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Credit Card Answers

Credit Card Answers

Here at 0% Credit Card Expert we see lots of UK credit card customers looking for credit card questions and answers.

Credit cards, and the jargon, related to credit cards, can often be confusing for many new card customers.

We always aim to provide simple plain English credit card answers to many of the most popular credit card questions, that UK customers often ask about 0% credit cards.

Below are some of the credit card answers to common questions that we see over and over again.

Why do people use a credit card?

Credit cards provide a convenient way to pay for goods and services, rather than with cash. This is especially true now, due the recent Coronavirus pandemic. Many credit cards now allow contactless payments of up to £100.

When you use a credit card to pay for goods and services, you can have up to 56 days interest free before you pay the credit card company for your purchase.

A 0% credit card, when used wisely, can also allow you to make a large purchase, and spread the cost of the purchase into monthly payments. Or you could transfer the outstanding balance on an existing card, via a balance transfer, and benefit from the 0% introductory interest rates. These introductory rates are available for a limited promotional period, after which the standard interest rate, typically 24.9 APR variable, will apply.

What does assumed credit limit mean?

What is an assumed credit limit? All UK credit cards have an “assumed credit limit of £1200” as part of their representative example. This representative example is a standard format that is used to to allow UK credit card customers to compare the typical interest rates on different credit cards.

All UK credit cards must, by regulation, now show this assumed credit limit prominently. The credit cards below, for example, show this assumed credit limit prominently, as part of the standard representative example, in bold.


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Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 26 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
M&S Transfer Plus*
  • 0% for up to 26 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee, minimum £5
  • 0% on purchases for 3 months from account opening
  • Collect M&S points every time you shop anywhere in the world with your card
  • One point for every £1 you spend in M&S and one point for every £5 you spend elsewhere
  • Manage account online
  • Annual Fee: None
M&S Transfer Plus*
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have an annual income or pension of at least £6,800
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You have not held a credit card with M&S Bank within the previous 12 months
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 24 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
HSBC Balance Transfer*
  • 0% interest for up to 24 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee applies (minimum £5)
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months from account opening
  • At end of promotional period, balance transfers and purchases will revert to standard variable rate
  • Worldwide offers and discounts with HSBC home&Away
  • Manage your card online
  • Annual Fee: None
HSBC Balance Transfer*
  • You have an annual income or pension before tax of £6,800 or more
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You do not hold an HSBC Basic bank account
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
Credit is subject to status, affordability and applicable terms and conditions. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for up to 20 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
M&S Purchase Plus*
  • 0% for up to 12 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee, minimum £5
  • 0% on purchases for up to 20 months from account opening
  • Collect M&S points every time you shop anywhere in the world with your card
  • One point for every £1 you spend in M&S and one point for every £5 you spend elsewhere
  • Manage account online
  • Annual Fee: None
M&S Purchase Plus*
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have an annual income or pension of at least £6,800
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You have not held a credit card with M&S Bank within the previous 12 months
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.95%
Purchases:
0% for up to 12 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
TSB Platinum Purchase Credit Card
  • 0% interest for up to 12 months on balances transferred within first 90 days
  • 2.95% balance transfer fee during first 90 days, 5% fee applies afer 90 days
  • 0% interest on all purchases for up to first 12 months
  • Internet fraud protection and Clicksafe
  • Online card servicing
  • Annual Fee: None
TSB Platinum Purchase Credit Card
  • You do not already have a credit card from TSB
  • You are not currently declared bankrupt, have CCJs or subject to IVA
  • You have a regular income
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.95% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from TSB credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 16 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for up to 18 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
HSBC Purchase Plus*
  • 0% interest for up to 16 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee applies (minimum £5)
  • 0% interest on purchases for up to 18 months from account opening
  • At end of promotional period, balance transfers and purchases will revert to standard variable rate
  • Worldwide offers and discounts with HSBC home&Away
  • Manage your card online
  • Annual Fee: None
HSBC Purchase Plus*
  • You have an annual income or pension before tax of £6,800 or more
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You do not hold an HSBC Basic bank account
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
Credit is subject to status, affordability and applicable terms and conditions. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards

As part of this representative example an assumed credit limit of £1200 is displayed. The assumed credit limit is simply a common figure used to easily show the representative example in a common format. This 1200 credit limit is an arbitrary figure chosen to allow customers to compare different credit cards.

This assumed credit limit is not the actual credit card limit that a customer is likely to get. A new card customer could apply for a 3000 credit card, and be given a credit card with a £5000 limit, for example. Credit limits are largely dependant on your own financial circumstances, and your credit history.

Can anyone apply for a credit card?

Yes, provided you are aged 18 years or older. No UK credit card company will accept applications from people under the age of 18. See our credit card application page for more details.

Are all credit cards the same?

No almost all credit cards are different. Here at 0% Credit Card Expert, we currently have over 60 UK 0% credit cards available. These cards are from different card issuers, and have different 0% introductory offers on purchases and on balance transfers. 0% offers can range from as little as 0% for 3 months, to 0% for 28 months, depending on the card.

What does APR stand for?

APR is Annual Percentage Rate. This is the rate of interest that a credit card charges expressed as the rate over a year. The APR includes any fees and charges, such as an annual or monthly fee.

What is a credit card limit?

A credit card limit is the total spending limit that the credit card provider makes available to the customer.

As a customer using your credit card, you can make purchases up to that spending limit. Alternatively, you can make a balance transfer for just less than that amount. Our page on what is a good credit card limit in the UK has more details of how credit limits are decided.

What fees do credit cards charge?

Many credit cards will not charge a customer any fees when they make and pay for purchases using the card. This does assume that you make the monthly payments on time. Late payments to the credit card company will however, often result in a late payment fee.

If you make a balance transfer many credit cards will charge a fee for this transfer. This is usually  a percentage of the total amount transferred.

If you use your card to make a credit card cash advance, then you will be charged both a fee, and also interest on the amount of the cash withdrawal.

A small number of credit cards do also charge an annual fee, or a monthly fee, for using the card, but most do not. There are many more credit cards with no annual fee, than there are with an annual fee.

Do credit cards offer additional protection when making a purchase?

Yes they do. One of the main benefits of using any credit card to make a purchase is that this will then give you extra protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This means that if the retailer goes bust, or you receive a faulty item, you may then be able to ask your credit card company for a refund of the purchase price.

What is the difference between Visa and MasterCard?

Visa and MasterCard are two separate payment networks that provide payment processing for cards. These payment networks process the transaction when a credit card is used to make a purchase. Many UK credit cards are issued as a MasterCard credit card. However, the HSBC 0% credit card, for example, is issued as a Visa card. Both Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted at millions of locations all over the world.

Other popular credit card answers can be found in our credit card questions section including all of the following credit card questions and answers:-


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Published: January 12, 2024, Updated: March 11, 2024 by 0% Credit Card Expert

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