Credit cards aren’t just about spending. They are also powerful tools that, when used wisely, can help you save money, manage debt and even earn rewards. Whether you’re looking to cut down on interest payments, earn cashback on everyday purchases, rack up air miles for your next holiday, or avoid fees while traveling abroad, there’s a credit card tailored to your needs.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best options on the market for balance transfers, purchases, cashback, air miles and travel spending. We’ll show you how to use these cards to your advantage, ensuring you get the most value while avoiding common mistakes.
If you’re struggling to keep up with credit card payments, a balance transfer credit card can be a lifesaver. These cards allow you to transfer existing credit card debt onto a new card with a 0% interest rate for a set period, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds in interest.
Emily Herring, a credit card expert at personal finance comparison site finder.com, said: “You could save money by transferring a high-interest credit card balance to a 0% interest card, allowing you to pay off the balance interest-free within a set timeframe.
“Currently, the longest interest-free balance transfer period available is 30 months, offered by HSBC (HSBA.L), while Virgin Money (VMUK.L) and Barclaycard (BARC.L) offer close to this with 29 months. All three cards charge a one-time balance transfer fee but have no annual fees.
“Alternatively, if you prefer a no-fee option, NatWest (NWG.L) provides a 0% interest period of 12 months, and Tesco (TSCO.L) offers 17 months with a low transfer fee — though these periods are shorter than the maximum available.”
A 0% purchase card allows you to make new purchases without paying interest for a set number of months. This can save you thousands compared with using a standard credit card, assuming you pay off the balance during the interest-free period.
These cards are perfect for planned, necessary purchases. Think of them as a tool for managing big buys such as a new TV or essential home improvements.
Let’s say you take out a 0% purchase card with a 10-month interest-free period and spend £2,000 on new appliances. If you repay £200 each month, you’ll clear the debt before the interest kicks in. However, if you still have a balance after the 10-month period, you’ll start accruing interest at the standard rate, which can be as high as 27% annually.
Key points:
1. Make sure to pay at least the minimum each month to keep the 0% deal.
2. Borrow only what you can comfortably repay within the 0% period.
Herring said: “Barclaycard has increased its 0% introductory period to 22 months on purchases and 19 months on balance transfers, making it a great option for managing large expenses. There’s no annual fee, but a 24.9% interest rate applies after the 0% period ends.
“MBNA also offers up to 21 months interest-free on purchases, though this only applies to spending within the first 60 days. For extra value, HSBC’s Purchase Plus Card offers £25 cashback when you spend or transfer over £100 before 16 December 2024 (T&Cs apply).”
A cashback credit card rewards you with a percentage of your spending, effectively giving you back some of what you spend. For example, if your card offers 1% cashback and you spend £100 on groceries, you’ll earn £1 back. This cashback is typically credited to your account or added to your statement.
Read more: UK house prices rise at faster pace
Things to watch out for:
1. Limits: Some cards cap the total cashback you can earn.
2. Introductory offers: Cashback rates might only apply for the first few months.
3. Restrictions: Some cashback offers are limited to specific purchases or retailers.
4. Minimum spend: Some cards require you to spend a certain amount to qualify for cashback.
Herring said: “Earning cashback on your everyday spending is a good way to make your money work a little bit harder for you. The American Express (AXP) Cashback Everyday Credit Card currently offers the highest introductory cashback rate, earning you 5% cashback on purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months. After that, you can still earn 0.5% cashback on an ongoing basis, or 1% on annual spend of over £10,000. There’s no annual fee with this particular Amex card either.”
If you travel frequently, a credit card for air miles can help reduce the cost of flights and even unlock perks like flight upgrades and hotel stays. By using these cards for everyday purchases, you can earn points that can be redeemed for flights with your favourite airline’s loyalty programme.
How it works:
1. Earn miles: Points are usually earned based on the amount you spend and the class of your ticket — premium tickets often earn more points.
2. Redeem points: You can use points to cover the cost of flights or upgrades, though taxes and fees may still apply.
Herring said: “For big rewards, the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card offers 30,000 Avios when you spend £6,000 in three months, while the Barclaycard Avios Plus Card gives 25,000 Avios for spending £3,000 in the same period.
“Virgin Atlantic fans can earn 18,000 points with the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card by making their first purchase within 90 days.”
Planning a trip abroad? A specialist travel credit card can save you a bundle by offering near-perfect exchange rates without the usual foreign transaction fees.
Most credit and debit cards charge around 3% on foreign transactions, meaning a £100 purchase abroad could cost you £103. On top of that, some cards add a flat fee for every overseas transaction.
Specialist travel cards waive those fees, letting you spend abroad at the same rates your bank gets.
Read more: How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets
Key points:
1. Avoid cash withdrawals, as they often come with fees and interest.
2. Use the card for spending abroad to enjoy near-perfect exchange rates.
Herring said: “The Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card and Virgin Money Everyday Cashback Credit Card don’t charge fees for making purchases overseas. Neither card has an annual fee and you could benefit from earning 0.25% cashback on your holiday spending too.
“The Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card doesn’t have any fees for withdrawing money from cash machines abroad either. Unusually, you also won’t be charged interest on cash withdrawals (like you normally would with a credit card), if you repay your Barclaycard balance in full that month.”
Whether you’re looking to manage debt, earn rewards, or save on travel costs, choosing the right credit card can make a big difference to your finances. Be sure to compare offers and read the fine print to find the best card for your needs.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the author’s alone (unless stated otherwise) and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the providers listed. Yahoo does not earn any commissions from the lenders, or any other third party from the content in this series.
Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
