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FAQ's

Carrying a credit card in your wallet is easy enough, but knowing exactly how it works requires a little homework. If you are really switched on, you can even make your credit card start working for you.

What is a credit card?

Just as it says on the tin, a credit card is a card that allows you to make purchases on credit - so you are borrowing the money as soon as it is spent. This is unlike a debit card where you need the money in the bank already to make a purchase. Your credit card provider will give you an individual limit of how much you can spend on your card which may increase over time depending on how responsibly you use it. You will have to pay interest on any balance, which can be in the region of 18% APR.

How to I repay my balance?

You will have to repay what you have spent on your credit card - usually at a minimum of 2% of the outstanding or £5 a month, whichever is greater. But paying just the minimum is expensive because only a fraction of the payment will go towards reducing the capital. The majority will be interest payments which will go straight in the credit card company's pocket. You will not pay any interest if you clear the balance every month.

What are the advantages of a credit card over a debit card?

When you use a credit card you are afforded protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This means that if goods (costing between £100 and £30,000) are lost, damaged or stolen the credit card company is equally liable with the retailer. Even if you just put the deposit on a credit card - £150 for a holiday for example - you will still be protected for the full amount.

 
 
Product Name Balance Transfer Purchases Rewards Representative APR (Variable)
  • Barclaycard
  • Platinum Credit Card with Extended Balance Transfer
  • 0.00%
  • 22 months
  • 2.90% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 3 months
  • You will have access to Barclaycard Unwind which gives you exclusive access to intimate gigs, exclusive content and music news, exclusive tickets and Unwind at Wembley Arena where you can enjoy advanced ticketing for shows and even be a VIP guest in the Wembley Unwind lounge.
  • 17.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 17.90% your representative APR (variable) will be 17.90%
  • Halifax
  • Balance Transfer Credit Card
  • 0.00%
  • 22 months
  • 3.50% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 3 months
  • You will receive Halifax MasterCard offers including deals and discounts on travel, entertainment and shopping.
  • 17.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 17.95% your representative APR (variable) will be 17.90%
  • Barclaycard
  • Platinum Credit Card with Balance Transfer
  • 0.00%
  • 21 months
  • 2.60% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 3 months
  • You will have access to Barclaycard Unwind which gives you exclusive access to intimate gigs, exclusive content and music news, exclusive tickets and Unwind at Wembley Arena where you can enjoy advanced ticketing for shows and even be a VIP guest in the Wembley Unwind lounge.
  • 17.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 17.90% your representative APR (variable) will be 17.90%
  • NatWest
  • Platinum
  • 0.00%
  • 20 months
  • 2.90% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 6 months
  • NatWest Platinum card holders receive hundreds of retail offers through MasterCard as well as holiday discounts through Thomas Cook. Wine club is also available.
  • 17.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 17.95% your representative APR (variable) will be 17.90%
  • Royal Bank of Scotland
  • Platinum
  • 0.00%
  • 20 months
  • 2.90% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 6 months
  • RBS Platinum card holders receive hundreds of retail offers through MasterCard as well as holiday discounts through Thomas Cook. Wine club is also available.
  • 17.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 17.95% your representative APR (variable) will be 17.90%
  • Virgin
  • Credit Card
  • 0.00%
  • 20 months
  • 2.99% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 3 months
  • Discounts on Virgin products - 30% off balloon flights plus free champagne & chocolates, up to 20% off experiences, 5% off holidays plus no credit card fee (usually 2.5%), 10% off at Virgin Wines and VIE at home and 1 month free for new members at Virgin Active.
  • 16.80%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 16.80% your representative APR (variable) will be 16.80%
  • Halifax
  • 20 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card
  • 0.00%
  • 20 months
  • 3.00% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 3 months
  • There are no rewards with this card.
  • 16.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 16.94% your representative APR (variable) will be 16.90%
  • Bank of Scotland
  • Plus
  • 0.00%
  • 18 months
  • 3.00% fee
  • 0.00%
  • 3 months
  • Bank of Scotland card holders receive special offers including discounts on top UK attractions as well as on hotels, travel, shopping and up to 50% off dining.
  • 16.90%
  • APR
Representative example: If you spend £1200.00 at a purchase interest rate (variable) of 16.94% your representative APR (variable) will be 16.90%
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