Compare first direct credit cards

Compare first direct credit cards

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Product	Finder Score	Purchases	Balance transfers	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Key benefit	Representative example
first direct Credit Card	Finder score 7.7Great	24.9%	0% for 20 months (2.99% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibilityCard details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
first direct Gold Credit Card	Finder score 6Standard	0% for 12 months reverting to 24.9%	24.9% (0% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibilityCard details Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

What is first direct?

Part of the HSBC banking group, first direct was set up in 1989, and claims to be the only UK bank which has enjoyed such a long period of providing service to its customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It offers the full range of financial products – savings, mortgages and insurance – that you’d find at a high street bank, but without the overheads.

first direct’s outlook is decidedly unstuffy and forward-thinking, with its marketing and publicity aimed squarely at a younger audience, and security measures that include voice recognition. Despite having no branches – operating purely online and over the phone – first direct regularly tops customer satisfaction polls.

What types of credit card does first direct offer?

first direct’s card range is small but perfectly formed, with just two cards. Both are exclusively available to first direct current account holders.

• 0% balance transfers. Got an outstanding balance with another bank? That needn’t stop you from switching. This type of card allows you to transfer a balance (as the name suggests) to first direct, and enjoy a lengthy period of 0% interest on it. If you do this, you should aim to clear the balance before the end of the 0% period, otherwise a much higher rate kicks in. Work out what you should pay each month by dividing the outstanding sum by the number of months at a 0% rate, and aim not to use the card for spending. Learn more about 0% balance transfer cards.
• 0% purchases. If you’re planning to make major purchases on your card, a 0% interest on purchases card effectively lets you spread the cost over a number of months (providing the purchase is within the credit limit that first direct gives you). Remember that if you only make the minimum required payments each month, you’ll have an outstanding balance when the 0% period ends, and a much higher rate will kick in. Learn more about Learn more about 0% purchase cards.

Both cards have no annual fee attached, and offer the chance to earn cashback on specific purchases through the separately-administered Visa Offers programme. The cards are Apple Pay and Google Pay-compatible.

How do first direct cards compare against others on the market?

Here are some popular cards offering 0% on balance transfers and purchases.

• Balance Transfer Cards
• 0% Purchase Cards

The cards below are sorted by their representative APRs, and the length of their 0% on balance transfers offer period, but if you’re interested in comparing the cards by a different feature, you can re-order the table.

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Product	Finder Score	Balance transfers	Purchases	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Incentive
Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card	Finder score 7.2Great	0% for 12 months (0% fee)	0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card	Finder score 8.1Great	0% for 17 months (3.49%, min £5 fee)	0% for 20 months reverting to 24.9%	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard	Finder score 8.6Great	0% for 30 months (3.49%, min £5 fee)	0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card	Finder score 7.2Great	0% for 32 months (3.49% fee, min £5 fee)	0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away. Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.	Check eligibility Read review Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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13

Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

Read the full methodology

The cards below are sorted by their representative APRs, and the length of their 0% on purchases offer period, but if you’re interested in comparing the cards by a different feature, you can re-order the table.

1 - 4 of 32

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Finder Score (low-high)Finder Score (high-low)Annual/monthly fees (low-high)Annual/monthly fees (high-low)Representative APR (low-high)Representative APR (high-low)

Product	Finder Score	Purchases	Balance transfers	Annual/monthly fees	Representative APR	Key benefit	Representative example
M&S Bank Credit Card Purchase Plus Offer	Finder score 8.6Great	0% for 24 months reverting to 24.9%	0% for 12 months (3.49% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)	1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.	Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibilityCard details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card	Finder score 8.1Great	0% for 20 months reverting to 24.9%	0% for 17 months (3.49%, min £5 fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.	Check eligibilityCard details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Santander All in One Credit Card	Finder score 9.3Excellent	0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%	0% for 15 months (0% fee)	£3 per month	29.8% APR (variable)		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).	Check eligibilityCard details Compare	loading Fetching your data...
first direct Gold Credit Card	Finder score 6Standard	0% for 12 months reverting to 24.9%	24.9% (0% fee)	£0	24.9% APR (variable)		Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).	Check eligibilityCard details Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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8

Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

Read the full methodology

What benefits can I expect from a first direct credit card?

• Strong customer support. first direct is the original telephone bank, and 24-hour banking service is available to help you make one-off payments, or set up regular payments, or to answer any questions about your credit card account.
• Online account management. first direct’s online banking portal is the place to access a range of options and services attached to your card.
• Additional cards. Additional cards can be issued on a single account, but if you apply, you must also hold a first direct current account. With multiple users, it’s normally possible to earn cashback rewards faster.
• first direct app. If you’re registered for online banking with first direct, you can find the app in Google Play or Apple’s App Store. Use this to do lots of clever things on your first direct credit card account, including setting up one-off or regular payments.

Applying for a first direct credit card

Applying online for a first direct credit card is quick, easy and secure, and takes about 15 minutes.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for a first direct credit card, you need to:

• Be a UK resident.
• Be over 18 years old.
• Hold a first direct current account, which you need to credit with at least £1,000 per calendar month (after the first six months of holding the account).
• Not have any outstanding County Court Judgments.
• Ensure that you can meet the monthly repayments, as missed payments incur a charge and could have severe consequences on your ability to obtain future credit.

Why might your application not be approved?

If you meet the broad criteria outlined above, but have a history of bad debt or no credit history, you could be rejected. Also, if you have been made the subject of a CCJ you may not be accepted, and you are unlikely to be given a card if you have ever declared bankruptcy.

first direct customer reviews

first direct has received mostly positive reviews from customers, according to review site Trustpilot. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5, based on more than 19,600 reviews (updated October 2023). Some customers highlighted the quick customer service and liked their “easy-to-use” app.

Overview of First Direct credit cards

Frequently-asked questions about first direct credit cards

• Will I be charged for using a first direct credit card abroad?

  Any transactions made in any currency other than sterling will attract a standard transaction fee, which is a set percentage of the transaction amount. For overseas cash withdrawals, you may also be charged a separate fee, on a fixed percentage basis, but subject to a minimum charge.

• How can I keep track of my account?

  As a fully online bank, first direct lets you carry out the full range of transactions and do much more with your credit card account online, or via its 24-hour phone banking service.

• Is there a minimum income requirement?

  You have to pay at least £1,000 per month into a first direct current account.

• I have a first direct Mastercard credit card, how can I access Priceless Cities?

  All Mastercard credit cardholders are entitled to use their Priceless Cities rewards programme which offers access to exclusive experiences and discounts.

• What credit card services can I use through the first direct online banking app?

  Amongst other things, the app lets you do the following:

  • View your balances and most recent transactions.
  • Create new payments to people and companies.
  • Make payments to people and companies you’ve paid before.
  • Make a payment to your credit card account.
  • Set up, view, amend amounts of and cancel standing orders on your accounts.

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

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