What we think of it...

WITH its fantastic introductory offers on purchases and balance transfers, the Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card can really save new customers money.

With its newly lowered APR, its excellent 0% introductory rates on purchases and balance transfers (6 and 13 months respectively) we're smitten with the RBS classic card!

The card also boasts one of the longest interest free periods - up to 56 days on purchases - of any card.

So, even after the initial 6 months introductory period is over, you can still enjoy 56 days of interest free credit on your purchases provided you have paid off your current and previous balance in full and on time.

There are some nominal rewards in the form of travel discounts, but this card's most attractive feature is its superb introductory offers.

A little more detail

Rates and Fees

			Special Note..	Any good?
Typical APR		15.9% APR (variable) -	-
Introductory Purchase Rate		0% for 6 months	Payments are applied towards introductory rates first.
Balance Transfer Rate		0% for 13 months	- Transfer must be made within the first 3 months. - Payments are applied towards introductory rates first.
Balance Transfer Fee		2.9% (£5 minimum)	-
Cash Withdrawal Rate		27.948% p.a. (variable)	-
Cash Withdrawal Fee		3% (£3 minimum)	-
Annual Fee		None	-
Foreign Transaction Fee		2.75%	-

Rewards

			Special Note..	Any good?
Reward Type #1	-	Travel Discounts	Receive these travel discounts when you use your RBS credit card at rbstravelservice.co.uk. Discounts include: - Extra 5% off last-minute bargains - Extra savings on airport car parking, car hire, airport hotels - Discounts on flights (including low cost airlines).
Reward Type #2	-	Wine Club Offers	The Royal Bank Wine Club has special offers when you pay with your RBS credit card.

Extras

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Account Management		Yes	You can only manage your account online if you have a Royal Bank of Scotland current account and use digital banking.
Internet Fraud Guarantee		Yes	-
Travel Accident Insurance		Up to £50,000	Covers you and your family against death or serious injury when you buy your travel tickets with the Royal Bank of Scotland classic credit card.
Other Extras		RBS Secure	Shop safely online.
Optional Extras	-	- Card Loss Insurance - Repayment Protection Insurance - Price Protection Insurance	These are not free services, but are available for this card.

Payments

			Special Note..	Any good?
Credit Limit		£300 - £20,000.00	Credit limit is subject to status.
Interest Free Period		Up to 56 days	There is no interest free period on cash withdrawals, money transfers, or balance transfers not in the introductory period.
Minimum Monthly Payment		2.25% (£5 minimum)	-
Allocation of Payments		Interest » Fees » Introductory rates » Purchases » Balance transfers » Cash withdrawals » Money transfers » Cheques	-
Default Charges		£12	- Late payments: £12 - Returned payments: £10 - Exceed credit limit: £12
Copy of Statement Fee		£3	-

Card Details

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Application	-	Yes	Instant decision in most cases. Remember: always ensure you meet the application requirements before applying, as getting rejected can affect your credit score.
Card Type		Classic	-
Payment Company		MasterCard	-
Card Issuer		Royal Bank of Scotland	-
Card Advertiser		Royal Bank of Scotland	-

At a Glance

Typical APR	15.9% APR
Credit limit	£300 to £20,000
Intro purchases	0% for 6 months
Balance transfer	0% for 13 months (2.9% transfer fee - £5 min)
Interest free period	Up to 56 days
Annual fee	£0

	This card includes:
	Online Account Management
	Instant Decision Online
	Internet Fraud Guarantee
	Travel Accident Insurance
	It is best suited for:
	Large purchases or balance transfers, or general purchases later on due to its lengthy interest free period.
	Wait! Only apply if you are...
Aged 18 or over UK resident Earn at least £10,000 a year

More about this card...

The Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card won't be winning any awards for its 6 months interest free on purchases - although its still better than most high street credit cards - but it scores very highly with its calendar-crumpling 13 months 0% introductory offers on balance transfers.

The card also earns kudos for its up to 56 day interest free period on purchases.

Zero percent on purchases
The Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card boasts a short, but still useful, introductory rate of zero percent on all purchases for the first 6 months.

This means that you can spend wildly for the first six months without having to worry about paying any interest.

Remember though, you do still have to pay off at least the minimum repayment amount each month.

Also, be aware that any debts you rack up in that time will be charged a rather high interest rate when the introductory period expires. Be especially aware that if you have made a balance transfer too, you will not be able to clear the debts from any purchases until the balance transfer is paid off in full - which could mean your purchases racking up interest for 7 months.

So if you do plan to spend, ensure you can pay it all off within - or as close to as possible - the six month period.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card also offers the longest interest free period on purchases (after its introductory period has expired) available.

You'll get up to 56 days interest free on your purchases provided you have paid your previous and latest balance in full and on time.

Note that, like other cards, this period does not apply to cash withdrawals or balance transfers outside of the introductory period.

No interest on balance transfers
If you have ratcheted up large debts on other cards, you can transfer the amount over to the Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card.

You'll then be given 13 months of 0% interest rates.

There is a transfer fee of 2.9% of the transferred amount (£5 minimum).

Be sure to pay off the transferred amount before the end of the 13 month introductory period (or be prepared to move it again), or you will have to start paying interest at the normal APR.

Earn rewards while you spend
While this is perhaps not the best travel reward credit card out there, it is pleasing to see that you can indeed benefit from travel discounts when you book via the RBS travel service.

When you use your Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card at rbstravelservice.co.uk, you'll receive discounts off last-minute bargains, extra savings on airport car parking, car hire, airport hotels, and discounts on flights including low cost airlines.

Apply online
The application for the Royal Bank of Scotland Classic credit card is quick and simple and - in most cases - you'll receive an instant decision.

So long as you earn £10,000 or more per year and are over 18, you'll be eligible for the card.

Final word
While its introductory purchase rate is nothing to sing about, this card is unusually generous with its introductory rates for balance transfers.

With its low entry criteria and instant decision when you apply online, its well worth adding to your wallet - even if only to enjoy 13 months of interest free balance transfers.