Credit card guides

How to get your first credit card

Here is how to prepare yourself for your first credit card application.

How To Pay Off Your Credit Card

A step-by-step guide to the best strategies for paying off your credit card and clearing your debts quickly.

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?

The number of credit cards you should have will depend on how you use them. Here, we weigh up the pros and cons of having multiple credit cards.

What is interest?

Borrowing costs money. A lender will usually charge a borrower a percentage of the money lent, rather than a flat fee. This is called interest. This guide covers the basics of how interest works, what it is and what it means for your finances.

Can you withdraw cash from a credit card?

You can use a credit card for cash withdrawals, but they come with expensive fees. Here is when they are charged and how to keep your costs down.

What is the difference between Visa and MasterCard?

MasterCard and Visa work very similarly to one another. They are payment networks, which process payments when you spend using your credit, debit or prepaid card.

How to transfer money from your credit card to a bank account

If you want to borrow a small sum of cash to repay a debt, or clear an overdraft, you can use a money transfer credit card to move cash into your current account.

What missing a single payment can ultimately cost you

What happens if you're late to a payment, or miss one entirely, and how long you have to fix it before the costs start piling up

What are store cards & are they worth it?

Applying for a store card at your favourite shop might bag you a discount, but there could be a cheaper option. Here's how store cards work and what they cost.

What is a money transfer credit card?

If you want a new credit card, here is exactly what you need to do to apply for it.

How long does it take to get a credit card?

It can take up to 10 working days for your credit card to arrive in the post. But you may be approved for the card on the same day you apply.

What is a balance transfer credit card?

Balance transfer credit cards allow you to move debt from one card to another. The new card may have 0% interest rate, so you can clear your debt quicker.

How to use a credit card for interest free purchases

0% credit cards do not charge you interest on your purchases for a set period of time. They're commonly used for buying big, expensive products so you can spread out the cost.

Section 75: Your free credit card purchase protection

When you spend money on your credit card you get extra consumer protection on your purchases. Find out more about Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act and how it can provide you with additional peace of mind.

Should you get a student credit card?

A student credit card could be useful in emergencies and help you build your credit record, but they can be expensive. Here's how to find the right student credit card and use it wisely.

Credit card calculator

When should you use a credit card or debit card?

When it comes to credit cards vs. debit cards, is one better than the other? Each has its advantages, so it's useful to know when to use one over the other.

Can you really just write off your debts?

You can’t just borrow money and not pay it back. But while writing off your debts for free is not an option, there is help available if you’re struggling to pay back what you owe.

How to cancel a credit card

There are a number of reasons you might want to cancel a credit card. Find out how to go about closing your account and what to watch out for.

How to get fee-free balance transfers

Fee-free balance transfer credit cards let you move existing card debt to a new credit card without paying a fee. Find out whether this type of plastic could work for you.

Debt rights explained

Find out what your rights are if you fall behind with debt payments and what creditors are entitled to do to get their money back.

IVAs explained

An IVA, or individual voluntary arrangement, is a legally binding agreement between you and any company to whom you are in debt. It sets out how and when you will pay back what is owed.