In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements

Aqua Classic Credit Card review

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Aqua Classic Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
Finder score
Representative example:
Assumed credit limit £1,200, representative 34.9% APR (variable), purchase rate 34.95% p.a. (variable).
Minimum credit limit
£250
Interest-free each billing period
Up to 48 days
Account fee
£0

Our verdict

A “credit-builder” card aimed at people with a poor credit rating

The Classic card is a "credit builder", which means it's specifically designed for those with a limited or damaged credit history, and comes with features tailored to protecting and building your credit score. They're also generally a bit easier to get approved for.

With the Classic Card you'll get a relatively low, personalised opening credit limit and a relatively high standard rate (which can also be tailored to the applicant). On the plus side, however, if you clear your balance in full each month you’ll be able to take advantage of up to 48 days of 0% interest on your purchases each billing cycle – potentially making that high interest rate irrelevant.

To protect credit scores, cardholders will benefit from text alerts and a decent mobile app, plus free access to CreditView services.

Ultimately, this card can be considered a fairly safe stepping stone to other cards or loans with better rates.

Please note: you can’t have two Aqua accounts or open an Aqua account within 12 months of opening a Marbles, Fluid or Opus account, issued by New Day

Pros

  • Applicants with low credit scores may be eligible
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Although the rate is good by credit builder standards, it's not a card you'd want to carry a balance on for months and months

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product overview
    • Fees and charges
    • Application requirements

Aqua offers credit cards for those with poor or limited credit histories, who might struggle to get approved for more mainstream cards.

Details

Product overview

Issuer NewDay Ltd
Network Mastercard
Annual/monthly fees £0
Minimum credit limit £250
Maximum credit limit Subject to status: £1,200
Credit limit note Subject to status
Purchases 34.95%
Purchases interest-free period (days) 48
Balance transfers 34.95%
Potential costs 4.0 ★★★★★
Doing its job 3.8 ★★★★★
Extras 4.0 ★★★★★
Overall Finder Score 4.0 ★★★★★

Fees and charges

Minimum monthly payment 1% or £5 (whichever is greater) or the total of any interest, default fees and charges plus 1% of the outstanding balance.
Annual/monthly fees £0
Balance transfer fee 3% (min. £3)
Money transfer fee 3% (min. £3)
Foreign usage charge (EU) 2.95%
Foreign usage charge (rest of world) 2.95%
Cash advance fee 5% (min. £4)
Late payment fee £12
Exceeding limit fee £12

Application requirements

Minimum Age 18
Residency UK resident
Availability Available to new customers
Additional Criteria You must not have taken out an Aqua, Marbles, opus or Fluid card in the past 12 months. You must not have received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) in the past 12 months.

The Aqua Classic Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network, so it's accepted at more than 50 million merchant locations across more than 210 countries and territories.

How does it compare?

aqua's card

1 - 1 of 1
Name Product UKCCF Finder Score Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Minimum income Representative APR Incentive Link
Aqua Classic Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit £1,200.
Not specified
34.9%
Representative example: Assumed credit limit £1,200, representative 34.9% APR (variable), purchase rate 34.95% p.a. (variable).
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Other popular credit builders

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 20 of 28
Name Product UKCCF Finder Score Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Minimum income Representative APR Incentive Link
118 118 Money Guaranteed Rate Card
3.8
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
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Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 49% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 49% APR (variable).
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Yonder 'No Fee' Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
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32.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 32.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 32.9% APR (variable).
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Zable credit card
3.4
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit £1,500.
Not specified
48.9%
Representative example: Representative 48.9% APR (variable). Based on assumed borrowing of £1200. Rate of interest 48.9% (variable) annual.
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Tymit Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit £15,000.
Not specified
29.9%
Representative Example: 29.9% (variable) based on a borrowing of £1200 over 12 months with no annual fee.
Vanquis Bank Balance Transfer Credit Card Visa
3.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit £3,000.
Not specified
33.5%
Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a purchase rate of 33.5% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 33.5% APR (variable).
Vanquis Bank Credit Builder Credit Card Visa
3.6
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit £3,000.
Not specified
30.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a purchase rate of 30.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.9% APR (variable).
Tesco Bank Foundation Card
3.9
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £100, max. limit not specified.
£5000
29.9%
5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants, entertainment or Avios points.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
Ocean Credit Card
3.9
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit £8,000.
Not specified
39.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 39.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 39.9% APR (variable).
thinkmoney credit card
3.9
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit £1,500.
Not specified
39.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 39.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 39.9% APR (variable).
Capital One Classic Credit Card
3.4
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit £1,500.
Not specified
34.9%
Representative example: Assuming a credit limit of £1,200 and an interest rate on purchases of 34.94% p.a. variable, you will receive a 34.9% APR representative variable.

Zopa Credit Card Visa
4.3
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit £1,200.
£10000
34.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).
Barclaycard Forward Credit Card
3.8
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £50, max. limit £1,200.
£3000
33.9%
Rate discounts: 3% interest rate reduction if you make all your repayments on time for the first year, and a further drop of up to 2% more if you continue to do so in the second year.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 33.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 33.9% APR (variable).
TSB Classic Credit Card Mastercard
4.3
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
30.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 30.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 30.9% APR (variable).
Cashplus Credit Card Mastercard
3.7
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £100, max. limit £3,000.
£15000
39.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 39.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 39.9% APR (variable).
Capital One Luma Mastercard
3.7
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit £1,500.
Not specified
35.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 35.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 35.9% APR (variable).
Onmo Credit Card
3.3
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
34.9%
Representative example: Assumed credit limit £1,200. Interest rate 34.9% p.a. (variable). Representative 34.9% APR (variable).
Bip Credit Card Mastercard
4.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit £1,200.
Not specified
29.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
Additional account needed
AIB Student Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £300, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
12.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.2% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
HSBC Classic Credit Card
4.0
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.
£6800
29.9%
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.9% APR (variable).
Post Office Classic Card
4.2
★★★★★
£0
Min. limit £200, max. limit £8,000.
Not specified
34.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 34.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 34.9% APR (variable).
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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 Moneyfacts.

Bottom line

The Aqua Classic credit card is a fairly standard “credit-builder” card aimed at those with limited or poor credit history. As is standard with these types of card, this means you’re likely to get a low credit limit and high interest rate. It also means you won’t get any fancy bells and whistles in the form of rewards or cashback schemes.

But by paying off your balance in full each month, you can slowly build your credit score and qualify for more premium cards.

Repayment options

You can make manual repayments through aqua's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0333 220 2691). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.

A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and damaging your credit score – making it harder and more expensive to borrow money in the future – and getting hit with a penalty fee (£12) as a result.

You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.

Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:

Minimum amount Fixed amount Fixed percentage Full amount

How to apply

If you've compared cards and settled on the Aqua Classic Credit Card, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements and have the information and documents you'll need to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Frequently asked questions

What credit limit will I get with the Aqua Classic Credit Card?

If aqua offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on aqua's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on the card is £250, while the maximum is £1,200. Once you've had the card for a while and shown aqua you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.

Can I withdraw cash using the Aqua Classic Credit Card?

Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (such as withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino or buying currency) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.

The cash advance fee on the Aqua Classic Credit Card is 5% (min. £4). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £4.00. Withdraw £250 and you'll incur a rather painful fee of £12.50.

The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 39.94%, which is 14% more than the standard purchase rate (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 48 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).

How much does it cost to use the Aqua Classic Credit Card abroad?

Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.95% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£167.49), it'll cost you around £4.94 in fees.

What is the minimum payment on the Aqua Classic Credit Card?

Each month, you must pay at least 1% of your balance at that point or £5.00 – whichever of the 2 figures is greater. So if you had, say, £450.00 outstanding, you'd pay £5.00, and if you had £2,000.00 outstanding, you'd pay £20.00.

Paying only the minimum required amount each month is generally not advisable as it tends to be a very expensive way to borrow money, which can lead to persistent debt.

Can I transfer money from the Aqua Classic Credit Card to a bank account?

Yes. That's what's known as a "money transfer" (rather than a "balance transfer") in credit card jargon. You can arrange this from your online banking or using aqua's app. This part of your card balance will incur interest of 37.95%. The fee for a money transfer is 3% (min. £3).

Finder credit card scores

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Our experts score credit builder credit cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like interest rates, credit limits, features to help you track your credit, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.

You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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