Compare 0% purchase credit cards

What are 0% purchase credit cards?

0% purchase credit cards allow you to make purchases and pay zero interest on them during the introductory period. When this period ends, the standard purchase rate will be charged on any remaining balance on your card. If you have some big-ticket purchases to make, a 0% purchase credit card can temporarily keep your interest costs low, which could help you pay off the balance faster.

How is a 0% purchase credit card different to a regular credit card?

While a standard credit card typically has an interest rate between 12% and 25% p.a. for purchases, credit cards offering interest-free purchases charge zero interest on all eligible purchases made during the promotional period. If used correctly, a 0% card can save you £100s in interest and be one of the cheapest ways to borrow money.

How to compare 0% purchase credit cards

There is no single leading 0% credit card on the market because each offer is designed to suit different spending habits and budgets.

Each month, our team of experts analyse all the cards currently available and rate the most outstanding card for different categories based on a detailed methodology. If you’re looking for the top 0% purchase credit card, you can use this guide. It’s good to keep in mind that if you do apply for these top cards, your approval will be dependant on factors like your borrowing history and current income.

Otherwise, you can find a 0% purchase credit card deal that works for you by comparing the following features:

1. Length of the 0% purchase promotion. Different providers offer differing 0% purchase periods, ranging from 3 to 21 months. It’s important that you choose the promotional period which best suits your needs. Consider how much you’re going to spend, divide it by the number of months in the promotional period, and calculate whether you can repay that much each month to clear the balance before the standard interest rate applies. If not, you might want to apply for a card with a longer promotional period or be prepared to incur interest when the offer ends.
2. Annual fee. Some 0% purchase credit cards (usually ones that offer extra rewards) charge an annual fee. To determine whether this is worth paying, consider how much you’ll save with the 0% interest offer and any other perks to see whether the benefits outweigh the cost.
3. Standard purchase interest rate. If you’re unable to pay your balance in full by the end of the introductory period, your purchases will begin attracting interest at the standard purchase rate. Depending on the card, this will typically be between 12% and 25%, but can be significantly higher. If you don’t think you can repay the entire balance before the promotion ends, look for a card with a lower ongoing purchase rate. Otherwise, you could enjoy another interest-free period by transferring your debt to a card with a 0% balance transfer offer.
4. Extra benefits. Does the card come with complimentary travel insurance? Do you want to earn rewards points on your purchases? If you will be using the card for more than just the 0% offer, comparing these features can help set the cards apart.
5. Your eligibility. Unfortunately, the 0% purchase cards with the longest offer periods and features are often only available to those with excellent credit history. Thankfully, you can use an eligibility checker to confirm the types of card you’re likely to be approved for before applying.

Types of 0% purchase credit cards and extra features

While each of these cards offers 0% on purchases, there are several types of interest free purchase credit cards. You can compare the additional benefits and features to determine which type of 0% purchase credit card is right for you.

4 common mistakes to avoid

Want to get the most out of a 0% interest period? Here are 4 things to avoid:

1. Ignoring the “revert rate”. At the end of the promotional period, the 0% interest rate will revert to the standard purchase rate (which usually sits between 12% and 25%, but can be higher). Consider the standard interest rate before applying for the card so you understand how your debt will grow if you fail to repay your balance before the promotional period ends.
2. Only making the minimum repayment. You’ll be required to make minimum repayments, usually 2% or 3% of the total balance, each statement period. However, if you only match the minimum amount each month, you’ll be unable to repay your entire balance before the 0% offer finishes. If you make more than the minimum repayment, you’ll have a much better chance of repaying your balance before the standard rate applies. If you’re unable to repay your balance before the 0% purchase offer ends, a balance transfer might be the next step.
3. Ineligible transactions. The 0% offer only applies to eligible purchases. If you use your card for balance transfers, cash advances or other cash-equivalent transactions, they’ll usually be charged at the standard rate unless a separate promotional offer applies.
4. Not taking advantage of the entire offer period. The 0% offer is available as soon as your card is approved, not from when you make your first purchase. So if your card offers 0% for 6 months but you don’t make a purchase or any repayments for the first month, you’ll only have 5 more months to make repayments without incurring interest. If you have a big purchase in mind, make it as soon as possible and start making repayments immediately to get maximum value out of the offer length.

Bottom line

The introductory 0% interest periods offered by these cards can be a great way to save money on planned purchases and big-ticket items that you need to buy. When you’re comparing these cards, pay attention to how long the promotional period lasts, what interest rate applies at the end of the promotional period, and what other features and fees the card has, so you can find one that best suits your needs.

Frequently asked questions from our users

• When does the 0% purchase promotion start?

  When the 0% promotion starts depends on your provider. Either it will begin when your credit card application has been approved or when the credit card has been activated. It may take up to 3-5 business days for your card to be sent to your address after approval. So if you want to take advantage of the full promotional period, you’ll need to remember that the offer period begins when you open the card rather than when you make your first purchase.

• Does the 0% purchase offer apply for foreign currency transactions?

  As long as it’s an eligible purchase, overseas purchases will not be charged any interest during the promotional period. However, you may be charged foreign currency conversion fees. You can compare credit cards which do not charge currency conversion fees in our detailed guide.

• What types of transactions are eligible to receive 0% interest?

  For your transactions to be covered by the 0% purchase promotion, they must qualify as an “eligible purchase”.

  Eligible purchases are generally defined as everyday purchases which involve the exchange of goods or services for a payment. Transactions that do not qualify as eligible purchases generally include business expenses, balance transfers and cash advances.

  If you’re unsure about whether a transaction will qualify, contact your provider for clarification.

• What is the interest rate after the 0% promotional period?

  After your 0% purchase promotion has finished, the balance outstanding on purchases made will be charged interest at the regular purchase rate, usually known as the “standard rate” or “revert rate”. You can consider moving your outstanding purchase amount to a 0% balance transfer credit card, which will give you more time to repay your debt interest free.

• Do interest-free days apply during a 0% purchase promotion?

  For the length of the 0% purchase promotion period, standard interest-free days do not apply. If your card comes with an interest-free days feature (say, for up to 55 days), then you’ll be able to take advantage of this when the promotional period ends and if you pay your entire balance in full by the end of the statement period.

• Do I have to make any repayments with a 0% purchase promotion?

  Yes. You must make the minimum monthly repayment of the credit card even with a 0% purchase promotion available. This repayment is generally around 2%-3% of the full outstanding balance, or a set pound amount if the outstanding balance is below a certain level (usually £5). Please note that paying the minimum monthly repayment isn’t usually enough to repay the entire balance before the promotional period ends. So if you want to avoid collecting the standard interest rate, pay as much as you can each month to clear the balance in full before the standard interest rate applies.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been reviewed by Rachel Wait, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 612 Finder guides across topics including:

• Loans & credit cards
• Building credit
• Financial health