Marbles Card review
- 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 56 days
- Account fee
- £0
Our verdict
If you have a limited or poor credit history, you could get more control of your finances with the Marbles credit card. The card has a range of features designed to help you closely manage your finances and rebuild your credit history.Marbles is part of NewDay, which also owns credit card companies Aqua, Fluid and Opus. NewDay was launched in 2001 with the aim of providing finance to customers with a poor or no credit history.
It has a more lenient application process than most credit cards and a maximum credit limit of £1,200, which can be reviewed and potentially raised after just 3 months of sticking to your limit and making repayments on time.
Any balance that you carry from month-to-month will incur interest at the card's standard rate, which, not to put too fine a point on it, is high. As such, this card might be best used as a "stepping stone" product while you build your credit in order to access financial products with better terms. However, if you pay off your balance in full each month, you could avoid interest altogether – in which case, how high the rate is doesn't really matter.
Like the vast majority of credit-builder cards, this credit card doesn't come with any introductory offers on purchases or balance transfers, however, by using the card responsibly you will start to build a positive credit history, which could unlock better deals in the future.
Please note: you can’t have two Marbles accounts or open a Marbles account within 12 months of opening an Aqua, Fluid or Opus account, issued by New DayPros
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You can check your eligibility without harming your credit score (and get an instant response).
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Applications accepted from customers with limited or poor credit history.
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By successfully making payments off your card every month, you can build your credit score.
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Get handy text alerts if you're near your credit limit.
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Choose a payment date that suits you, and change this date up to twice annually.
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Track your spending in real time, view statements, make payments, manage your direct debit and track your balance whenever and wherever you want through the Marbles website and app.
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Up to 56 days interest-free on your purchases provided you clear your balance in full each month.
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Credit limit review after 3 months.
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No annual or monthly fees.
Cons
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Relatively high interest rates.
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Relatively low initial credit limits.
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No rewards.
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Fees charged for late payment or for exceeding your credit limit.
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Not available to anyone with a county court judgement against their name.
Details
Product Overview
| Issuer | NewDay Ltd |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Balance transfers | 34.95% |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Purchases | 34.95% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Money transfers | 32.94% |
| Cash advances | 34.95% |
| Minimum credit limit | £250 |
| Maximum credit limit | Subject to status: £1,200 |
| Incentive | You could get a credit limit increase after three months. Choose a monthly repayment date that suits you and change it up to twice a year. |
| 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. |
The Marbles 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?
Marbles' card
Other popular credit builders
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.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through Marbles' app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0333 220 2692). 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
It’s worth using the online FastCheck eligibility checker to see if you will be accepted before you apply for a card. This process does not leave a footprint on your credit file that other lenders would be able to see, and it won’t affect your credit score. You’ll need to provide:
- Your full name, address and date of birth.
- Your length of residence at your current address.
- Your employment status and annual salary.
You will receive an instant response. If the answer is that you are likely to be accepted for a card, you can then fill out the online application form.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a Marbles credit card, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be resident in the UK.
Why might your application not be approved?
Marbles does accept customers with a less than perfect credit history. However, if you are in an IVA, have had a CCJ or are currently bankrupt, you are unlikely to be approved for a card.
The bottom line
As with most credit-builder cards, the Marbles credit card can be a limited, but useful, option for those trying to boost their credit score or improve their credit rating.
While it offers no real perks, it’s more than suitable as a “stepping stone” card for those with limited credit history. Since it’s interest rates are high for any balances not paid in full each month, you might want to use a credit card like this to gain some flexibility in your finances just until your credit report improves. Hopefully, at this point, you might be able to access other products with improved terms.
After a few months of careful use, you could use an eligibility checker to see if you’re likely to get approved for a broader selection of deals.
Marbles credit cards are enabled for contactless payments of up to £100.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the Marbles Card?
If Marbles offers you this deal, it will specify a personalised credit limit based on Marbles's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on the card is £250, while the maximum is £1,200. After three months of making repayments on time, Marbles can review your credit limit and may be able to offer you a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the Marbles 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 Marbles 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 34.95%, which is 0% more than the standard purchase rate (chargeable from the day of the transaction – the card's usual "up to 56 days interest-free" grace period won't apply).
How much does it cost to use the Marbles Card abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.95% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£168.89), it'll cost you around £4.98 in fees.
What is the minimum payment on the Marbles 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 Marbles 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 Marbles' app. This part of your card balance will incur interest of 32.94%. The fee for a money transfer is 3% (min. £3).
Finder credit card scores
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.
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