This page features bad credit credit card reviews and prepaid credit card (or 0% credit card) reviews. Keep reading for key information about credit cards from a few of the leading credit card providers. Remember, there are lots of lenders and it’s vital to shop around to ensure you get the best credit card deal you can. See an overview of cards for people with bad credit from Capital One, Vanquis, Barclaycard, Virgin, Tuxedo and O2.
Bad credit credit card reviews
The credit card reviews in this section all have a relatively high typical APR. The best way to improve your credit rating and not to pay high interest repayments each month is to pay off your balance in full as much as you can, preferably every month. That way, you’ll have all the benefits of a credit card and you’ll improve your credit score. After a while you’ll be able to apply for a credit card with a much lower interest rate.
Barclaycard Initial
The Barclay Initial credit card is available for people with a poor credit history and those who have never had any credit before. So, if this is the first time you’re applying for a credit card, this could be a suitable credit card. Having said that, it’s especially important for first time credit card holders to get into good financial habits by paying your bill off in full as much as you can.
Barclay Initial features
Typical APR: 27.9%
Interest free period: up to 56 days for purchases
Credit limit: £250 – £2000
Annual fee: none
Cash advance charges: £2.50 or 2.5% (whichever is more)
Vanquis card
The Vanquis credit card is a type of Visa card. It’s a popular credit card for people with bad credit because it has a number of different interest rates available. Obviously the better your credit history and current financial situation, the better rate you’ll be offered.
Vanquis card features
Typical APR: 39.9% (up to 59.9%)
Interest free period: up to 56 days for purchases
Credit limit: £250 – £1000
Annual fee: none
Cash advance charges: £3 or 3% (whichever is more)
Capital One card
Capital One offers a wide range of credit cards, including bad credit credit cards. They say the Classic Credit Card will be good for you if you want to improve your credit rating, which means they’re happy to lend to people with a bad credit history, but there are still criteria you have to meet.
Capital One credit card features
Typical APR: 34.9%
Interest free period: none (unless you pay the first bill in full by the due date, in which case you’ll pay zero interest on that bill)
Credit limit: from £100
Annual fee: none
Cash advance charges: £3 or 3% (whichever is more)
Prepaid credit cards
Prepaid credit cards are also known as 0 percent credit cards. They carry the Visa or Mastercard logo and can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted. Read more about prepaid cards here.
Virgin Prepaid Monthly
Cost to apply: £9.95
Monthly fee: £4.75
Purchase fee (online and instore): none
Cost to use ATM: £1.50 (£1.50 overseas)
Tuxedo
Cost to apply: £9.95
Monthly fee: £4.99
Purchase fee (online and instore): none
Cost to use ATM: 50p (£2.25 overseas)
O2 Load and Go
Cost to apply: free
Monthly fee: free
Purchase fee (online and instore): none
Cost to use ATM: free (2.75% overseas)