Which credit card is best? The top deals for spending, debt and rewards in August

Credit card deals are getting longer and more competitive, but the best offer depends heavily on what you actually need the card to do.

You can now get more than two years interest-free on new spending, shift existing debt for well over three years without paying interest, or choose cards offering cashback, rewards or fee-free overseas spending if you clear the balance every month.

The catch is that headline deals don’t always tell the whole story.

Some of the longest 0 per cent periods are offered on an “up to” basis, meaning the deal you receive could be shorter, while transfer fees and high standard interest rates can quickly erode the benefit.

Here The Independent rounds up some of the best credit card deals currently available and explain which type could suit different needs – but always make sure you check your eligibility and any card’s suitability for you before applying. Remember, terms can change but are correct at time of writing.

Best 0 per cent purchase credit cards

A 0 per cent purchase card lets you spread the cost of spending without paying interest for a set period.

You must still make the minimum payment each month and should clear the balance before the deal ends to avoid paying any interest.

M&S Purchase Plus: Offers 0 per cent on purchases for up to 26 months, followed by a representative 24.9 per cent APR, and earns one M&S Rewards point for every £5 spent.

TSB Platinum Purchase Card: Offers up to 26 months at 0 per cent on purchases, followed by a representative 24.9 per cent APR, plus up to 18 months at 0 per cent on balance transfers made within the first 90 days, for a 3.49 per cent fee.

Best balance transfer credit cards

Balance transfer cards let you move existing credit card debt to a new card charging 0 per cent interest for a set period.

Most charge a transfer fee though, so look for the lowest fee that still gives you enough time to clear the balance.

TSB Platinum Balance Transfer Card: Offers up to 38 months at 0 per cent on transfers made within the first 90 days for a 3.49 per cent fee, although the period offered can vary by applicant.

Tesco Bank Low Fee Balance Transfer Credit Card: Offers a guaranteed 15 months at 0 per cent with a much lower 0.75 per cent transfer fee, which could suit someone able to clear the debt more quickly.

Best cashback and rewards credit cards

Rewards cards generally make sense only if you repay the balance in full every month, as interest can quickly wipe out the value of cashback or points.

Amex Cashback Everyday Credit Card: For eligible new cardmembers, pays 5 per cent cashback for the first five months, capped at £125, then 0.5 per cent on spending up to £10,000 a year and 1 per cent above that. There is no annual fee, but you must spend at least £3,000 a year to receive cashback.

Santander Rewards Credit Card: Pays 3 per cent cashback in the first year on eligible travel, fuel, EV charging and eating out, plus 0.25 per cent elsewhere, with no monthly fee or foreign-exchange fee on purchases abroad.

Best credit cards for spending abroad

Many standard cards charge a foreign transaction fee overseas, so a specialist travel card can be cheaper. Be more cautious with cash withdrawals, as interest or ATM fees may still apply.

Lloyds Ultra: Charges no foreign transaction fee on purchases or cash-withdrawal fee from Lloyds, while paying 1 per cent cashback in the first year and 0.25 per cent thereafter. Its representative APR is 14.9 per cent, although interest is charged on cash withdrawals.

Barclaycard Rewards: Pays 0.25 per cent cashback on eligible purchases and charges no transaction fees when spending abroad, with a representative 28.9 per cent APR.

Best low-interest credit cards

A low-rate card may suit someone who wants a lower ongoing borrowing cost rather than a temporary 0 per cent deal, although clearing the balance in full remains cheaper.

TSB Advance Credit Card: Charges 0 per cent for three months on purchases and balance transfers, with no transfer fee during that period, before moving to a representative 12.9 per cent APR.

Tesco Bank Everyday Low APR Credit Card: Has a representative 12.9 per cent APR on purchases and earns Clubcard points at Tesco and elsewhere.

Best credit-builder credit cards

Credit-builder cards are aimed at people with a limited or damaged credit history and usually carry high interest rates, so they are best used for small amounts that can be repaid in full each month.

Tesco Bank Foundation Credit Card: Offers starting limits of £200 to £1,500, monthly credit-score updates through CreditView and a representative APR of 29.9 per cent.

What to check before you apply

Use an eligibility checker before applying where possible, particularly for deals advertised as offering “up to” a certain number of months.

This can show how likely you are to be accepted without affecting your credit score, while the final promotional period, credit limit or interest rate may still vary.

Once you have a promotional card, set up at least the minimum payment by Direct Debit. Missing a payment or exceeding your limit can mean losing a 0 per cent deal early and paying much more interest.

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