Rate alert: the best loans and credit cards However, much you are borrowing there are usually cheaper rates if you apply online, and some providers offer preferential terms to existing customers. Kevin Mountford of Moneysupermarket said: "In recent months we've seen some good all-round credit card deals emerge that offer extended interest-free deals on both new purchases and balance transfers. These offer much flexibility, so customers don't need to have so many different cards in their wallet. Below we look at some of the best loan deals available for smaller sums, as well as highlighting which credit cards offers the longest interest-free period for new purchases. Based on a loan of £5,000 over a 3-year period Sainsbury's Finance - 7.8pc APR Here, the monthly repayment is just £155.61. This is the cheapest deal at this amount, but it should be noted that this rate is only available to customers who are Nectar cardholders. However, as these are free, and give you reward points on supermarket shopping, plus other purchases, it is worth applying for a Nectar card first to take advantage of this rate. Metro Bank - 7.9pc APR Again this keener rate is only available to a limited number of customers, namely those who have taken out a current account with Metro Bank. However, at this level this means monthly repayments are £155.82 Tesco Bank - 8.3pc APR This gives a monthly repayment of £156.68 per month. While this is the rate available to new customers Tesco said lower rates may be available for its existing personal loan customers. Post Office - 8.4pc APR This loan deal is only available online. Monthly repayments are £156.90. This deal also has the option of a 2-month repayment break. Santander - 8.6pc APR Again this rate is available only for those that apply online. The monthly repayment is £157.33. Nationwide Building Society - Select Card This offers does not charge any interest on new purchases for 18 months. After this period cardholders will pay interest at 12.9pc - a very competitive standard APR. However, customers must have a Nationwide FlexAccount (current account) to apply. Customers who have existing credit card debts can take the option of having a zero per cent balance transfer deal for 18 months, and a 17-month interest free deal on new purchases. Those taking up the balance transfer option will pay a fee equivalent to 2.9pc of the debts transferred. British Airways - American Express Premium Plus Card This again has an interest-free period for new purchases for 18 months. However, as this card charges an annual £150, this makes the "representative APR" an eye watering 50.1pc. However, it does enable cardholders to accrue valuable loyalty points, although they have to be heavy spenders to justify the fee. Marks & Spencer - Credit Card Again this is an extended interest-free period for new purchases, but in this case for 15 months. You cannot apply for this card though if you have held an M&S credit card within the past year. Halifax - All-in-one card As the name suggests this offers an interest-free deal on both balance transfers and new purchases for 15 months. There is a 3pc fee on debts transferred from others cards and at the end of the period the rate for both reverts to a standard APR of 17.9pc. Barclaycard Platinum, with purchase This offers a slightly shorter interest free period, on both new purchases and balance transfers. Here the zero per cent deal lasts for just 14 months, and the standard APR is 18.9pc - making the card a more expensive option once the introductory deal comes to an end. However, the balance transfer fee is less than the Halifax, at just 2.9pc.