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Find the right credit card for you
See if you're eligible today, without hurting your credit score.
- Start with a credit limit of £200 - £4,000
- Build your credit score over time
- No yearly membership fee
Just remember, not using your card responsibly could hurt your credit score. This could mean you're less likely to be offered a credit limit increase.
34.9% APR
Representative variable
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Do a QuickCheck
without affecting your credit score
Get an answer
in 60 seconds or less
Apply (if you get a yes)
and your card arrives 7 to 10 days later
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On a train. Over breakfast. From the sofa. Take care of your finances when it suits you.
- See your balance and transactions in real time
- Keep an eye on any spending with notifications
- Lock or unlock your card any time
- Check your PIN, if it slips your mind
Not sure which credit card is right for you yet?
More about our credit cardsCredit card FAQs
Everything you need to know about credit cards. And more.
How do credit cards work?
Credit cards let you borrow money from a credit provider. You can use a credit card in a similar way to a debit card, but you have to pay the money back. You do this monthly, either paying back the full amount, the minimum monthly payment, or something in between. It’s recommended to pay off your balance in full if you can, as you may be charged interest on anything you still owe.
Is it easy to apply for a credit card?
Applying for a credit card is usually a straightforward process. The easiest way to apply is online. You’ll need to fill in a few details about yourself, like your employment status, your annual income and anyone who depends on you. The credit provider will then check these details, along with your credit history, and use this to make a decision on whether to offer you a card.
Before you apply, you should always check if you’re likely to be accepted with an eligibility checker. This won’t impact your credit score.
If your application is accepted, you’ll usually receive your card within a few days.
What are the pros and cons of having a credit card?
When used responsibly, there can be a lot of advantages to having a credit card:
- Spread the cost of purchases. You can split the cost of a large purchase over several months, making budgeting more manageable.
- Build your credit score. If you make payments on time and stay well within your credit limit, it will show that you have a healthy relationship with credit, which could cause your score to grow over time. Just remember, not using your card responsibly could hurt your credit score. This could mean you’re less likely to be offered a credit limit increase.
- Protected purchases. Spends between £100 and £30,000 are protected when you pay for them using a credit card, under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
There are some things to be mindful of with a credit card:
- Keep within your credit limit. It can be easy to overspend, especially if you have a high credit limit. It can also have a negative impact on your credit score if you consistently spend near to your limit.
- Pay on time. If you’re late on payments, you may also be hit with additional fees and charges.
- Be conscious of interest. If you only make minimum payments, it can take you longer to pay off your balance than it would if you paid more, even by just a little.
What is representative APR?
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) gives you an idea of how much your borrowing is likely to cost in a year. It takes into account things like interest and any other fees you may have to pay.
When we talk about representative APR, we mean the interest rate that the majority of accepted customers will be offered. The lender will need to offer this rate to at least 51% of people. At Capital One, we offer this rate to 100% of successful applicants.
Here’s a quick example. Assuming a credit limit of £1,200 and an interest rate on purchases of 34.94% p.a. variable, you will receive a 34.9% APR representative variable.
Representative APR is a good way to quickly compare cards and providers.
Will it affect my credit score if I apply for a credit card?
When you apply for a credit card in the UK, the lender runs a hard search on your credit history, which impacts your credit score. Because of this, it’s important to use an eligibility checker before you apply for a card, so you know you’ll be accepted when you do.
You should also avoid applying for multiple credit cards in a short space of time, as this can negatively impact your score.
Our 2 most popular credit cards
Whether you’re looking for a 0% balance transfer or a credit card to spread the cost of everyday purchases, we could have the credit card for you.
Check my eligibility
Classic Card
A card for everyday spends, spreading costs and building your credit score.
- £200 - £4,000 starting credit limit
- Get up to 2 credit increases a year
- Build your credit score over time
34.9% APR representative variable.
Not using your card responsibly could hurt your credit rating, making it harder to get credit in future.
More about our Classic CardBalance Transfer Card
Save on interest when you move higher rate balances to this card.
- Up to £8,000 starting credit limit
- 0% interest on balance transfers for up to 18 months (3% transfer fee)
- 0% interest on purchases for 3 months
Representative example: Assuming a credit limit of £1,200 and an interest rate on purchases of 34.94% p.a. variable, you will receive a 34.9% APR representative variable.
More about our Balance Transfer Card