Credit Building Cards

Compare Adverse Credit Cards

	Credit Card	Representative APR Variable Annual Percentage Rate: the interest that you will pay per year on purchases. This rate includes annual fees but does not factor in other charges such as default fees. Rates shown are 'typical' interest rates and may vary depending on your credit rating.	Features
	Aquis Aquis Visa Card	29.8%	Start with an easy to manage credit limit up to £1,000 You could get a credit limit increase on your 4th statement And further increases every 4 months, up to £3,000	MORE INFO
	Representative Example: 29.8% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of £1,000 and a purchase rate of 29.84% p.a. (variable).
	aqua Classic Credit Card (Offer)	29.7%	An initial credit limit between £250-£1,600 SMS reminders so you need never miss a payment Manageable monthly payments and flexible payment dates Get a free aqua Credit Checker, worth up to £80.	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Permanent UK Resident Yes Minimum Age 18 Existing Customer No
	Representative Example: This is equivalent to 29.70% APR representative (variable) based on a credit limit of £1,200. The purchase rate is 29.73% pa (variable).
	Barclaycard Initial Credit Card Receive £10 cashback when you spend a minimum of £200 in the first 3 months (Ts & Cs apply)	29.9%	Enjoy one single, simple rate for purchases and cash advances Start with a low, manageable credit limit that we may later review and increase Stay on top of your spending with free text reminders, five days before payment is due	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Permanent UK Resident Yes Minimum Age 18 Existing Customer No
	Representative Example: 29.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable).
	Vanquis Vanquis Visa Card	39.9%	Credit limit between £150 and £1,000. friendly UK Customer Service call centre Online and SMS Account Management Your credit limit increases in stages up to a maximum of £3,000.	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Permanent UK Resident Yes Minimum Age 18 Existing Customer No Credit Rating Poor Minimum Income £4,000
	Representative Example: Purchase annual interest rate 39.94% (variable). Amount of credit £1000 Representative 39.9% APR (variable).
	aqua Advance Credit Card	34.9%	An initial credit limit between £250-£1,600 Get the chance to reduce your rate of interest by 5% each year for 3 years No fees on spend abroad	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Permanent UK Resident Yes Minimum Age 18 Existing Customer No
	Representative Example: Your interest rate for purchases is 34.92% p.a. (variable) with a representative 34.9% APR (variable) if you borrowed £1,200 and repaid it over 12 months
	Barclaycard Freedom Reward Card	24.9%	Collect points wherever you shop, with double points on your UK supermarket and petrol station spend, plus triple points at selected Freedom partners 10,500 Freedom bonus points (worth £30) when you spend £500 or more in the first 3 months of account opening	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Permanent UK Resident Yes Minimum Age 18
	Representative Example: Annual purchase rate is 24.9% p.a.(variable) so if you spend £1,200 your representative APR will be 24.9% (variable).
	Cashplus Activeplus Account with Creditbuilder	N/A	No credit check required Build your credit rating by simply paying the standard £4.95 monthly charge Ideal as a credit card or current account alternative Separate out spend from other bank accounts	MORE INFO
	Representative Example: n/a - no credit facility offered
	aqua Classic Credit Card	39.9%	An initial credit limit between £250-£1,600 SMS reminders so you need never miss a payment Manageable monthly payments and flexible payment dates Get a free aqua Credit Checker, worth up to £80.	MORE INFO
	Representative Example: Your interest rate for purchases is 39.95% p.a. (variable) with a representative 39.9% APR (variable) if you borrowed £1,200 and repaid it over 12 months.
	Vanquis Bank Black Diamond Visa	59.9%	Initial credit limit from £150 to £1,000 No annual or monthly fees Build your credit limit 24/7 Fraud Watch keeps your account safe	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Minimum Age 18 Existing Customer Must not have applied for a Vanquis, Granite or Aquis card in the last six months. Must not be an existing Vanquis, Granite or Aquis customer. Minimum Income £4,000
	Representative Example: 59.94% p.a. variable on card purchases. This is equivalent to 59.9% APR representative (variable) based on a credit limit of £250.
	Argos Credit Card	39.9%	Start with a manageable credit limit between £150 and £1000 You could get a credit limit increase on your 4th statement	MORE INFO Read this before you proceed. To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria. Permanent UK Resident Yes Existing Customer You must not have applied for a Vanquis, Granite, Aquis or Black Diamond Card within the last 6 months. Do not apply for the Argos Credit Card if you currently hold a Vanquis, Granite, Aquis or Black Diamond Card.
	Representative Example: Purchase annual interest rate 39.94% (variable). Amount of credit £1000. Representative 39.9% APR (variable).

Credit building credit cards

If you've previously had debt problems resulting in bad credit you might think that the banks will swiftly show you the door if you asked them for a credit card.

However, many of the banks have credit cards that are specifically geared towards people with poor credit ratings. They may even offer these to people that have had county court judgements against them or that have been declared bankrupt in the past.

Furthermore, the card could act as somewhat of an olive branch where your economic profile is concerned. If you manage the account well and don't get into arrears you'll go a long way to convincing the banks that you are now a responsible, low risk borrower once more. Shaking off this bad credit could help you get accepted for a mortgage or a loan in the future. In this way, the card could also be suitable for somebody that hasn't ever had any other credit products in the past.

The price you pay for this redemption to erase your bad credit is an interest rate that will be a far removed from the market leading offerings. However, if you always pay the balance of your card off in full within the designated grace period following your bill, this won't concern you.

However, it's important to discuss the prospects of your being accepted for the credit card with your bank or an independent financial adviser before you start the process. Repeated rejections will only serve to damage your credit rating further.

Click here to find out more about choosing credit cards.

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