Which? has analysed hundreds of credit cards to find the best travel, interest-free, 0% balance transfer, 0% money transfer and low-interest deals.
To become a Which? Best Buy, a credit card has to meet a range of benchmarks set by our analysts. Read on to find out which ones made the grade.
Best Buy travel credit cards
Travel credit cards allow you to spend fee-free overseas. These two stood out.
Table notes: The average customer score is 69%. Our customer scores are based on an online survey of 4,149 members of the public, conducted in April 2023. Customer scores are worked out using a combination of overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend. Best Buys are determined by Which? analysts using category-specific criteria and strict benchmarks.
The Halifax Clarity and Barclaycard Rewards Visa cards have no foreign transaction or cash withdrawal fees, but we also like that they both come with below-average APRs. Currently the average for a travel credit card is 28.4%.
- Find out more: to see how the Which? Best Buy travel credit cards compare to other market-leading deals head to our best travel credit cards guide.
Best Buy 0% balance transfer credit cards
If you have expensive store or credit card debt a 0% balance transfer credit card can help you clear it.
In our analysis we looked at credit cards that had no balance transfer fee with 0% periods over 12 months, and have awarded two Best Buys.
Table notes: The average customer score is 69%. Our customer scores are based on an online survey of 4,149 members of the public, conducted in April 2023. Customer scores are worked out using a combination of overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend. Best Buys are determined by Which? analysts using category-specific criteria and strict benchmarks.
When it comes to a 0% balance transfer credit card you need enough time to clear your debt and to do it as cheaply as possible. The NatWest and Barclaycard deals combine a decent 0% period with no extra fees for moving your balance and were the cheapest, longest-lasting deals that met our strict criteria.
Customers also rate the brands highly. NatWest has been named a Which? Recommended Provider, while Barclaycard came joint 15th out of 29 providers in our latest survey.
- Find out more: if you think you need a longer 0% period check out our best 0% balance transfer credit cards guide for the longest-lasting deals. You can also use our balance transfer calculator to find out which term you should aim for.
Best Buy 0% money transfer credit cards
A 0% money transfer credit card lets you shift money from your card to your current account to spend as cash, interest-free for a set period. This could be helpful if you need to clear overdraft debt or pay for services that don’t accept credit cards.
In our analysis we looked at the length of the 0% period as well as the size of the fee you’ll get charged for each money transfer. One credit card from MBNA made it as a Best Buy.
Table notes: The average customer score is 69%. Our customer scores are based on an online survey of 4,149 members of the public, conducted in April 2023. Customer scores are worked out using a combination of overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend. Best Buys are determined by Which? analysts using category-specific criteria and strict benchmarks.
MBNA offers a range of 0% money transfer credit but we like the Limited Long 0% Money Transfer offer as it is a cheap, longer-lasting deal. It offers 14 months 0% on money transfers and charges a 3.49% fee, which is competitive. Typically providers charge closer to a 4% fee for money transfers.
- Find out more: to see how the Which? Best Buy 0% money purchase credit cards compare to other market-leading deals take a look at our best 0% money transfer credit cards guide.
Best Buy 0% purchase credit cards
A 0% purchase credit card offers interest-free spending for a certain time before reverting to the normal purchase APR.
A long-lasting deal can help you spread the cost of a big purchase – see our Best Buys below.
Table notes: The average customer score is 69%. Our customer scores are based on an online survey of 4,149 members of the public, conducted in April 2023. Customer scores are worked out using a combination of overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend. Best Buys are determined by Which? analysts using category-specific criteria and strict benchmarks.
All three of our Best Buys offer the longest interest-free period on spending right now. Customers also rate the brands highly, with Natwest in particular being named as a Which? Recommended Provider in 2023.
- Find out more: see how other market-leading deals compare in our best interest-free credit cards guide.
Best Buy low-interest credit cards
A low-interest credit card does what it says on the tin – it offers a cheap rate of borrowing for as long as you have the card. So if you struggle to keep up with time-limited offers, this type of deal might suit you.
We’ve named four low-rate credit cards Which? Best Buys.
Table notes: The average customer score is 69%. Our customer scores are based on an online survey of 4,149 members of the public, conducted in April 2023. Customer scores are worked out using a combination of overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend. Best Buys are determined by Which? analysts using category-specific criteria and strict benchmarks.
These four deals are the most competitive low-rate cards on the market with each offering 10.9% APR compared to a market average of 31.4%. Customers also rate the brands highly with Tesco Bank making it as a Which Recommended Provider in 2023.
- Find out more: see how our Best Buys compare to other market-leading low-rate deals in our best low-interest credit cards guide.
Discover the right credit card and see deals using the service provided by Experian. Find a card now.
How we find Best Buy credit cards
A credit card must have been one of the top five cards in its category and must also satisfy specific criteria for the type of card such as the size of balance transfer fee or length of 0% period.
A provider must have also achieved a customer score of over 65% in our latest credit card satisfaction survey. Each year, we ask thousands of customers to rate their providers and calculate a customer score based on their responses, to find the best credit card providers.
We also update our analysis regularly, which means we will withdraw Best Buys if providers make adverse changes to APRs, 0% periods or fees.
What about cashback, reward and credit-builder credit cards?
We don’t include cashback and reward credit cards in our Best Buy analysis as where rewards can be earned and spent varies. However, we do set out the market-leading deals in our best cashback and reward credit cards guide.
Credit-builder credit cards are also excluded from our Best Buy analysis, as personal circumstances play a bigger role in determining which card is best for you. You can check out the market-leading deals to research in our guide to the best credit cards for bad credit .
Is a credit card right for you?
Chosen and used wisely, a credit card can be a cheap way to borrow or build rewards, but there are other options you could explore.
Before applying for a credit card, check if your current account has a fee-free overdraft that will meet your spending needs.
You could also check the rates on offer from a credit union. As non-profit financial organisations, they usually offer loans that are cheaper than other providers.
If you need over £5,000, an unsecured personal loans might be a cheaper option and you will have a fixed monthly payment until the loan is paid off.
- Find out more: should I get a credit card?
How to find the best credit card provider
As well as crunching the numbers to reveal the best credit cards on the market right now we also survey customers to find the best credit card providers.
Each year we ask thousands of credit card customers to rate brands on customer service, mobile banking and more – so you can get an idea of the quality of service you might receive before you sign up.
- Find out more: best credit card providers
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms & conditions of a credit card provider before committing to any financial products.
