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About 0% purchase credit cards
Spread costs without paying interest
Make bigger purchases more affordable
Get breathing space and pay back what you owe over more time
FCA regulated
0% purchase credit cards let you buy things today, and pay them off over a set number of months without paying any interest. With the cost of living hitting household budgets, 0% purchase cards can help you manage your cash flow and buy what you need when money’s tight.
How do 0% purchase credit cards work?
When you use a 0% purchase card to buy something, you won’t pay any interest on that purchase for a set period of time. It’s important to remember that you’ll still need to make at least the minimum monthly payment, but because you’re not paying interest, every penny will go towards paying off what you actually spent.
Once the 0% period ends, you’ll start paying interest on what you owe, at the cards standard interest rate – so try to clear your balance before the end of the offer.
How to apply for a 0% purchase credit card
Compare the best deals
Shop around and look at what each provider is offering. Just remember that the best cards with the longest 0% periods will usually only be available to people with the best credit scores.
Check your eligibility
Before applying we’ll run a quick check to show you your chances of being accepted, and the good news is that this won’t affect your credit score. Keep an eye out for TotallySure offers which come with pre-approval and guarantees.
Get accepted
Once you’ve been approved, you’ll need to wait for a few days before you receive your new card. And once you do, you can start making purchases with 0% interest during the initial promotional period.
Make a plan
It’s usually a good idea to set up a Direct Debit to clear your balance in full every month. You should also try to not overspend, because you’ll start paying interest on any debt you carry past the 0% period.
Types of credit card
There are a number of different types of credit card on the market, such as:
Balance transfer
If you want to cut the interest on your existing debts, a balance transfer credit card is for you. With a balance transfer credit card you can move balances you've accumulated on other credit cards and enjoy 0% interest for a set period of time.
Purchase
This is the simplest type of credit card. With a purchase card you'll get a 0% interest period for a set amount of time, allowing you to spend without accruing any interest, even if you don't pay your balance back in full each month.
Cashback
If you clear your credit card balance every month, and have no plans to build up any debt, a cashback credit card is a good option. These cards reward your spending habits by giving you a percentage of your spending back in the form of cash.
Rewards
An alternative option for people who clear their balance each month is a rewards credit card. Rather than paying you back with cash, these cards offer various forms of points in return from using them. These can range from airmiles to supermarket points.
Travel
An alternative option for people who clear their balance each month is a rewards credit card. Rather than paying you back with cash, these cards offer various forms of points in return from using them. These can range from airmiles to supermarket points.
Credit builder
If you have poor credit, a poor credit card can help you build your credit rating over time. While they have high interest rates, if you pay your balance in full each month, they can be an effective way of showing lenders you can be trusted.
What are the pros and cons of 0% purchase credit cards?
There are advantages and disadvantages to having credit cards, such as:
Pros
Interest-free spending - Buy what you need and pay it off over a set number of months without interest payments eating into your budget.
Extended 0% periods - The best deals often offer interest-free periods of between 1-2 years, giving you plenty of time to clear the cost of your purchases.
Better cash flow management - Spread the cost of big purchases, helping you manage your money more easily.
Section 75 protection - With credit cards, certain purchases between £100-£30,000 are protected under Section 75, giving you additional consumer rights should anything go wrong.
Build your credit score - Using the card responsibly can help improve your credit rating.
Interest-free spending - Buy what you need and pay it off over a set number of months without interest payments eating into your budget.
Extended 0% periods - The best deals often offer interest-free periods of between 1-2 years, giving you plenty of time to clear the cost of your purchases.
Better cash flow management - Spread the cost of big purchases, helping you manage your money more easily.
Section 75 protection - With credit cards, certain purchases between £100-£30,000 are protected under Section 75, giving you additional consumer rights should anything go wrong.
Build your credit score - Using the card responsibly can help improve your credit rating.
Cons
High rates after the offer - As soon as the 0% period ends, rates will suddenly jump – so make a repayment plan and try your best to stick to it.
Need good credit - The longest 0% offers are usually reserved for people with the best credit scores – so check your eligibility before applying.
Temptation to overspend - Having credit available to you might encourage you to buy things you don’t really need, so try your best to stay within budget.
Minimum payments only cover interest later - Once the 0% period ends, minimum payments might barely cover the interest charges, making it harder to clear the balance.
No cash withdrawal benefits - These cards are made for purchases, and withdrawing cash with a credit card will usually mean extra charges and higher interest rates.
High rates after the offer - As soon as the 0% period ends, rates will suddenly jump – so make a repayment plan and try your best to stick to it.
Need good credit - The longest 0% offers are usually reserved for people with the best credit scores – so check your eligibility before applying.
Temptation to overspend - Having credit available to you might encourage you to buy things you don’t really need, so try your best to stay within budget.
Minimum payments only cover interest later - Once the 0% period ends, minimum payments might barely cover the interest charges, making it harder to clear the balance.
No cash withdrawal benefits - These cards are made for purchases, and withdrawing cash with a credit card will usually mean extra charges and higher interest rates.
Our expert says
“0% purchase cards are a great option for anyone wanting to make a larger purchase, and to spread the cost without paying interest. These deals will usually let you spread the costs longer than Buy Now Pay Later providers, while offering Section 75 purchase protection.”
“You just need to remember that these cards are as a budgeting tool, and not just free money. It’s worth working out exactly how much you need to pay the bank back each month, and to clear the balance before the 0% period ends. Otherwise you might find yourself paying interest on whatever is left over.”
Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney
How to find the right credit card
Finding the best purchase card will depend on how much you need to borrow, your credit score, and how quickly you think you can pay it back.
Standard 0% purchase cards are great for spreading the cost of bigger purchases like things like household electrical goods, home improvements, holidays or car repairs. The longer the 0% period, the longer you have to repay, and the lower your monthly payments can be.
Using a 0% purchase card for your regular shopping can help you to escape your overdraft, and the high interest rates they usually charge.
Even with a not so perfect credit score, you could still qualify for shorter 0% purchase offers. These can still help you save money compared to paying for using higher-rate credit cards or expensive overdrafts, and often come with longer repayment terms than BNPL providers.
Using your 0% card responsibly, making regular purchases and paying them off in full every month will show lenders that you can manage credit responsibly. And that can help you boost your credit score.
TotallySure purchase card offers come with pre-approval, guaranteed credit limits, APRs, and 0% durations. That way you’ll know exactly what you’ll get before you apply.
Why use TotallyMoney
With TotallyMoney, you can compare credit cards from across the UK market and check your eligibility before making an application. This will help protect your credit score as you can then only apply for cards you’re likely to be accepted for. Too many rejections can have a negative impact on your credit score.
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Credit card FAQs
When you make a purchase with a purchase credit card, you won’t pay any interest on what you spend during the 0% promotional period. Always remember that you still need to make at least the minimum monthly payment, but every penny you pay back goes towards paying off the debt, and not on interest charges.
Once the 0% period ends, you’ll start paying interest on any remaining balance, so try to clear your debt before then.
How much you can save depends on how much you spend, your credit score, and what you would otherwise be paying interest on. Just remember to try and pay off what you borrow before the 0% period ends, otherwise you’ll start paying interest on what you owe.
Most 0% purchase cards won’t charge upfront fees. However, some might come with annual fees, cash withdrawal charges, or foreign transaction fees. So, always read the small print before applying.
This depends on your credit score and the card you’re applying for. The longest 0% periods will usually only be given to borrowers with the best credit scores. However, shorter options are available for those who might not have a perfect credit history.
Always check your eligibility before applying so you know your chances of being accepted. Keep an eye out for offers which come with pre-approval, guaranteed limits, APRs and offer lengths. We call these TotallySure, as you’ll be totally sure of being accepted, and that the offer you applied for is the one you’ll get.
0% purchase periods will vary between different banks and depending on your credit profile. They’ll also change throughout the year as banks compete for customers.
Some, but not all cards offer 0% on both purchases and balance transfers, and when using a comparison site, you might be able to filter down to the specific kind of offer you need. These cards can often be a bit more complicated to manage, so do your research before applying.
Once the promotional period ends, you’ll start paying interest on the balance that’s left over. That’s why it’s important to try your best to clear the balance before the offer ends. Another option could be to shift what you owe to a 0% balance transfer card.
If you have other debts that you’re paying interest on, then it usually makes sense to pay them off first. However, if you have spare cash and no other debts, then paying off what you owe early can give you peace of mind, and frees up the credit for future use.
There’s no set limit to how many you can have, but remember that making multiple applications can affect your credit score. Trying to manage multiple cards with different promotional periods and different lenders can also be complicated. So, it’s usually better to find the best card for your own circumstances, and to use that.
It’s important to remember that even though you’re not paying interest, the money isn’t free. You’ll still need to pay it back before the end of the 0% period, and that it can be hard to get out of debt if you have to start paying interest. Always avoid cash withdrawals, as you’ll usually pay more interest and extra fees. Try and make more than the minimum payment each month, and if possible, clear it in full before the end of the promotional period.
Related articles
See more guides
Why use a purchase card
Spread the cost of purchases interest-free instead of dipping into an expensive overdraft or taking out a loan – it’s a smarter way to buy what you need.
Spread your costs with a 0% purchase credit card
Make a big purchase and pay nothing in interest for months – you’ll spread the cost for free and get Section 75 payment protection.
How to choose the right credit card
Move your credit card debt to 0% interest and save money on charges – every penny you repay goes towards clearing what you owe instead of paying interest.
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