Should I get a credit card?

A credit card is a fast and flexible way to borrow money. While your debit card will take money from your account immediately, a credit card allows you to buy now and settle your bill at a later time (conditions apply).

Before applying for your first card, check your credit score or use our  eligibility checker  to see if you’re likely to be accepted. Also do your research: finding the perfect card for your individual circumstances means considering the interest rate, purchase rate, and possibly – if it’s not your first card – a balance transfer fee.

You won’t pay any interest if you pay off your balance in full every month by the payment due date. Some credit cards also come with an interest-free promotion. Barclaycard offers a  flexible credit card you can use for balance transfers and purchases .

With an interest-free promotion, as long as you stay within your credit limit and pay at least the minimum amount on time each month, you can borrow interest-free for a set time. After this you pay interest on your existing borrowing and anything new you spend. So it’s important to always aim to pay off the balance before the end of the offer and budget to make sure you can afford what you are borrowing.

It's best to pay back the balance in full every month by the payment due date and always avoid spending beyond your means and going over your credit limit.

However, if there are circumstances where you’ve built up a balance that you’re paying interest on, moving it to a new interest-free or 0% balance-transfer card can help you take a break from paying interest for a while. But remember, the minimum payment for the account has to be made on time each month and the balance should be paid off before the 0% offer ends.

Moving your balance doesn’t necessarily mean your minimum payment will be lower each month. But, you can use the money you save on interest to pay off the balance sooner.

Your statements show all your payments and spending so it’s easy to keep a check on your finances. There are lots of online tools and mobile apps to help you manage your money on the move. Check out our guide on how to manage credit repayments for tips.

A broken boiler, a set of tyres or a hefty gas bill - sometimes we have to fork out for things we didn’t expect. Your credit card could be a convenient way to borrow money in an emergency. Using a credit card online also means you could  get purchase protection if a supplier lets you down  thanks to the Consumer Credit Act.

When you apply for credit, credit card companies check your credit file to work out how much of a financial risk you are. Spending within your means on your first card and then making regular monthly payments to repay the money will help build a good credit rating.

Subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history, there are credit cards – with low limits – that are  designed to help you build your credit history .

There’s a lot to consider when deciding whether to get a credit card, such as how much you can afford to pay back each month and what benefits you want from your card. Some of the main things you should consider are:

• Annual fees. Some cards have annual fees but may offer extra benefits such as travel insurance and concierge services in return. Sometimes the annual fee doesn’t apply for the first year, so work out how much it will cost in the long-term.
• Interest rates. Unless your card has a 0% interest period, you’ll pay interest on any borrowed money you don’t repay each month. The amount of interest can vary a lot depending on which card you choose or can be accepted for.
• Fees for using the card abroad. If you’re planning to spend on credit while on holiday, it’s best to choose a travel credit card, otherwise you could be charged withdrawal and exchange rate transaction fees. Check out  our guide on travel credit cards  for more information.
• Balance transfer fees. If you already have credit card debt that you’re paying interest on, or if you develop some later down the line, moving it to a new card with 0% interest for a set period can be a good idea. There is usually a fee for doing this, although you could easily end up saving enough to cover the fee and pay off your balance sooner, and hopefully before the interest period ends. We have a guide on  how to find the best balance transfer credit card

Credit card fees and interest rates might feel daunting, but we’re here to help you get a better understanding so you can choose the card that’s right for you.