Check your eligibility for a credit card before you apply
If you have any questions or need help with your application please contact Compare Credit Cards using this online form.
To check your eligibility for a credit card you must meet the following criteria:
- At least 18 years old
- Minimum annual income of £5,000
- Regular income paid into a UK bank account
- A UK resident
- At least 3 years address history
To check your eligibility for a credit card or personal loan, Compare Credit Cards will carry out a soft search on your credit file to match you with the most suitable lender(s) on their panel who may also carry out a soft search to assess your eligibility for the product you are looking for. These searches will only be visible to you, and they will not affect your credit rating.
If you need help or are unsure on any of this, please contact us using this online form.
A soft search is a way of finding out information about your credit history. It is used by lenders and credit brokers to assess your eligibility for the product you are looking for.
A soft search does not affect your credit score.
A good credit score will help increase your chances of being eligible for the most competitive products with the lowest interest rates (APRs). There's no “magic” score that means you will be approved but the higher your credit score the higher the chance of being accepted.
If you feel you are having difficulties managing your finances, you can access free, impartial advice from StepChange, MoneyHelper, National Debt Line (0808 808 4000), or Citizens Advice.
When a lender is offering a representative rate (also known as representative APR), it means that at least 51% of their customers received that rate or lower. After you have made a full application on the lender's website, if accepted you will be shown your personalised interest rate.
Being pre-approved does not mean that you're guaranteed to be accepted by the lender. Your application will still be subject to additional checks, including a hard credit search.
A credit limit is the maximum amount you can borrow on your credit card account. Your credit limit will depend on several factors, including your credit score and history.
Some lenders may offer you a guaranteed credit limit upfront. So, if you make a full application and take out that credit card you would receive the credit limit presented to you in the results.
A balance transfer credit card is designed to pay off outstanding balances from one or more existing credit card accounts. Such cards typically have a 0% interest period, such as 12 months. This could give you time to pay off what you owe without being charged further interest.
Balance transfer credit cards usually charge a fee with each balance transfer you make. This is typically a percentage of the amount you transfer. You should carefully read the full terms and conditions of your credit card account so you're familiar with any charges
If you feel you are having difficulties managing your finances, you can access free, impartial advice from StepChange, MoneyHelper, National Debt Line (0808 808 4000), or Citizens Advice.
Yes, you will be able to withdraw money from an ATM using a credit card. However, you should be aware that if you make a cash withdrawal with a credit card you will be charged a fee by your credit card provider. Using a credit card to make a cash withdrawal could also have a negative effect on your credit score.
Digitonomy Limited trading as Compare Credit Cards is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker which introduces borrowers and lenders for the purposes of entering into consumer credit agreements.
Compare Credit Cards does not charge customers a fee for using its broker services, but it receives a commission from lenders or other brokers if a customer enters into a consumer credit agreement with a lender or broker following an introduction through this website.
Compare Credit Cards will provide every effort to present you with Credit Cards you may be eligible for. If we are not able to do this, we may present you with alternative credit products such as an unsecured loan. You are under no obligation to proceed with these if you feel they are not suitable for your circumstances.
Compare Credit Cards is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309).
Our service is available to over-18s only, subject to status, UK residents only © Compare Credit Cards 2023