What we think of it...

IF you’re having problems getting credit because you’re looking for your first card or you’re trying to rebuild a damaged credit history then the Barclaycard Initial may well be suited to you.

Best of both worlds

That’s because the Barclaycard Initial offers the best of both worlds: not only is it a standard credit card which offers reasonable borrowing limits, making it a secure way to get onto the credit card ladder, it also gets you access to benefits usually only available to Barclaycard Platinum customers.

Extras such as purchase delivery protection, fraud protection and identity protection combine to make this one of the most secure cards on the market.

Extras

What’s more the Barclaycard Initial can help you when you come to splash that safely stashed cash: it also offers free single trip travel insurance for up to five people, travel services, discounts with the Barclaycard travel service and even savings with a number of popular retailers.

The typical APR of 27.9% on the Barclaycard Initial means that it’s certainly not a good credit card to use for even moderately large debts that will take a long time to clear.

Lower rate

However, the rate is lower than similar credit cards on the market and if you will definitely be able to repay any purchases made on the card in full within 56 days then this is the credit card to get you that gold credit rating star.

A little more detail

Rates and Fees

			Special Note..	Any good?
Typical APR		27.9% APR (variable) -	-
Balance Transfer Rate		27.9% p.a.	-
Balance Transfer Fee		2.5%	-
Cash Withdrawal Rate		27.9% p.a. (variable)	-
Cash Withdrawal Fee		2.5% (£2.5 minimum)	This fee is also charged on cheques.
Annual Fee		None	-
Foreign Transaction Fee		2.75%	-

Rewards

			Special Note..	Any good?
Reward Type #1	-	Travel Service	Get great holiday deals with the Barclaycard Travel Service.
Reward Type #2	-	Savings & Discounts	Get savings & discounts with Thomas Cook, Avis, Hilton, Emirates, Center Parcs, Buyagift.com, Laithwaites, Domino's and Ticketmaster.

Extras

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Account Management		Yes	-
Purchase Delivery Protection		Yes	- Covers brand new goods bought with this card if they don't arrive or are delivered damaged and you are unable to resolve the issue with the supplier. - Covers goods bought online, over the telephone and in the high street when your purchase is delivered.
Fraud Protection		Yes	-
Travel Insurance		Single trip travel insurance	- When you book your holiday (between 2 and 21 days long) through the Barclaycard Travel Service. - Up to 5 friends and family members travelling with you will also be covered. - Exclusions, terms and conditions apply.
Worldwide Assistance		Yes	- Free help if anything goes wrong while you're abroad. - Barclaycard can provide help with legal and medical emergencies, arranging flights and transport quickly, interpretation, sending messages and lost or stolen documents.
Emergency Card Replacement		Yes	Also includes an emergency cash advance of up to £1,000 a week (subject to available funds).
Other Extras	-	- Barclaycard secure - Identity Protection Service	-
Optional Extras	-	- Card protection - Payment protection - Everyday cover - Identity theft protection	These are not free services, but are available for this card.

Payments

			Special Note..	Any good?
Credit Limit		£250 - £2,000.00	Maximum credit limit is subject to status.
Interest Free Period		Up to 56 days	There is no interest free period on cash withdrawals, cheques or balance transfers.
Minimum Monthly Payment		2.5% (£5 minimum)	-
Allocation of Payments		Promotional Balances » Interest and Charges » Standard Balance » Cash Balance	-
Default Charges		£12	-
Copy of Statement Fee		£3	-

Card Details

			Special Note..	Any good?
Online Application	-	Yes	Remember: always ensure you meet the application requirements before applying, as getting rejected can affect your credit score.
Card Type		Classic	-
Payment Company		Visa	-
Card Issuer		Barclays Bank	-
Card Advertiser		Barclaycard	-

At a Glance

Typical APR	27.9% APR
Credit limit	£250 to £2,000
Balance transfer	27.9% p.a. (2.5% transfer fee)
Rewards	Travel and shopping discounts
Interest free period	Up to 56 days
Annual fee	£0

	This card includes:
	Online Account Management
	Purchase Delivery Insurance
	Fraud Protection
	Travel Insurance and Services
	It is best suited for:
	People who are completely new to credit or are looking to rebuild a poor credit history.
	Wait! Only apply if you are...
Aged 18 or over UK resident Do not already hold a Barclaycard Haven't missed multiple payments on a credit agreement within the last 12 months Do not have any CCJ's, IVA's or been registered bankrupt Earn at least £3,000 per annum

More about this card...

The Barclaycard Initial credit card is designed for those who have no credit history or who may have had problems getting a card in the past due to a poor credit history.

This is a credit card that can really help you to get a leg up onto the credit ladder by allowing you to build up a history of responsible borrowing that other lenders will sit up and take notice of.

Can I get the Barclaycard Initial?

There are still restrictions on applications for the Barclaycard Initial, however, and its well worth checking the criteria before you apply as rejection can leave a black mark on your already battered credit score.

To apply for the Barclaycard Initial, then, you must be aged 18 years or over, have had a UK address for over three months, a yearly income of at least £3000 and not currently hold any other Barclaycard.

If you’ve missed payments in a credit agreement in the past year, have been declared bankrupt, have a CCJ or IVA or are a student you are not eligible for this credit card and will have to opt for one of the less favourable, but easier-to-get credit cards in our ‘credit cards for bad credit scores’ section.

Interesting Interest

With its hefty interest rates and balance transfer fees the Barclaycard Initial credit card is certainly not a card for long term borrowing or debt management.

It should be viewed as a tool that allows you to show you can be trusted with credit, or if that doesn’t bother you, then consider it a reasonably easy-to-obtain credit card that’ll give you the benefits of a credit card but should be managed responsibly.

Like other credit cards it also comes down hard on cash withdrawals – imposing both a high interest rate, which starts building up from the moment you make the withdrawal, and a 2.75% flat rate fee on withdrawals of more than £2.50.

Withdrawing cash or writing cheques with the Barclaycard Initial credit card (or any credit card for that matter) is not a great idea.

But as long as you are aware of the above two issues they shouldn’t pose any problems: they both come as a result of getting this credit card for the wrong reasons.

Borrowing for a short time and paying off those purchases within the 56 day interest-period is what this card is really good for.

The Barclaycard Initial’s credit limits, from £250 to £2000 depending on your circumstances, also reflect this credit card’s speciality. It simply doesn’t allow you to get into a too deep a pool of debt.

Extra Extras

Having said all that don’t think that this credit card is just Credit for Beginners: it comes with the assurance of a Barclaycard Platinum, offering security features and moneysaving extras well above those offered by standard cards.

There is free worldwide assistance if you experience problems such as lost or stolen documents or need legal assistance whilst abroad, and wherever you are in the world Barclaycard pledge to be able to assist with emergency cash and a replacement card.

You are also entitled to use the Barclaycard travel service with this card and if you do you will get free travel insurance for up to five people (unless you are ineligible for a number of the reasons, such as advanced age or some pre-existing health conditions).

Continuing on the travel theme are the savings which are almost all holiday related, from Thomas Cook, Avis, Hilton and Emirates. Some of these offer substantial discounts – such as the 25% you can save on a short Center Parcs break.

Discounts are also available from Buyagift.com, Laithwaites, Domino's and Ticketmaster.

Final Word

The Barclaycard Initial is quite simply the best credit card on the market for anyone who is looking to start borrowing responsibly if they are new to credit or have a poor credit history.

Avoiding the pitfalls by using this credit card wisely will reap you huge rewards in terms of giving you substantial history of financial responsibility to pass on to potential lenders in the future.