Tesco Bank launches longest-ever 0% spending card
Tesco Bank has today launched the longest-ever 0% purchases card, offering almost two and a half interest-free years on spending.
The new deal gives you 0% on purchases for up to 28 months from when you take out the card, which knocks previous best-buys Sainsbury's and Post Office (both offering 27 months 0%) off the top-spot.
The card also offers Clubcard points on all spending - shopping in Tesco (including stores and petrol stations) will net you one point for every full £4 spent, and you get 1 point for every full £8 spent elsewhere.
However, those who are accepted for the card with a less favourable credit score may be offered a shorter 0% period of 25 or 22 months, which can be beaten by other offers.
How does the new Tesco card stack up?
The new card offers the longest interest-free period we've ever seen, though as we detail above, some who are accepted won't get quite that long at 0%. Here's how it compares to the next best-buys:
Card | 0% length | Rep APR after | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
Tesco (apply) | Up to 28mths | 18.9% | Clubcard points on spending |
Sainsbury's (eligibility calc / apply*) | 27mths | 18.9% | Nectar points on spending |
Post Office (eligibility calc / apply*) | 27mths | 18.9% | N/A |
M&S Bank (eligibility calc / apply*) | 25mths | 18.9% | M&S points on spending, plus a £25 M&S voucher when you first spend |
What are 0% cards good for?
Cards offering a 0% period on purchases are good for new borrowing. They allow you to space out repayments without paying interest, providing you always pay at least the minimum repayment each month.
This means they're one of the cheapest ways to borrow if you've a big (planned and budgeted-for) purchase coming up such as a new sofa or car insurance. For more information see our 0% spending cards guide.
The golden rules of 0% spending cards
If you've decided a 0% card is right for you, make sure you follow the golden rules below:
Never miss or be late paying at least the monthly min, or you can lose the 0% (never exceed the credit limit either).
Plan to clear the card before the 0% ends (or do a balance transfer) or the rate jumps to the rep APR.
These cards are usually ONLY cheap for spending, not balance transfers or cash withdrawals - so avoid those.
To get a card, you must also pass its credit check. You can use our free 0% Spending Eligibility Checker to see how likely you are to be accepted, though we can't check your chances of the Tesco card.
This is a 'soft search' of your credit report, which means lenders can't use it, and therefore it doesn't affect your creditworthiness, unlike applying for a credit card.
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8 October 2024
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