Does getting an Aqua card look bad?

JSUK_2

(Sorry if this is a dumb question).

I have one active credit card, which offers a small amount of cashback, which has been paid off every month. From the Eligibility Checker on here I have a good chance of getting the Aqua cashback card, which would mean a £20 Amazon voucher plus 0.5% cashback. I probably wouldn't use this much, maybe alternate the two cards around the statement dates to maximise my current account balance (and cashback from that). However, my image of Aqua is that they're mainly used by people who can't get other cards due to a bad credit history. Would other providers see it that way if I applied elsewhere in 6-12 months time, even if my financial circumstances were to improve?

[Deleted User]

Other lenders can't see who the provider is - they won't know it's Aqua.

However, Aqua do give low limits, and other providers will see this. They won't know why, and might give you lower limits too.

planteria

agreed. i would get a card with a better provider, and drop Aqua, if you can.

grumbler

Don't drop it. Aqua Reward is really worth having.

planteria

is it? how much?

JSUK_2

Misunderstanding here, I don't have an Aqua card right now, the one I've got is with another provider. But I'm tempted to add a second card, as much for the Amazon voucher as anything. I'd have no trouble repaying the kinds of amounts I'm spending.

planteria

grumbler reckons it is well worth having..
but it's not on my radar.
at the moment, spending cards are few & far between, so Amex stands out to me.
and for borrowing via Balance Transfers, Barclaycard and MBNA stand out for me, bearing in mind that i find them far more generous than other providers in terms of limits---combined with initial & repeat deals.

grumbler

planteria wrote: »

is it? how much?

planteria wrote: »

grumbler reckons it is well worth having..
but it's not on my radar.

0.5% cashback on all purchases.
0% loading on currency conversion.

IMO, the best card for paying abroad.

darren72

grumbler wrote: »

0.5% cashback on all purchases.
0% loading on currency conversion.

IMO, the best card for paying abroad.

Certainly the best card for paying abroad. I'm not aware of any other credit cards that offer 0% on foreign transactions and also pay rewards/cashback !

planteria

grumbler wrote: »

0.5% cashback on all purchases.
0% loading on currency conversion.

IMO, the best card for paying abroad.

thanks grumbler. the cashback rate is low, but there aren't many alternatives around, i concede. so the Aqua account doesnt charge for foreign transactions, but does no loading mean that the exchange rate is competitive?

grumbler

It's pure [STRIKE]Visa[/STRIKE] Mastercard rate: [STRIKE]http://www.visaeurope.com/making-payments/exchange-rates[/STRIKE] https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/
Most CCs don't charge for 'transactions' (except ATMs), but they do charge ~3% for currency exchange.

MSE articles:
Mastercard vs Visa for using abroad - which wins?
Top Travel Spending Cards

Some recent thread: Travelex Supercard vs Halifax Clarity card