our Top Cashback Sites guide.
0% 'all-rounder' cards Q&A

Spotted out of date info/broken links? Email: brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com
Clever ways to calculate your finances