What we think of it...

YES, it has an APR that's twice as high as most credit cards, but the aqua credit card is opening the doors of the credit card world to all the lonely souls with poor credit scores, previous CCJ's, no proof of income or simply no credit history at all.

With its very lenient application criteria, the aqua issuers look at each case individually and do their best to give you the credit you need and can afford.

You won't get the highest credit limit, nor is it advisable to spend anything more on the card than you can afford to pay off at the end of each month, but the aqua credit card is an excellent vehicle to helping you improve your credit score.

At the very least, with an aqua card in your wallet, you get to buy things online, snap up bargains or pay for things in an emergency. And with other banks slamming the door in your face because of your circumstances, this is a very rare opportunity indeed.

A little more detail

Rates and Fees

			Special Note..	Any good?
Typical APR		35.9% APR (variable) -	-
Balance Transfer Rate		35.95% p.a.	-
Balance Transfer Fee		3% (£3 minimum)	-
Cash Withdrawal Rate		39.95% p.a. (variable)	This rate is also charged on cheques.
Cash Withdrawal Fee		3% (£3 minimum)	-
Annual Fee		£0	-
Foreign Transaction Fee		2.75%	-

Extras

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Account Management		No	-
Other Extras	-	24 hour customer helpline	-

Payments

			Special Note..	Any good?
Credit Limit		£250 - £2,200.00	-
Interest Free Period		Up to 51 days	For purchases only if you pay your balance in full and on time each month. There is no interest free period on cash withdrawals, cheques or balance transfers.
Minimum Monthly Payment		3% (£5 minimum)	-
Allocation of Payments		Lower Rate Balances » Higher Rate Balances	-
Default Charges		£12	-

Card Details

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Application	-	Yes	-
Card Type		Classic	-
Payment Company		MasterCard	-
Card Issuer		Halifax	-
Card Advertiser		Sav Credit	-

At a Glance

Typical APR	35.9% APR
Credit limit	£250 to £2,200
Balance transfer	35.95% p.a. (3% transfer fee - £3 min)
Interest free period	Up to 51 days
Annual fee	£0

	This card includes:
	Poor Credit History Suitable
	It is best suited for:
	Rebuilding and strengthening a poor credit score by using the card diligently to demonstrate you can be trusted with credit.
	Wait! Only apply if you are...
Aged 18 or over Have a permanent UK address Have a current bank or building society account Are not bankrupt or have proceedings against you

More about this card...

It can be a dispiriting exercise trying to apply for a credit card when your credit history is not at its shiniest. Without the humiliation and frustration of the constant knock backs, there is also the sense that all those declined applications are making your credit score even worse.

Well, the aqua credit card could put an end to all that.

The aqua credit card is designed specifically for those of us who can't get a credit card for any number of reasons - perhaps a CCJ against our name, some bad debts when we were younger or perhaps we just work for ourselves and have no proof of income.

While they don't promise that every applicant will receive a card, they do treat every application individually and assess the level of credit that is suitable.

Be careful how you use the card
If you are successful, it will be very tempting to see your credit limit as some sort of free money. This is a horrendous mistake to make, and with a card charging interest that's double the average, you could soon land yourself up in a deeper financial hole.

You really should use this card as a tool to prove to other credit companies that you can be trusted with a credit card.

To do this you should spend often on the card, but always pay it off in full as soon as you receive your statement. This will not only prove your responsibility, but will ensure you don't land up paying a crippling interest rate.

You'll have up to 51 days to pay back what you have spent, but remember, this is up to 51 days from the first day of the statement period and not from the day you receive your statement. It also only applies to card purchases - and not cash advances.

Stay clear of the cash
The biggest mistake most credit card users make is to withdraw cash from their card, get cash back, or use credit card cheques. This is a mistake for two reasons:

i) there is no interest free period for cash advances, which means you start paying interest immediately for whatever you draw.

ii) the interest rate for cash advances is always much higher than the rate for normal card purchases.

The aqua credit card is no different, and in fact has a dizzyingly high interest rate for cash advances, so be very, very careful about ever using the aqua credit card for cash.

This also applies to buying foreign currency (here or abroad), traveller's cheques and even online gambling.

Final word
With its high APR, the aqua credit card is not recommended for anyone who is able to get a better rate card, but if you are one of the many Britons who are regularly turned down by credit card issuers, then the aqua credit card is a fantastic opportunity for you to line your wallet with plastic.

Having this card and spending sensibly while paying it off diligently will prove to other lenders that you can be trusted, ultimately improving your credit score and pointing the way out of the financial doldrums.