Chase’s UK credit card is a no-nonsense purchase card with up to 15 months at 0% on new purchases, £0 annual fee, and £0 foreign transaction fees on purchases when you pay in the local currency — handy if you’re planning a holiday or buying from overseas websites. After the intro period, interest reverts to a variable purchase rate (representative 24.9% APR, with rates spanning 24.9%–29.9% APR depending on your circumstances). You’ll get up to 56 days’ interest-free on purchases when you clear in full and on time, plus Section 75 protection on eligible spends between £100 and £30,000. Cash withdrawals carry no fee from Chase, but interest starts immediately, so they’re best avoided unless you’re in a pinch. There are no balance or money transfers, which keeps the proposition simple but means this isn’t the right tool for shifting existing debt. To apply, you’ll need to hold a Chase current account, be 18+, UK-resident and UK tax resident, pass affordability and credit checks, and meet basic criteria (for example, free of CCJs/IVAs/bankruptcy in the last six years). You can soft-check eligibility in the app without impacting your credit score and spend instantly after approval using in-app card details and mobile wallets.
Main Advantages
- 0% on purchases (up to 15 months): Gives breathing space on new spending, as long as you make minimum payments.
- £0 FX fees on purchases: Pay in local currency abroad at Mastercard rates without issuer FX charges.
- No annual fee: Keep the card on hand long term without ongoing cost.
- Instant use and strong app: Spend immediately after approval; manage everything in the app with Apple Pay/Google Pay.
- Section 75 protection: Added reassurance on qualifying purchases between £100 and £30,000.
Main Drawbacks
- No balance transfers: You can’t move existing card debt or access transfer promotions.
- Interest after promo can be high: A variable purchase rate applies once the 0% period ends.
- Cash withdrawals accrue interest immediately: There’s no cash fee, but interest charges from day one make cash expensive.
- Current-account requirement: You must hold — and keep — a Chase current account to have the card.
- Payments from Chase only: Credit-card repayments are made from your Chase current account.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Open a Chase current account: Required for eligibility and repayments.
- Check eligibility: Do it in the Chase app. It’s a soft search with no impact on your score.
- Confirm criteria: 18+, UK-resident and UK tax resident; no CCJ/IVA/bankruptcy in the last six years.
- Apply in-app: A hard credit check and affordability assessment determine approval, rate and limit.
- On approval: Start spending using in-app card details and add to Apple Pay/Google Pay; your physical card will follow.
- Set up repayments: Pay from your Chase current account; consider a Direct Debit and aim to pay in full.
- Use wisely: Avoid cash where possible; pay in local currency abroad; clear the balance within the 0% window.
If you want a clean purchase card that doesn’t penalise travel spending, the Chase credit card is a strong everyday companion. The formula is refreshingly simple: 0% on purchases for up to 15 months, £0 annual fee, and £0 FX fees on purchases when you pay in the local currency — all backed by a slick app and instant use after approval. It’s not for consolidating old debt, and cash withdrawals should be avoided, but for new buys you plan to clear and holidays where every pound matters, it’s easy to recommend. Already bank with Chase? Check your eligibility in the app today, set a Direct Debit from your Chase current account, and enjoy transparent costs at home with hassle-free spending abroad.
