Barclaycard offers long-term 0% card

BARCLAYCARD has launched a two-year 0 per cent balance transfer credit card, the longest interest-free deal ever.

It charges a handling fee of 2.8 per cent, which is cut by a fifth on transfers over 3,000. Barclaycard, like other card providers, doesn't accept balance transfers between its own cards. But Stefan Maryniak at uSwitch.com said the card may be available only to those with perfect credit ratings. "Having stretched the balance transfer period to a staggering two years, it remains to be seen just how many of those who apply will actually be accepted. This begs the question whether the new card is just for show or whether consumers will really get to benefit."