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Origin Credit Card review 2021
Last updated:
If you’ve had credit problems in the past and struggle to get approved for a credit card, you may have a better chance of acceptance with the Origin credit card.
Finder rating: ★★★★★
Representative example: When you spend £250 at a purchase rate of 59.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 59.9% APR (variable).
£150
Minimum credit limit
Up to 56 days
Interest-free each billing period
59.9%
Representative APR
£0
Account fee
Details
| Issuer | Vanquis Bank |
|---|---|
| Network | Visa |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Purchases | 59.94% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Money transfers | 59.94% |
| Cash advances | 59.94% |
| Min credit limit | £150 |
| Max credit limit | Subject to status: £1,500 |
| Additional cards available | 1 |
Review by
Chris Lilly
chris.lilly@finder.comChris Lilly is a publisher at finder.com. He's a specialist in credit-based products including business and personal loans, mortgages and credit cards, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their borrowing. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more.
Expert review
As with any credit card, each repayment you make on the Origin card is reported back to credit reference agencies, so provided you use it responsibly (staying within your limits and making at least the minimum monthly repayments on time), it should have a positive effect on your credit score.
What “credit builder” cards offer that you don’t necessarily get with other cards is the emphasis on helping those with bad credit (Vanquis Bank, which issues this card, states that it “looks for ways to accept you when other issuers may not”) and the opportunity to grow your credit limit pretty quickly – after five months in this case.
It’s a smart idea to keep tabs on your credit score and take advantage of the eligibility checkers now provided by most card issuers (these use a “soft search” to tell you your chances of getting approved for a card without affecting your credit score) to ensure you’re getting the best rate available to you.
It’s worth noting that due to its APR, which is very high even by credit builder standards, this card isn’t likely to be suitable for long-term use, and you should aim to avoid carrying a balance from month to month.
What's in this review?
The Origin Credit Card is issued on the Visa network (used by a whopping 3.3 billion cards), so you'll be able to use it at more than 46 million merchants across more than 200 countries and territories.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Applicants with low credit scores may be eligible
- No annual fee
Cons
- A steep interest rate on purchases
- A punishing rate of 59.94% on cash withdrawals
How does it compare?
Vanquis Bank's card
Other popular credit builders
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Approval for any credit card will depend on your status. The APR shown represents 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.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through Vanquis Bank's app, by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0330 099 3001). 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 want to apply, completing the secure online application form takes about 15 minutes. Before you apply, you can use Vanquis Bank's "Eligibility check" service to find out if you're likely to get approved. You'll need to provide your address details for the last three years and you'll generally receive a response within one minute.
Frequently asked questions
What credit limit will I get with the Origin Credit Card?
If Vanquis Bank is able to offer you this deal, the offer will specify a personalised credit limit based on Vanquis Bank's assessment of your situation. The minimum limit offered on the card is £150, while the maximum is £1,500. Once you've had the card for a while and shown Vanquis Bank that you're reliable, you may wish to apply for a credit limit increase.
Can I withdraw cash using the Origin Credit Card?
Although it's possible, withdrawing cash from a credit card account is generally not a good idea, as "cash-like transactions" (withdrawing cash at an ATM, getting cashback at the till, spending at a casino, buying currency, etc.) often incur steep fees and/or higher rates of interest.
The cash advance fee on the Origin Credit Card is 3% (min. £3). For example, if you withdraw £50, you'll incur a fee of £3.00. Withdraw £250, and you'll incur a fee of £7.50.
The interest rate on this part of your balance will be 59.94%, which is the same as the standard purchases 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 Origin Credit Card abroad?
Non-sterling transactions are subject to a 2.99% charge. For example, if you spend 200 euros (£174.17), it'll cost you around £5.21.
What is the minimum payment on the Origin Credit Card?
Each month you must pay at least 3% of your balance at that point or £10.00 – whichever of the two figures is greater. So if you had, say, £316.67 outstanding, you'd pay £10.00, and if you had £1,333.33 outstanding, you'd pay £40.00.
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 Origin 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 Vanquis Bank's app. This part of your card balance will incur interest of 59.94%. The fee for a money transfer is 3% (min. £3).
Finder credit card ratings
★★★★★ — 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.