0% Purchase Credit Cards | March 10

0% Purchase Best Buy Guide Read more in... Part 1: How Do 0% Purchase Credit Cards Work? Part 3: Using a 0% Purchase Credit Card 0% Purchase Credit Card Questions Got a Credit Card Question? Send your question to and we'll set our team of credit card experts to it! Most recent questions: How much will I have to pay back of my 0% purchase spend each month? How long is the longest 0% purchase deal available? What happens at the end of the 0% purchase period? What transactions aren't included in the 0% purchase deal? Are there any hidden charges with a 0% purchase deal? Are all purchases included in the 0% purchase rate? More frequently asked questions »

Part 2: How to Compare 0% Purchase Credit Cards

LUCKILY for consumers the 0% purchases credit card market is still very competitive with a number of deals of differing lengths available.

How you choose to compare credit cards with 0% on purchases rates will depend on how you plan to use the credit card.

We've designed this guide to cover the most important features of 0% purchase credit cards to be used alongside our 0% purchase credit cards page. Just read on to find the features that will help you to save the most money and then sort the table by feature to find the credit cards that match your requirements.

0% purchase rate credit cards are good if...

• You want to spread the cost of one large purchase
  0% purchase rate credit cards are ideal if you want to spread the cost of a large purchase over a few months for free - just like a 'buy now, pay later' deal from your local sofa shop.



• You have a long shopping list
  It’s easier to budget for one large purchase made with a 0% purchase rate credit card but they are also suitable for spending over a few months interest free.
  
  However, it is important to bear in mind that if you run up a big debt from spending the standard interest rates after the initial 0% period could be costly, and you should therefore try to repay your spending before the standard rate kicks in.



• You already have an account with a credit card provider
  Many good 0% purchase credit card deals are only available to existing customers. So, if you have a bank account or mortgage with a company that also offers credit cards it may be worth comparing to find out if you can get your 0% purchase rate credit card with them.



• You have a fixed income
  To make the most of a 0% purchase credit card you will need to be able to budget to pay off your whole balance before the end of the 0% period.
  
  If you still have a balance on your credit card at the end of the 0% period then you will have to start paying a high interest rate. Paying interest after your 0% period could negate any savings you make compared to simply taking a credit card with one low interest rate.



• You're organised
  By budgeting and making sure that you know when the 0% purchase rate on your credit card ends you can make the most of this deal.

0% purchase rate credit cards are not ideal if...

• You want to use a credit card for cash transactions
  Charges from cash withdrawals (ATM withdrawals, foreign currency purchases etc...) won't be included in the 0% deal. Gambling transactions are also considered as a cash withdrawal.
  
  Not only do cash transactions attract high interest rates and a fee those charges will also be trapped behind your 0% balance and you won’t be able to pay them off until you have paid for your purchases.



• You have a bad credit history
  It can be difficult to get a 0% purchase rate credit card when you have a bad credit history.
  
  Too many rejected applications can further hurt your credit score so if you know you are going to be rejected it may not be worth trying. One way to rebuild your credit score is to take out a credit card specifically designed for people with a bad credit history to improve their credit score. Compare bad credit rating credit cards here.



• Your income fluctuates
  To make the most of a 0% purchases credit card deal you will need to budget to pay off the balance before the end of the 0% period, if your income fluctuates a lot from month to month then you may be better off with a credit card that has one low interest rate on purchases.

How to compare

From what has been discussed above you should now have a good idea of which credit card features will be most important to you.

If you need more information on 0% purchase rate credit cards before you compare try our how to use orguides.

0% purchase credit cards