Focus on: New leading card for balance transfers
Competition in the credit card market is hotting up and those looking to transfer a balance across from another card can now pick from a range of tempting deals.
This week, Nationwide Building Society entered the fray with a new credit card that offers a 17-month interest-free period on balance transfers or alternatively 0% on purchases for six months for those who don't have debts to move across. Here, we explain how the offer works and also look at the changes Nationwide has made to the card's free overseas usage policy. What's the deal?Applicants can pick from two different introductory offers. Those who have debts they want to transfer over from another card can choose the balance transfer deal, which offers 0% on balance transfers for 17 months , plus 0% for three months on new purchases . Balance transfers will be subject to a transfer fee of 2.95% , with a minimum charge of £5.
Alternatively, if you don't want to transfer a balance, you can opt to receive an introductory rate of 0% for six months on purchases .
After the introductory periods finish, the card charges a representative annual percentage rate (APR) of 15.9% variable .
Nationwide says that the rates it offers will be "personalised to the customer's individual circumstances" and could be as low as 9.9% APR variable. The building society can provide prospective customers with a 'soft quote', meaning they can get a realistic idea of what their APR will be before applying without it leaving a footprint on their credit history.
The card also offers free overseas usage, but only if you use your card regularly in the UK (this is to stop people from applying for the card and then only using it when they're abroad). You 'earn' the amount you can spend on the card for free when you're overseas at a 5:1 ratio. So, for example, say you spend £2,500 on your card in the UK you'll have earned the right to spend £500 on it for free overseas . Spend £5,000 in the UK and that'll give you £1,000 of free overseas' usage.
But if you spend beyond your 'earned amount', you will be charged 2.00% commission (this is still a lower charge than average - most cards charge an overseas' usage fee of between 2.50% to 3.00%).
On the plus side, you don't have to use your allowance within a set period of time, so if you only go abroad infrequently, this will give you the opportunity to build on the amount you can spend overseas without being charged commission.
Zero Interest Credit Card Offer
Zero interest credit card deals can provide much needed breathing space from high monthly interest costs. The longer the interest free period, the more you will benefit because the more money you will save. Whether you feel like you are on the verge of going under or are simply finding things a bit tight, transferring your credit card balances to an introductory offer credit card with a decent interest free period can put you back in the driver?s seat with your finances. Even if you have more than enough money to pay your monthly credit card bills, isn?t there something you?d rather spend your money on?Or maybe you can see the benefits of using your savings to reduce your interest debt real credit card.
Whatever your motivation, zero interest credit card offers are a great way to increase your disposable income each month. In addition, you can find many offers to choose by simply doing a search online. In fact, you can see there are so many deals have available that may be difficult to choose between them.
If you can find a dedicated website right credit card, you can save considerable time and effort looking for the zero interest credit card offers. These sites have already located the best deals and provide a comprehensive comparison between the cards in their selection. This means that you can easily find the benefits that most suit your needs and choose the right card for you. They usually also provide an online application facility with an often quick approval time.
The wisest use of zero interest credit card deals is to use the interest savings to pay down your debt. After all, at the end of the interest free period you will have to begin to pay interest again and if your balance is still high, you will have to contend with high monthly payments. However, if you can?t afford the basics as it is, then use what you need to of the savings to live and pay what is left over off your balance. It is also a good idea to use the interest free period to reorganize your finances.
Create a new budget that includes savings for emergencies so that you are not tempted to use your credit card in emergencies. Also, if you are transferring credit card balances to a new balance transfer card, make sure you cancel your old cards so they cannot be used again. Don?t be tempted to keep them available just in case emergencies crop up. There will always be things that you need and can?t afford, if you don?t have available credit then you?ll have to find a solution to your problem that does not involve getting into debt.
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