Cards & Loans

Which is best for dealing with debt: a credit card, loan or overdraft?

It's likely that now and again you'll need to go into debt to cover one-off expenses. So what is the wisest option? Moneywise looks at the individual pros and cons of credit cards, loans and overdrafts.

Editor's Picks

Credit Cards
Loans

Barclaycard Barclaycard Platinum With BT (27 Mths)	0% for 27 months(3.5% fee)	18.9% Representative APR	Full details
Virgin Money Virgin Balance Transfer Credit Card	0% for 26 months(2.99% fee)	17.9% Representative APR	Full details
NatWest Platinum Card (Online)	0% for 26 months(2.65% fee)	18.9% Representative APR	Full details
Royal Bank of Scotland Platinum Card (Online)	0% for 26 months(2.65% fee)	18.9% Representative APR	Full details
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Halifax 17 Month Purchase Credit Card	0% for 17 months	16.9% Representative APR	Full details
Tesco Bank Tesco Clubcard Credit Card (Purchase)	0% for 16 months	16.9% Representative APR	Full details
M&S Bank M&S Credit Card	0% for 15 months	15.9% Representative APR	Full details
NatWest YourPoints World MasterCard	0% for 15 months	16.9% Representative APR	Full details
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Sainsbury's Bank Sainsbury's Cashback Low Rate Credit Card	Cashback	7.8% Representative APR	Full details
Sainsbury's Bank Sainsbury's Nectar Low Rate Credit Card	Points Scheme	7.8% Representative APR	Full details
Sainsbury's Bank Sainsbury's Nectar Low Rate Credit Card Ex/C	Points Scheme	7.8% Representative APR	Full details
Barclaycard Barclaycard Platinum Simplicity	Shopping Reward	7.9% Representative APR	Full details
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American Express Platinum Cashback Credit Card	Cashback	18.7% Representative APR(incl annual fee of £25)	Full details
Santander Santander 123 Credit Card	Cashback	22.8% Representative APR(incl annual fee of £24)	Full details
AA AA Members Reward Credit Card Ex/C	Points Scheme	16.9% Representative APR	Full details
Creation Financial Services Creation Cashback Card	Cashback	18.9% Representative APR	Full details
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Halifax Clarity Credit Card	Charge on overseas spending: 0 Charge on cash withdrawals: 0%	12.9% Representative APR	Full details
Halifax Clarity Credit Card (Online)	Charge on overseas spending: 0 Charge on cash withdrawals: 0%	12.9% Representative APR	Full details
Halifax Rewards Clarity Credit Card	Charge on overseas spending: 0 Charge on cash withdrawals: 0%	12.9% Representative APR	Full details
Metro Bank Personal Credit Card	Charge on overseas spending: 0 Charge on cash withdrawals: 0%	13.0% Representative APR	Full details
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RateSetter 1 Year Loan	6.9% Representative APR	£86.48 per month £1,037.77 in total	Full details
HSBC Graduate Loan	12.9% Representative APR	£89.27 per month £1,071.24 in total	Full details
Wesleyan Bank Limited Personal Loan	13.9% Representative APR	£89.74 per month £1,076.88 in total	Full details
Zopa Personal Loan	14.1% Representative APR	£89.83 per month £1,078.01 in total	Full details
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Car Finance 24/7 Car Finance 24/7 (Excellent Credit)	5.9% Representative APR	£151.88 per month £5,467.80 in total	Full details
Car Loan 4U Car Loan (Excellent Credit History)	5.9% Representative APR	£151.88 per month £5,467.80 in total	Full details
Car Loan 4U Car Loan (Semi-Exclusive)	5.9% Representative APR	£151.88 per month £5,467.80 in total	Full details
Creditplus Car Loan (Excellent Rating)	5.9% Representative APR	£151.88 per month £5,467.80 in total	Full details
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Derbyshire Personal Loan	5.0% Representative APR	£188.71 per month £11,322.74 in total	Full details
Barclays Barclayloan Plus (Ex/C) Internet	5.1% Representative APR	£189.17 per month £11,350.25 in total	Full details
Clydesdale Bank Personal Loan	5.1% Representative APR	£189.17 per month £11,350.25 in total	Full details
First Direct Personal Loan	5.1% Representative APR	£189.17 per month £11,350.25 in total	Full details
data provided by Defaqto

Derbyshire Personal Loan	5.0% Representative APR	£283.07 per month £16,984.11 in total	Full details
Barclays Barclayloan Plus (Ex/C) Internet	5.1% Representative APR	£283.76 per month £17,025.37 in total	Full details
Clydesdale Bank Personal Loan	5.1% Representative APR	£283.76 per month £17,025.37 in total	Full details
First Direct Personal Loan	5.1% Representative APR	£283.76 per month £17,025.37 in total	Full details
data provided by Defaqto

HSBC Premier Loan	5.7% Representative APR	£361.63 per month £30,376.84 in total	Full details
HSBC Graduate Loan	5.9% Representative APR	£364.02 per month £30,577.39 in total	Full details
Tesco Bank Personal Loan	7.2% Representative APR	£379.77 per month £31,900.34 in total	Full details
Tesco Bank Personal Loan (Existing Customers)	7.2% Representative APR	£379.77 per month £31,900.34 in total	Full details
data provided by Defaqto

Credit cards
Best credit card rates

Credit cards are seen as an essential item today, but be sure to choose the right one for your needs. Moneywise reviews the best credit card deals on the market.
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