How can it improve my credit score?

Aqua Classic comes with a host of tools to help you use your card responsibly, including: Aqua Coach – our free credit builder tool in the Aqua app A great mobile app to keep you in control 24/7 Text reminders to keep you on track Award-winning support from our UK-based call centre If you use these tools to manage your account well, then this will help to build your credit score.

Yes, just look for the contactless symbol at locations that accept Mastercard.

Aqua Classic

Credit cards for building credit

Q: Will a credit-builder card help build my credit score?

A credit-building credit card could help you to build up a history of good credit – as long as you manage your account carefully. That means staying well below your credit limit and making at least the minimum repayment by the due date each month. Over time, you should normally see your credit score rise thanks to doing this. Find out more about improving your credit score.

Q: What do I need to apply for a credit-builder card?

It’s quick and easy to apply for the Aqua Classic credit-builder card. You can check your eligibility online without affecting your credit score. You’ll need to give a few quick details about things like your employment, residential status, and income. Typically, we’ll tell you right away whether you could be eligible. If so, you can apply with a few clicks.

Q: Is there an annual fee?

You won’t have any annual fees to pay with Aqua Classic – but you may with some other credit cards.

Q: Is there an annual fee?

Unlike some other credit cards, there are no annual fees with the Aqua Classic card.

Q: Will my credit limit increase over time?

If you make your payments on time and stick within your credit limit over a number of months, then we may look at increasing your credit limit, if we think that’s the right thing, taking into account your personal circumstances. We’ll need to see that your account is being managed responsibly before we can offer you a credit limit increase. You can reduce your credit limit at any time by calling customer services. You can also choose how you would like us to manage your credit limit preferences.

A credit card to help improve your credit score

Receive an initial credit limit from £250 to £1500
Track your credit score 24/7 with our app
No annual fees

34.9% APR

Representative (variable)

Check my eligibility Read summary box

What are the benefits of a credit-builder card from Aqua?

Take control of your credit score with the help of a credit-builder card from Aqua. Get tools and support to improve a low score and start building your credit history.

Build your credit score

Ability to build your credit score, if you manage your account well
Get free access to your credit score in the Aqua app
Get expert support from Aqua Coach with hints & tips to help improve your score

Safe and widely accepted

Get 24/7 fraud protection to keep your account safe
Check your eligibility for an Aqua card in just 60 seconds with no impact on your credit score
As a Mastercard, Aqua Classic is accepted at over 35 million places worldwide

Smart credit limits

We give you a personalised credit limit starting from £250 - £1500
Your credit limit adjusts as we get to know you and could even grow if you manage your account well

Phone screen displaying a repayment calculator

Hear from our customers

Everybody has their own credit-building journey. Hear directly from the people who’ve used Aqua to help them along the way.

Credit-builder FAQs

Q.Will a credit-builder card help build my credit score?

Q.What do I need to apply for a credit-builder card?

Q.Is there an annual fee?

Am I eligible to apply for an Aqua Classic card?

You can apply for an Aqua card as long as you:

Are over 18 and have a permanent UK address.
Haven’t been registered bank rupt in the past 18 months and don’t have ongoing bankruptcy proceedings against you.
Have a current UK bank or building society account.
Haven’t received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) in the past 12 months.
Don’t already have an Aqua card and haven’t have taken out an Aqua, marbles, opus or Fluid card in the past 12 months.

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What is a credit-builder credit card?

A credit-builder credit card is specially designed to help you improve your credit.

If you have a low credit score – or if you don’t have any credit history at-all – you may have trouble finding a lender who’ll offer you credit. That’s where a credit-building card comes in. It gives you a way to borrow money and, by managing your account well, show lenders that you can be trusted to pay it back on time. Plus, there are lots more advantages of using a credit card that you’ll enjoy, too.

Why do I need to build my credit?

Building better credit could help you become eligible for a wider range of credit cards.

When you apply for products like credit cards, loans, car finance or mortgages, lenders use your credit records to help them decide whether they can give you credit – and if so, at what rate. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be offered the best deals, like lower interest rates, interest-free periods or cashback.

Who are credit-builder cards for?

A credit-builder card is ideal for you if you have a low credit score.

This might be because, for example, you’ve previously missed repayments on credit products or gone over your credit limit. A credit-builder card can also help you if you don’t have any credit history – perhaps because you’re a first-time borrower or you’ve recently come to live in the UK.

What’s the difference between an eligibility check and an application?

An eligibility check – like our SafeCheck – tells you whether the card company is likely to say ‘yes’ to your application, but it doesn’t leave a hard check on your credit report and doesn’t commit you to applying for the card.

This means that you know whether you’re safe to apply, without having to worry about damaging your chances of getting other credit in future.

A full application, on the other hand, does leave a mark on your report. That’s why it’s best not to fill in lots of applications with different companies. If in doubt, always check your eligibility first.

Can I apply for a credit card if I have bad credit?

The short answer is ‘yes’. The first step is to decide which card is right for you.

If you have a bad credit history or haven’t applied for a credit card before, it can be tempting to fill out lots of applications in the hope that at least one of them will be successful. But this is exactly the wrong thing to do.

Each full application is logged on your credit report, so the more you apply and are turned down, the more likely you are to keep getting turned down. That’s why you need to pick a card that’s designed for your circumstances and offers an eligibility check – sometimes called a ‘soft’ check – up front.

Check my eligibility Read summary box

Aqua Classic FAQs

Q.How can it help improve my credit score?

Q.Is there an annual fee?

Q.Will my credit limit increase over time?

Q.Is it contactless?

How to fix a bad credit score

If you have a bad credit score, getting a credit card and managing it well can be a great way to improve it. There are a few other easy things you can do to help improve your credit score, too.

Check that you’re on the electoral register

The electoral register is an official record that lenders can use to confirm you’re who you say you are. That’s why it’s important to keep your name on it, even if you don’t plan to vote.

Always pay bills and make debt repayments on time

If you’re late with a payment – even by just a day or two – your credit score can suffer. A missed payment can sit on your credit record for up to seven years.

Make sure your credit record is up to date

Credit records can sometimes contain mistakes – and these can affect your credit score. It’s worth checking yours regularly to make sure it’s right.

Keep old accounts open and build your credit history

If you have long-standing credit accounts that have been managed well, consider keeping them open. This can show you’ve been a reliable borrower in the past which is a good sign to lenders.

Don’t apply for credit too often

Lenders get nervous if they see a lot of applications for credit on your credit record within a six-month period. That makes them less likely to accept you.

Be a responsible borrower

Managing your existing credit accounts well is quite simply one of the surest ways to boost your credit score – helping you get the credit you want in future.