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Compare Credit Building Cards

Compare our selection of credit building card deals in the table below. These credit cards are aimed at those looking for their first credit card and those wishing to rebuild and improve their credit rating. When you find the card you are looking for click on the “see deal” button to go straight to the provider and apply for your new credit card.

Credit Building Cards

Tesco Bank Foundation Clubcard Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £250 £1,500 27.5% APR Variable See Deal
Earn 1 Clubcard point for every £4 spent in Tesco and 1 point for every £8 spent outside Tesco. Monitor your credit score via Noddle. Text and email alerts to help you avoid missed payments.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 27.54% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 27.5% APR (variable)


Vanquis Chrome Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £250 £4,000 24.7% APR Variable See Deal
Start with a manageable credit limit between £250 and £1,000. Text and email alerts to help you avoid missed payments.

Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a rate of 24.7% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 24.7% APR (variable)


Marbles Classic Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £100 £1,200 24.8% APR Variable See Deal
Start with an easy to manage credit limit between £100 and £1,200. Credit limit review after 3 months.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 24.8% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 24.8% APR (variable)


Aqua Advance Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £250 £1,200 34.9% APR Variable See Deal
Reduce the interest rate by 5% per year for 3 years if you make all payments on time. Opportunity to increase credit limit.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 34.91% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)


Aquis Visa Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £250 £4000 29.8% APR Variable See Deal
Credit limit increases available every 5 months to improve credit score.

Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a rate of 29.84% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 29.8% APR (variable)


Capital One Classic MasterCard

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £200 £1500 34.9% APR Variable See Deal
Up to 2 optional credit limit increases per year to help improve your credit score.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 34.94% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)


Barclaycard Initial Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £150 £1200 34.9% APR Variable See Deal
3 months 0% on purchases. Free access to your Experian credit score.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 34.9% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)


Fluid 9 Month Balance Transfer Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £300 £2,000 29.9% APR Variable See Deal
0% on balance transfers for 9 months (4% fee). Flexible payment dates. Designed to help you improve your credit rating.

Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a rate of 29.94% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 29.9% APR (variable)


Opus Classic Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £250 £1,200 39.9% APR Variable See Deal
Check your eligibility before you apply without affecting your credit rating. Move cash into your bank account with Money Transfers (3% transfer fee, terms apply)

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 39.9% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 39.9% APR (variable)


Asda Cashback Start Credit Card

Provider Minimum Credit Limit Maximum Credit Limit Representative APR Action
logo £100 £600 34.9% APR Variable See Deal
0% interest for 6 months on all purchases from George.com. 1% cashback in Asda and 0.2% cashback on all other purchases (given via ASDA vouchers)

Representative example: When you spend £600 at a rate of 34.9% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)


Provider Details

Tesco Bank Foundation Clubcard Credit Card

See Deal
  • Minimum Credit Limit£250
  • Maximum Credit Limit£1,500
  • Representative APR27.5% APR Variable
Earn 1 Clubcard point for every £4 spent in Tesco and 1 point for every £8 spent outside Tesco. Monitor your credit score via Noddle. Text and email alerts to help you avoid missed payments.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 27.54% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 27.5% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Vanquis Chrome Credit Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£250
  • Maximum Credit Limit£4,000
  • Representative APR24.7% APR Variable
Start with a manageable credit limit between £250 and £1,000. Text and email alerts to help you avoid missed payments.

Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a rate of 24.7% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 24.7% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Marbles Classic Credit Card

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  • Minimum Credit Limit£100
  • Maximum Credit Limit£1,200
  • Representative APR24.8% APR Variable
Start with an easy to manage credit limit between £100 and £1,200. Credit limit review after 3 months.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 24.8% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 24.8% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Aqua Advance Credit Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£250
  • Maximum Credit Limit£1,200
  • Representative APR34.9% APR Variable
Reduce the interest rate by 5% per year for 3 years if you make all payments on time. Opportunity to increase credit limit.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 34.91% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Aquis Visa Credit Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£250
  • Maximum Credit Limit£4000
  • Representative APR29.8% APR Variable
Credit limit increases available every 5 months to improve credit score.

Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a rate of 29.84% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 29.8% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Capital One Classic MasterCard

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£200
  • Maximum Credit Limit£1500
  • Representative APR34.9% APR Variable
Up to 2 optional credit limit increases per year to help improve your credit score.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 34.94% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Barclaycard Initial Credit Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£150
  • Maximum Credit Limit£1200
  • Representative APR34.9% APR Variable
3 months 0% on purchases. Free access to your Experian credit score.

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 34.9% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Fluid 9 Month Balance Transfer Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£300
  • Maximum Credit Limit£2,000
  • Representative APR29.9% APR Variable
0% on balance transfers for 9 months (4% fee). Flexible payment dates. Designed to help you improve your credit rating.

Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a rate of 29.94% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 29.9% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Opus Classic Credit Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£250
  • Maximum Credit Limit£1,200
  • Representative APR39.9% APR Variable
Check your eligibility before you apply without affecting your credit rating. Move cash into your bank account with Money Transfers (3% transfer fee, terms apply)

Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 39.9% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 39.9% APR (variable)

Provider Details

Asda Cashback Start Credit Card

Send Enquiry
  • Minimum Credit Limit£100
  • Maximum Credit Limit£600
  • Representative APR34.9% APR Variable
0% interest for 6 months on all purchases from George.com. 1% cashback in Asda and 0.2% cashback on all other purchases (given via ASDA vouchers)

Representative example: When you spend £600 at a rate of 34.9% (variable) per annum, your representative APR is 34.9% APR (variable)

About “Bad Credit” Credit Cards

When you apply for a credit card, the company will calculate a credit score for you. This is designed to reassure them that you are a responsible borrower and will be able to repay what you owe. Credit scores are calculated using data from several sources including credit rating agencies, your application and any past information they have on you. People who have a high credit score are seen as lower risk customers and are more likely to be given a credit card, often at a lower rate of interest. If you do not have a strong credit score, finding a credit card can be challenging. Here is our guide to the top credit cards for bad credit scores.

 

Benefits of “Bad Credit” Credit Cards

If you use these cards correctly – paying off the balance on time, every month – a “bad credit” credit card will help you rebuild your credit history and increase your credit score. Over time you should be able to increase your credit limit and negotiate lower Representative APRs. Eventually you should be able to switch to a mainstream credit card with even lower rates and introductory offers.

 

Downsides of “Bad Credit” Credit Cards

The main downside of bad credit credit cards is the high ARP/Representative APRs they carry. As a result they should never be used as a form of borrowing. Only spend as much as you can afford to payoff at the end of each month or you’ll find your debt spiralling out of control as the interest charges mount up. Failure to manage a “bad credit” credit card properly will result in an even lower credit score from which you may never be able to recover.


Credit Card Jargon Buster

  • Annual Fee

    A small number of credit card companies charge a yearly fee for having their credit card. This is a set fee charged whether you use the card or not. Thankfully annual fees are still quite rare in the UK. Check your T’s and C’s or contact your credit card provider for more information.

  • APR

    APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a handy way to compare the costs associated with different credit cards. It is calculated as the annual rate of interest divided by 12 months. It also includes any monthly or annual charges on top of the basic interest rate.

  • Balance Transfer

    Balance transfer credit cards allow you to move your debt from a credit card, store card or loan to another credit card. Balance transfer cards are attractive as they usually offer either a 0% interest-free period (giving you time to pay off your debt) or a lower rate of interest for a period of time. If for example, you have debt on one credit card that’s attracting a high rate of interest you will likely be able to reduce your monthly charges by moving to a new balance transfer card. Be aware however that there is often a fee attached to moving your debt to a new balance transfer card. This is usually a percentage of the amount being transferred. For example, if you transfer a balance of £2,000 with a 3% fee, the opening balance on your new credit card will be £2,060.

  • Cash Advance

    Most credit cards give you the option of withdrawing cash in the form of a cash advance. You can withdraw cash at most ATM machines. The interest charged on cash advances are usually higher than you would be charged for making purchases and the interest is usually charged from the moment you take the money. It is not advisable to use this feature unless absolutely necessary.

  • Cashback

    A cashback or reward credit card will allow you to earn while spending money on your credit card. Cashback is usually offered as a % of the money spent and is added as credit to your card, or taken of the balance of money owed. Rewards can come in the form of airmiles, nectar points or clubcard points.

  • Charges

    Your credit card provider will usually apply charges if you miss a payment, make a payment later than required or go over your credit card limit. You’ll find details on the various charges applied to your account in the T’s and C’s or on your credit card statement.

  • Credit Limit

    Your credit limit is the amount of money you are able to spend on your credit card. All credit cards come with a limit and the amount offered to you by your credit card issuer depends on your credit rating and the card you have applied for. Over time you can apply to have your credit limit increased when you have demonstrated a track record of making payments on time. If you go above your credit limit you will incur extra fee’s and your credit rating may be affected.

  • Credit Rating

    Your credit rating is calculated by a number of Credit Reference Agencies in the UK. It is a score used by financial institutions to assess your suitability for a credit card, loan, mortgage and other financial products. It is a reflection of how well you have managed your finances over time. If you have regularly applied for financial products and have made the required payments on time (credit card payments, mortgage payments, loan repayments etc) you will have a higher credit score. It is also helpful if you are on the Electoral Roll. You can request a Credit Report from a number of companies in the UK including Experian, Equifax, Clearscore and Noddle.

  • Direct Debit

    A Direct Debit is a simple tool used to make monthly repayments to your credit card company. When you sign up for a new credit card, the lender will ask you to complete a form that instructs your bank to allow your credit card company to collect money from your account on a monthly basis. Direct Debits are a very good tool to use as they help you to avoid missing making payments and incurring fees.

  • Interest Free Period

    Most credit cards give you an interest-free period on purchases. This is a set period of time from the date on which you receive your monthly statement. Interest-free periods are usually between 44 and 55 days depending on the date you made the purchase.

  • Introductory Rates

    Many credit cards offer 0% or lower interest rates for a set period when you sign up for a new credit card. These offers apply to purchases and balance transfers and can be a useful way to help you get your finances sorted. Introductory rates last between 3 months and 40 months. As long as you adhere to the T’s and C’s on your account and continue to make the minimum monthly repayments no interest will be charged on the balance for the duration of the introductory period. Make sure to clear off your balance before the introductory period ends to avoid being moved to a higher interest rate when the introductory period ends.

  • Legal Protection

    One of the great benefits of paying for purchases with your credit card is the legal protection offered in the UK. If you spend more than £100 in a single transaction in-store or online, a credit card gives you better legal protection than debit cards or cash payments. For example, if the product you have received is faulty, the service you paid for was not provided or if the provider has gone bust, you are covered by these legal protections.

  • Minimum Repayment

    This is the amount of money you must pay each month when you have an outstanding balance on your credit card. It is usually calculated as a small % of the money owed. This is the minimum repayment required but by only paying this minimum amount each month you will not be reducing the balance owed by a significant amount and attracting higher interest charges. We recommend paying off the full amount on a monthly basis where possible.

Disclaimer: TheMoneyDaily’s service is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as financial advice. We help our readers make informed decisions and can introduce you to comparison services and provide impartial information and guides. Where appropriate, we may introduce FCA authorised partners who can provide services relating to financial products.