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thimbl. credit card review 2023
thimbl. offers a straightforward credit-builder card for those with good and bad credit.
Finder rating: ★★★★★
Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a purchase rate of 39.94% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 39.9% APR (variable).
£150
Minimum credit limit
Up to 56 days
Interest-free each billing period
39.9%
Representative APR
£0
Account fee
Details
| Issuer | Visa |
|---|---|
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Purchases | 39.94% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Cash advances | 39.94% |
| Maximum credit limit | Subject to status: £1,200 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
|---|---|
| Availability | Available to new customers |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
|---|---|
| Foreign usage charge (EU) | 2.99% |
| Foreign usage charge (rest of world) | 2.99% |
| Cash advance fee | 3% (min. £3) |
| Late payment fee | £12 |
| Exceeding limit fee | £12 |
Review by
Tom Stelzer
tom.stelzer@finder.comTom Stelzer is a writer for Finder specialising in personal finance, including loans and credit, as well as small business and business loans. He has previously worked as a freelance writer covering entertainment, culture and football for publications like FourFourTwo and Man of Many. He has a Master of Media Arts and Production and Bachelor of Communications in Journalism from the University of Technology Sydney.
Expert review
thimbl. is a very straightforward card aimed at those looking to build their credit score, whether they’ve got good or bad credit. It’s competing with the likes of the Zopa credit card or any of NewDay’s credit building brands (aqua, fluid, marbles, etc.).
With no rewards scheme, points or cashback, it’s about as no frills as credit cards come, which may suit customers who simply want access to a manageable credit account.
There’s also no annual fee, which means you can keep your costs to a minimum, as long as you pay off your credit card balance in full. But if you’re someone who’s likely to carry a balance each month, you’ll need to beware of the high rate.
Overall, the thimbl. credit card could be a worthy option for those with limited or bad credit history, but anyone wanting to get more out of their card may need to look elsewhere. Despite billing itself as a card for all credit profiles, it’s unlikely to appeal to those with high credit scores. At its core, it’s a fairly straightforward rebranding of a typical Vanquis credit card. In fact, and in fact, its slogan should maybe be “thimbl. – Because Vanquis Bank sounds a bit… oppressive.”
What is thimbl.?
thimbl. is a fairly standard credit-building credit card, aimed at a wider-than-you-might-expect range of credit scores. Like other credit builders, it has a more lenient approach to approvals, offset by relatively high interest rates, and “manageable” (low) opening credit limits. Both rates and limits are tailored to the applicant.
Pros and cons
Pros
- You can manage the card via an online app
- The card is available to those with poor credit
- There's no annual fee
Cons
- No rewards or other offers
- Maximum initial credit limit is capped at £1,000
- The APR is noticeably high
How does it compare?
thimbl.'s card
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Approval for any credit card will depend 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.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a thimbl. credit card, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a UK resident
- Have a UK bank account
You’ll also need to meet thimbl.’s income and financial requirements.
How to apply
In order to apply for a thimbl. credit card, you'll first need to use its Express Check eligibility checker via the thimbl. website. You'll need to provide certain personal information as part of the check, and will receive your results within one minute. Using the eligibility checker will have no impact on your credit score, and if you're approved, you'll then be eligible to apply for a thimbl. credit card.Is thimbl. any good?
With its simple credit-builder credit card, thimbl. aims to give customers the option of an accessible card with no bells and whistles. As a result, it could be suitable for those with poor or limited credit history looking for a basic everyday card to build their credit score. However, with its high, variable rate, it will only be an affordable choice for those who can pay off their balance each month.
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take to get a thimbl. credit card?
It normally takes around 10-14 days for you to receive your thimbl. credit card once you’ve submitted your application.
Where can I use a thimbl. credit card?
You can use your thimbl. card anywhere that accepts Visa, including in the UK and abroad, as well as online.
Does thimbl. run credit checks?
Yes, but thimbl. isn’t about credit perfection.
You can check your eligibility for a thimbl. card using a quick “soft” credit check – that’s a search of your credit file which has no impact on your credit score.
If this tells you that an application would likely be successful, and you decide to go ahead and apply, thimbl. will then run a “hard” credit check. A hard search does have a small negative impact on your credit score, but provided you use your card responsibly (stay within your credit limit and make repayments on time), then this dip should be short-lived, and thimbl. should start to benefit your credit score.
Will a thimbl. credit card help build my credit rating?
Yes, using your thimbl. credit card can help improve your credit score, as long as you stay within your credit limit and make your monthly repayments on time.
How can I manage my thimbl. account?
You can manage your thimbl card and pay your bill via the Vanquis Bank online app.
Finder credit card ratings
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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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