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Compare low credit score credit cards

If you've never had a credit card before, or have a less than perfect credit history, you won't qualify for many cards on the market. However, some providers offer cards specifically for this type of borrower. These specialist credit cards offer a great way to build or improve your credit score. Moneysupermarket.com, offers a wider choice of credit card deals than any other comparison site, helping you identify the best card for your needs.

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results for low credit score cards

Card	Typical APR (Variable)	Price for Risk Our 'Price for Risk' logo indicates that the credit card will assess your personal circumstances and credit history to determine the APR available to you. This may result in you being offered a different rate than that quoted	Interest Free Period
Barclaycard Initial	27.9%	No	56 days	Barclaycard Initial 27.9% Typical APR (Variable) 27.9% on Cash advances No annual fee 18 years Minimum age £10000 p.a. Minimum income
Barclaycard Initial	27.9%	Our expert says: "If you’ve never had a credit card before or your credit score needs improving this could be a good option. You won’t be accepted if you have an IVA or been made bankrupt. Pay your balance off in full as the APR is high at 27.9%"
Capital One Progress	34.9%	No	56 days	Capital One Progress 34.9% Typical APR (Variable) 34.9% on Cash advances No annual fee 18 years Minimum age £10000 p.a. Minimum income
Capital One Progress	34.9%	Our expert says: "Aimed at those with a good, but not excellent, credit rating. It’s an interesting proposition as the interest rate you are charged reduces if you adhere to the terms and conditions. The initial rate is 34.9% but this could fall to 19.9%"
Capital One Classic	34.9%	No	56 days	Capital One Classic 34.9% Typical APR (Variable) 34.9% on Cash advances No annual fee 18 years Minimum age £10000 p.a. Minimum income
Capital One Classic	34.9%	Our expert says: "If you’re looking to improve your credit score, perhaps you don’t have much of a credit history or have an impaired history, this card could be ideal. Pay your balance off each month though as the interest rate is higher at 34.9%"
The Vanquis Visa Card	39.9%	Yes	56 days	The Vanquis Visa Card 39.9% Typical APR (Variable) 49.9% on Cash advances No annual fee 18 years Minimum age
The Vanquis Visa Card	39.9%	Our expert says: "New to credit or previous credit problems? Apply online"

Everything you need to know about low credit score credit cards

What is a low credit score credit card?

The credit crunch has made banks and other credit card providers very wary about lending to people with blemished, or incomplete, credit histories. If you have missed payments, or managed to get by without credit cards, loans or mortgages, in the past, you may therefore need to work on improving your credit score before you stand a chance of getting accepted for the best deals.
Low credit score credit cards are a great way to build up a better payment record - as long as you pay them off each month.

Benefits

One of the main benefits of low credit score cards of this kind is that they are available even if you have had some debt problems in the past.

By making regular payments to a card of this kind, you can show other lenders that you have become more reliable - or in the case of newcomers to the world of credit, that you stick to a repayment plan and are a responsible customer.

Once you have done this for a while, you will stand a much better chance of having your application for cheaper credit cards, as well as mortgages and loans, accepted.

Negatives

The main disadvantage of low credit score credit cards is that they generally have extremely high interest rates.

At the time of writing, for example, the lowest-rate low credit score credit card is the Capital One Classic card at 34.9%. It is therefore vital to clear your balance in full each month - otherwise you'll incur a lot of interest.

Also, don't bank on being given a high credit limit. Many providers will only offer a limit of £500 - sometimes even less.

Alternatives

People with poor credit scores can also apply for loans designed for borrowers in this position. Rates are lower, but still much higher than the average. Ocean Finance, for example, charges people with poor credit scores a typical APR of 16.9%.

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