Improve and rebuild a poor credit rating
Extra purchase protection insurance
identity theft assistance service
Instant decision on online applications
Capital One Classic credit card
Everything you need to know about this credit card, including how to apply, our review and the small print.
Available to those who are:
- Aged 18 or over
- UK resident
- Registered on the electoral roll
- Have not been declared bankrupt in the last 12 months
- Please check the full criteria before applying.
| Representative Example: 34.94% p.a. variable on purchases. This is equivalent to 34.9% APR representative variable based on a credit limit of £1,200. Capital One (Europe) plc, Registered Office: Trent House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3HX |
What's on offer?
Main summary of this credit card's rates, rewards and services.
 Purchases: |
 Balance transfers: |
 Rewards: |
 Cardholder services: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34.94% p.a. variable | 34.94% p.a. variable | eXtras: select online discounts | Online Account Management Fraud Guarantee Active Fraud Monitoring Identity Protection Service Verified by Visa Purchase Protection Insurance |
Further details and the small print
A closer look at the rates, rewards, services and our review of this credit card.
What we think
Our review and how this deal compares
Please read this first:
This review is based on general information about how the product compares in the market, it shouldn't be taken as a recommendation or advice.
Please see below for more important information relating to the content of this page.
The Capital One Classic credit card is a long-standing product designed to offer people with previous credit problems the ability to access credit again.
It is one of the more "service included" poor credit score credit cards, and like the Barclaycard Initial comes with a number of the additional cardholder services that the provider offers on it's mainstream product range.
Credit building
The Capital One Classic credit card is marketed to people who want to build or rebuild their credit rating.
This is a recent change as the card was previously only offered to people who had had some credit in the past, even if they'd missed repayments.
It does require new applicants to be registered on the electoral roll, however past bankrupts are not excluded as long as it was over 12 months ago.
Those completely new to credit are no longer excluded in the application criteria.
Accessing credit again, or for the first time, can help build up positive marks on a credit file when it's managed well. See our guide for more on repairing a credit rating though.
Protection on purchases
In addition to the protection offered under law (section 75), Capital One offer cardholders a purchase protection insurance policy.
The policy offers cover against loss, damage or theft of new items in the first 100 days after purchase.
Items are covered up to £1,000 and there is an excess of £25. Other exclusions do apply such as jewellery, some electrical items such as cameras and mail order items while they are in transit.
Generally speaking though as with any insurance policy - always check the full details of cover before relying on it.
Fraud and identity theft protection
Capital One subscribes to the Lending Code - which means cardholders are only ever liable up to a maximum of £50 for fraud that takes place without their knowledge or consent and where reasonable precaution was taken.
In addition to this however, Capital One also offer a 100% Internet fraud guarantee, as well as active fraud monitoring to keep an eye on cardholder accounts for any suspicious activity.
Cardholders can also provide an Identity theft assistance service that can provide help and guidance to prevent ID fraud as well as a named advisor if a cardholder ever experiences identity theft.
Capital One credit cards also offer the Verified by Visa (3D secure) service which offers an extra layer of protection when shopping online with participating retailers.
In conclusion
The Capital One Classic is a long-standing offer from a well establish dedicated credit card provider.
It's a more accessible credit product for those with previous credit problems, and additionally now for those who are new to credit as well, but it continues to offer those additional services more commonly restricted to mainstream products.
Application criteria
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Only apply if you are: | - Aged 18 or over - UK resident - Registered on the electoral roll - Have not been declared bankrupt in the last 12 months - Don't already have a Capital One credit card |
Interest rates
| Detail | Additional | |
|---|---|---|
| Representative APR (variable) | 34.9% APR | Based on a £1,200 credit limit. |
| Introductory Purchases | - | Not offered |
| Introductory Balance Transfers | - | Not offered |
| Standard Purchases | 34.94% p.a. variable | - |
| Standard Balance Transfers | 34.94% p.a. variable | - |
| Standard Cash Advances | 34.94% p.a. variable | - |
Fees and charges
| Detail | Additional | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance Transfer fee | 3% | - |
| Cash Advance fee | 3% (£3 min) | - |
| Foreign fee | 2.75% | This fee is charged for transactions made in non-sterling currency. |
| Annual fee | None | - |
| Default charges | £12 | This charge is made for late payments, returned payments and exceeding the credit limit. |
Repayment details
| Detail | Additional | |
|---|---|---|
| Credit limit | £200 min, £1500 max | Credit limit is subject to status. |
| Interest free period | Up to 56 days | Maximum of 56 days for purchases where the balance is paid in full every month. There is no interest free period on balance transfers or cash. |
| Minimum monthly payment | 1% (£5 min) | The monthly credit card payment is: - the full outstanding balance if it is less than £5, but otherwise the greater of: - An amount equal to the total of: (i) 1% of the outstanding balance on your account; (ii) interest applied to your account in that month; (iii) all Default Sums incurred in that month; and (iv) one twelfth of your Annual Fee, or - £5 |
| Allocation of payments | Highest interest rates first | Unless you pay the outstanding balance in full, the issuer will allocate your payments to balances which attract the highest interest rate first. The issuer will always allocate your payments to any amounts which have already appeared on a statement before allocating your payments to any amounts subsequently applied to your account. |
Rewards and discounts
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| eXtras: select online discounts | Select online shopping discounts on everyday items with eXtras. Discounts website run by Visa Europe. |
Cardholder services
| Offered | Additional | |
|---|---|---|
| Online account management |  |
The account can be managed online. Optional paperless statements. |
| Fraud Guarantee | |
If the card is misused without the cardholder's knowledge they won't be held liable as long as reasonable care was taken with the card and security details. |
| Fraud Monitoring | |
Capital One will monitor your account for any unusual activity and alert you straight away. |
| Identity Protection | |
Help and guidance on how to prevent identity theft, as well as your own named advisor to help with your case from start to finish if you ever experience identity theft. |
| Credit Report Access |  |
Only Capital One World MasterCard and Capital One cards issued before July 2011 now offer credit monitoring services through Equifax. |
| 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 | |
- |
| Purchase Protection Insurance | |
Cover for loss, damage of theft from 100 days after purchase. > Up to £1,000 cover > £25 excess > £20,000 maximum claim in any 12 month period > UK only policy, stolen purchases must be reported to the police within 24 hours. > Delivered items are not covered whilst they are in transit. > Other exclusions, limitations and terms apply. |
| Purchase Delivery Insurance | |
The 'Purchase Protection Insurance' policy does not include mail order or items delivered by courier whilst they are in transit. |
| Comprehensive Travel Insurance | |
- |
| Travel Accident Insurance | |
- |
| Travel Inconvenience Insurance | |
- |
| Assistance Abroad | |
- |
| Emergency Card Replacement | |
- |
Please read the following notice:
The review on this page is intended to provide general information only and does not attempt to give advice that relates to your specific circumstances. If you are unsure as to the suitability of any financial product, you should discuss this with an independent financial advisor.
While we make every effort to ensure and maintain current and accurate information on this site and the review on this page will be periodically updated inline with product changes, it could contain rates, deals or facts which have now changed and therefore should not be solely relied upon.
You should check the full details of any product with the relevant provider before applying, and you are advised to conduct your own research as well.
We aim to provide free reviews and comparisons of consumer products. To keep the site free, we are paid by some providers when new customers take products after they've clicked on our links. We don't allow our editorial content to be affected by those links, however we may not include all of the products available in the market.
Please read our full disclaimer for other important information that relates to the information and service we provide and your use of this site.
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