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As competition in the UK credit card industry has consistently increased in recent years, credit card providers have been searching for more and more ways to attract customers to their own package of products. Most have gone about this by dropping prices with credit card rates available today that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. It is now possible to find 0% credit card interest rates not only on balance transfers but also on purchases. While these rates may only be available for limited introductory periods of a few months, it is easy to see how prices have continued to drop across the market as credit card providers have been searching for new ways to attract customers.

Interest free and credit card may sound like a couple of words that really do not belong together in the same sentence. And the fact is that just a few short years ago, you would have been absolutely correct. There was a time not too long ago when there was no such thing as the 0% credit card. Now however, they are everywhere you look, literally. You cannot even open your mail any more, or answer you phone without being offered some amazing sounding deal on 0% credit cards. They are becoming more and more common and it is therefore important to realise the pros and cons of many of the most common deals that are out there so that you make sure that you get for yourself the very best deal on a 0% credit card possible.

The first thing to remember in any case is that there are two main types of 0% interest that you will be offered and these are very different deals. The first will be 0% on balance transfers and the second will be 0% on purchases. It is needless to go into the difference between a balance transfer and a purchase but suffice it to say that there is a very significant difference and there will be many cases where one of these offers will be of great value to you while the other will be practically useless. The trick is to make sure you make sure what you are being offered and only sign up to a deal that you are confident will fit your needs and benefit you as much as possible.

The best place to start looking for one of these 0% credit cards is on the internet. The fact of the matter is that in recent years the UK credit card market has really saturated itself with amazing sounding deals and the competition is so high among credit card providers now that it is really quite easy to get a 0% credit card.

The two exceptions to this and the groups that will find it more difficult to get a 0% credit card will be people with bad credit ratings and people with no income. Hopefully, in either of these two cases, the situation will not last forever and you will merely have to wait a little while until your position improves and then you will have no problem at all getting 0% credit cards. The only real thing to remember with 0% credit cards is that the free credit will only be for a couple of months and after this time you will have to pay interest. And secondly, everything you spend on that credit cad has to be paid back eventually so take care not to let that spending get out of control.

Dont despair if you are not accepted for many of the credit cards on offer. It may be your credit rating is not what some credit card companies are looking for. If this is the case you will have to do a little more work and that starts by aiming a little lower. Try applying for a run of the mill credit card with no 0% deals, use it for a while. During this period your credit rating will be building up. Once your credit rating is up to scratch you can then apply for these mouth watering 0 per cent introductory deals.

Choosing a new credit card is not just a personal choice. It’s a lifestyle choice. There are hundreds of credit cards to choose from and savvy shoppers will want to choose credit cards that suit the way they spend and the things they want to do.

Why Do You Need A Credit Card?

First of all, consumers need to consider why they need a credit card. For example, some people may be using the credit card to improve their personal cash flow. They could do this by banking your salary, putting all purchases on the credit card and paying it off before the interest is due. Meanwhile, their salary sits in a current or savings account earning interest.

Other people may want to use their credit card for occasional luxury purchases, such as going on holiday or having a day out with some friends. Still others may use a credit card to pay for purchases where they want the extra consumer protection many credit cards offer. Paying by credit card gives consumers some comeback if there is a fault with the item purchased. This can be useful if manufacturers don’t want to give a refund.

Some people may want to use their credit card to have ready access to cash, for example when going on holiday. People who are planning to use their credit cards for cash advances will need to choose a card that has a low rate for this type of transaction.

How Will You Repay The Credit Card?

The next question people need to ask is how they want to make the payments. If they want to clear thier credit card each month, they will need a different type of credit card to someone who is planning to clear only part of the balance.

It is also useful to check on introductory rates, balance transfer rates and any special offers that apply when taking out a new credit card. Some credit cards offer lifetime balance transfer rates that are much lower than the standard variable rate. Others offer reductions in the variable rate for periods of up to 12 months. Still others offer an incentive for taking out the card, such as cash back or a sports bag.

What Incentives Are There?

Another area to look at is incentives for using the credit card. For example, some credit cards offer cash back on credit card purchases which people can apply to pay off the card. Others offer discounts when the credit card is used with certain manufacturers. Still others offer the option of making charitable contributions on customers’ behalf.

A key area to consider is the annual percentage rate (APR). This is the rate that customers pay on purchases once the incentive period has run out. These rates vary considerably, so it is worth shopping around.

Credit Card Payment Rates And Fees

The minimum payment is another area of concern. Minimum payments on outstanding balances tend to start around 3% but some may be lower and others may be much higher. Finally, the interest free period is of big concern you’ll want to go for the longest period you can get to keep those payments down.

Finally, consumers need to consider any other fees that might apply to the credit card account. Some credit cards charge one-off setup fees; others charge annual fees; still others charge no fees for owning the card. It’s best for consumers to read the small print to see what fees and rates apply to the cards they have chosen.

It is a sad fact of life that credit card companies are very willing and fast to slap a penalty charge on your account for every mistake, delay and slip up you cause, immediately and without a second thought. These penalty charges can amount to millions of pounds taken from consumers each month. They are a necessary part of all credit card operations and are fair in the sense that it means that customers who do everything correctly and on time are not penalised for the extra work and expense that other customers cause, but what you will want to do is make sure you are not one of the unlucky customers that is paying for these extra expenses.

The best way to avoid these penalties is to look at the entire situation from the point of view of the credit card company. Really, all they want from you is to keep your card safe, to stay within your credit limit, and to make at least your minimum payment, on time every month. If you manage to do these simple tasks you will avoid ever incurring a penalty on your account.

The problem is that it is very easy to slip up on these things. Its not easy at all to keep track of your outstanding balance, especially as we use credit cards for more and more things and companies begin placing holds and other such transactions on customers accounts without them necessarily knowing or understanding about them. Then there is the fact that it is very easy to forget or become late on a payment. Every one has busy periods in their life and sometimes we simply have other more important things on our minds than paying our credit card bill on time. Some people are less organised than others and for them it can be very difficult making sure all their credit cards are paid out in full and on time.

If your card is lost or stolen without any fault on your part, and you call your credit card company as soon as you find out, you will only be liable for a maximum of 50 pounds. And if you manage to let the credit card company know before any thing has been spend on your stolen card you will not be liable for any thing. This is also the rule that applies for identity theft and fraud so you can feel safe using your credit card online. Taking a few simple steps can mean you are virtually never subjected to credit card penalties.