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0% balance transfer & purchase cards
Get 23 months at 0% for both purchases & balance transfers 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. We've full info and our top picks, plus our Balance Transfer & Spending Eligibility Calculator will show the cards you have the best odds of getting before you apply.
The full 0% all-rounder credit card guide...
Now we've given you a brief overview and you understand the basics, let's take you through all-rounder credit cards in more detail...
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 interest-free 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.
Should I use these cards for spending, balance transfers or both?
As we say above, you can usually get a 'better' balance-transfer only 0% card, so these are best used either only for new spending (a lot of the cards in this guide also feature in the top 0% spending cards top picks), or if you need to both transfer a balance and spread the cost of new borrowing.
If you do need to borrow, ensure it's planned, budgeted for and affordable. If so, a card with a 0% spending period on new borrowing is one of the cheapest ways to borrow.
Watch out for cards with two different 0% lengths
Certain cards have, for example, 21 months 0% on spending and 18 months 0% on transfers. In this case, after 18 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.
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The five golden rules
Before applying for a 0% balance transfer & spending card, ensure you read the five golden rules.
Try our free Credit Club
Sign up to MSE's Credit Club to boost your credit power – access our free tools to see how the financial world views you, including:
- An Eligibility Rating that combines your credit score, affordability, and market trends.
- View your full credit report – your financial CV.
- Get personalised acceptance odds for credit cards and loans.
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.
Only purchases made in first 60 days are interest-free |
Longest 0% periods of 'up to' 23mths on purchases and transfers, but here you'll know what deal you'll get before applying. If eligible you’ll be pre-approved for either:
- 23mths at 0% for both spending & transfers with a 2.99% fee - 12mths at 0% for both spending & transfers with a 3.49% fee
If you're only pre-approved for 12mths then it could be worth trying for another card, as you may get longer at 0%. |
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- Up to 23mths 0% on spending & transfers (some get 12mths on both) - 2.99% OR 3.49% transfer fee - 24.9% rep APR |
CHECK ELIGIBILITY (i) | |
![]() Barclaycard |
Lengthy spending card of ‘up to’ 22mths at 0% and a decent 'up to' 19mths at 0% on transfers. If you're pre-approved in our eligibility calculator you'll definitely get the full 0% periods, otherwise you could be accepted and get just 11mths for spending and nine months for transfers. | |
- Up to 22mths 0% on spending (some get 11mths) - 3.45% transfer fee - 24.9% rep APR |
CHECK ELIGIBILITY (i) | |
Lloyds Bank |
Another decent ‘up to’ card which shows what 0% lengths you’ll get before you apply. If eligible you’ll be pre-approved for either:
- 21mths at 0% on spending & 19mths at 0% on transfers (2.99% transfer fee) - 12mths at 0% for both spending & transfers (3.49% transfer fee)
Again, if you're only pre-approved for 12mths, one of our other top picks may offer you more interest-free months. |
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- Up to 21mths 0% on spending (some get 12mths) - 2.99% or 3.49% transfer fee - 24.9% rep APR |
CHECK ELIGIBILITY (i) | |
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Slightly shorter 0% periods than the above cards, though it'll show what 0% lengths you’ll get before you apply. If eligible you’ll be pre-approved for either: - 20mths at 0% on spending & 18mths at 0% on transfers - 16mths at 0% on spending & 14mths at 0% on transfers - 12mths at 0% on both spending & transfers
You'll know before applying how many interest-free months you'll get, so if it's only 16 or 12 months, it may be worth considering the below card instead. |
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- Up to 20mths on spending (some get 16mths or 12mths) - Up to 18mths on transfers (some get 14mths or 12mths) - 2.99% transfer fee - 24.9% rep APR |
CHECK ELIGIBILITY (i) |
Important: Balance transfer fees are a percentage of debt shifted. To get the 0% and fee, you must usually do the balance transfer within 60 or 90 days of opening. You can't balance-transfer between cards from the same bank/group.|Representative APR (variable) after the 0% period is stated above – your interest may be different. | (i) These providers have asked us to link only to our eligibility calculator. | See all official APR examples.
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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
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