Obtaining a credit card with bad or no credit in the United Kingdom (UK)

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Your credit rating plays a important role when trying to obtain a unsecured credit card. Credit scores range from the lowest at 0 to the best of 900 with Equifax (0 - 299 Very Poor, 300-349 Poor, 350-399 Fair, 400-474 Good, 575-900 Excellent), and a score range from 0 to 1000 with Experian (0 - 560 Very Poor, 561-720 Poor, 721-880 Fair, 881-960 Good, 961-999 Excellent).

Your National Credit Score is based upon your Experian credit history.

Improving your credit report in the UK


There are a number of things that you can do to improve your chances of getting credit. First, make sure you are on the electoral roll. Second, make your payments on time. If you cannot do this, contact the lender as soon as possible to discuss what options are available to you. Third, if you have paid a court judgment, make sure it is shown as being settled on your credit report. If it is not, contact the court and get a certificate of satisfaction.


Fourth, if a bankruptcy order has ended or been withdrawn and this is not shown on your credit report , send a copy of your certificate of discharge or annulment to all credit reference agencies and ask for your report to be updated. Fifth, if you have paid off a credit account but your report doesn't show this, contact the organization concerned and ask them to make the necessary changes. Sixth, avoid credit repair organizations. The Office of Fair Trading warns that the information given by so-called credit repair organizations may be wrong and/or misleading and can get you into worse financial trouble. Finally, check your credit report. It always makes sense to get a copy of your credit report before you apply for credit or if you are refused credit as a result of information held by a credit reference agency.


Secured, unsecured and prepaid credit cards for people with bad credit in the UK


Even though your credit may be bad, there are still banks and financial institutions that will approve you for a credit card. Depending on your credit rating, the credit card company will determine your total line of credit and the interest rate you will pay. If you get denied for a unsecured credit card, apply for a secured card. Secured cards can be a great way to prove yourself again and raise your credit score as long as you make on time monthly payments. Secured cards require a deposit which will usually be equal to your credit line. This deposit is often refunded to you after you make one year of on time payments. Please note that prepaid cards do not build credit.

Below we have listed unsecured, secured and prepaid credit cards for bad credit.

 aqua credit card

- An attractive MasterCard with a credit limit of up to £2,200
- A typical 35.9% APR variable
- No interest charge on purchases if you pay your balance in full and on time each month
- A friendly 24-hour customer helpline.

Capital One Classic Visa Card

- Credit limits from £200 to £1200
- Typical 34.9% APR variable

Vanquis Abacus Visa Card

- Typical 39.9% APR variable
- Initial credit limits range from £150 to £1,000.
- You could get a Credit Limit increase on your 4th statement with further increases every 4 months, up to £3,000.

Granite Visa Credit Card

- No annual fee
- Initial credit limits range from £150 to £500. - Typical 39.9% APR variable





If you need a prepaid card see our Prepaid Credit Card List In The UK

 Disclaimer: The above information was written in good faith, but we cannot guarantee accuracy or credit approval. Please check lenders websites for current interest rates, fees and credit criteria. If you feel the information is inaccurate or have a credit card you wish to add to our list, please email us at [email protected].