Why use a credit card?

Credit cards offer the most flexible form of short-term borrowing and repayment terms available on the high street. Use it wisely, and your credit card could really extend your spending power. Here's how:

Interest free period

Pay your bill in full every month by the Payment Due Date on your statement each month and you won’t incur any extra charges.

Remember though that this doesn't apply to cash withdrawals, balance transfers and credit card cheques, for which you'll pay interest from the date of the transaction.

Flexible repayment

Once you've made your minimum monthly repayment, you can repay as much extra as you choose. We'll show the minimum you must pay on your statement- it will range from 2.25% to 5% of your balance, with a minimum of £5.

Just bear in mind that if you decide to stick to the minimum repayment, it will take you longer to repay your balance- so you'll incur more interest.

How we apply your payments

Your payments are used to pay off the balances on your account in a set order. Usually (and if you transfer a balance to us and continue to use your card), you pay your lower rate balance transfers first.

If you're paying several rates, and only pay off some of the balance, we'll reduce the unpaid amounts as follows:

• Transfer and promotional balances (plus interest) where the promotion interest rate period is open ended
• Transfer and promotional balances (plus interest) where the promotion interest rate period is fixed
• Any other interest charges and other charges
• The standard purchase balance and transfer balances
• The cash advance balance

How can I pay?

Online using Switch or Delta - you can register for online account services as soon as your Barclaycard arrives

By phone - give your bank our sort code 20-04-15, our account number 38290008 and your Barclaycard number

By Direct Debit - call 0844 811 9111 (call charges info) with your current account info

By post, with a postal order or cheque - please make cheques payable to Barclaycard and pop your Barclaycard number and postcode on the back. Post your cheque and completed Bank Giro Credit Slip to: Barclaycard, Dept PP, Bolton BL11 1XX. Allow at least 4 working days before your payment due date

By cheque - at any bank or post office

Direct Debit is the easiest way of ensuring you make at least the minimum repayment on time each month- just remember that if you only pay the minimum, it will take longer to clear your balance, so you'll incur more in interest charges. Don't forget that you can reduce your balance more quickly by making additional payments at any time of the month.

Extra protection

Here's another good reason to pay by Barclaycard - you get extra protection for your purchases if something goes wrong. Find out more about the full range of Barclaycard benefits.