Credit Cards archive

Published in December 2008

Time To Curb Credit Cards

by Cliff D'Arcy | A leading business group has urged the government to cap the rates charged by credit cards. Fool.co.uk has supported this curb for years...

Credit Crunch Beating Credit Cards!

by Szu Ping Chan | Forget boring balance transfers and lacklustre purchase deals, we highlight the credit cards which really reward you...

Beware Of This Dirty Credit Card Trick!

by Szu Ping Chan | As Christmas approaches, we reveal how one sneaky credit card trick could leave you out of pocket by over £300...

Why Plastic Really Is Fantastic!

by Rachel Wait | How your Visa debit card can protect you when things go wrong…

We Should Learn A Lesson From The US

by Cliff D'Arcy | American financial watchdogs are planning a crackdown on unfair practices in the credit-card market. British regulators should follow suit.

Get Extra Cash At Christmas

by Cliff D'Arcy | Don’t let the crunch steal Christmas. Here’s an easy way to earn cash as you shop, both now and in the years ahead.

Credit-Card Pact Could Bring in Fees

by Cliff D'Arcy | The government has forced credit-card issuers to agree to treat struggling cardholders more fairly. However, this could herald the return of annual fees...

Is This Really The Best Credit Card On The Market?

by Serena Cowdy | Serena Cowdy evaluates the Virgin Money credit card.

Labouring Under High Interest Rates?

by Cliff D'Arcy | The Labour Party credit card comes under attack for charging sky-high interest rates. Are affinity and donation cards worth having?

Credit Card Lenders Get Personal

by Rachel Wait | Credit card issuers are set to share even more data about their customers in a bid to promote responsible lending. But will it really work? And could rate tarts suffer?

Published in November 2008

Credit Card Rip-Offs That Should Be Banned!

by Szu Ping Chan | We reveal five of the worst credit card rip-offs, ever! And their potential cures...

The Best Credit Cards For Christmas Spending

by Serena Cowdy | Some 18% of us will be putting our Christmas purchases on a credit card this year, according to recent research by credit experts Experian.

Credit Cards For Serious Spending

by Szu Ping Chan | If you're planning to do some serious spending this Christmas, you could earn some serious cash if you use one of these two credit cards.

The 0% Credit Card Of The Year

by Laura Starkey | Laura Starkey recommends you use this card to demolish your credit card debts.

Why Credit Card Spending Is Wise!

by Jane Baker | How your credit card can provide crucial consumer protection when things go wrong.

Credit Cards For All Weathers

by Szu Ping Chan | When it comes to credit cards, it’s rare to find a card that really has that ‘wow’ factor.

The Curse Of The Credit-Card Crunch!

by Cliff D'Arcy | Despite the Bank of England slashing its base rate, interest rates and fees charged by credit cards continue to creep up...

Published in October 2008

Breathe Easy With This Balance Transfer

by Laura Starkey | Laura Starkey praises a card that offers permanent relief from sky-high interest rates.

Beware Of These Christmas Credit Traps

by Rachel Wait | As the pressures of Christmas shopping start to pile up, don’t get sucked in by these offers…

This Year's Best Credit Card

by Laura Starkey | Get the lowdown on Laura Starkey's favourite credit card.

Balance-Transfer Cards The Next Victim Of The Credit Crunch?

by Neil Faulkner | It’s been a year since we last made a forecast about what will happen with credit cards. Now it’s time for an update.

Credit That Doesn‘t Cost A Penny

by Cliff D'Arcy | Although almost all credit cards provide an interest-free period to ‘full payers’, this is never more than 59 days. To make the most of no-cost credit, you need a special kind of card...

Three Credit Card Tricks To Avoid!

by Szu Ping Chan | Here are three little known credit card catches that could end up costing you more than you bargained for…

Credit Cards For The Disorganised

by Ed Bowsher | If organisation isn’t one of your strengths, and you have some credit card debt, a lifetime balance transfer card might be just the right thing for you.

Disaster For Halifax Cardholders!

by Cliff D'Arcy | The giant Halifax/Bank of Scotland group has slashed minimum monthly repayments on its credit cards. This may seem like a lifeline, but it’s actually a nightmare...

My Credit Card Gives Me Free Money

by Donna Ferguson | You'll smile with every purchase you make on this market-leading cashback card.

Published in September 2008

The Worst Way To Spend This Season!

by Laura Starkey | If you’re looking for smart ways to save money -- or have already started panicking about the cost of Christmas -- beware the sneaky store cards that will actually inflate your spending!

MBNA Platinum Plus credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the MBNA Platinum Plus credit card

Good And Bad Pre-Paid Cards

by Neil Faulkner | Neil Faulkner investigates the best and worst pre-paid cards.

Royal Bank of Scotland Platinum

by Donna Werbner |

Egg Visa credit card

by Rachel Robson | Rachel Robson reviews the pros and cons of the Egg Visa credit card

MBNA Platinum Visa credit card

by Rachel Robson | Rachel Robson reviews the pros and cons of the MBNA Platinum Visa credit card

MBNA Platinum Rewards Visa

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the pros and cons of the MBNA Platinum Rewards Visa credit card

Bank of Scotland All in One MasterCard

by Rachel Robson | Rachel Robson reviews the pros and cons of the Bank of Scotland All in One MasterCard

Barclaycard Gold Visa credit card

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the pros and cons of the Barclaycard Gold Visa credit card

Saga Platinum credit card

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the pros and cons of the Saga Platinum credit card

Lloyds TSB MasterCard

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the Lloyds TSB MasterCard

Halifax Plus credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the Halifax Plus credit card

NatWest Platinum credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the NatWest Platinum credit card

Barclaycard Platinum credit card

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the pros and cons of the Barclaycard Platinum credit card

Virgin Money credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the Virgin Money credit card

Halifax All in One MasterCard

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the pros and cons of the Halifax All in One MasterCard

Sainsbury's Finance MasterCard

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the pros and cons of the Sainsbury's Finance MasterCard

Bank of Scotland Plus credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the Bank of Scotland Plus credit card

Royal Bank of Scotland Platinum credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the Royal Bank of Scotland Platinum credit card

Sainsbury's credit card

by Donna Werbner | Donna Werbner reviews the pros and cons of the Sainsbury's credit card

Creation Credit Card

by Donna Werbner |

Natwest Platinum

by Donna Werbner |

Easy Money Comes At A High Price!

by Cliff D'Arcy | When money is tight, credit-card cheques can seem like a lifeline. However, you should watch out for these five traps.

How To Stop Identity And Card Fraud

by Neil Faulkner | Don't just rely on insurance to protect you from identity theft and card fraud. It's much better to take these precautions to prevent it happening in the first place!

My Top Two Balance Transfer Cards!

by Laura Starkey | If you want to transfer a balance onto an interest-free credit card, check out these two brilliant buys.

Plastic Is Fantastic!

by Emma Lunn | Why you should have a credit card even if you don’t need to borrow money.

Good, Bad And Ugly Credit Cards!

by Szu Ping Chan | Here’s a quick guide to the best credit cards to go for, no matter whether your credit record is good, bad or ugly!

Why It Pays To Be A Tart

by Szu Ping Chan | ...a rate tart that is. Here's how 0% balance transfer credit cards size up against their lifetime balance transfer rivals, and how both cards could save you a small fortune.

My Favourite Credit Card

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher has a new favourite credit card. Read all about it here.....

Earn Cash As You Splash!

by Cliff D'Arcy | With the cost of living soaring and disposable incomes under pressure, it’s getting harder to make ends meet. Here’s how to reclaim a slice of your spending.

An Outstanding Credit Card

by Cliff D'Arcy | We have great news for hard-pressed borrowers, thanks to a terrific new card which offers interest-free credit until the next decade.

Published in August 2008

Credit Cards You Rarely See

by Neil Faulkner | Here are a couple of types of credit card that are often overlooked.

Get Rewarded For Your Weekly Shop

by Szu Ping Chan | Want to be rewarded every time you're at the supermarket? These credit cards may be right up your street...

88% Of Us Don’t Know This About Our Credit Cards

by Serena Cowdy | Most people don’t know the credit card fact that could save them a packet. Do you?

Don’t Be Bullied Into Buying This

by Serena Cowdy | Find out why applying for a new credit card made Serena Cowdy so angry!

Credit Cards For Crafty Customers

by Cliff D'Arcy | Many credit cards are very specialised and do only one job well. Nevertheless, one of these Best Buys will make you happy.

Take Control Of Your Credit Card Spending

by Mary Doyle | Plastic can be fantastic, but it can also spell financial disaster if it’s not handled correctly. Here’s how to control your credit cards -- so they don’t control you.

Avoid This Credit Card Con!

by Szu Ping Chan | Here’s one type of credit card to be avoided... even though it offers you loads of fantastic plastic perks!

Exclusive: More Pain For Egg Customers!

by Cliff D'Arcy | We reveal shocking news for customers of online bank Egg. Get ready to pay lots more interest and new fees...

A Prepaid Card That’s Worth Getting

by Neil Faulkner | Prepaid cards usually make Neil Faulkner look glum, but there’s a new one that stands out.

Published in July 2008

A Smarter Way To Spend

by Laura Starkey | Ditch your debit card for a cashback credit card -- and get free money. Yes, really!

Is This Credit Card All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

by Szu Ping Chan | Egg has a couple of unusual credit cards.

The Longest 0% Balance Transfer Card...Ever!

by Jane Baker | A 0% balance transfer is a brilliant way of getting to grips with your credit card debt.

The Credit Card Credit Crunch

by Stuart J Watson | The crunch is starting to have more of an impact on the credit card market. But there are still deals aplenty for the time being.

Use This Credit Card To Clear Your Overdraft

by Serena Cowdy | I explain the easiest -- and cheapest -- way to demolish overdraft debts!

Try This Brilliant Balance Transfer!

by Laura Starkey | Here's the lowdown on two great credit cards which allow you to pay off your debts at your pace.

Published in June 2008

10 Things I Hate About...Credit Cards!

by Jane Baker | Credit cards often come with nasty catches. Here's how to avoid them.

The Best Debit Card To Use Abroad

by Serena Cowdy | When it comes to overseas spending, all debit cards are not created equal! Find out which one you should be using this summer.

10 Things I Hate About...Credit Cards!

by Jane Baker | Credit cards often come with nasty catches. Here's how to avoid them.

Reward Your Summer Spending

by Szu Ping Chan | Make the most of your summer spending - get a reward credit card.

Britain's Worst Store Cards

by Cliff D'Arcy | New rules introduced a year ago have failed to clean up store cards. Indeed, our exclusive research shows some cards have become more expensive...

I Love This Credit Card!

by Serena Cowdy | Serena Cowdy explains why she's excited by the latest credit card on the market.

Published in May 2008

Four Top Credit Cards

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher takes a look at four cracking credit cards that could help you get your finances in ship-shape for the summer.

My Favourite Credit Card

by Ed Bowsher | Fool editor Ed Bowsher tells us why he's just applied for a Halifax All in One Mastercard.

Stretch Your Credit Card Benefits!

by Szu Ping Chan | Promotional periods and perks aside, here's another way to make your credit card work harder for you...

Transfer Your Credit Card Balance For Free!

by Jane Baker | A credit card balance transfer fee can be a real sting in the tail. Here's how to avoid it.

Claim Your Cashback Today

by Cliff D'Arcy | If you play your cards right, then you can earn good money from credit cards. We reveal the cream of the cashback crop.

Cash And Credit Cards Don't Mix

by Cliff D'Arcy | Our new research exposes the excessive cost of withdrawing cash using credit cards. It's shocking stuff!

Cash And Credit Cards Don't Mix

by Cliff D'Arcy | Our new research exposes the excessive cost of withdrawing cash using credit cards. It's shocking stuff!

Use This Credit Card To Beat The Crunch

by Serena Cowdy | Are you paying too much interest on your debts? This credit card could help you through the hard times ahead.

Reclaim Your Bank And Card Charges

by Neil Faulkner | This is a classic article that tells you how to start your bank charges claim.

The Best Credit Cards To Use Abroad

by Serena Cowdy | Looking forward to your summer getaway? Don't let extra credit card fees spoil your holiday.

Published in April 2008

Credit Cards For All Occasions

by Neil Faulkner | There are three credit cards that stand out at the moment. So here they are.

Is This The End Of Paying With Cash?

by Szu Ping Chan | Will contactless payment cards change the way we spend forever? Here's some things you need to know...

Should We Cut Up Our Credit Cards?

by Serena Cowdy | If you want to keep your spending under control, is cutting up your credit cards really the answer? Serena Cowdy investigates.

Is Your Credit Card Charging More?

by Cliff D'Arcy | Although the Bank of England is reducing its base rate, credit cards are getting more expensive. We explain how to curb these costs.

Credit Cards Can Save You From The Credit Crunch

by Donna Ferguson | If you've got credit card debt, should you be worried about the credit crunch?

Credit Cards Can Save You From The Credit Crunch

by Donna Ferguson | If you've got credit card debt, should you be worried about the credit crunch?

Credit Cards That Will Save You From The Credit Crunch

by Donna Ferguson | If you've got credit card debt, should you be worried about the credit crunch?

Published in March 2008

Fool News: Brits Prefer Plastic To Cash

by Laura Starkey | How much money do Fools carry around? Do you rely on cash or credit? Laura Starkey investigates.

How £5 Can Lose £50

by Cliff D'Arcy | Borrowing on a credit card can be very expensive, especially if there's a mix-up with your repayments. Here's one reader's tale of woe.

How £5 Can Lose £50

by Cliff D'Arcy | Borrowing on a credit card can be very expensive, especially if there's a mix-up with your repayments. Here's one reader's tale of woe.

Fantastic Plastic For Holidaymakers

by Cliff D'Arcy | With Easter just around the corner, millions of Brits will be heading abroad. We continue our 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' email series with a look at the best and worst cards to take overseas.

Hands Off Our 0% Cards!

by Cliff D'Arcy | A senior Conservative MP has criticised 0% credit cards for getting people into debt. We explain why he's mistaken.

Hands Off Our 0% Cards!

by Cliff D'Arcy | A senior Conservative MP has criticised 0% credit cards for getting people into debt. We explain why he's mistaken.

Avoid Interest For An Entire Year

by Cliff D'Arcy | Cliff D'Arcy rounds up the best 0% on purchases credit cards available at the moment.

Get Free Flights With Your Credit Card!

by Szu Ping Chan | Fancy a free flight for your everyday spending? A reward credit card offering air miles may be right up your street...

Get Paid To Spend!

by Jane Baker | Which credit cards have the most generous cashback rates? Find out here...

Cut Your Interest Bill By 10%

by Jane Baker | If you want a guaranteed low interest rate for life on your credit card balance, take at look at these great deals.

Cut Your Interest Bill By 10%

by Jane Baker | If you want a guaranteed low interest rate for life on your credit card balance, take at look at these great deals.

Published in February 2008

The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card In Town

by Jane Baker | We take a look at the classically Foolish product -- the 0% balance transfer credit card.

The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card In Town

by Jane Baker | We take a look at the classically Foolish product -- the 0% balance transfer credit card.

0% Transfers Still Make Sense!

by Cliff D'Arcy | With 0% balance transfers, you can wipe out your credit-card interest bill. However, some deals aren't what they used to be...

Top Cashback Credit Cards

by Szu Ping Chan | Fancy earning cashback on everything you buy? Get paid for doing your daily shopping with a cashback credit card.

0% Transfers Still Make Sense!

by Cliff D'Arcy | With 0% balance transfers, you can wipe out your credit-card interest bill. However, some deals aren't what they used to be...

Be Careful With Your Credit Card Overseas

by Szu Ping Chan | Thousands of Brits on holiday could be caught out by an increasingly popular exchange rate practice called 'dynamic currency conversion'. Here's how.

Egg Cancels 161k Credit Cards

by Alison Hunt | With letters from Egg falling onto many of its customers doormats revoking their credit cards, we ask what can you do?