Does getting an Aqua card look bad?

darren72

grumbler wrote: »

It's pure Visa rate: http://www.visaeurope.com/making-payments/exchange-rates

Aqua is Mastercard (Mine is)

Voyager2002

I had an Aqua card when the cashback was 3 per cent (!) and used it as much as I could... I have obtained other cards since then, and so it has not done any harm to my credit rating.

The credit limit is absurdly low, and even after six months they would only increase it by a very small amount. As a result, at one point I went over-limit (by a modest amount and since I was paying in foreign currency it was easier to make the mistake). I repaid in full as soon as I was home, and they were happy to waive the over-limit fee -- and as I said it does not seem have harmed my credit rating.

However, I was so annoyed by the reduction in the cashback rate and the low credit limit that I closed down my account -- and sadly my Amex just gives me a similar amount of cashback, but with fees for foreign use.

grumbler

darren72 wrote: »

Aqua is Mastercard (Mine is)

Sure!:o..........

Anthorn

JSUK wrote: »

(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?

In my case my problem was not that I couldn't get a credit card but that I couldn't get a Prime credit card. So I got the Aqua Advance which I judged to be the next best thing. So used by people who can't get a Prime credit card but not necessarily by those who have bad credit such as myself, for example those coming from overseas and don't have a U.K. credit history. As it turned out the Aqua card was the best thing I ever did for my credit history. So go right ahead and get one. It has never affected my image with lenders, quite the reverse in fact.

cardsguy

I don't think the Aqua will make you look bad - IMO it is credit offered to you and if managed responsibly it will have a positive impact.
Roughly 9 months ago I got the Aqua card (my first credit card) and subsequently got accepted for:
- BA Amex
- Lloyds Avios Duo
- Amex PRG (Pref Rewards Gold)

blessed31

I have an Aqua card and I dont have bad credit, I think with any credit card if used, as long as you pay it off in full each month it should eventually help build your credit file. I'd say give them a try.

lisyloo

and for borrowing via Balance Transfers, Barclaycard and MBNA stand out for me

I had bad customer service from MBNA.
I called them at a weekend and it took 25 mins to get through.
The team I needed to speak to only work weekdays which is a bit awkward for me. I word in a quiet open plan office so it disturbs others if I make calls at my desk.
The operator sugegsted I call in my lunchhour, but with a 25 minute wait it doesn't give me long to get my lunch.
I thought that was pretty poor service, so I wouldn't take an MBNA card unless they had a really good deal.

I've no had those issues contacting Capitalone, Amex or Halifax.

yellowmonkey

I have had "Bad credit" cards for 6 years including Vanquis and Aqua and have paid off balance in full on both every month

Just been accepted for a "Prime" CC.


Aqua has done me no harm at all