aqua credit card

Available to those who are:

- Aged 18 or over
- UK resident

Please ensure you meet the above criteria before applying, or it could adversely affect your credit rating.

What we think

Our review and how this deal compares

The aqua credit card is designed to help people with a less than perfect credit score to build or rebuild their credit record.

It's issued by the Bank of Scotland - so it has a large banking group behind it, which does go someway to offering peace of mind on a lesser-known credit product.

The card itself is basically a straightforward credit card - with all the services provided under law including purchase protection (section 75) and maximum liabilities against fraud (the lending code).

Application criteria

The aqua credit card markets itself as a product for people whom may have been turned down elsewhere. There is a fairly long list of who they'll consider, including:

• Self employed and with difficulties proving regular income
• Homemakers
• Working part-time or on a low income
• Recently moved or not on the electoral roll
• New to the UK
• Affected by previous poor credit, including County Court Judgements.

Building a credit record

One of the aqua credit card's main purposes is to build up a new or improve a past damaged credit profile.

For more on how to repair a credit rating see our guide, but basically put these cards offer a more accessible credit product that can provide a way to build up positive marks on a credit report for future lenders to see.

Interest rates on credit building cards are high - and there is no exception here.

Setting up a direct debit to repay the full balance is a very sensible way to ensure no more than what is affordable is spent each month.

Not all providers are totally forthcoming with the ability to clear the full balance automatically by direct debit though - but it can be done.

Protection on purchases

The aqua credit card is provided under the Consumer Credit Act - which means the provider is held equally liable with the supplier for purchases where the item is faulty, arrives damaged, is undelivered or the supplier goes bust.

For a more detailed guide on the protection offered under Section 75 see our guide.

Protection against fraud

Bank of Scotland subscribes to The Lending Code - which means there is a maximum liability of £50 for fraudulent transactions that take place where reasonable precaution was taken.

See our faq on rights on fraud protection for more on this though.

Additionally, the card offers an active fraud monitoring service and access to MasterCard SecureCode (3D Secure) a password system to increase security when shopping online with participating retailers.

The aqua credit card account can also be managed online - so it's easy to keep check on transactions throughout the month.

All in all

This is a straightforward credit product with purchase and fraud protection as extended under law, which it must be said often provides greater cover than additional "sold" services anyway.

All in all though, the aqua credit card is a simple and more accessible option to rebuild a credit rating and benefit from the cardholder services provided by law.

Visit the aqua website to apply online »

Interest rates

Fees and charges

Repayment details

Cardholder services

	Offered	Additional
Online account management		The credit card account can be managed online.
Fraud Guarantee		-
Fraud Monitoring		The account will be actively monitored to prevent fraudulent use.
Identity Protection		-
Credit Report Access		-
3D Secure		MasterCard SecureCode 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		-
Purchase Delivery Insurance		-
Comprehensive Travel Insurance		-
Travel Accident Insurance		-
Travel Inconvenience Insurance		-
Assistance Abroad		-
Emergency Card Replacement		-