Halifax All in One Credit Card

Halifax credit card review: All in One

MAYBE it's just our natural British modesty but we're always suspicious of aggressively marketed credit cards that boast that they can be used for everything: credit cards like the Halifax All in One.

0% for 10 months

The nifty Halifax All in One credit card really offers just that: a 10-month 0% balance transfer period and a 0% on purchases period to match with just one piece of plastic. You can save and splurge all without worrying about piling up interest. You can even get it in pink.

The Halifax All in One credit card even continues to offer good value when those introductory offers are over.

15.9% APR

It's typical 15.9% APR (variable) interest rate may not be lowest on the market but it's certainly not the highest and definitely suitable as a fall back if for any reason you can't pay off your purchases within the 59 day interest free period.

You can also benefit from increased card security online with this Halifax All in One credit card. There's a free, optional password service for online purchases - Halifax Secure - and a guarantee that you won't be charged if you're a victim of internet fraud.

Interest Rates and Fees
		Notes..
Typical APR	15.9% APR (variable)	The typical rate most people will receive is 15.9% APR (variable), but you may be given a rate of 19.9% APR (variable) or 21.9% APR (variable) depending upon an assessment of your circumstances. In any month where interest is incurred between 1p and 50p, you will be charged a minimum of 50p instead. The typical APR is the rate most people are offered.
Introductory Purchases	0% for 10 months	Payments are applied towards the lowest rate balances, such as promotional rates, first.
Balance Transfers	0% for 10 months	Balances must be transferred within 90 days of account opening to qualify. Payments are applied towards the lowest rate balances first, such as promotional rates.
Balance Transfer Fee	3% (£3 minimum)	-
Cash Withdrawal Rate	27.95% p.a. (variable)	-
Cash Withdrawal Fee	3% (£3 minimum)	-
Annual Fee	None	-
Foreign Transaction Fee	2.95%	This fee will be charged if you make a purchase or cash withdrawal in a foreign currency.

Cardholder Services & Extras
Online Account Management		You can log in to the Halifax web site and manage your Halifax All in One credit card account online.
Internet Fraud Guarantee		As long as you follow the precautions, you won't be held liable for any online banking activity you haven't authorised.
Fraud Monitoring
Identity Protection
MasterCard SecureCode		An extra layer of security when shopping online. Register and set up a password-protected identity-check when you shop online with participating online retailers.
Purchase Protection Insurance
Purchase Delivery Insurance
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance
Travel Inconvenience Insurance
Assistance Abroad
Emergency Card Replacement
Other Extras	- Card replacement if lost - Additional cards available for family members over 18 years old.
Optional Extras	These are extras that you can choose, but you will have to pay for them. - Identitycare - Repayment cover - Card protection.

Payments & Payment Details
		Notes..
Credit Limit	£500 minimum	Maximum credit limit is subject to status.
Interest Free Period	Up to 59 days	Actual interest free period will be displayed on your statement. The interest free period is for purchases if you pay the balance in full and on time. There is no interest free period on balance transfers, cheques or cash advances.
Minimum Monthly Payment	1% (£5 minimum)	If your balance is less than £5 then you must repay the full amount. If the balance is £5 or more, you must repay the greater of: - 1% of the outstanding balance, OR - The total of any insurance premiums, plus any interest (or the minimum interest charge), any overlimit or late payment fees, plus £5.
Allocation of Payments	Low interest rate balances » Higher interest rate balances (default sums » balance transfers » purchases » cheques » cash advances).	If you do not pay off your statement balance in full, your payment will be applied first towards balances where no interest is charged, then those at lower rates before those at higher rates. Where two balances are charged at the same rate of interest, your payment will be applied to transactions in the following order: default sums, balance transfers, purchases, cheques and then cash advances.
Default Charges	£12	This is how much you will be charged for late payments, returned payments and if you go over your credit limit.
Copy of Statement Fee	£5	This is the fee you will be charged for duplicate statements.

Card Details
		Notes..
Online Application	Yes	Remember: always ensure you meet the application requirements before applying, as getting rejected can affect your credit score.
Card Type	Classic	-
Payment Company	MasterCard	The company who provides the payment technology and infrastructure to allow you to use this credit card. Retailers and ATM machines displaying the 'MasterCard' logo will accept this credit card.
Card Issuer	HBOS	The bank who issues this credit card.
Card Advertiser	Halifax	The company who advertises and promotes this credit card.

Review Continued...

AS the adverts tell us, you can use your Mastercard for everything except corny romantic moments but rarely can you use it for so long without paying any interest at all.

The Halifax All in One Mastercard credit card offers some of the longest 0% on balance transfers and purchases deals on the market.

What's more those great deals are suitable for using at the same time because they're of equal length making it a simple and hassle-fee credit card without any of the 'allocation of payment' traps we've seen with other credit cards.

All in One Go

The Halifax All in One credit card can easily be used for balance transfers - transferring debts from other credit cards, store cards and the like with high interest rates to make them easier to pay off.

There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the balance transfer amount but this is a standard rate and is likely to be far exceeded by the amount of money you'll save by transferring your debt to the 0% deal.

The Halifax All in One credit card also boasts a 0% deal on purchases made using the card as well as a £500 minimum credit limit so it's a perfect fit for large purchases that will take you a long time to pay off.

Remember though - just because there is no interest being charged doesn't mean no payments at all.

The minimum monthly repayment for the Halifax All in One credit card is 1% or five pounds, whichever is the greater and we'd recommend paying back more than that if you can.

Extras

If you're an Amazonaholic or an eBay obsessive you'll be pleased to know that the Halifax All in One offers increased credit card security which specialises in securing your card when you shop on the internet.

There is an optional password service for online purchases - Halifax Secure - and a guarantee that you won't be charged if you're a victim of internet fraud.

There is also a long interest free period - days - when those 0% deals run out making it easier to stomach the 15.9% APR typical interest rate.

The Halifax All in One credit card also makes big strides in the style stakes - too often a neglected area when you decide to apply for a credit card. It's available in black, blue, white, red and pink.

What to Watch Out For

No credit card is perfect, not even the Halifax All in One.

If you need a credit card which you can use regularly for cash withdrawals, cheques or abroad then the Halifax All in One isn't for you.

There is a 27.95% p.a. variable interest rate on cash withdrawals and cheques as well as a 3% handling fee.

If you use your Halifax All in One credit card abroad you'll face a hefty 2.95% foreign transaction fee.

It's also worth noting that depending on your credit history the 15.9% APR may rise to 19.9% APR or 21.9% APR. These rates are given in around 1 in 3 applications.

One final sting lurking in the Halifax All in One credit card's tail is the 'minimum interest charge' - a sneaky clause that will always charge you 50p of interest in any month that you owe between 1p and 50p. It's worth therefore making sure you reduce your balance to zero when you clear it and not a penny more.

None of these things to watch out for is anything to panic about, though, since these are standard charges in the credit card market and few - if any - credit cards will be without them.

Final Word

The Halifax All in One is a simple, reliable credit card that's suitable for both paying off your debts and hassle-free spending - something that's a real rarity in the credit card market.

Apply Online for Halifax All in One credit card »