Most people don't know the credit card fact that could save them a packet. Do you?
If you're about to choose a new credit card, you've probably got certain priorities in mind. Perhaps you're looking for a card with a great 0% balance transfer deal, or one with juicy cashback benefits?
However, in amongst those well-publicised incentives, there's another benefit most of us aren't aware of: The interest-free period that a card offers.
By this, I don't mean the one-off, 0% promotional offers that many cards now come with.
I'm referring to the fact that most cards actually allow you several weeks of interest-free credit anyway, before you start paying interest on your balance.
A useful perk, eh? Nonetheless, according to a recent personal finance `literacy' study by Abbey, 88% of people still don't know about it.
Play your cards right
It's worth bearing in mind, however, that not all credit cards have been created equal when it comes to interest-free periods.
A couple still don't offer any interest-free period at all, while at the other end of the scale, you could bag yourself 59 days of interest-free spending if you play your cards right.
Interest from day one
Here are the two cards I've found that charge you interest from day one:
Credit | Interest-free period | Typical | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
First Trust | 0 days | 14.9% | None |
Lloyds TSB Advance MasterCard | 0 days | 11.9% | 0% on new purchases |
Although both these cards do have relatively low typical APRs, I wouldn't go for either of them myself.
The lack of an interest-free period is a real turn-off for me, and I think there are better deals on the market for those who can't clear their balance in full every month.
For example, the Barclaycard Simplicity Visa Card currently has a typical APR of just 6.8%, which applies to every purchase or balance transfer made.
And once you've got to the stage where you can clear your balance every month, it also offers a substantial 56 day interest-free period on purchases.
59 days grace
At the other end of the scale, dozens of cards offer interest-free periods which are over 55 days long - several as long as 59 days.
You're being given a month (maximum 31 days) plus a further 28 days to clear your balance.
So in other words, you have an extra `cushion' of time to fall back on if you don't manage to clear your balance, on the dot, at the end of every month.
Horses for courses
So how do you decide which one is right for you? In a nutshell, you need to get your priorities straight and find the card that best suits your circumstances.
For example, if you want to use your plastic abroad, the Abbey Zero card might suit you down to the ground. Until most other card providers, Abbey doesn't charge you to use your card abroad. And you'll still get a decent interest-free period of 56 days.
On top of this, you can take advantage of the six month 0% deal on both balance transfers and new purchases - with NO transfer fee.
However, the card's typical APR is a hefty 18.9%, so if you don't clear the balance regularly after this period, the interest will soon stack up.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a really long combined 0% deal - you may prefer the Capital One Platinum Card.
In this case, the 0% new purchase and balance transfer deals both run until November 2009 (a 3% balance transfer fee applies). The card also has a 56 day standard interest-free period, with an APR of 14.9%.
A final word of warning
Whichever credit card you choose, remember to read the small print.
Certain transactions (like cash advances and credit card cheques) are usually not afforded the interest-free `grace' period given to purchases. So don't get caught out!
More: Credit Cards For Crafty Customers | Avoid This Credit Card Con!
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