Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Barclaycard vs Virgin Money
Barclaycard
Virgin Money
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | BarclaycardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Virgin MoneyReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| APR | 24.9%Lower | 27.9% |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.99% | 0%Lower |
| Balance transfer intro period | 36 monthsHigher | 21 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3.15% | 2.95%Lower |
| Perks | 12 months Apple TV subscription on us, Barclaycard Entertainment tickets and event discounts, Purchase protection, Fraud protection 24/7, Free additional cardholder, 0% interest on purchases for 3 months, Up to 56 days interest free on purchases | Up to 21 months 0% interest on balance transfers, Up to 21 months 0% interest on purchases, Money transfer option, Virgin Money Cashback offers in the credit card app, 24/7 in app chat support with Redi, Virgin Money Rewards and Virgin Red offers |
| Rewards rate | Cashback at participating retailers | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Rewards type (Cashback), Card kind (Credit).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Virgin Money scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Barclaycard is licensed in 1 more country.
- Barclaycard is available in 1 more country.
- APR is lower at Barclaycard: 24.9% vs 27.9%.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Virgin Money: 0% vs 2.99%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Virgin Money: 2.95% vs 3.15%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Barclaycard: 36 months vs 21 months.
- Perks: only Barclaycard offers 12 months Apple TV subscription on us, Barclaycard Entertainment tickets and event discounts, Purchase protection.
- Perks: only Virgin Money offers Up to 21 months 0% interest on balance transfers, Up to 21 months 0% interest on purchases, Money transfer option.
- Support channels: only Barclaycard offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Barclaycard
Barclaycard suits people comparing a balance transfer card with a long interest-free transfer period and cashback. Its balance transfer fee is 3.15%, while the standard APR is 24.9%.
Virgin Money
Virgin Money suits UK households wanting everyday spending, travel money and card clearing under a single roof. It wins on running costs: the current account charges £0 a month and converts currency for 0%, while the credit card side is the weak point at 27.9% representative APR.
Score breakdown
| Area | Barclaycard | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.6The balance transfer offer combines 36 of interest-free balance transfers with a fee of 3.15%. | 9.4HigherHolding costs nothing: £0 a month and 0% to convert, while borrowing on the credit card runs at 27.9%. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherThe card offers cashback through Cashback at participating retailers, alongside listed benefits including purchase and fraud protection. | 9.4 |
Spending 1,000 abroad
Barclaycard
29.9
2.99% of 1,000
Virgin Money
0
0% of 1,000
Virgin Money comes out 29.9 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Which one suits you
Pick Barclaycard if apr and balance transfer intro period matter most.
Pick Virgin Money if cost, currency conversion fee, and balance transfer fee matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Barclaycard | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 759676 | |
| Ireland | IE_CBI PSD_PI IE_CBI!C155145 | Not confirmed |
Available in 1 country for both. Additional countries for Barclaycard: 1.
Moving a 3,000 balance
Barclaycard
94.5
3.15% of 3,000
Virgin Money
88.5
2.95% of 3,000
Virgin Money comes out 6 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
How they place
| Ranking | Barclaycard | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 461 of 1594 | 199 of 1594 |
| Balance transfer cards | 18 of 32 | 5 of 32 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Barclaycard | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Rewards | Travel |
| Legal entity | Barclaycard International Payments Limited | Nationwide Building Society (trading as Virgin Money) |
| Headquarters | Ireland | United Kingdom |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Barclaycard | Virgin Money | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 24.9%highest quarter | 27.9%highest quarter | 11.635% |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.99%highest quarter | 0%below the median | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 36 monthshighest quarter | 21 monthshighest quarter | 12 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3.15%above the median | 2.95%below the median | 3% |
Median across 486 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Barclaycard
Pros
- The balance transfer offer includes interest-free transfers for 36.
- The card offers cashback at participating retailers through Cashback at participating retailers.
- The listed benefits include purchase protection and fraud protection around the clock.
Cons
- The balance transfer fee is 3.15%, while the standard APR is 24.9%.
- The currency conversion fee is 2.99%, which is higher than Wise's 0%.
- Rewards are cashback at participating retailers through Cashback at participating retailers, so the benefit depends on retailer participation.
Virgin Money
Pros
- Keeping the current account costs £0 a month, so there is no standing charge to offset against the balance.
- The account's card converts currency for 0%, against a conversion fee of 0.1% at Wise.
- Help is reachable on phone, email and help centre, which includes a phone line as well as email and a help centre.
Cons
- Anything carried or bought on the credit card outside an interest free period costs 27.9% representative APR, well above the 15.5% APR most cards in this comparison sit at.
- A fee of 2.95% applies to a balance transfer, so the interest free offer is not a straight move between lenders.
- Account queries run on phone, email and help centre, while the round the clock in-app chat with Redi listed under Up to 21 months 0% interest on balance transfers, Up to 21 months 0% interest on purchases and Money transfer option belongs to the credit card, not the current account.
Who each suits
Barclaycard
Who it suits
- People moving a balance and comparing the cost of 3.15% against the interest-free period of 36.
- Cardholders who want cashback at participating retailers through Cashback at participating retailers.
- People who value phone, chat and help-centre support listed in phone, chat and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise may be more suitable for currency conversion because its listed fee is 0%, compared with Barclaycard's 2.99%.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card may suit someone prioritising a different credit card structure, with an APR of 0%.
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card may suit someone seeking a debit card rather than this balance transfer card, with an APR of 15%.
Virgin Money
Who it suits
- Households that spend or travel abroad: the account's card converts currency for 0% where Wise lists 0.1%.
- Readers clearing old card balances, who can move them onto 21 months of interest free balance transfers for a fee of 2.95% instead of a secured card such as Varo Believe Secured Credit Card.
- Customers who want a building society behind the brand: Nationwide Building Society (trading as Virgin Money) holds a Prudential Regulation Authority licence in the United Kingdom, 106078, and help runs on phone, email and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after a euro account rather than a UK one: bunq's monthly fee is €0, and Virgin Money's operation sits in the United Kingdom.
- Readers who will not carry a balance at 27.9% representative APR or pay 2.95% to move one, who would do better on a secured card such as Varo Believe Secured Credit Card.
Current offers
Barclaycard
Current offer
Free trial
Get 12 months Apple TV subscription on us: 12 months Apple TV subscription on us
Barclaycard Platinum up to 36 month balance transfer card; new customers only; apply before 10:00 on 20 October 2026; must not already subscribe to Apple TV; link sent within 90 days of approval and must be activated by 11:59 PM GMT on 5 June 2028; then renews at the current price unless cancelled
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Exclusive GBP 20 cashback payment: GBP 20
Apply in the Barclays app before 10:00 on 20 October 2026; requires a Barclays personal current account; transfer a balance of at least GBP 2,500 within 60 days of account opening
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Barclaycard | Virgin Money |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Barclaycard
What are the main costs and rewards for this balance transfer card?+
The standard APR is 24.9%. The balance transfer offer provides interest-free transfers for 36, with a balance transfer fee of 3.15%. The listed cashback is Cashback at participating retailers.
How much does a balance transfer cost?+
The balance transfer fee is 3.15%, and the introductory interest-free period lasts 36. The standard APR is 24.9%.
Virgin Money
What does the Virgin Money current account cost each month?+
The monthly fee is £0, so holding the account and using its card adds nothing to regular outgoings. That sits alongside 0% to convert currency on the account's card, the second figure most readers check. The account ranks 1 of 422 brands on the monthly fee measure on this site.
Does the card cost anything when I spend in another currency?+
The currency conversion charge on the account's card is 0%, and that is the figure that decides whether spending abroad is cheap to run. Wise lists a conversion fee of 0.1%, and most cards here convert at a percentage, so the gap matters for regular travellers. Virgin Money ranks 1 of 258 brands on this measure.
Other options to compare
Barclaycard
Virgin Money