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The credit cards almost anyone can get
If your credit rating isn't great, perhaps due to missed payments in the past or because you haven't had credit before, you won't be able to get the top credit cards. However, that doesn't mean you can't have a credit card at all. In fact, you can even get a card with a 0% period on purchases.
But be careful with these so-called 'credit builder' cards. If you don't pay off your balance in full each month, you'll be whacked by high interest charges. And if you miss a payment, you'll do even more damage to your credit rating.
[Compare credit cards for people with poor credit histories]
Barclaycard Initial Visa
Unusually for a credit builder card, the Barclaycard Initial card comes with a 0% period on purchases, which has now been increased from three months to five months, an offer that can’t be beaten unless you have a much more impressive credit rating. If you are using it to spread the cost of a big purchase, make sure you can repay it by the end of the five-month period.
The representative APR with the Initial card is pretty steep at 34.9%, but it will be reviewed after 12 months. If you always pay on time and stick to your credit limit (you start with up to £1,200) that rate will be reduced.
Here are some other cards that almost anyone can get.
Aqua Classic and Advance
Aqua is a credit card provider that specifically targets those with poor credit histories. It has a number of cards to choose from.
The first is the Classic, which comes with a representative APR of 29.7% - the lowest around for credit builder cards. However not everyone gets that rate. If your credit rating really is grim you may be offered a rate of 39.9%, 44.9% or 49.9%. You get an initial credit limit of £100-£1,600.
There’s also the Advance. With this card you start with an APR of 34.9% but can cut it by 5% a year if you manage it properly.
The other bonus with Aqua cards is that you get access to its free Credit Checker service, giving you free, unlimited access to your credit report, as well as all sorts of money saving deals.
Capital One Classic Platinum
The Capital One Classic Platinum is a low-limit credit card, giving you a taste of how credit works. The credit limit will be from £200 to £1,500, to restrict the chances of you getting carried away on a credit binge. That limit is reviewed regularly, and you have the option of increasing it twice a year.
It comes with an APR of 29.8%.
One thing we really like with the Classic Platinum is that you can register to receive email alerts on the state of your balance, so that you are as informed as possible about your financial position, and don’t get carried away.
In order to qualify for the card you need to be over 18 years of age and on the electoral roll. You also must not have been declared bankrupt in the last 12 months, and must not already have a Capital One card.
Vanquis Bank Aquis Visa
The Vanquis Bank Aquis Visa credit card is designed for borrowers who want to improve their credit rating, whether that's because they have no credit history or they have a poor history that they want to rebuild.
If you get the card you’ll start with a credit limit between £150 and £1,000. Your limit will then be reviewed every four months and could go as high as £3,000.
The interest rate is 29.8% and will be even higher for some users.
Luma MasterCard
Finally, we have the Luma MasterCard credit card. With this card, you’ll get a credit limit of up to £1,500. This card has a very high interest rate of 35.9%.
These are just some of the credit building cards available.
[Compare credit cards for people with poor credit histories]
Monitoring your credit rating
If you have no idea what your credit rating looks like, or you want to monitor whether it is improving after making use of a card like those we’ve looked at, then you should take a look at your credit report. You can get hold of it from credit reference agencies Experian, Equifax, and Callcredit (via its free Noddle service).
Other steps to improve a bad credit rating
There are plenty of other things you can do to improve your credit rating beyond using a special credit card. Some are extremely simple, like ensuring you’re on the electoral roll and closing unwanted bank accounts.
