The MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card offers one of the longest promotional 0% APR periods in the UK market — up to 34 months. This extended interest-free window allows you to consolidate your debt and focus entirely on repayment without the burden of ongoing interest charges. For UK consumers looking for stability and predictable monthly costs, it is a highly competitive option.
Key Benefits of the MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer Card
- Up to 34 months 0% APR on balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening.
- Competitive transfer fee of 3.49% on amounts transferred in the first two months.
- No annual fee, making it cost-effective for long-term debt repayment strategies.
- Smart Rewards programme with up to 15% cashback at selected UK retailers.
- FCA-regulated, ensuring compliance and consumer protection.
How It Works
When you are approved for the MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer Card, you can request to move an outstanding balance from another UK credit card or store card. MBNA will pay the other lender, and the transferred balance will now be owed to MBNA — but with 0% interest for the promotional period.
To benefit fully:
- Transfer your balance within the first 60 days after account opening.
- Ensure the transfer amount does not exceed 93% of your available credit limit.
- Make at least the minimum payment each month to keep the promotional rate.
Comparison with Other UK Balance Transfer Cards
Card Name | 0% Period | Transfer Fee | Annual Fee |
MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer | 34 months | 3.49% | £0 |
Barclaycard Platinum 0% | 31 months | 3.45% | £0 |
Sainsbury’s Bank 0% | 30 months | 2.9% | £0 |
Analysis:
MBNA offers one of the longest 0% periods in the UK market, slightly ahead of Barclaycard and Sainsbury’s. While the transfer fee is marginally higher than Sainsbury’s, the extra months of interest-free repayment could save hundreds of pounds for larger balances.
Primary Use Cases
- Debt Consolidation: Combine multiple high-interest card balances into one payment with no interest for nearly three years.
- Reducing Monthly Outgoings: With no interest, your repayment directly reduces the balance rather than servicing interest.
- Structured Debt Clearance: Ideal for borrowers who want a fixed timeline to be debt-free without refinancing into a loan.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
For a £5,000 balance transferred at 3.49%, the fee would be £174.50. In return, you could save more than £2,500 in interest compared to a typical UK card charging 24.9% APR over 34 months. Even if you only repay £150/month, you could clear the balance entirely within the interest-free period.
Things to Watch Out For
- New purchases are not included in the 0% promotion and will incur standard interest rates immediately.
- Missing a payment or exceeding your limit may result in losing the promotional rate.
- The card’s standard APR after the promotional period is around 24.94% (variable).
Next Steps
If you are looking for one of the longest 0% balance transfer deals in the UK, the MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer Card is worth serious consideration.
On Page 2 of this guide, we’ll explore:
- A practical repayment strategy for the full 34-month term
- Insider tips to maximise savings
- Alternatives if you need a lower transfer fee
- A full FAQ with less obvious but essential answers