Capital One offers credit cards to help people improve a bad credit rating and is the only card provider with a 4-star credit card rating from Fairbanking. Rates starting from 34.9% to 35.9%.
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
What is Capital One?
Capital One is one of the UK’s top ten largest card providers starting back in 1996 and has based its ethos around a fair and holistic approach to providing credit. It helps do this with tools like its QuickCheck eligibility checker; to quickly and easily check your eligibility for a card for free, without damaging your credit score.
Furthermore, it bases its approach around simplicity, clarity and customer support. Capital One offers a streamlined and understandable application process along with transparent card charges and rates, and full support in managing your account.
Types of credit cards from Capital One
Capital likes to stress that its customers choose the right card for their individual needs as this is one of the most important stages in proper credit management.
Credit building cards
Capital One is one of a number of UK card issuers offering cards for people looking to improve their credit health. Even with a poor credit rating you’re eligible to apply for one of these cards, and provided you consistently make the monthly payments on time and stay below the monthly limit, it could help you build up your credit score to a healthy level. These are potentially suitable for a range of borrowers, from those with very limited credit histories to those with bad credit history who are finding it difficult to obtain credit. While these cards might also come with a small credit limit, this can increase over time with evidence that you are able to use it responsibly.
These cards offered by Capital One are designed to transfer balances from other credit cards or existing debts to a lower interest rate. Sometimes these cards can offer interest rates as low as 0%. Capital One suggest that these cards could be a suitable option for those wanting to save money on expensive interest payments, and to simplify debt payments.
Capital One typically charges a one-off fee to make a balance transfer and the low rate could be removed if payments are missed.
Capital One offer many benefits for credit card customers and these are just some of them.
Eligibility checking. Capital One strives to help customers choose the right card for them and ensures customers know what they are signing up for. They therefore have QuickCheck, a rapid response service that checks if you are eligible to apply for a credit card in as little as 60 seconds. It will not affect your credit score and they say it provides 100% certainty before you actually apply for a card.
Credit score checking. Capital One has a tool called CreditWise which is able to provide your Equifax credit score for free. This works in minutes and won’t affect your existing credit score.
Customer service. Capital One looks to set itself apart in its customer service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They encourage customers to call in whenever they have an issue, need an assistance with their existing account, or have any queries before applying for a card.
Mobile management. Capital One offers a range of services via mobile banking that could make managing a credit card account more simple and secure. This includes fingerprint technology or a 6-digit passcode for secure log-in. There is also up-to-date account management so you can always see how much you’re spending, your latest transactions as well as how much credit you have left.
Extra cardholder and balance transfer. With Capital One you are often able to get up to three extra credit cards for family members which might help manage household finances.
Enhanced Security. When you take out a Capital One credit card, you get a range of support features to help boost security. This includes anti-fraud protection and monitoring, day to day online security and ID theft prevention support advice.
How to apply for a Capital One credit card
Capital One has tried to make the application process transparent and clear. First you need to check your eligibility by filling out a simple online form that requires your personal information relating to identity, employment, income status and your address.
Eligibility requirements
While every application will be decided on an individual basis, the following basic requirements are needed to give you a good chance of applying for a credit card with Capital One.
You are over 18 years old.
You have some history of managing your own credit, even if you have had a CCJ in the past.
You’re on the electoral roll.
You don’t have a history of bad debt.
You have been working more than one year if self-employed.
Capital One advises using the free QuickCheck service to check if you are likely to be accepted for a card. It takes 60 seconds and does not affect your credit score. It will also help by suggesting a card that you might be suitable for.
Why might you not be approved?
Unfortunately, Capital One may be unlikely to approve for a credit card if you have not had any credit in the UK before, or if you have declared bankruptcy in the last year.
Capital One customer reviews
In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 86% of Capital One credit card customers said that they would recommend the brand to a friend. Several customers said the card was easy to use and cited how good the customer service was. One customer stated that the credit card was “very easy to apply for and the app is useful.”
However, on customer reviews platform Trustpilot, Capital One received a low score of 1.3 out of 5 (updated February 2024).
Frequently asked questions
This is the amount you can borrow on your Capital One credit card.
This is the minimum amount of money you need to send to Capital One each month and is shown on your balance statement. Not paying more than this means your card will take longer to pay off than it might do otherwise.
This is a record of all the credit accounts you’ve held in the last six months, along with public information like whether you are on the electoral roll and county court judgements.
These collect and store information on the credit behaviour of people and companies in the UK to help other organisations who need such information.
Capital One goes to Experian and possibly Equifax and TransUnion, the main three agencies in the UK, to get more information on your credit history. You provide permission for this when you submit your application form.
You can find out your credit score free of charge by visiting credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.
Having a good credit rating helps you to successfully apply for a loan, including a mortgage. Many companies that may provide you with credit, like a loan, looks at your credit rating when making a decision.
Finder credit card ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio
Chris's expertise
Chris has written 609 Finder guides across topics including:
Most providers want you to call to cancel your credit card. Here’s how to prepare for your call and deflect possible offers to stay.
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