Compare Aqua credit cards

Please note: Aqua’s interest rates (other than promotional rates) are linked to the Bank of England Base Rate.

Finder Score	Annual/monthly fees	Initial credit limits	Minimum income	Representative APR	Incentive
6.2Standard Aqua Classic Card	6.2Standard	£0	Min. limit £250, max. limit £1,500.	£0	39.9%	Representative example: Representative 39.9% APR variable. Based on assumed borrowing of £1,200. Rate of interest 27.14% p.a. (variable).	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Finder Score for credit cards

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Costs, perks and suitability across 120+ cards are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the card – simple.

Read the full methodology

Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Defaqto.

Aqua is part of the London-based NewDay group of companies, which was the credit card provider for retail giants past and present, including Debenhams, Topshop, Laura Ashley and Amazon. Aqua credit cards are also on the Mastercard network, which means they can be used in more than 35 million places worldwide.

Aqua offers customers a range of tools designed to help borrowers run their card accounts. The company is open about the fact that it aims to help people move to other finance products as their needs evolve, with the intention to “help all customers be better with credit”.

What benefits can I expect from an Aqua credit card?

Customer support. Aqua operates a local call rate customer helpline with staff available between 8am and 8pm daily.
Online account management. You can register online to make payments, check the available balance on your card, update your details and carry out a range of other tasks involved in servicing your account.
Free unlimited credit report access. The Aqua credit checker gives you a monthly-updated picture of the state of your credit record, which you can access through your online account, or by calling the Aqua customer services hotline.
Access to a range of credit-building tools and advice. Aqua’s “road to good credit” is all about helping consumers on their journey to accessing more competitive rates and services.

Applying for an Aqua credit card

The easiest and most convenient way to apply for an Aqua credit card is online – you can get an instant indication of the likelihood of your application being successful by using Aqua’s “FastCheck”, and it won’t leave a “footprint” on your credit file so you don’t have to worry about your credit score.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for an Aqua credit card, you must:

Be 18 or over
Have a permanent UK address
Not have been registered bankrupt in the past 18 months or have bankruptcy proceedings against you
Have a current UK bank or building society account
Not have received a county court judgement in the past 12 months
Not have an existing Aqua card or have taken out another card issued by NewDay in the past 12 months

Why might your application not be approved?

If you meet the broad criteria outlined above, but have a history of bad debt, you could be rejected. Also, if you have been made the subject of a CCJ you may not be accepted, and you are unlikely to be given a card if you have ever declared bankruptcy.

Can I transfer a balance to my Aqua credit card?

Previously, Aqua had a balance transfer card (the Aqua Classic Balance Transfer credit card), however this is no longer available. But that’s not to say that your Aqua card can’t be a balance transfer card. You can do this by:

After activating your card, use either the Online Account Manager or Aqua App to request a balance transfer.
Log in, select ‘Balance Transfer’, then specify the amount and details of the card you’re transferring from. Aqua will then “handle the rest”.

What do customers say about Aqua?

63% of customers we surveyed in 2026 would recommend Aqua to a friend.

It is recognised as a helpful tool for individuals struggling with credit, offering an easy application process and mindful credit limit increases.

However, overall satisfaction is heavily impacted by steep interest rates that users warn can make managing balances difficult. Coupled with widespread complaints about an outdated app and inconsistent customer service, it is viewed strictly as a stepping stone rather than a long-term card.

AI-generated summary from the text of customer reviews on Finder.

Frequently asked questions

Our “Best for” picks highlight top options in specific categories based on our independent evaluation (see our full methodology), while “Promoted” tags indicate sponsored placements. Selected products may not suit everyone. We track selected market offers, which may not cover every product. Products are listed in no particular order unless specified, and inclusion or ordering may be influenced by popularity or commercial agreements. Most comparison table data is provided by Defaqto or sourced directly from providers. Always evaluate your own circumstances and consider independent advice before making major financial decisions.

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Chris Lilly

Head of publishing

Add to Preferred Sources

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 502 Finder guides across topics including:

Loans & credit cards
Building credit
Financial health
Share trading

More resources on Finder

Compare Aqua credit cards

Aqua’s range of credit cards is designed specifically to help those with a low credit score, or those with little or no credit history, to build up their credit records.