In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Your reviews

Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card review

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Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card Visa
Representative example:
When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.7% (variable) p.a. your representative rate is 13.50% APR (variable).
Account fee
£0
Interest-free each billing period
Up to 50 days
Minimum credit limit
£250

Our verdict

Bank of China customers can enjoy a well-below-average interest rate with this solid credit card.

With up to 50 days of 0% interest on your purchases each billing cycle if you clear your debt in full every month, this card is a comparatively cheap and flexible way to borrow money. Bank of China has recently removed its reward programme and scrapped annual fees.

Pros

  • A low ongoing interest rate (variable)
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible
  • Each additional card incurs a fee (£20)
  • Only available to existing customers
  • You may be offered an opening credit limit as low as £250

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements
  • Your reviews

Details

Product overview

Issuer Bank of China (UK)
Network Visa
Representative APR 13.5% APR (variable)
Annual/monthly fees £0
Purchases 12.7%
Purchases interest-free period (days) 50
Potential costs 8.6Great
Extras 5Standard
Overall Finder Score 5.7Standard

Fees and charges

Minimum monthly payment 5% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 5% of the outstanding balance.
Annual/monthly fees £0
Foreign usage charge (EU) 2%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) 2%
Cash advance fee 2% (min. £0)
Late payment fee £12
Duplicate statement fee £3
Exceeding limit fee £0
Additional card fee £20
Dormancy fee £0

Application requirements

Minimum Age 18
Availability Available to existing customers

The Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card is issued on the Visa network (used by a whopping 4.2 billion cards), so you'll be able to use it at more than 100 million merchant locations across more than 200 countries and territories.

How does this card compare with other similar cards on the market?

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 8 of 40
Product Purchases Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Representative example
30.0%
£650 per annum
694.9% APR (variable)
New Cardmembers earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £6,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only. Terms apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £650 per annum, your representative rate is 694.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
29.64%
£15 per month
66.3% APR (variable)
Earn 5 point for every £1 spent and up to 25 points per £1 at partner locations and choose a dining, fitness or ticketed experiences in London, Manchester, Bristol or Bath. Travel experiences are available nationwide, or equivalent of 0.5% cashback.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.64% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 66.3% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
HSBC Premier World Elite Credit Card image
29.9%
£290 per annum
100.2% APR (variable)
2 points for every £1 spend in the UK. 4 points for every £1 spend outside the UK. 40,000 Anniversary Points Boost - qualifying spend £12K in 12 months from account opening. Points can be redeemed for airline frequent flyer miles, retail vouchers from selected stores and luxury wines and champagnes or can be used to make donations made to the charity of the customer's choice. 1 point = 1p (no min)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £290 per annum, your representative rate is 100.2% APR (variable).
British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card image
30.0%
£300 per annum
137.8% APR (variable)
New Cardmembers collect 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend £6,000 in the first 3 months of your Cardmembership. T&Cs Apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.0% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £300 per annum, your representative rate is 137.8% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Black Credit Card image
21.9%
£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum
40.7% APR (variable)
Earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: £0 per annum, your representative rate is 40.7% APR (variable).
NatWest Reward Black Credit Card image
21.9%
£84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: Year 2 onwards - £0 per annum
40.7% APR (variable)
You'll earn 1% back at supermarkets and 0.5% back everywhere else, including supermarket petrol stations. At selected retailers, you could earn 1-15% back.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £84 per annum. Reward Black Current Account holders: Year 2 onwards - £0 per annum, your representative rate is 40.7% APR (variable).
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card image
30%
£95 per annum
53.7% APR (variable)
Earn 60,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy ® points when you spend £3,000 in the first three months of Cardmembership. Offer ends 15 July 2025. New Cardmembers only. Annual fee applies, 18+, subject to status. Terms apply.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £95 per annum, your representative rate is 53.7% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card image
30%
Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum
87.3% APR (variable)
New Cardmembers earn 20,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend £3,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. New Cardmembers only. Terms apply, 18+, subject to status.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30% (variable) p.a. with a fee of Year 1 - £0, Year 2 onwards - £195 per annum, your representative rate is 87.3% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
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1 - 8 of 11
Product Finder Score Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Key benefit Representative example
The Co-operative Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Credit Card image
Finder score
8.9%
8.9%
(0% fee)
£0
8.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 8.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 8.9% APR (variable).
Card details
Tesco Bank Low APR Clubcard Credit Card image
Finder score
10.941%
11.457%
(3.99% fee)
£0
10.9% APR (variable)
5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants, entertainment or Avios points.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.941% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
Card details
Lloyds Bank Platinum Low Rate Credit Card image
Finder score
10.94%
10.94%
(5% (0% fee if transfer is completed within the first 90 days) fee)
£0
10.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 10.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 10.9% APR (variable).
Card details
TSB Advance Credit Card Mastercard image
Finder score
0% for 3 months reverting to 12.95%
0% for 3 months
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Card details
The Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard image
Finder score
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Card details
The Royal Bank Credit Card image
Finder score
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Card details
NatWest Credit Card image
Finder score
12.9%
12.9%
(0% fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Card details
MBNA Limited Platinum Visa image
Finder score
12.94%
12.94%
(5% (0% fee if transfer is completed within the first 90 days) fee)
£0
12.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Card details
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Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

Read the full methodology

Repayment options

You can make manual repayments through Bank of China (UK)'s app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (020 7282 8763). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.

A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and either damaging your credit score, getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) or losing any promotional rates as a result.

You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.

Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:

Minimum amount
Fixed amount
Fixed percentage
Full amount

How to apply

If you've compared cards and want to apply, here's what to do:

  • Check the eligibility criteria. You can only apply if you're 18 or more and already have a current account with Bank of China, with no history of missing payments or bad debt.
  • Download and fill in the application form. It's available on Bank of China's website. You'll have to provide your personal information and details of your employment.
  • Visit a branch. Bring the application form, your ID, a bank statement of the last three months and proof of your current employment.

Bank of China has five branches in the UK: two in London and one in Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Unfortunately, you cannot apply for this card online.

Frequently asked questions

What credit limit will I get with the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card?

If Bank of China (UK) offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on Bank of China (UK)'s assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on the card is £250, while the maximum is £10,000. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Bank of China (UK) you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.

Can I withdraw cash using the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card?

Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.

The cash advance fee on the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card is 2%.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 12.7% (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 50 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).

How much does it cost to use the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£170.17), it'll cost you around £3.40 in fees.

What is the minimum payment on the Bank of China (UK) Great Wall International Gold Credit Card?

Each month, you must pay at least 5% of your balance at that point or £5.00 – whichever of the 2 figures is greater. So if you had, say, £90.00 outstanding, you'd pay £5.00, and if you had £400.00 outstanding, you'd pay £20.00.

Paying only the minimum required amount each month is generally not advisable as it tends to be a very expensive way to borrow money, which can lead to persistent debt.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

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