Best 0% Purchase Credit Cards

Have your eye on an expensive item? Maybe you need a new fridge, or your washing machine has broken down. A Purchase credit card can help you in your hour of need.

Even better, a zero-interest purchase credit card can help you and allow you to shop without paying interest on your big-ticket items.

In this article, we'll introduce you to the seven best interest-free purchase cards, and you'll learn all about the different features of 0% interest purchase credit cards.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Interest-free Purchase Credit Cards

Like most credit line accounts, there are benefits and drawbacks; you must know about them before making any commitments.

Benefits

✔️ Spread the cost of purchases: a purchase credit card allows you to make a big purchase and spread the cost making it more affordable and giving you longer to pay it off.

✔️ Interest-free: most credit card providers offer an interest-free introductory period varying from three to 24 months.

✔️ Balance transfers: some purchase credit cards allow you to make balance transfers; these are ideal for paying off other credit card balances with a higher annual percentage rate (APR).

✔️ Increase credit record: if you habitually use your credit card and pay back the balance on time, you'll change your credit score positively.

Drawbacks

❌️ Interest-free period ends: once the introductory period ends, you'll have to pay interest on the outstanding balance.

❌️ Balance transfer fee: not all purchase credit cards allow you to make balance transfers, and some may charge you a fee.

❌️ Late payment fee: your interest-fee period may be terminated if you don't make the minimum monthly repayment and may face a late payment fee.

Seven Best Interest-free Purchase Credit Cards — Reviews

It's time to dive into our reviews of the top seven 0% purchase credit cards. These credit cards are UK-specific and protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

1. HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card

HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £500

Representative % APR (variable)

23.9% APR

• 0% interest on purchases for up to 20 months.
• Up to 17 months of interest-free balance transfers (2.99% fee, minimum £5).
• No annual fee.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 23.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

With the HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card, you can make interest-free purchases for 20 months, and HSBC rewards you for using their card with exclusive discounts and offers via HSBC home&Away.

If you're looking for a card that allows you to make balance transfers, the Purchase Plus Credit Card enables you to make interest-free balance transfers for up to 17 months, although a 2.99% fee will incur for every transfer.

On top of interest-free purchases and balance transfers, you can use your credit card abroad in all countries and regions supported by the Visa and Mastercard networks.

Shop with ease, knowing that your purchases between £100 and £30,000 are protected under section 75. To be eligible for this card, you must be over 18, a UK resident, and have an annual minimum income or pension before tax of £6,800.

Also, your application will be rejected if you already hold an open HSBC Basic Bank Account. Credit is subject to status, affordability, and terms and conditions.

2. Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Card

Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £250

Representative % APR (variable)

23.9% APR

• 0% interest for 23 months on purchases.
• Use worldwide at Mastercard® locations, in-store and online.
• 2.99% balance transfer fee applies. No annual fee.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 23.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

Are you looking for a card with the most extended interest-free term? The RBS Purchase & Balance Transfer card has the longest interest-free time of top picks, allowing you to make interest-free purchases for up to 23 months.

Additionally, if you wish to make a balance transfer, you can take advantage of 23 interest-free months. There is a 2.99% balance transfer. However, there are no annual fees for this credit card.

You can stay in control of your finances with the RBS mobile app, which allows you to manage your money in a way that works for you. Additionally, you can pay back your balance manually via digital banking or set up a direct debit to ensure you don't miss any payments.

Credit limits and APR may vary depending on credit assessment.

3. NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Card

NatWest Purchase and Balance Transfer Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £250

Representative % APR (variable)

23.9% APR

• 0% interest for 23 months on purchases.
• 0% interest for 23 months on balance transfers.
• Available to UK residents, aged 18+ and earning at least £10K per year.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 23.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

If accepted for the NatWest Purchase & Balance credit card, you'll be entitled to 23 months of interest-free purchases and balance transfers. Spread the cost of your purchases or use your card to pay off another high-interest card. This card allows you to transfer 95% of the balance and only with a 2.99% balance transfer fee.

Unlike other interest-free credit cards, NatWest won't remove the 0% off if you miss a monthly repayment. However, there will be a late payment fee. If you've got a bit of a forgetful mind, this credit card provider has you covered with regular emails and updates on offer expiry and repayment progress.

To be eligible for this account, you must be a UK resident over 18 with an annual income of over £10,000.

4. Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card

Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £50

Representative % APR (variable)

24.9% APR

• 0% interest on purchases for up to 23 months from the date you open your account.
• 0% interest for up to 22 months on balance transfers from the date you open your account. Transfers must be made within 60 days to benefit from the 0% offer.
• 2.99% balance transfer fee (terms apply).

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 24.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

The Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card allows you to make interest-free purchases for up to 23 months and balance transfers for up to 22 months. There is a 2.99% transfer fee on each balance transfer transaction.

If you're a small spender looking to build your credit rating, you can get a card with a balance as low as £50 which is ideal if you're concerned about your spending getting out of control. Your financial circumstances and credit history will determine your credit limit.

On top of this credit card providing the best of both worlds of purchases and balance transfers, you can benefit from member-exclusive perks. You can get up to five free months of Apple subscriptions, such as Apple Music, Apple News+, Apple Fitness, and more.

Additionally, you can register to partake in Barclaycard Cashback rewards and save money at events with Barclaycard Entertainment.

You're more likely to be accepted for this card if you're aged 21 and over, a UK resident, have at least four years experience of managing credit, have an annual income of more than £20,000, and your credit file shows you always make repayments on time.

5. Sainsbury's Bank Dual 17-Month Credit Card

Sainsbury's Bank Dual 17-Month Credit Card

Credit Limit

Subject to status

Representative % APR (variable)

23.9% APR

• 0% interest on balance transfers up to your first 17 months.
• Balance transfer fee of 3% applies to transfers made within the first 3 months (£3 minimum).
• No annual fee.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 23.95% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 23.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

If you're a Nectar Card holder, you can apply for Sainsbury's Bank Dual 17 Month Credit Card and earn bonus Nectar Points on spending.

You'll gain up to three points for every £2 spent at Sainsbury's shopping, Argos, or Tu clothing; everywhere else, you'll earn one point for every £5. You'll need to have been a Nectar Card holder for at least six months before you can be accepted.

With this purchase credit card, you can enjoy 17 months of interest-free on purchasing and balance transfers. For any transfers made within the first three months of opening the account, there’s a 3% balance transfer fee, after this period, rates may increase.

6. M&S Bank Shopping Plus Offer

M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £500

Representative % APR (variable)

23.9% APR

• 0% interest on purchases for up to 18 months.
• 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, available for 90 days from account opening (2.99% fee applies, minimum £5).
• Collect M&S points every time you use your card.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 23.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 23.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

If you regularly shop in M&S, you'll be pleased to know that the M&S Bank Shopping Plus Offer allows you to earn points for spending in-store and online. You can earn rewards and convert them to vouchers to spend at M&S. Additionally, you can register for Sparks, the M&S app that gives you personalised offers for shopping.

You can spread the cost of large purchases with a free interest period of 18 months. If you need to make a balance transfer, you can do so for 15 months interest-free as long as you make the transfers within 90 days of account opening. There is a 2.99% balance transfer fee.

One of the great things about this purchase credit card is that you can have additional cards if you've got a partner or another person you shop with. Hence, you add cardholders over 18 to share your account so you can both repeat the same card benefits and earn M&S points on your shopping.

7. Tesco Bank Purchases Credit Card

Tesco Bank Purchases Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £250

Representative % APR (variable)

22.9% APR

• Longest 0% period on purchases for up to 14 months.
• Credit limit £250 to £5,000.
• Collect Clubcard points almost every time you spend in and out of Tesco.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 22.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 22.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

The Tesco Bank Purchases Credit Card may be on the lower end in terms of the length of the free interest period. However, it offers the lowest APR rates in the list of our top picks. So, when the initial period ends, you won't have as high-interest rates as you would with other credit cards.

This credit card is another card that rewards you for shopping.

You can collect Clubcard points almost everywhere you spend using your card on top of your standard Clubcard points. Additionally, With this purchase credit card, you manage your money on the go with the Mobile Banking App and Online Banking.

The availability of this credit card is the subject status of personal circumstances. You must be a UK resident aged 18 or over and be a new banking customer of Tesco Bank.

0% Purchase Credit Cards — Buying Guide

In this section, you'll learn more about purchasing credit cards and how they can help spread the cost of purchases. You'll also discover what to look for when searching for the right credit card.

What is a 0% Purchase Credit Card?

A 0% purchase credit card is a credit card that allows you to make interest-free purchases over a set time.

You use this credit card to help spread the cost of purchases, and you can pay back the balance without worrying about interest rates. After the set period, you'll have to start paying interest on the outstanding balance — the interest rate you'll pay will vary between credit card providers.

How to Choose the Best Purchase Credit Card

An interest-free credit card helps you make the most of your purchases. However, there are more factors you should consider to determine the right 0% purchase credit card for you.

Consider the following:

• Interest-free periods: the length will change between credit card providers. Usually, 0% interest purchase periods can range from nine to 24 months.
• Interest rates after the introductory period: if you continue to use your card after the initial period has ended, ensure you've picked a card with a low APR — you can expect these rates to range from 22% up to 30%.
• Additional features: some credit cards may have more features than interest-free purchases. For example, some offer reward points, discounts, and other features like balance transfers and using your card abroad.
• Eligibility: your credit history may impact what cards you'll be eligible for, so look at what credit scores are needed before you make any unnecessary applications.

Alternatives to 0% Purchase Credit Cards

If a 0% purchase card doesn't feel like the right option, don't worry! We've compiled a list of alternative options:

• Overdraft options: your current bank account may have overdraft options that you can apply for; this may be easier than applying for a new credit card.
• Personal loans: a personal loan may be better suited for your needs if you're just in a one-time lump sum.
• Cash advance: consider talking with your employer about a cash advance if you require cash ahead of payday.

Final Thoughts on Purchase Credit Cards

0% Purchase credit cards are a great way to make big purchases easier to manage.

Spread the cost and build your credit rating using your interest-free credit card. Knowing you have a card for any emergency, like that washer breaking down, can put your mind at ease.

Before you go away and prepare to spread the cost of that costly purchase, we've got some helpful reminders to help you prepare for your new 0% purchase credit card:

• Cash withdrawals: avoid withdrawing cash from your credit card as you may face a hefty fee, which can hurt your credit score.
• On-time monthly repayments: if you don't make your monthly repayments on time, you're at risk of losing your interest-free term, and you may harm your credit report if you continue to miss payments. Setting up a direct debit may help you with this.
• Compare credit card deals: look at what different credit card providers offer. As seen from our top seven, plenty of good deals are open.
• Interest rate: when choosing the right purchase credit card, consider the interest rates after the introductory period. The lower the APR, the less interest you'll pay the credit card provider.
• Minimum monthly repayments: try to make more than the minimum repayment so you can clear your balance quicker and prevent getting into long-term debt.

You're now set to start searching and applying for interest-free purchase cards!

Related Guides:

• How do Credit Cards Work?
• Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
• A Comprehensive List of Credit Card Companies UK