Want to spread your purchases over time?

If you live in the UK and want a credit card that helps you spread the cost of spending without immediately paying interest, the Purchase Plus Credit Card is built for exactly that. It is positioned as an “all-rounder” because it combines a long interest-free period on purchases with a separate interest-free window for balance transfers, all while charging no annual fee.

This article is written specifically for a UK audience and explains how the Purchase Plus Credit Card works, who it suits best, and how to use it responsibly. You will also see comparisons with a Santander option and, most importantly, a detailed comparison with the HSBC Rewards Credit Card so you can clearly understand which card type better matches your goals: earning rewards or reducing borrowing costs.

No links are included, and all terms are explained in a practical, UK-focused way.

What Is the Purchase Plus Credit Card and What Is It Designed For?

The Purchase Plus Credit Card is designed for people who want flexibility with repayments—especially when making larger purchases. Its headline benefit is 0% interest on purchases for up to 20 months from account opening. That means you can buy something today and pay it off gradually over a long period, without interest being added, as long as you meet the card conditions.

It also includes 0% interest on balance transfers for up to 17 months, provided those balance transfers are completed within the first 60 days after you open the account. A 3.49% balance transfer fee applies per transfer, with a minimum of £5.

Key headline features:

• Up to 20 months interest-free on purchases
• Up to 17 months interest-free on balance transfers (if completed within 60 days)
• Balance transfer fee: 3.49% (minimum £5)
• No annual fee
• Representative 24.9% APR (variable), based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200
• The offer is subject to status, affordability, and terms & conditions, and the promotional period can be “up to” a maximum depending on assessment

This is important: the card is built to help you manage costs and repayments, not to reward spending with points or cashback.

How the Purchase Plus Credit Card Works in Real Life

A credit card is only useful if you understand how it behaves month to month. The Purchase Plus Credit Card typically works like this:

1) You open the account and get your credit limit

After you apply and are approved, HSBC assigns you a credit limit based on your circumstances. The representative example uses £1,200, but your limit may be higher or lower depending on affordability checks.

2) You use it for purchases and benefit from 0% interest for up to 20 months

During the promotional purchase period, you can make purchases and pay them down over time without being charged interest on those purchases—assuming you keep up with required payments.

This can be useful for:

• Home appliances and furniture
• A laptop or phone upgrade
• A major car repair
• Moving costs
• A one-off family expense that you do not want to pay in one month

The key advantage is breathing room: your payments go towards the balance instead of being eaten up by interest.

3) If you need to transfer existing credit card debt, you have a limited window

If you also have debt sitting on other credit cards, you can transfer it to this card and potentially pay 0% interest for up to 17 months, as long as the transfer is made within the first 60 days after you open the account.

However, balance transfers are not free. Each transfer carries a fee:

• 3.49% of the amount transferred
• Minimum fee £5

So, if you transfer £1,000, you would pay £34.90 in fees (added to the balance). The goal is that the interest you save outweighs the fee.

4) You must make at least the minimum payment every month

Even with 0% interest promotions, you still need to make monthly repayments. Missing payments can lead to fees and can also damage your credit file.

A smart move for UK consumers is setting up a direct debit for the minimum payment so you never miss it.

5) When the promotional periods end, standard interest applies

Once the promotional purchase period ends (up to 20 months), any remaining balance may start incurring interest at the standard rate. The representative example shows 24.9% APR (variable).

That is why repayment planning matters: the best way to use a purchase card is to repay the balance before interest starts.

The Biggest Advantages of the Purchase Plus Credit Card

Up to 20 Months Interest-Free Purchases

This is the main attraction. Many UK consumers choose purchase cards specifically because they want time to repay a major expense without high interest costs.

If you pay down consistently, you can spread costs in a controlled way rather than relying on expensive short-term borrowing or overdrafts.

Up to 17 Months 0% on Balance Transfers

This is a strong bonus feature. Many purchase cards focus only on purchases; this one offers a meaningful balance transfer period as well—useful if you are consolidating existing credit card debt.

The key condition is timing: transfers must be completed within 60 days of account opening.

No Annual Fee

No annual fee means you are not paying just to hold the card. This matters in the UK market, where some long-term promotional or rewards cards do charge annual fees.

Purchase Protection (Section 75)

Purchases between £100 and £30,000 are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if the supplier breaches contract or misrepresents goods. This can be particularly valuable for higher-cost items like furniture, travel bookings, or electronics.

Easy Digital Management

You can manage the card through online banking or the HSBC mobile app, including checking balances, making payments, and staying on top of spending.

Useful Abroad (with fees to consider)

The card can typically be used internationally where Visa or Mastercard networks are accepted. Keep in mind: fees may apply, and non-HSBC cash machines can charge their own fees too, so using credit abroad is convenient but not always cheap.

Added Extras: Offers and Discounts

HSBC often provides access to rotating offers and discounts, which can be a nice bonus. These offers tend to change, so they are not something to rely on as the main reason to get the card, but they can add value over time.

Purchase Plus Credit Card vs HSBC Rewards Credit Card

This is the most important comparison because these cards are designed for different behaviours.

Core purpose

• Purchase Plus Credit Card: Save money by paying 0% interest on purchases for a long time
• HSBC Rewards Credit Card: Earn points on spending (rewards-driven)

If you need to borrow for purchases, the Purchase Plus is often more practical. If you pay in full monthly and want perks, HSBC Rewards might make more sense.

How value is created

• Purchase Plus: The “value” comes from avoiding interest on purchases (and potentially on transferred balances)
• HSBC Rewards: The “value” comes from earning points and redeeming them for rewards

If you carry a balance on a rewards card, interest can wipe out the value of points very quickly. That is why rewards cards tend to suit people who pay off the statement balance regularly.

Which card suits which person?

Purchase Plus is likely better if:

• You have a large purchase coming up
• You want predictable monthly repayments over many months
• You might need to transfer an existing balance within 60 days
• Your main priority is reducing borrowing costs

HSBC Rewards is likely better if:

• You pay off your balance in full most months
• You want to earn points on everyday spending
• You care more about perks than long interest-free periods
• You want a simple rewards system without an annual fee

Purchase Plus Credit Card vs Santander Credit Cards

Santander offers several credit cards that can compete with Purchase Plus, depending on what you need.

Santander purchase-focused cards

Santander often provides cards with:

• 0% interest on purchases for a fixed period (length varies by product)
• Sometimes 0% balance transfers as well
• Intro deals that may be shorter than 20 months, but can be competitive depending on the market at the time

A purchase card comparison usually comes down to:

• How long the 0% purchase period is
• Whether there are balance transfer offers and fees
• What happens after the promo ends
• Any account fees

The Purchase Plus stands out in one particular way: it’s specifically built around having a long interest-free purchase period, which makes it appealing for people who need time.

Santander balance transfer alternatives

Santander sometimes offers balance transfer cards with:

• Different 0% lengths
• Different fee structures (including some that offer fee-free transfers in a limited period)

If your main need is balance transfers rather than purchases, Santander might be competitive. But if your primary goal is spreading the cost of spending, Purchase Plus often feels more targeted.

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Using the Purchase Plus Credit Card Wisely: UK Practical Tips

A purchase card can be fantastic—or expensive—depending on how you use it. Here is how to stay on the “fantastic” side.

Set a repayment target immediately

If you make a £2,000 purchase and you have 20 months 0% interest, a basic target is £100 per month (plus any margin for safety). The point is to avoid still having a balance when interest begins.

Use a direct debit for at least the minimum

Missing a payment can lead to fees and negative credit reporting. A direct debit protects you from accidental mistakes.

Avoid cash withdrawals

Credit card cash withdrawals often come with fees and higher interest. Even with a purchase promotion, cash advances are usually treated differently.

Be cautious with balance transfers

Balance transfers can help, but the fee increases your balance. Use them when the interest savings will likely outweigh the fee.

Track your promotional end date

The most common “oops” moment with purchase cards is forgetting when the 0% ends. Put it in your calendar and plan to clear the balance before that date.

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Final Thoughts

The Purchase Plus Credit Card is a strong option for UK consumers who want to spread the cost of purchases with a long interest-free window—up to 20 months—and who also appreciate the added flexibility of up to 17 months 0% on balance transfers (with a fee, and with transfers made within 60 days).

When compared with the HSBC Rewards Credit Card, the choice is mainly about priorities:

• If you want to avoid interest and repay over time, Purchase Plus is usually the better match.
• If you want to earn rewards on everyday spending and pay your balance in full, HSBC Rewards can be more appealing.

Against Santander, the best choice depends on the exact promotional terms available and whether you care more about purchase periods, balance transfer conditions, or fee structures. But overall, Purchase Plus stands out as a practical “budgeting” credit card for people who want time and predictability—without an annual fee.