How can it improve my credit score?

Aqua Classic comes with a host of tools to help you use your card responsibly, including: Aqua Coach – our free credit builder tool in the Aqua app A great mobile app to keep you in control 24/7 Text reminders to keep you on track Award-winning support from our UK-based call centre If you use these tools to manage your account well, then this will help to build your credit score.

Yes, just look for the contactless symbol at locations that accept Mastercard.

Credit cards for building credit

Q: Will a credit-builder card help build my credit score?

A credit-building credit card could help you to build up a history of good credit – as long as you manage your account carefully. That means staying well below your credit limit and making at least the minimum repayment by the due date each month. Over time, you should normally see your credit score rise thanks to doing this. Find out more about improving your credit score.

Q: What do I need to apply for a credit-builder card?

It’s quick and easy to apply for the Aqua Classic credit-builder card. You can check your eligibility online without affecting your credit score. You’ll need to give a few quick details about things like your employment, residential status, and income. Typically, we’ll tell you right away whether you could be eligible. If so, you can apply with a few clicks.

Q: Is there an annual fee?

You won’t have any annual fees to pay with Aqua Classic – but you may with some other credit cards.

Q: Is there an annual fee?

Unlike some other credit cards, there are no annual fees with the Aqua Classic card.

Q: Will my credit limit increase over time?

If you make your payments on time and stick within your credit limit over a number of months, then we may look at increasing your credit limit, if we think that’s the right thing, taking into account your personal circumstances. We’ll need to see that your account is being managed responsibly before we can offer you a credit limit increase. You can reduce your credit limit at any time by calling customer services. You can also choose how you would like us to manage your credit limit preferences.

Aqua Classic

A credit card to help improve your credit score

Receive an initial credit limit from £250 to £1500
Track your credit score 24/7 with our app
No annual fees

39.9% APR

Representative (variable)

Check my eligibility Read summary box

What are the benefits of a credit-builder card from Aqua?

Take control of your credit score with the help of a credit-builder card from Aqua. Get tools and support to improve a low score and start building your credit history.

A card to help build your credit

Credit score increasing by four points to 560

Build your credit score

By managing your account well and with tools like Aqua Coach and free credit score checks, you could build your credit score.

A locked Aqua Mastercard in front of a mobile phone

Protected when you spend

With a Mastercard® you can use your Aqua card safely at over 35 million places worldwide with 24/7 fraud protection.

Smart credit limits

A personalised credit limit, starting from £250 - £1500, that can adjust and could grow if you manage your account well.

Hear from our customers

Everybody has their own credit-building journey. Hear directly from the people who’ve used Aqua to help them along the way.

Credit-builder FAQs

Q.Will a credit-builder card help build my credit score?

Q.What do I need to apply for a credit-builder card?

Q.Is there an annual fee?

Am I eligible to apply for an Aqua Classic card?

You can apply for an Aqua card as long as you:

Are aged 18 and over and have a permanent UK address.
Haven’t been registered bank rupt in the past 18 months and don’t have ongoing bankruptcy proceedings against you.
Have a current UK bank or building society account.
Haven’t received a County Court Judgement (CCJ) in the past 12 months.
Don’t already have an Aqua card and haven’t have taken out an Aqua, marbles, opus or Fluid card in the past 12 months.

Check my eligibility Read summary box

What is a credit-builder credit card?

A credit-builder credit card is specially designed to help you improve your credit.

If you have a low credit score – or if you don’t have any credit history at-all – you may have trouble finding a lender who’ll offer you credit. That’s where a credit-building card comes in. It gives you a way to borrow money and, by managing your account well, show lenders that you can be trusted to pay it back on time. Plus, there are lots more advantages of using a credit card that you’ll enjoy, too.

Why do I need to build my credit?

Building better credit could help you become eligible for a wider range of credit cards.

When you apply for products like credit cards, loans, car finance or mortgages, lenders use your credit records to help them decide whether they can give you credit – and if so, at what rate. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be offered the best deals, like lower interest rates, interest-free periods or cashback.

Who are credit-builder cards for?

A credit-builder card is ideal for you if you have a low credit score.

This might be because, for example, you’ve previously missed repayments on credit products or gone over your credit limit. A credit-builder card can also help you if you don’t have any credit history – perhaps because you’re a first-time borrower or you’ve recently come to live in the UK.

What’s the difference between an eligibility check and an application?

An eligibility check – like our SafeCheck – tells you whether the card company is likely to say ‘yes’ to your application, but it doesn’t leave a hard check on your credit report and doesn’t commit you to applying for the card.

This means that you know whether you’re safe to apply, without having to worry about damaging your chances of getting other credit in future.

A full application, on the other hand, does leave a mark on your report. That’s why it’s best not to fill in lots of applications with different companies. If in doubt, always check your eligibility first.

Can I apply for a credit card if I have bad credit?

The short answer is ‘yes’. The first step is to decide which card is right for you.

If you have a bad credit history or haven’t applied for a credit card before, it can be tempting to fill out lots of applications in the hope that at least one of them will be successful. But this is exactly the wrong thing to do.

Each full application is logged on your credit report, so the more you apply and are turned down, the more likely you are to keep getting turned down. That’s why you need to pick a card that’s designed for your circumstances and offers an eligibility check – sometimes called a ‘soft’ check – up front.

Check my eligibility Read summary box

Aqua Classic FAQs

Q.How can it help improve my credit score?

Q.Is there an annual fee?

Q.Will my credit limit increase over time?

Q.Is it contactless?

How to build your credit score

If you have a bad credit score, getting a credit card and managing it well can be a great way to improve it. There are a few other easy things you can do to help improve your credit score.

Check the electoral register
An official record that lenders can use to confirm your identity. Keep your name on it even if you don't plan to vote.
Make payments on time
If your payment is late, even by just a day, it can stay on your credit file and affect your score for up to seven years.
Update your credit record
Credit records can sometimes have mistakes, and these can affect your score. Check yours regularly to make sure it’s correct.
Keep your old accounts open
Established, well-managed credit accounts can show you’ve been reliable in the past, which is a good sign for future lenders.
Don’t apply too often
Lenders may be less likely to approve your application if they see lots of credit applications on your record in six months.
Be a responsible borrower
Managing your credit accounts well is one of the easiest ways to build your credit score and help you on your credit journey.