Barclaycard Initial credit card

Available to those who are:

- Want your first credit card or want to improve your credit rating
- Have a credit rating that needs improvement
- Have no history of bankruptcy
- Have no CCJ's or IVAs in the past 5 years

- Please check the full criteria before applying.

What we think

Our review and how this deal compares

The Barclaycard Initial credit card is Barclays' credit builder product - marketed for people either looking to establish a new credit history or to rebuild and strengthen previous credit problems.

It stands out in its category however because Barclaycard extends pretty much all of their cardholder services across their entire range of cards.

A fact that makes the Barclaycard Initial stand up against a Barclaycard Platinum in terms of services and rewards.

What is different however are the rates and fees charged - and when building credit, due to the high rates of interest, paying off in full each month is the standard rule of thumb for these types of cards.

To find out more about credit building and how a card like this one could help, see our guides to repairing a credit rating and how credit cards can help to build credit.

Barclaycard Freedom Rewards

Currently the only poor credit score credit card to offer a dedicated rewards scheme - cardholders will receive access to Barclaycard Freedom.

Barclaycard Freedom is a fairly new and innovative reward scheme although it's fair to say it does have some limitations.

Cardholders earn up to 1% of "Reward Money" at participating retailers, which can be spent towards purchases at those same retailers.

There are some well known brands signed up to the scheme, including Shell, npower, Pizza Express, Yo! Sushi and Halfords autocenter.

The bulk of the 30,000 claimed retailers are independents though, the list is interesting however as cardholders could well be earning Reward Money on their next trip to the dentist.

However, there are limitations to the scheme.

For example, some retailers are "earn only", which means cardholders won't be able to spend Reward Money with them - this includes both Shell and npower.

With those two big names out of the picture then for redeeming, it doesn't leave a massive list of options, except perhaps for those who like both pizza and working off the pizza at their nearest LA Fitness.

For a more in depth review of the scheme see our guide to Barclaycard Freedom here.

Generally speaking though it is a good scheme, but we wouldn't mind seeing Barclays add a few more known names to the list.

Purchase and fraud protection

The well advertised purchase delivery insurance policy is offered to Initial cardholders, and will offer cover if newly purchased items don't arrive or turn up damaged and the issue can't be resolved with the retailer.

Items are covered when bought online, mail order or on the high street when they are then delivered.

There are limitations and exclusions and the full policy should be checked before relying on it.

Purchases will also be protected under the legislation of Section 75.

There is an active fraud monitoring service and all Barclaycard cardholders will be protected with a no liability fraud guarantee as long as cardholders notify Barclaycard as soon as they become aware of any problems.

Barclaycard also, more uniquely, offer an Identity protection service, which is basically a helpline to provide help and advice for victims of ID theft.

Cardholders will also be able to use the Verified by Visa (3D secure) password system when shopping online with participating retailers.

Additional features

Barclaycard was the first credit card issuer in the UK and so it's not surprising that they continue to benchmark innovation and features in the industry.

As the first issuer to integrate contactless payment technology, cardholders will be able to pay for items of £15 or less without needing to provide a signature or enter a PIN number.

The service does require a certain receiving device at the retailer however, and so far this has yet to make its way much out of London, so the service is really still marketed to city commuters.

Travel services

Barclaycard offer a dedicated travel service in partnership with Thomas Cook.

Barclaycard cardholders can receive a 7% discount or more when paying with a Barclaycard, and additionally the credit card surcharge will be waived.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy is offered for free when cardholders book a trip with the travel service and pay with their Barclaycard.

The policy should be carefully checked to ensure the cover is adequate. There are some exclusions, including extreme sports and those aged over 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions may be offered a £35 discount on another policy instead.

Barclaycard also offer worldwide assistance and an emergency card replacement service if cardholders ever get into trouble abroad.

In summary

The Barclaycard Initial credit card stands out in its category for the volume of additional cardholder services and benefits offered.

It provides a useful option to help build or strengthen a credit history, with the peace of mind of the backing of one of the most experienced credit card operators.

When the card is kept repaid in full each month - there is little between this and a Barclaycard Platinum.

Visit the Barclaycard website to apply online »

Interest rates

Fees and charges

Repayment details

Rewards and discounts

Cardholder services

	Offered	Additional
Online account management		You can log in to the Barclaycard web site and manage your Barclaycard Initial credit card account online. An optional free text alert service offers a text message to your mobile 5 days before your Barclaycard payment is due.
Fraud Guarantee		You won't be held liable for fraudulent use of your Barclaycard as long as you notify Barclaycard as soon as you become aware of it or notice anything suspicious on your account.
Fraud Monitoring		Barclaycard will look out for any unusual activity on your account and contact you to make sure it's not fraudulent.
Identity Protection		Identity Protection Service Barclaycard provide a confidential helpline if you think you may be a victim of Identity theft or if you just want advice on how to avoid it happening.
Credit Report Access		-
3D Secure		Verified by Visa An extra layer of security when shopping online. Register and set up a password-protected identity-check when you shop online with participating online retailers.
OneTouch Payments		Visa payWave Visa payWave A contactless payment technology that allows you to pay for purchases costing £15 or under with just a 'touch' of the credit card at participating retailers (mainly around London travel services).
Purchase Protection Insurance		-
Purchase Delivery Insurance		Covers brand new goods bought with your Barclaycard Initial credit card if they don't arrive or are delivered damage and you are unable to resolve the issue with the supplier. Covers goods bought online, over the telephone and in the high street if goods are delivered.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance		Free single trip travel insurance when you book via Barclaycard Travel Service Single trip travel insurance for you and up to 5 friends or family travelling with you for trips between 2 days and 3 weeks, that don't include extreme sports. Trips must be booked through the Barclaycard Travel Service and paid with the Barclaycard credit card. Exclusions apply (age up to 65 years and no pre-existing medical conditions), although a discount of £35 may be offered to those who don't qualify for the free insurance policy. Read the full details before relying on it.
Travel Accident Insurance		-
Travel Inconvenience Insurance		-
Assistance Abroad		Worldwide Assistance Free help if anything goes wrong while you're abroad. Barclaycard can help you in the case that anything goes wrong whilst you are abroad. They can provide legal assistance, medical emergency help, arrange flights and transport to get you home as quickly as possible, interpretation, send a message home, and help with lost or stolen documents.
Emergency Card Replacement		Barclaycard will get you an emergency card replacement if yours is lost or stolen anywhere in the world. Barclaycard can also arrange an emergency cash advance of up to £1,000 a week (subject to available funds on your account), and they'll even refund the cash handling fee.