Best credit card rates

There is a huge range of credit cards on the market and it can be confusing to know which one to choose. With card fees, introductory offers, rewards and typical APR all to sift through how do you know which card would best suit your needs?

Standout credit card at the moment is Barclaycard Platinum, which offers a 22-month 0% balance transfer period. Read on to find out more about this deal as well many others. 

Moneywise's regular credit card roundup cuts through the small print to bring you the best credit cards in each category. 

0% PURCHASE CREDIT CARD AND BEST COMBINED OFFERS
 
The advantage of using credit cards to pay for expensive purchases, like holidays or furniture is that under the consumer credit act your money is protected in the event of a complaint or problem with the purchase. Anything bought on your credit card over the value of £100 and up to £30,000 is safeguarded but if you are going to spend large amounts on card look for a credit card offering 0% on purchases.

Marks and Spencer's credit card has a 15-month 0% purchase period. After that the typical APR is 15.9%. Shoppers can also collect rewards points to spend in-store.
 
Tesco Clubcard Credit card currently offers customers 0% on all purchases for 15 months. Tesco shoppers will also be able to collect extra clubcard points. The standard APR is 16.9% and there is also a 0% introductory balance transfer period for nine months, with a 2.9% fee.

A number of the market leading 0% purchase cards also include healthy 0% balance transfer periods. If you've already made a number of big purchases it's worth looking for a card that can offer you an interest-free period on balance transfers as well future purchases.
 
Natwest and Royal Bank of Scotland's YourPoints world credit cards have 0% on all purchases for 13 months with 0% balance transfer periods for the same period, plus a 2.9% fee (minimum £5). However, these are only available to existing current account holders.

Lasting 12 months, the Sainsbury's Credit card also has a 0% purchase period and its introductory balance transfer offer lasts the same amount of time, although with a 3% fee. Its standard APR is 16.9% and this card is only available to active nectar card users.
 
The Halifax all in one card has a standard APR of 17.9% and 0% on all purchases for 13 months and balance transfers with a 3% fee. 
 
The AA rewards credit card pays 0% on purchases for 10 months and 0% on balance transfers for a year, with a 3% fee. It's typical APR is 16.9%.
 
BALANCE TRANSFER CARDS
 
When looking for a balance transfer card, as well as comparing which cards have the longest 0% periods don't forget to look out for the fees too. These are around the 3% mark but some cards will also charge a minimum cash spend of £3–5 per transfer, if this is greater than the percentage fee. Depending on the size of your balance transfers, this minimum cash amount could take off some of the sheen of the 0% period.
 
The Barclaycard Platinum card currently offers the longest 0% introductory period at 22 months, with a 3.2% handling fee. Customers must carry out a balance transfer within the first 60 days of account opening. The standard APR is 17.5%. You will need an income of at least £20,000 and to be over 21–years–old to apply.

First Direct's credit card is competitive with a 20-month 0% balance transfer period. Cardholders must make a transfer within the first two months and a transfer fee of 2.9% (at least £5) applies. Typical APR is 19.9%.

Both Natwest and RBS' Platinum credit cards also offer a 20-month 0% period. There is a 3.2% fee (minimum £5) on transfers and after the 0% introductory period ends the APR reverts to 17.95%. Customers must carry out a balance transfer in the first three months to benefit from the 20–month 0% period.

Virgin, currently offers 19 months 0% balance transfers, made within the first 60 days. Its card reverts to an APR of 16.8%. It charges a 2.99% card fee or minimum £3 charge per transfer.

Nationwide comes close with a 17–month 0% balance transfer period. Balance transfers at 0% must be made within three months from account opening and are subject to a fee of 2.95% (minimum £5).

In addition to its 17–month 0% balance transfer period, the Halifax plus credit card gives customers 0% on all purchases for three or six months, depending on preference, (plus a 2.95% fee or minimum £5 charge) and a standard 16.9% APR.

Sainsbury's Nectar credit card offers 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, with a 3% fee applied. It also offers 0% on purchases for six months and cardholders are guaranteed double nectar points on their Sainsburys shopping for two years. Standard APR is 16.9%

STANDARD LOW RATES

Not everyone wants to search out 0% deals that will run out before their debt is cleared. If you don't fancy doing the legwork, go for a credit card with a low overall rate.

Sainsbury's new low rate credit card charges 6.95% APRand there is no balance transfer charge. Unlike other Sainsburys cards, cardholders cannot earn nectar points with the low rate card.

The Barclaycard Platinum Simplicity charges 7.9% APR and has no balance transfer fee, which is ideal if you have a large balance. Cardholders can't do balance transfers between other Barclaycards and to be eligible for this card applicants must be age 21 and have at least four years good credit history.  

Capital One Click Mastercard has no 0% introductory offers but does charge a low 9.9% standard APR - onlu apply if you have a good credit history though.

The Lloyds TSB advance card charges 11.9% APR with a £100 minimum spend required in the first three months.  Its 4.9% balance transfer rate (plus 3% handling fee) lasts for 12 months as long as the cardholder makes a balance transfer in the first 90 days of opening their account.

Over-50s can take advantage of Saga's Platinum card with a standard APR of 11.9% and 0% foreign currency fee.

The Halifax Clarity Credit Card, and The Co-operative Bank Clear Visa both charge 12.9%.

REWARDS AND CASHBACK

The best rewards card will differ widely depending on spending habits and personal taste but here are a few to give a taste

Collect one point for every £4 spent on all purchases with the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card. Because it also doubles as a Tesco Clubcard you can collect these points on top of the credit card points when shopping at Tesco. Typical APR is 16.9%; however, there is you can get 0% on purchased for 13 months and 0% balance transfer for nine months with a 2.9% fee.

Receive 1.25% cashback on all purchases, plus an extra 5% cashback for the first three months (up to £100) with the Capital One World Mastercard. Its standard rate is 19.94%.

American Express Platinum Cashback offers a market leading 5% introductory cashback rate for the first three months, up to a maximum of £100. The card then pays 0.5–1.25% on your purchases, with the cashback rate dependent on your total annual spend. Typical APR is 18.5% so be sure to pay off your monthly balance.

Lloyds TSB Airmiles Duo gives card users two cards: an American Express, which accrues airmiles at a faster rate and a mastercard to be used where Amex isn't accepted. 

Spend £1,500 in the first few months on you're American Express card and receive enough airmiles for two free return flights to a destination like Paris or Amsterdam. This is based on receiving one airmile for every £10 spent on the Amex card. In addition, receive one airmile for every £50 spent on the MasterCard.

The rules on airmiles could be imminently changing though, so keep an eye on future changes. 

FOREIGN USAGE

If you go away a lot then look for a credit card that doesn't charge for overseas use. Saga Platinum, Halifax Rewards Clarity and Post Office Platinum cards don't charge any foreign purchase fees worldwide.