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Interest free period ending - advice?

Hi there,

I currently have a credit card with Virgin Money, I still have a balance to pay back and the interest free period on purchases is ending this month.

I use the card to buy football tickets twice a year (always a big outlay so better for me to pay off in monthly instalments via credit card) and will need to do this again in July, should I get a new interest free card? From a credit health perspective, would it be better for me to keep the exist card and pay off the remaining balance slowly or pay it off in one go, and close the card, before getting a new one? 

I don't have much experience with credit cards, so excuse me if this is a silly q. 

Comments

  • MallyGirl
    MallyGirl Posts: 7,615
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Senior Ambassador
    There are more 0% offers (with no fee) on purchases than there are on balance transfers (and these usually have a fee). 0% on purchases usually have a longer length of deal too. If you can get an additional card with 0% on purchases then that would be best but make sure that you can pay off during the 0% period. You still need to pay off the current one asap if it is going to start charging interest
    Read the small print as some - maybe the Virgin one - that only give 0% on purchases in first 3 month so that wouldn't support your twice a year need.
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Pensions, Annuities & Retirement Planning, Loans
    & Credit Cards boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • 2x45
    2x45 Posts: 2
    First Post
    Newbie
    Thank you! If I pay off this one before the interest free period ends, should I close the card and get a new one?
  • MallyGirl
    MallyGirl Posts: 7,615
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Senior Ambassador
    2x45 said:
    Thank you! If I pay off this one before the interest free period ends, should I close the card and get a new one?
    if it is your only card I would probably keep it and apply for a new one to sit alongside
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Pensions, Annuities & Retirement Planning, Loans
    & Credit Cards boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • MorningcoffeeIV
    MorningcoffeeIV Posts: 1,980
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Forumite
    2x45 said:

    From a credit health perspective, would it be better for me to keep the exist card and pay off the remaining balance slowly or pay it off in one go, and close the card, before getting a new one? 

    Neither.

    Pay it in one go before it incurs interest and keep it open.
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