We explain how to get the most out of them.
The right credit card can let you spread the cost of a big purchase, or a string of smaller ones, interest free over months or potentially even years. Just make sure you follow our three rules to make the most of them.
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What is a 0% purchase card?
A 0% purchase card lets you spend money on it for a set period before any interest is added to your balance.
The set period runs from a few months to potentially years – with the longest 0% purchase card on the market at the time of writing being 25 months.
That means if you need to buy something big, or have a string of expenses coming up, you can spread the cost over a long time without being charged interest.
I used one after moving into my current flat, as I knew I needed to buy a lot of furniture and other essentials in a short time and this let me spread that cost out.
Crucially, you will still need to make payments and will be sent a bill every month – it’s not free money after all – but there won’t be any interest added to your bill while you’re in the introductory period.
How 0% purchase cards work
You apply for an interest-free credit card the same way you do a standard credit card. That means you’ll need to be over the age of 18 and pass a credit check.
You won’t be told your credit limit until you’re accepted, with this often determined by a combination of your credit report and income, after that the card will be posted to you along with the PIN for it. Once you activate the card, you’re free to start spending on it.
After this, the cost of any purchases get added to your credit card balance. No interest is charged on this balance until after the end of the 0% period.
Once a month, you’ll receive a bill from your card provider, which you’ll need to pay to avoid penalties. However, everything you pay will go towards clearing that balance, rather than paying any interest.
You can choose how much the payment is as long as it’s more than the minimum amount – which is normally a small percentage of the overall amount.
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What happens when the 0% purchase period expires
The month after your introductory period ends, interest is charged on whatever balance is left on the card.
This will be at the card provider’s standard rate – typically about 25% APR at the moment, but some cards can charge significantly more.
Any new purchases or payments made on the card also will have interest charged at them at the same interest rate.
What are the risks of 0% purchase cards?
The first thing to say is that any application for credit leaves a mark on your credit report.
It’s not a huge factor, but it could affect your eligibility for other products, so it’s best not to apply for new cards ahead of taking out something like a mortgage.
Applying for several products in a short time, for example if you are rejected by one provider and re-apply to another or apply for several things at once, is also seen as a worrying sign by lenders.
It can look like you’re desperate for money, and so put them off from wanting to deal with you.
Once you have the card, you need to make sure you aren’t late or miss any of the monthly payments. A missed payment not only risks you having your 0% period invalidated, it also leaves a mark on your credit report that lingers for years.
Not every purchase will be interest-free, either. Taking money out of the cash point, for example, will have interest charged on it immediately. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of the card to check what’s excluded.
Finally, you need to have a plan for when the 0% period expires. Ideally, you’d have cleared the balance by then, but if you haven’t, you’ll be left with an expensive debt.
If you don’t have the money on hand to clear the balance, you could try a transfer to another card – which could reset your 0% period – but be careful about fees associated with these.
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What else should I consider instead of a 0% purchase card?
There are a fair few other options if you’re looking to spread the cost of payments without being charged interest.
The first is to save up for it first, instead of paying for it afterwards. Of course, you might not always have the time to do this.
The second option is a money transfer card. These send money directly to your bank account for you to use however you like. That money is added to the credit card’s balance, and frequently come with a 0% introductory period similar to purchase cards.
The big difference is that you’ll need to ask for the full amount at once, and you’ll be charged a fee of about 4% of the total amount when you make the transfer.
Finally, some banks still offer 0% overdrafts – although these are either limited in time to about 12 months, or for smaller amounts of £500 or less.
The three rules for using a 0% purchase card
Overall, 0% purchase cards can be a fantastic option to spread the cost of something expensive.
But to get the most out of them, you need to make sure you:
- Check your eligibility BEFORE applying
- Set up an affordable standing order and stick to it
- Make a plan for when the 0% period expires
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