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Credit cards for bad credit

Find the bad credit credit cards most likely to accept you

Help repair your credit score and compare our best credit cards for bad credit.

Find a bad credit credit card

See which bad credit credit cards you're most likely to be accepted for with our eligibility checker
Uswitch.com is rated Excellent | by 22,166 people
Last updated
April 21, 2023
11 results found, sorted by lowest apr.
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Uswitch Limited is a credit broker, not a lender, for consumer credit.
Our services are provided at no cost to you. We may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to, but this does not affect what you will pay for the product you choose.

Best credit cards for poor credit

A credit card is being used at a contactless payment machine in a cafe

There's no such thing as a best bad credit credit card of all, because what makes the best credit card for you will depend on your own financial situation.

However, if you've missed payments in the past, just moved to the UK or haven't used much credit before, you might find yourself struggling to find a traditional card that will accept you.

The good news is there are credit cards that are specifically designed for people who have a poor credit rating. Or who have little or no credit history.

On top of that, using the right type of credit card in the right way can help improve your credit rating - meaning you'll be more likely to be accepted for credit in the future.

Just make sure you can make your monthly repayments before taking out a credit card. If not, you could end up damaging your credit rating even more.

The right card can help you boost you credit rating - as long as you make all your payments on time."

Bad credit problems in the past

Just because you've had problems with credit in the past, it does not mean that you'll never be able to get a credit card.

A credit card for bad credit is a credit card specifically designed for people who have had problems with credit in the past.

We've got guides to help you build your credit rating and pay off your credit card debt to help out.

Problems with credit could include:

  • Late or missed repayments

  • Defaults

  • County Court Judgements (CCJs)

  • Bankruptcy

  • No credit history

Watch: What are credit building and bad credit credit cards?

Pros and cons

Pros

Improve your credit rating - By making your repayments, you're proving to lenders that you're not a financial risk and you can be trusted with other forms of credit.
Higher chance of getting the card - Bad credit credit card providers are more likely to accept your application compared to standard credit card providers.
Extra protection on purchases - Credit card purchases of between £100 and £30,000 qualify for extra consumer protection if things go wrong.

Cons

Higher APR - These credit cards usually come with a higher APR maning you're charged more for any debt you carry over from one month to the next.
Lower spending limits - These cards often come with a low spending limit. That's because the lender sees you as a higher risk borrower compared to someone with a higher credit rating.
Fewer perks - Bad credit credit cards are less likely to offer extra benefits like rewards or 0% interest periods.

What happens if you've never had credit before?

A woman and man are sitting on the sofa looking at a laptop for credit card deals

If you've never had credit before, there's no way of lenders knowing whether you're a responsible borrower or not.

Credit builder cards can help you build up your credit score and create a positive repayment history. If paid off in full each month, you'll be showing lenders that you can successfully manage debt each month.

But be careful of higher than usual APRs and low credit limits compared to standard credit cards.

Find out more about credit building credit cards.

Paying off a card in full each month means you're not charged interest."

How can I check my eligibility before I apply for a credit card?

It's important to apply for the right credit card for your credit rating.

If you apply for a credit card that's not suited to your financial situation, the lender might reject your application.

If your application is rejected, this will negatively impact your credit score. And you'll reduce your chances of getting credit in the future.

You can check how likely you are to get a card before you apply using our eligibility checker below.

The eligibility checker works by running a soft credit check. This means you can check your eligibility without impacting your credit rating.

Checking before you apply protects your credit score."

Find the credit card that's right for you It's quick, free and easy

It's quick, free and easy to see which cards you qualify for
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Answer a few basic questions about your circumstances
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We'll show you the cards you’re likely to get, so you can apply with confidence
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Your credit score will always be protected
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Steps to improve your credit rating

Improving your credit rating could help boost your chances of being approved for credit in the future. Building up a strong credit rating can take time. But there are some things you can do now to start improving your rating.

Put bills in your name

Setting up direct debits to pay for things like household bills or mobile phone contracts shows lenders that you're capable of making regular repayments. Make sure you never miss a payment or this will negatively affect your credit rating

Register to vote at your current address

Credit card providers will use information on the electoral roll to confirm that you are who you say you are, so getting registered at your current address boosts your credit score instantly

Check your report for mistakes

You've got a statutory right to read your credit report - use it. If you spot a mistake and let them know it could help boost your score almost immediately

Why was my credit card application declined?

You've missed repayments

The more missed repayments you have, the worse your credit rating. And the less likely you are to be offered credit.

If you've missed a repayment in the past, your credit provider will record this and report it to the credit reference agencies.

Next time you want to borrow money from another provider they'll run a credit check. The provider will see that you’ve missed a repayment. And will use that information to decide how likely you are to make your future repayments.

You're not registered on the electoral roll

When you're registered on the electoral roll, it tells your credit provider that you live where you say you do. It helps prove to them that you're not a fraudster.

If you're not on the electoral roll, in the eyes of the lender it increases the chance that your application is fraudulent.

You're financially tied to someone else who has bad credit

If you've ever taken out a joint credit product with someone else, like a joint bank account this could influence your own credit rating.

Why was my credit card application declined?

You've missed repayments

The more missed repayments you have, the worse your credit rating. And the less likely you are to be offered credit.

If you've missed a repayment in the past, your credit provider will record this and report it to the credit reference agencies.

Next time you want to borrow money from another provider they'll run a credit check. The provider will see that you’ve missed a repayment. And will use that information to decide how likely you are to make your future repayments.

You're not registered on the electoral roll

When you're registered on the electoral roll, it tells your credit provider that you live where you say you do. It helps prove to them that you're not a fraudster.

If you're not on the electoral roll, in the eyes of the lender it increases the chance that your application is fraudulent.

You're financially tied to someone else who has bad credit

If you've ever taken out a joint credit product with someone else, like a joint bank account this could influence your own credit rating.

What can I do if my credit card application has been declined?

If you've been told "no" by a lender, the first thing to so is to stop applying for cards.

Every time you apply for a credit card, the provider will run a credit check. Frequent checks over a short period of time will look bad to providers - and potentially make you look desperate for money.

But there are some things you can do now to help improve your chances of getting a credit card in the future.

Your next step is to check your credit report for errors.

Look for any information you think is wrong or out of date, including basic errors relating to your address or bank details. Or for anything that looks suspicious. If you find an error on your credit report, make any corrections as soon as possible.

Knowing what's on your credit report will also help you see what credit card providers look at when you apply for a credit card.

It will show you:

  • Address details

  • Credit history

  • Repayments, missed and late payments

  • Bankruptcy and CCJs

  • People who have a financial connection with you

Find out more in our credit report guide.

"Knowing your credit score is the first step to improving it."

Credit score bands for different agencies
Credit agencyVery poor/poorFairGood/very goodExcellent
Experian0-720721-880881-960961-999
TransUnion0-565566-603604-627628-710
Equifax0-438439-530531-810811-1000

Credit card providers check with one or more of the main credit reference agencies in the UK - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - before deciding to offer you a deal. The table shows what each agency considers a low or high credit score.

Prepaid cards can be useful alternative to credit cards

No credit check is needed with a prepaid card. They work by loading money onto the card, similar to topping up a pay-as-you-go mobile phone.

A prepaid card can help with budgeting and limiting your chances of getting into debt as you’re unable to spend more than you have loaded on the card.

Find out more about prepaid cards

FAQs

Why was my credit card application declined?

If you have a poor credit history, or not enough of a credit history, credit providers are likely to reject your application.

When you apply for credit, either a credit card, loan or mortgage, your credit provider will run a credit check to check your history of repayments. They'll be looking for evidence that you're a responsible borrower who'll be able to make their repayments.

Any information is usually held for between 5 and 6 years. But items like court or bankruptcy rulings might stay on your file for longer.

Providers are generally unwilling to take risks on people who do not have proof of a good credit history.

There are several reasons you might have been refused credit.

You've missed repayments

The more missed repayments you have, the worse your credit rating. And the less likely you are to be offered credit.

If you've missed a repayment in the past, your credit provider will record this and report it to the credit reference agencies.

Next time you want to borrow money from another provider they'll run a credit check. The provider will see that you’ve missed a repayment. And will use that information to decide how likely you are to make your future repayments.

You're not registered on the electoral roll

When you're registered on the electoral roll, it tells your credit provider that you live where you say you do. It helps prove to them that you're not a fraudster.

If you're not on the electoral roll, in the eyes of the lender it increases the chance that your application is fraudulent.

You're financially tied to someone else who has bad credit

If you've ever taken out a joint credit product with someone else, like a joint bank account this could influence your own credit rating.


What can I do if my credit card application has been declined?

You should avoid immediately applying for another credit card if you're recently had a credit card application rejected.

Every time you apply for a credit card, the provider will run a credit check. Frequent checks over a short period of time will look bad to providers, and could negatively affect your credit rating.

But there are some things you can do now to help improve your chances of getting a credit card in the future.

Check your credit report for errors

Knowing what's on your credit report will help you see what credit card providers see when you apply for a credit card.

It will show you:

  • Address details

  • Credit history

  • Repayments, missed and late payments

  • Bankruptcy and CCJs

  • People who have a financial connection with you

Find out more in our credit report guide

Look for any information you think is wrong or out of date, including basic errors relating to your address or bank details. Or for anything that looks suspicious. If you find an error on your credit report, make any corrections as soon as possible.

Find out more about reporting an error on your credit report

What is APR?

APR stands for "annual percentage rate" - it's the interest rate charged on money borrowed on your credit card. 

It reflects the costs you'll pay over the course of a year and includes any standard fees associated with the card. 

So if you borrow £100 at 20% APR you'll pay £20 interest on that loan over a year.

In most cases you can avoid paying interest by paying off your credit card balance in full by the due date of every billing cycle.

How Uswitch compares credit cards

What does ‘most popular’ and ‘popularity’ mean?

When we use the term ‘most popular or ‘popularity’ on Uswitch in reference to credit cards, these cards are ranked by the number of clicks they have received on the site in the past 30 days.

The most clicked on cards are at the top, with the least at the bottom. This reflects how popular they are with visitors to Uswitch.com. Consequently, this is a good table to look at if you’re interested in seeing which cards most people think are worth getting.

Does Uswitch compare all the credit cards on the market?

We compare over 100 credit cards from all of the major banks and credit card providers.

However, we do not compare all the credit cards that are available in the UK.

This is because some credit card providers have offers that are only available exclusively through their own website or branch, or through other comparison websites - in the same way some credit cards are exclusively available through Uswitch.

There are also many credit cards that are only available to people in member organisations and clubs.

Explore related guides

Find out more about credit cards and credit scores
What is a credit card?
What is a credit card?
How to pay off credit card debt
How to pay off credit card debt
How to improve your credit rating and credit score
How to improve your credit rating and credit score

About the author

James Andrews
James has spent the past 20 years writing about and editing personal finance articles and guides in the UK. His driving mission has been to help people make better decisions with their money.

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