At a glance
You must make at least the minimum payment each month – check your statement to see how much you need to pay
Missing a payment could end your 0% deal, lead to fees and affect your credit score
Set up payment reminders or a Direct Debit to stay on track and aim to pay more than the minimum if you want to clear your balance sooner
If you still owe money when the 0% deal ends, you'll start paying interest, usually at a high rate
What does 0% for purchases mean?
0% purchase credit cards allow you to spend without paying interest for a set period, provided you make at least the minimum payments each month. This can be handy for spreading the cost of larger purchases.
Every penny you repay goes directly towards clearing your balance rather than interest charges – win!
Do I still need to make minimum repayments on a 0% interest credit card?
Yes, you still need to make minimum repayments on your credit card – 0% interest doesn’t mean no repayments.
Keep in mind that:
Minimum payments are usually a fixed amount or a percentage of your balance, whichever is higher
If you’re unsure about your minimum repayment amount, you can always double check this on your credit card statement
Paying only the minimum will mean you're meeting the terms of the deal but you'll take longer to clear the debt.
Learn more about what minimum repayments are and how they work.
Can I lose the 0% deal entirely if I miss a payment?
Yes, if you miss a payment, you could lose your interest-free deal. It’s a common reason lenders withdraw a promotional 0% offer.
If this happens, your remaining balance may start building interest immediately at the standard rate, which is usually much higher.
Below is a quick view of typical outcomes and why they matter:
If you miss a payment… | Why it matters |
|---|---|
You may be moved off the promotional 0% rate and onto the lender's standard rate | Standard rates tend to be high, making borrowing costly |
You may be charged a late payment fee of around £12 | Adds to your balance and slows repayment |
A late/missed marker may be recorded on your credit file | Can affect future credit applications |
If you forget to make a payment, try to pay it as soon as you can and contact your lender. If it’s your first slip-up and you’ve generally managed your account well, you could ask if they’ll let you continue with the 0% offer.
Bear in mind...
Usually, once a promotional offer is revoked, it won’t be reinstated. If that happens, try to focus on meeting all future payments to avoid further harm to your credit score, as well as clearing down your balance as soon as possible.
How to manage your 0% credit card deal effectively
Staying organised is key to keeping your 0% offer. A few simple habits can help you stay on top of your repayments:
Set reminders for payment dates or use your banking app’s alerts
Set up a Direct Debit for at least the minimum so you don’t miss a repayment
Pay more than the minimum to clear your balance before the interest-free period ends.
Track your spending so you don’t build up more debt than you can repay
Put your deal end date in the diary so you know when you’ll move to the higher rate
Plan for your deal ending with enough time to think about your options (for example, getting a balance transfer card if you're unable to clear the balance in time).
FAQs
What are some other reasons why a 0% deal would be withdrawn?
A lender may choose to withdraw your 0% credit card promotional offer if you go over your agreed credit limit. That’s why it’s important to keep track of your spending.
It’s also worth noting that:
Certain transactions on a standard credit card, such as cash withdrawals, aren’t included in the 0% offer. These come with fees and are charged at a high interest rate from the day you take out the cash. That said, some specialist travel cards won’t charge you for ATM withdrawals overseas.
Balance transfer cards often require you to shift the balance within a set window – often within 60 or 90 days of the account opening – so you won’t qualify for the 0% interest rate if you make the transfer after that point.
Do I need to pay the full balance to keep my 0% deal?
No, you don’t need to pay the full balance to keep your 0% deal. But as we’ve mentioned, you do need to pay at least the minimum amount on time each month.
I’ve already set up a Direct Debit – can I change the payment amount?
Yes, you can usually ask your lender to change the amount you pay. Your Direct Debit options include:
The minimum amount
The full balance
A fixed amount
You can also make ad-hoc payments via:
Debit card
Bank transfer
Cheque
Looking for something else?
Allie has spent her career helping people quickly understand complicated topics, to help them save money and focus on what matters. With almost 10 years’ experience writing, leading and managing content, she is an expert in personal finance and insurance products.
Ele Clark is an award-winning editor who has held leadership roles at Which? and news-stand publications in London and Dubai. She’s appeared across the press and media, including BBC’s Panorama. With almost 20 years’ experience in personal finance, insurance and consumer journalism, she leads a talented team at Compare the Market, creating insightful, accessible content to help people make informed financial decisions.
Sajni is passionate about finding money products to help you make great financial decisions. She keeps track of the latest trends and evolving markets to find new ways to help you save money.
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What our expert says...
"A 0% offer can create useful breathing room, but the minimum payment is still what keeps that breathing room in place. When that detail is missed, the cost of the card can change quickly, so even an interest-free period still needs some routine and attention behind it."