Irish credit cards are pretty much the same as credit cards in other countries, except they work in Euros and you pay an annual fee for the right to possess one! Even so, here you will find some cards I’ve come across that I found particularly good value for money. While these cards are listed in order of their APR% there are many factors that make a card right for your needs from the credit balance transfer terms to the amount you are charged for cash withdrawal and purchases that are not made in Euros. Look at the factors that most matter to you and then make your decision!
AIB Click Visa credit card has a minimum qualifying salary of €25,000. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 8.5%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 23.4%. The maximum interest free period on purchases and cash withdrawals is 56 days. There is a cash advance fee of 1.5% added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €1.90 minimum. Its late payment, over credit limit and unpaid item fees are all €7.00. When making purchases that are not in Euros you will have an additional 1.75% within Europe and 2.75% outside Europe. On non euro cash withdrawals there will be an additional 1.75% within Europe region and 2.75% outside Europe. The introductory APR % on balance transferred and purchases is 8.50% for 12 months.
The National Irish Bank Gold MasterCard credit card has no minimum qualifying salary. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 10.7%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 10.7%. The maximum interest free period on purchases is 56 days. There is not an interest free period on cash withdrawals. There is a cash advance fee of 1.5% added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €2.00 minimum. The late payment fee is €7.00 but there is no fee for going over the credit limit or unpaid items. However it must be noted that when making purchases and cash withdrawals that are not in Euros you will have an additional 1.75% wherever you are. There is not introductory APR.
Halifax Visa Credit Card has no minimum qualifying salary. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 13.4%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 21.6%. The maximum interest free period on purchases is 56 days. There is not an interest free period on cash withdrawals. A cash advance fee of 1.5% is added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €2.00 minimum. The late payment, over credit limit and unpaid item fees are all €7.00 and when making purchases that are not in Euros you will have an additional 1.75% and cash withdrawals not in Euros will have an additional 1.5% added with a €1.90 regardless of where you are. There is not introductory APR %.
Permanent TSB Ice Visa credit card also has no minimum qualifying salary. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 13.5%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 16.9%. The maximum interest free period on purchases and cash withdrawals is 56 days. There is a cash advance fee of 1.5% added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €2.00 minimum. The late payment fee is €7.50 as well is the fee for going over the credit limit. The unpaid items fee is €10.00. When making purchases and cash withdrawals that are not in Euros you will have an additional 1.75% wherever you are. There is an introductory APR % on balance transfers of 0% but none on purchases.
MBNA Platinum credit card can come in the form of either an Irish Visa credit card or MasterCard and has no minimum qualifying salary. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 14.9%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 19.9%. The maximum interest free period on purchases 56 days and there is none on cash withdrawals. There is a cash advance fee of 1.5% added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €1.90 minimum and a max of €31.74. The late payment fee is €15.20, the over credit limit fee is €12.70 and an unpaid item fee is €19.05. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, paying on your card or withdrawing cash that is not in Euros incurs an additional 2.65%. Oh and let’s not forget there is an introductory APR % on balance transfers of 0% for ten months!
Ulster Bank Zinc MasterCard credit card has a minimum qualifying salary of €30,000. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 15.9%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 22.9%. The maximum interest free period on purchases 56 days and there is none on cash withdrawals. There is a cash advance fee of 1.5% added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €2.54 minimum. The late payment fee and over credit limit fee are both €8.50 while the unpaid item fee is €7.00. Paying for anything, anywhere that is not in Euros will incur a charge of 2 %. Cash withdrawals not in Euros will have a total of 3.5% added to them with a minimum €2.54. There is an introductory APR % on balance transfers of 4.9% for twelve months and 0% for three months on purchases.
GE Money Debenhams MasterCard credit card has no minimum qualifying. Its APR % charged on new purchases is 17.9%. The APR % charged on cash withdrawals is 19.9%. The maximum interest free period on purchases 56 days and there is none on cash withdrawals. There is a cash advance fee of 1.5% added to the amount that is withdrawn with a €2.50 minimum. The late payment fee is €15.24 the over credit limit fee is €12.70 and an unpaid item fee is €16.00. And finally, even this card will charge you 2.6% extra if you use it for anything other than paying for or withdrawing amounts in Euros. There is an introductory APR % on balance transfers of 2.9% for six months and non for purchases.
