Every day in the UK, hundreds of customers apply for new credit cards. The UK card market also changes frequently with new credit cards, and their 0% deals and offers changing constantly.
There are a number of different UK credit card providers, offering a wide range of credit cards. A small number of these card companies provide reward and cashback credit cards. Many other banks and card companies use the 0% introductory deals and offers available on their cards, to attract new customers.
The number of new UK credit cards available with 0% introductory offers have fallen over recent years. This is due, in part, to card company mergers, and also as a result of the banking crisis back in 2008. This led to a number of credit card companies withdrawing from the UK credit card market.
New Credit Cards UK
Most new UK credit cards are now applied for online. In the past, a new credit card application would have largely been done by post, or in person in a bank on the high street.
Customers looking for new UK credit cards are now much more likely to start their search for a new card online. As a result, the UK card providers, have adapted their computer systems to accept online applications. This has also had the additional benefit that most card applications are now processed faster. As a result, many cards in the UK are now instant credit cards, and customers can also, in many cases, get an online decision.
There are currently around 60 UK credit cards available online with 0% introductory offers. There are also a dozen, or more, reward and cashback credit cards available. So how do you choose new UK credit cards?
New Credit Card
The best way to choose a new credit card is to decide what your main use for the credit card will be.
Card purchases – Are you planning on making a number of purchases, or one large purchase using your new card? If so and you want to benefit from a 0% introductory rate, then have a look at 0% purchase credit cards.
Balance transfer – Do you have an outstanding balance on an existing credit card that you are paying interest on? Then a balance transfer to a new credit card, with a 0% introductory offer on transfers, can save you money.
Rewards points – If you want to collect points on your everyday credit card spend, then a card offering points, like the Marks and Spencer credit card, can earn you additional rewards.
The following featured cards are some of the popular new credit cards currently available, with a range of different offers:-
0% Credit Card Expert may receive commissions from some of the credit card companies that we refer users to. How this site works.
- 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
- 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
- 0% interest for up to 26 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 0% interest on balance transfers for 20 months
- 3.24% or 4.24% balance transfer fee on transfers made within first 90 days (minimum £4)
- 0% interest on purchases for your first 3 months
- Collect up to 3 Nectar points per £2 in Sainsbury’s, Argos, and Habitat
- Collect 1 Nectar point for every £5 spent on your card elsewhere
- Online account management
- Annual Fee: None
- You have a permanent UK address
- You have not been declined for credit in the last month
- You do not have a history of bad credit
- You are aged 18 or over
- 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
- 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
New Credit Card Offers
The new credit card offers in the UK card market change frequently. The credit card companies change their 0% introductory offers on a regular basis. The banks and card companies use these introductory 0% deals and offers to attract new credit card customers.
Credit card deals for existing customers may also be available. However, in general, these are usually not as competitive as the deals available on new credit cards.
A couple of years ago, 0% introductory offers on balance transfers were as long as 0% for up to 43 months. However, now the balance transfer offers are shorter. Typically, a long 0% deal, at the time of writing, is likely to be around 0% for 28 months on balance transfers.
The 0% introductory deals on purchases are in general, not as long as the 0% deals available on balance transfers.
New credit card offers are available on cards which use both the Mastercard and the Visa payment networks. Credit cards using Mastercard, or Visa, are both widely accepted at millions of locations around the world.