What are the different credit card types?

How to know which credit card type is right for you

Before applying for a credit card it's important to work out how you want to use it.

Do you need it to reduce debt? Are you planning on making a big purchase and want to spread the cost across a few months? Or are you going on holiday and need it to spend abroad?

We've set out some motivations behind getting a credit card and which deals might suit below, but read on to find out how these cards can work for you.

• Earn rewards: a cashback or reward credit card
• Help with debt: a 0% money transfer or a 0% balance transfer credit card
• Everyday spending: a low-interest, cashback or reward credit card
• Improve your credit rating: a credit-builder card
• Spending abroad: a travel credit card or a prepaid card if you don't want to borrow
• Making a big purchase: an interest-free or low-interest credit card.

If you would like more information on the spending benefits, read our guide to why you should get a credit card.

What is a 0% balance transfer credit card?

A credit card with a 0% balance transfer deal allows you to move debt from an existing card, which you can then pay off interest-free.

Many balance transfer deals charge a fee to transfer the balance - this is typically about 3%. The longest deal on the market currently stands at 34 months.

It's a great way to minimise the cost of borrowing if you've got existing debt. Once your 0% deal finishes, you'll start being charged interest at the card's standard rate, so you should either repay the balance beforehand or switch to another 0% balance transfer deal.

• Find out more: best 0% balance transfer credit cards

What is a money transfer credit card?

A money transfer credit card allows you to shift money from your card to your current account to spend as cash, usually for a transfer fee of 4%.

If you get a 0% money transfer you'll often be offered an interest-free period, which you can use to repay the debt.

These cards work similarly to balance transfer credit cards - but the difference is that balance transfer cards only allow you to shift debt between credit cards.

This type of card could help you clear an expensive overdraft or payday loan or get an interest-free loan for cash-only purchases.

If you held an 18-month 0% money transfer card with a limit of £2,000, you could request a £1,000 money transfer to your bank account - at a typical 4% fee, you would owe £1,040 on your credit card and have £1,000 in your bank account to spend straight away. You would have more than a year to clear the credit balance before interest was charged.

• Find out more: best 0% money transfer cards

What is an interest-free credit card?

Some cards offer 0% on purchases, which charge no interest on spending for a limited time, with the longest deals now standing at 24 months.

These cards are perfect for spreading the cost of a large purchase, or for making lots of smaller ones, over the interest-free period.

These cards only work if you're disciplined enough to put money aside to repay the debt in full at the end of the 0% period, as otherwise, the card will revert to its headline interest rate, which in most cases is reasonably high at around 20% APR.

• Find out more: best interest-free credit cards

What is a credit-builder card?

Credit-builder cards are specifically targeted at those trying to rebuild their credit rating (or build one up if they have no credit history).

If you don't know what your credit score is, use our guide how to check your credit score for free.

If you get one of these cards, you should always pay off the bill in full every month as they often have a very high APR - anywhere from 27% up to 60%. They tend to have a 'low and grow' approach, whereby your initial credit limit is very low (say £100 to £200), but increases as you prove you can manage it responsibly.

• Find out more: best credit cards for bad credit

What is a cashback and reward credit card?

Cashback credit cards allow you to earn a percentage back on what you spend. This money is paid as a credit on your account monthly or yearly.

The standard rate offered typically ranges from 0.25% to 2% of the amount you spend. Some of the best deals on the market also offer a higher introductory rate of up to 5%, although the amount of cashback you can earn is often capped over this period.

Reward credit cards differ from cashback credit cards by giving you points that you can redeem against goods and services, or convert into reward vouchers with a particular retailer.

The best way to use these types of credit cards is to avoid borrowing and only spend money you have so the balance can be paid in full every month.

• Find out more: best cashback credit cards

What is a travel credit card?

Most credit card providers charge a non-sterling transaction fee of 2.99% and a non-sterling cash fee of 3% if you spend on your card abroad, but travel credit cards don't.

Travel credit cards are best used abroad or on foreign websites in another currency.

The key rules for these are to not withdraw cash, spend in the local currency and avoid borrowing if there is no 0% period. The APR on these cards can typically range from 19% to 34%.

• Find out more: best travel credit cards

What is a prepaid card?

Prepaid cards are not credit cards, as you can only spend funds that are preloaded onto them.

They are commonly used by travellers overseas, as they can be a good way of avoiding the hefty foreign-loading fees often charged by debit and credit cards.

• Find out more: prepaid travel money cards reviewed

What are 'low-interest' credit cards?

Credit cards with a low standard interest rate (a low APR) make the headlines, but these aren't necessarily the best cards for everyone. For most people, a card for one of the specific uses above is probably a better deal.

This type of credit card is worth considering if you're likely to use it infrequently and won't always pay off the bill in full.

But watch out. Banks and credit card companies tend to use your credit history to set interest rates on their credit cards. This means that those with a poor credit history are generally offered a higher interest rate when they apply.

• Find out more: best low-interest credit cards

Best and worst credit card providers

If you're looking to take out your first credit card, or want to switch, you can check out our best credit card providers to see which brands are Which? Recommended Providers.