About Credit Cards

The fastest and easiest way to get money when you need it is by borrowing on a credit card. Credit cards are generally used for making comparatively small purchases in retail locations on the high street or on the internet, and most cards will come with an interest free time period during which you can purchase products and not be charged any interest so long as you repay the debt within a certain time frame, anything from around 30 or 50 days, depending on the terms and conditions.

Credit cards afford you a great degree of flexibility with your finances, and come in handy in situations where you need to put down a deposit for a flight, holiday or accommodation and when finances are tight towards the end of the month.

The ease of borrowing and spending capital is both the biggest advantage and disadvantage of credit cards. Once you have successfully applied for one, you can instantly access any amount of money up to a limit specified without having to fill in any other forms – however this near-instant availability of credit can mean that you can very quickly get into debt, which you may have to pay back at a high rate of interest.

Provider	Credit Card	Balance Transfers	Purchases	Typical APR
	Natwest – Platinum Credit Card 0% on balance transfers for 6 months, NatWest’s best ever balance transfer offer (2.9% fee) and 0% on purchases for 3 months.	0.0% APR 16 months	0.0% APR 3 months	16.9%
	RBS – Classic Credit Card The RBS Classic Credit Card gives you a low rate on purchases for 9 months, and the flexibility to manage your money and use your card for everyday spending.	N/A	19.9% APR	19.9%
	Virgin Money – Credit Card With the Virgin Credit Card you can benefit from a fantastic discount scheme, save money when you use your card to pay for virgin holidays, virgin media and much more.	0.0% APR 14 months	0.0% APR 3 months	16.6%
	HSBC – Credit Card The HSBC credit card gives you a convenient, reliable and fast way to pay, 24 hours a day. The card aims to give you flexibility as you can manage your card online, at your local branch or over the telephone.	0.0% APR 15 months	0.0% APR 3 months	16.9%
	MBNA – Platinum Visa Card The MBNA platinum credit card offers an introductory rate of 0% on purchases and balances transfers and there is no annual fee to pay.	0.0% APR 13 Months	0.0% APR 3 Months	16.9%
	MBNA – Rewards Card The MBNA reward card gives you the opportunity to earn points as you spend. Just use the card for your everyday bills and shopping and receive 1 point for every L1 spent.	0.0% APR 13 Months	0.0% APR 3 Months	16.9%
	Virgin Money – Virgin Atlantic American Express Credit Card The Virgin Atlantic American Express Credit Card allows you to fly, earn 1 air mile for every L1 spent, and receive 3,000 flying club miles the first time you use the card.	0.0% APR 6 months	17.9% APR	17.9%
	Vanquis – Visa Card Vanquis Visa Card offers credit to people with a bad credit history, to people that are new to credit they can even help if you have had CCJ’s against your name.	N/A	39.9% APR	39.9%
	MBNA – Manchester United Rewards Credit card Support Manchester United with this football credit card, MBNA will donate money to your club whenever you use your card. Plus earn 1 point for every L1 pound spent on card purchases, and redeem red reward points on offers and merchandise. To apply for this card you need to be employed and earn over L20,000 a year.	0.0% APR 12 Months	0.0% APR 3 Months	16.9%
	MBNA – Chelsea Rewards Credit Card With the Chelsea Credit Card you can support your club. Every time you use your card MBNA will make a financial donation to your club. Plus the more you spend the more points you earn to redeem against offers and merchandise. To apply for this card you need to be employed and earn over L20,000 a year.	0.0% APR 12 Months	0.0% APR 3 Months	16.9%
	Natwest – Classic Credit Card NatWest’s Classic Credit Card is exclusively for NatWest current account holders and is only available online. Designed for everyday spending it offers a low rate of 4.9% p.a. on purchases for 9 months from opening your account. Enjoy up to 56 days’ interest free credit on purchases plus comprehensive online security protection.	N/A	4.9% APR 9 months	20.0%
	RBS – Platinum Credit Card With 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, 0% interest on purchases for 3 months, and up to 56 days interest free credit on purchases the RBS Platinum credit card could be the one for you.	0.0% APR 15 months	0.0% APR 3 months	16.9%