Credit Building Cards

In normal circumstances, if you have a low credit score or a 'thin' credit rating you may struggle to get a standard credit card. However, many credit card issuers recognise that some people may have changed circumstances and are now able to build a credit rating. For those people issuers provide a credit card to accommodate this need, but at a price. Read more...>

Product Name	Balance Transfer Intro	Purchases Intro	Representative APR (variable)	Rewards

Barclaycard Initial
n/a
n/a
29.9%
APR
Rewards

Best suited as a first credit card
Manageable credit limits £250-£1,000
Not recommended if you have missed multiple payments, or have defaulted or CCJs in the past

Representative Example: 29.90% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 29.90% p.a. (variable)

Capital One Classic
n/a
n/a
34.9%
APR
No Rewards

60 second application response - credit limit up to £1,500
Most popular credit building credit card
Best for applicants who want to build or rebuild their credit rating

Representative Example: 34.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 34.94% p.a. (variable)

Aqua
n/a
n/a
35.9%
APR
No Rewards

Credit limit up to £1,600
Manageable monthly payments
Best for applicants who want to rebuild their credit rating - not currently open to those new to credit

Representative Example: 35.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 35.95% p.a. (variable)

Vanquis Visa
n/a
n/a
39.9%
APR
No Rewards

Fixed credit limit to help you stay in control
Free fraud monitoring
Best for applicants who want to build or rebuild their credit rating

Representative Example: 39.9% APR representative (variable). Based on a credit limit of £1,000 and a purchase rate of 39.94% p.a. (variable)

Credit Strengthening Cards

Providers offer credit building cards at higher rates of interest than standard credit cards. This means they do not form a sensible method of long-term borrowing. As long as the balance is paid off in full every month, the cardholder will begin to improve their credit score which, over time, may mean they have the chance to qualify for a standard card with low interest rates.

Credit building cards offer access to a low amount of credit, the chance to purchase items over the phone or on the internet, and an opportunity to turn around a credit rating (as long as the payments are made on time).

Credit building cards often have some additional extras such as, extra access to tips and guidance on how to further improve a credit score, no annual fee, the chance to increase the credit limit after a small amount of time using the card and security safeguards such as warnings for unusual card activity.

Top Tips for Credit Building Cards

Even if you have previously been refused for a standard card you may be able to get a credit building card
These cards are ideal if you have credit problems over 12 months old, are new to credit or self employed
The credit limit will start out low but can increase
Pay your bill on time and you will improve your credit score.
Interest rates are high so, if possible, pay off your bill in full each month
Read our blog on how to compare credit building cards

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Please ensure that you fully read the terms & conditions of any product or policy before you decide to proceed and are fully aware of the total costs and the benefits and any exclusions or limitations applicable to the product or plan.

Please note that the product links will take you direct to the Issuer or Insurer's site direct and we cannot be held responsible for the information which they provide within their own sites. On some comparison tables we use a star rating which rates products by visitor popularity.