Annual fees: None of the credit card providers charges an annual fee on its standard card. Bank of Ireland waives fees on it gold card for the first year. If customers use the card more than 50 times a year from the second year, the £20 annual fee will not apply.

Balance transfers: Some cards offer customers the chance to transfer their existing credit or store card balances on to the new card at a low rate. These low rates are usually fixed for the first six months. The lower rate for both purchases and balance transfers is only offered by Tesco.

Cash advances: Most banks charge 1.5 per cent for cash advances, but subject them to a minimum of between £1.50 and £2. Tusa has a handling charge of 1.75 per cent of the cash advance amount plus £2. Cash advances by National Irish Bank customers are charged on a daily basis until it is repaid.

Cross-border handling fees: Any amount charged abroad will be converted to pounds at the going exchange rate and a commission fee is also charged. AIB charges 1.5 per cent outside the euro zone and a flat fee of £3 inside the zone. Bank of Ireland and NIB levy fees of 1.75 per cent, Tesco 2.5 per cent and MBNA 2.65 per cent outside the euro zone. Ulster Bank has fees of 2 per cent for currencies outside the euro zone and 1.7 per cent for those within the EMU.

Interest-free days: Most card providers offer their customers the potential for 56 interest-free days. This is based on the 31 statement days plus 25 days before payment is due.

Penalties: Tesco and MBNA have the most restrictive penalty charges in the market, ranging from £10 to £15. This is in addition to daily interest charges left on the card balance.

Most card issuers only charge the daily interest on the balance left after the payment date has passed.

Special Offers: Bank of Ireland's recently launched American Express Blue, provides customers with 1 per cent cash back on all transactions. Therefore, customers receive £1 for every £100 spent.

The Bank of Ireland gold card has no fee in the first year effectively reducing the rate to 17.8 APR.

Tesco's Visa card members earn Club-card points each time they use the card. Customers are rewarded with two points for every £3 spent in Tesco stores and club-card partner shops and one point for every £2 spent elsewhere.

Many issuers offer extra products and services for card members but these are available at an additional charge. However, purchase protection and travel insurance is offered free by some card providers.

Tax: All cards must charge a Government duty of £15 a year.