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Best 0% Credit Cards

Up to 27 mths' interest-free spending

Best 0% credit cards
Martin Lewis
Martin Lewis
Updated 7 May 2019

Do it right and credit cards are the cheapest way to borrow. You can get 0% for up to 27 months on new purchases – yet get it wrong and you'll be stuck in debt for years. We've all the key info...

Best 0% credit card deals

In this guide

Who's this guide for? Anyone with a planned, budgeted-for purchase for a retailer that takes credit card.
 

Want to shift card debt to 0%? See our 0% Balance Transfers guide.

Want to borrow £3k+? A cheap loan often beats a credit card.
 

Other related best-buy guides... 0% Money Transfer Cards | All-Rounder Cards | Debt Help | How Credit Cards Work

How do 0% spending cards work?

A 0% spending card is simply a card you can use to make purchases that you pay no interest on for a set number of months (length varies by card). If you need to borrow, eg, to replace a worn sofa or old fridge, then used correctly, 0% cards are cheaper than loans. But make sure you read our golden rules below to prevent a debt nightmare.

Use our eligibility calculator to find cards you're most likely to get, without hitting your credit score

Making an application is recorded on your credit file. While a single one is not a big problem, especially if you've a good credit score, lots in a short time are problematic.

So use our 0% Spending Cards Eligibility Calculator to show cards you're most likely to get, so you don't waste an application. And it's NOT recorded as a hard search on your credit file.

The five golden rules

Get it wrong and you could be left counting the cost, so here's what you need to know about 0% spending cards...

  • 1. Beware: debt's like fire. Used well, it's great. Used badly, it burns

    Always borrow as little as possible, and if you can, use savings for a purchase instead.

    If you have to, though, only borrow for something you've budgeted for and can afford to pay back. And NEVER borrow to fill income gaps which can leave you in a debt spiral (see our Stop Spending guide for more).

    However, some use 0% spending cards tactically, for stoozing – but this takes real financial discipline.

  • 2. Make AT LEAST the monthly minimum repayments (preferably more)

    Set up a direct debit for at least the minimum repayment as soon as you're accepted. Even though you pay 0% interest, you still need to make repayments each month. If you miss one, you may lose your 0% deal and get a £12 charge.

  • 3. Aim to clear the card in the 0% period (+ how to make it work like a loan)

    Go even one month beyond the promotional 0% period and the interest rate rockets, so calculate the amount needed to clear the balance by then and remember that end date.

    Divide what you spent by the number of 0% months and set up a direct debit to clear it in that time, so it works like a loan where you pay it back in full over a set period.

    So £600 over a year is £50 a month to clear. If you've not cleared it in time, see our Best Balance Transfers guide to move it to 0%.

  • 4. First use our eligibility calculator to find cards you're most likely to get...

    Usually, the only way to know if you'll be accepted for a card is to apply, but each application marks your credit file. Too many marks can make it hard for you to get credit in future.

    However, our 0% Spending Eligibility Calculator quickly shows your odds of getting almost every top 0% spending card so you can find the ones most likely to accept you, minimising the number of times you may have to apply.

    How does the eligibility calculator work?

    It makes what's called a 'soft search' of your credit file. This is one you'll see there, but crucially lenders usually won't (and where they can, they can't use the info). The soft search give us an indication of your credit score. We then match this against lenders' criteria for acceptance, so we can show you the odds of getting each card.

    Once you're armed with this knowledge, it will allow you to make a smarter application. Say you have a much better chance of getting a card that's just one month shorter at 0%, you may want to go for that. Therefore, you're less likely to be rejected and less likely to need to apply elsewhere, which would add another mark on your credit file.

    Quick Questions

    • Will credit scoring affect the deal I get and my credit limit?

      When you apply for any credit card, the lender checks you to match you up against its wish list for what a profitable customer is (for full info on this and how to boost your chances, see our Credit Scoring guide). Yet this doesn't just dictate what products you'll be accepted for, but also how good the ones you actually get are. With 0% spending cards it has three main impacts:

      • Some cards vary the 0% length according to credit score. With some, but not all cards, while you might be accepted you may not get the 0% length advertised, eg, you might get 20 months instead of 30. We note in our need-to-knows for each card which cards this may happen with.

      • They always give a variable APR depending on credit score. Every credit card APR (the annual interest rate your card jumps to after the promotional period) is a 'representative' rate. This term 'representative' is defined in the rules as meaning they only need to give the advertised rate to 51% of accepted applicants; the rest can be, and sometimes are, charged more.

        Having said that, the aim is to clear the card or shift the debt before the 0% deal ends, so if you clear it in time, this is less of an issue as you'll never be charged the APR.

      • Lower credit scores tend to mean you get a smaller credit limit. If this happens, don't automatically jump to get another card instead – at least use what they've given you. See our Credit Limit Too Low? guide.

      Unfortunately there's no system that can predict card firms' attitudes to you for these variables. But as a rule of thumb, the higher the chance the eligibility calculator gives you, the closer to the rep APR and higher credit limit you should get.

    Or join our Credit Club for a full credit health check

    The MSE Credit Club is a game-changer. For years the credit market has been shrouded in mystery but our revolutionary tool brings together the key components to give you the full picture, and crucially, what it means for your acceptance chances and how to boost your creditworthiness.

    A credit score alone isn't enough to borrow, as there are other factors at play (it's why many with perfect scores still get rejected). Credit Club shows your free Experian Credit Report and Credit Score, your Affordability Score, your Credit Hit Rate and much more.

  • 5. 'Up to' deals mean you might not get the headline deal you apply for

    There's a catch to watch out for. Some card firms give those with lesser credit histories fewer months at 0% than they advertise. You could, say, apply for a 25-month 0% spending deal, be accepted... but be given 12 months at 0%.

    We highlight cards that do this by putting 'up to' before their headline offer, and tell you the other 0% lengths they may offer in the write-ups below.

    Quick Questions

    • Is there any way to know what deal I'll get before I apply?

      Sadly, the only way to know what 0% deal you'll get is to actually apply for it (unless our eligibility calculator shows you're pre-approved, in which case you'll get the 0% deal advertised).

      For other cards, it seems anecdotally that the higher you score in our eligibility calculator (which doesn't affect your credit score), the more chance you have of getting the headline 0% – though this isn't a hard and fast rule.

    • Why do lenders give some applicants worse deals?

      Lenders tell us they do this based on risk, so if you've got a credit score that only just meets a card provider's minimum criteria, it's likely you'll be accepted for the card, but given a lower number of months at 0%, or a higher APR.

Best 0% credit cards

Here are the top deals, though you'll need a good credit score to get 'em. If yours is patchy, there are cards for poorer scorers in the section below. 

Barclaycard* – up to 27 months 0% (19.9% interest after)

Joint-longest 0% period, but you could get fewer interest-free months

Check eligibility

Apply*

This Barclaycard* offers a long 0% period on spending of up to 27 months, though you could be offered fewer 0% months. You also can't have had a Barclaycard in the last six months.

0% spending length: up to 27 months
Important: Clear card in full by end of 0% period to avoid interest (always pay at least the monthly minimum repayment or you'll lose the 0% deal)
Min income: N/A
Representative APR (variable): 19.9% (see Official APR Examples).
Minimum repayment: Greater of 1% of balance plus interest, 3.5% or £5

See how likely it is you'll get this card

MSE's Eligibility Calculator

Go straight to the lender

Apply*

Sainsbury's* – up to 26 months 0% (20.9% interest after) 

Long 0% and possible £37.50 Nectar points, but you could be offered fewer 0% months

Check eligibility

Apply*

The Sainsbury's Bank Dual* card offers a long 0% period and Nectar points on spending, though you could be offered fewer interest-free months. Give your Nectar card number when you apply and you'll get 750 bonus Nectar points worth £3.75 each time you spend £35+ in store or online at Sainsbury's (excl petrol) in the first two months from receiving the card (max 7,500 points, worth £37.50).

Doing a big shop? Split it into smaller £35 chunks to max the bonus. To get the card, you can't have had a Sainsbury's Bank credit card in the last three months.

0% spending length: up to 26 months (some will get 22 or 18 months)
Important: Clear card in full by end of 0% period to avoid interest (always pay at least the monthly minimum repayment or you'll lose the 0% deal)
Min income: £10,000
Standard points earned (excl bonus): Two per £1 spent on Sainsbury's shopping & fuel, one per £5 elsewhere
Representative APR (variable): 20.9% (some will pay up to 28.9%) (see Official APR Examples).
Minimum repayment: Greater of 1% of balance plus interest, 2.25% or £5

See how likely it is you'll get this card

MSE's Eligibility Calculator

Go straight to the lender

Apply*

Yorkshire / Clydesdale Bank – 26 months 0% (18.9% interest after) 

Long 0% period & you'll get the full 26 months if accepted

Apply

This card from Yorkshire Bank and sister bank Clydesdale has 0% on purchases for a decent 26 months and, unlike with some cards, if you're accepted you'll get the full interest-free period.

0% spending length: 26 months
Important: Clear card in full by end of 0% period to avoid interest (always pay at least the monthly minimum repayment or you'll lose the 0% deal)
Min income: N/A
Representative APR (variable): 18.9% (see Official APR Examples)
Minimum repayment: Greater of 1% of balance plus interest or £5

Go straight to the lender

Apply

More long 0% purchase cards

CARD 0% LENGTH REPRESENTATIVE VARIABLE APR AFTER ELIGIBILITY
MBNA* Up to 27 mths BUT only on purchases in the first 60 days (1) 20.9% You can use our eligibility calculator for this card
Tesco Bank Up to 26 mths (1) 19.9% -
See all Official APR Examples. (1) Poorer credit scorers could get fewer months. 

Best 0% credit cards for poor credit scorers

If that's you, the cards above aren't likely to be open to you (use our eligibility calculator first to check). Yet the cards below give some options but offer short 0% periods. To help (re)build your credit, also read our Credit Cards for Bad Credit guide.  

Aqua*

Four months' 0% spending while rebuilding your credit

Check eligibility

Apply*

This card from Aqua* is a good option for poorer credit scorers. It offers new customers a four-month 0% spending period which can be used to give respite from existing debts (see below). You also get free credit reports/alerts, which should help you keep track of your credit rating.

Helpfully, our eligibility calculator can tell you if you're pre-approved for this card. Your credit limit will start between £250 and £1,200, and if you pay on time and don't bust your limit, Aqua could increase your credit limit on your fourth statement.

  • How to use this card for respite from bank charges and payday loans

    We would caution anyone with past credit problems against new borrowing. Yet the 0% spending offer on this card can be used to give you respite and save you money on costly debts, such as payday loans or bank charges for going beyond your overdraft. Here's how...

    Step 1: Do normal spending on this card up to the credit limit. As you're using it instead of cash from your bank account, your income should build up there.

    Step 2: Use the money built up in your bank account to reduce your overdraft or repay lenders.

    Step 3: Effectively you've now got the debt on the card instead of the bank charges or payday loans.

    Step 4: You've got four months without any interest accruing in which to reduce your overall debt – though you do need to still pay the minimum monthly repayments. Do ensure you do a budget to work out how to do it.

    Step 5: At the end of the four months the rate jumps to 34.9% APR, so ensure there's no debt on it by then – but in the worst case scenario it's still likely cheaper than payday loans or overdrafts.

0% spending length: 4 months
Important: Clear card in full by end of 0% period to avoid interest (always pay at least the monthly minimum repayment or you'll lose the 0% deal)
Min income: N/A
Accepts defaults? Yes, provided they're a year old or more
Accepts CCJs? Yes, provided they're a year old or more
Accepts bankruptcies? Yes, provided it's 18 months old or more
Representative APR (variable) : 34.9% (some will pay up to 59.9%) (see Official APR example).
Minimum repayment: Greater of 1% of balance plus interest, or £5

  • What is the free credit report?

    Aqua appointed Noddle as its credit checker, so you'll get access to its online credit report. Noddle offers free access to a limited credit report, but the one included with the Aqua card typically costs from £5-£15 a month.

    You'll also be signed up to receive Noddle Alerts, which highlight any significant changes to your credit report by sending you an email. Finally, you get Noddle Improve, which is a credit score with added tips on how you can improve it if it comes up a little low.

  • What's pre-approval?

    Aqua has provided us with info so we can tell many people that they've a 100% chance of getting this exact deal (subject to passing its ID and fraud check). There's no impact on your credit score, though of course if you then apply, that marks your file.

See how likely it is you'll get this card

MSE's Eligibility Calculator

Or just go straight to the lender

Apply*

Best long-term, low rate credit cards

Here, the rate is low for the long term, but it's not 0%. While the cards above are cheaper, the rates below won't rocket if you can't pay the debt off in a set time. 

Tesco Bank – 5.9% rep APR, no balance transfer fee

Cheap long-term, low-rate card

Apply

The Tesco Low APR credit card offers 0% on spending for one month, and then a lowish 5.9% representative APR on all spending after. It's a good option if you want a guaranteed low rate for the life of the card, plus you can earn Clubcard points on purchases – one point for every full £4 spent at Tesco stores or petrol stations, one point for every £8 elsewhere.

Tesco can increase the rate after a year, but you can reject this rate hike. Some poorer credit scorers getting this card will get a higher APR of 11.9%, which wouldn't make it a good deal.

Representative APR (variable): 5.9% APR (see Official APR Examples)
Important: Always pay at least the monthly minimum repayment or you'll get a penalty for late payment and a mark on your credit file
Min income: £5,000
Minimum repayment: Greater of 1% of balance plus interest or £25

Go straight to the lender

Apply

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 that it's exactly the same deal though, as terms can be different. And remember the cashback is never 100% guaranteed until it's in your account. 

Full help to take advantage of this and pros and cons in our Top Cashback Sites guide.

0% spending cards Q&A

  • How much could I save?

    The amount you save with a 0% card will obviously depend on how much you borrow, but here's a practical example to show what sort of savings you could make.

    If you spent £400 each month and repaid £150 each month on a standard Visa card at 17.9%, you'd pay £310 interest in year one. On the Tesco card, you'd pay nothing in the first year (as it's 0% for 28mths), and with the Lloyds card you'd pay £113.

    After three years, the standard card charges a massive £2,810 in interest, while the Tesco card charges £1,064 – it's high because the rate jumps to 18.9% after the 0% period ends.

    But it's after three years that the Lloyds card comes into its own. Yes, there's no 0% period, but it also charges the least in interest (£952) of the three cards.

    That said, a good credit card tart taking advantage of 0% deals would pay nothing in interest (though would need to pay balance transfer fees to keep the debt at 0%). This is the best way to keep interest costs down.

    CREDIT CARD INTEREST
    £400 SPENDING/MONTH, REPAYING £150 PER MONTH (1)    		 INTEREST COST AFTER...
        1 year 2 years 3 years
    Standard Visa card 17.9% £310 £1,210 £2,810
    Tesco 28mths 0% then 18.9% £0 £260 £1,064
    Lloyds 6.4% £113 £426 £952
    Credit card tarting (2) 0% (rotating cards) £0 £0 £0
    (1) For ease of comparison, ignores minimum payments rules and credit limits.
    (2) Needs a good credit score.

  • Can these cards be used for balance transfers too?

    In a word, no. There's a devious trick some cards play if you have a 0% for purchases deal. Often they also allow you to shift debts to the card, but this can be at a higher interest rate.

    Repayments must go towards the most expensive debts first, under rules introduced in 2011. But as you're unlikely to be able to repay in full, you'll still get charged interest.

    So if you need to transfer debts, it's best to use a separate card instead, or get one designed for both purposes. See the Best Balance Transfers and Best All-Rounders guides.

  • What should I do if I'm worried about being or have been rejected for these cards?

    The cards listed in this guide are the market's top deals. Some of them require a good credit score. If you're worried about whether or not you'll get accepted, then you can join Credit Club, our unique tool that shows your eligibility for the cards in this guide, plus gives a free Credit and Affordability Score.

    Or you could use our quick eligibility calculator before you apply. If it shows that you aren't likely to get these cards if you apply, then you can take steps to improve your credit.

    Check your credit score for free

    Understanding why you may be rejected is crucial for picking the right card. So first use the Credit Scores guide for a full explanation and how to do it.

    If you've only limited/minor issues

    Some of the cards above should still be accessible to you, especially those that rate for risk (they give some poorer credit scorers fewer months).

    However, if all score low on the eligibility calculator, then see if any credit cards for poorer credit are suitable. But beware, deals don't tend to be as good for poorer credit scorers.

    Already been rejected for a card? Lenders determine their wish list for profitable customers – it's not all about risk. Read the Credit Scoring guide for a full explanation.

    Of course, you should check for errors on your credit file, but hard and fast reasons are difficult to come by. It may be as bizarre as a lender choosing to give credit cards to customers it's more likely to be able to flog a mortgage to.

  • I need longer than 27 months to pay off my purchase. Are there any other options?

    If you want longer at 0% than the 27 months on offer, there is a way to do it, but it's not with a purchases card. You need a whole different type of card.

    Spending on a money transfer card allows you to transfer money from the credit card into your current account – though you need to pay a fee for this. You spend the cash and owe the new card.

    You get slightly longer at 0% (the top card has 28 mths 0%), but you pay a fee, and you don't get section 75 protection for the purchase. Consider if this is better for you than the cards in this guide.

    Read the money transfers guide for a full how-to, plus a list of which cards allow it (most don't, or at least not at a cheap rate).

  • Is there another way to keep my debt at 0% for longer?

    While disloyalty is frowned upon in relationships, it's lauded for consumers. Credit card tarts shift debt from 0% deal to 0% deal to ensure the minimum possible cost for their debts. This is the cheapest way to use credit cards, but it takes discipline and a good credit score.

    How to tart

    If you're a new tart, the process is pretty simple.

    • Get a 0% purchases card

      This is a card that you can spend on, and all the spending will be at 0% for a set period. See the longest 0% deals above.

    • Ensure you make the repayments

    All "0% interest" means is there is no cost to the borrowing; it still needs to be repaid. Ensure you make at least the minimum repayments to avoid being fined, or worse, having the 0% deal withdrawn, meaning you need to pay the expensive standard rate.

    • Move or repay the debt BEFORE the 0% period ends

    At the end of the 0% period the rate will jump to the standard APR, which will usually be around 20%. At this point you either need to have the card cleared, or shift it to a new card with a 0% balance transfer deal. If you still haven't repaid the debt when that deal closes, shift it again.

    To tart or not to tart?

    Tarting is without doubt the cheapest method, but it takes active management and you need to stay on top of it. If not, there's a big warning...

    Unless you shift the debt before the 0% period ends, it only takes a couple of months before all the gain is lost.

    The other thing it's important to understand is that to tart, you're going to need a good credit history. So it's important to check your credit rating, which can be done for free before you start. Plus the nature of repeated applications can have an impact on your score.

    So if you're going to take well over a year to repay and aren't good with money, or have a poor credit score, then it's best to stick with the best long-term low-rate deal instead.

Join the MSE Forum Discussion

Best 0% Credit Cards

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