subject: Pay No Interest On Credit Card Purchases For More Than A Year [print this page] We are into an expensive part of the yearWe are into an expensive part of the year. Christmas is on the horizon some supermarkets have even started stocking mince pies. There's also the car insurance to sort out. I've also got a wedding anniversary to think about.
It pays to prepare. If you know you've got some sizeable spending on the horizon, getting a credit card that offers a year (or even longer) of 0% interest for your purchases can be a smart move. It means you can spread your payments, pay off that debt in chunks without worrying about interest being charged on top.
I'm going to take a look at the five cards that offer the longest 0% periods.
The Tesco Clubcard credit card
The Tesco Clubcard credit card is top of the 0% on purchases tree, offering a whopping 16 months of 0% interest. That's nearly a year and a half in which to pay off your debt, a huge amount of time really.
Not only does the card offer an unbeatable 0% period, it also offers a decent reward on your spending, particularly if you are a regular shopper at the supermarket giant. You earn five Clubcard points for every 4 spent in Tesco stores (including on petrol) and one point for every 4 spent elsewhere.
I've had this card for the best part of three years now, and do all of my shopping in Tesco. So I've racked up a serious number of Clubcard points thanks to this card.
Just remember that the 16-month 0% period begins when you take out the card, not when you make the purchase. This is true of all 0% on purchases cards.
M&S Credit Card
In second place is the M&S Credit Card, offering 15 months of 0% interest on purchases.
And again, it's not just the interest-free period that makes the card attractive. Spending on the card earns M&S points, which can then be traded in for all sorts of rewards. You earn one point for every 1 spent at M&S or every 2 spent every else.
Once you get 100 points, you'll be rewarded with a 1 reward voucher.
Halifax All in One MasterCard
Halifax's All in One MasterCard also offers 15 months of 0% interest. However, what sets it apart is that 0% period is available on both purchases and balance transfers.
So this card is great if you've got a lot of big purchases coming up and if you have existing credit card debt to shift.
Barclaycard 14/14 Platinum
The Barclaycard 14/14 Platinum is much like the Halifax All in One card in that it offers an identical 0% period on both purchases and balance transfers.
However, the Barclaycard offers a month less on both at 14 months.
The importance of your credit rating
If you want to get a card that offers such a lengthy interest-free period, you'll need to have a pretty impeccable credit record.
