Credit cards for bad credit

Having a bad credit score can limit your options for everyday financial products, such as personal loans or credit cards.

Even with a poor credit score, there are still options available to you.

Getting a quote won’t impact your credit score
Making payments on time and staying within your limit could help improve your score
Track your score for free in the Zable app

Representative 29.9% APR (variable). Subject to eligibility. If you don't qualify, we may offer you a different card with its own terms.

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Representative example:

Based on assumed borrowing of £1200 at an interest rate of 29.9% (variable) p.a. your representative APR will be 29.9% (variable).

Illustration of a zable credit card for bad credit in front of a group of trees, symbolising credit growth

Why choose a credit card with Zable?

Repay instantly
You can repay any balances straight from your app by connecting your bank or debit card
Track your spending
View your balance and total spending in real time, and get instant transaction notifications
Credit that grows with you
We automatically review your account for credit limit increases and let you know if you’re eligible
Manage your credit card on the go
You can do everything from changing your PIN to freezing your card in a matter of taps.

Check if I'm eligible

Did you know?

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Zable cards are available with Google Pay and Apple Pay

Transparent cost, no surprises

Enjoy spending abroad with zero transaction fees. We also don’t charge any monthly or over-limit fees

Here to help 7 days a week

Fast and friendly support available from 9am to 6pm daily

What is bad credit?

A credit score reflects your past borrowing and repayment history on a numbered scale. 'Bad credit' is basically another way of referring to a low credit score. Having a low credit score can make it challenging to secure a range of financial services as lenders may view you as higher risk.

Below is a breakdown of the UK credit reference agency Equifax's credit score bands.

As you can see, Equifax considers 0-438 to be a 'poor' score.

There are two other UK credit reference agencies with their own banding: Experian and TransUnion. Each credit reference agency uses slightly different scales, shown below.

Rating	Equifax	Experian	TransUnion
Very Poor	-	-	0 - 550
Poor or Low	0 - 438	0 - 640	551 - 565
Fair	439 - 530	641 - 860	566 - 603
Good	531 - 670	861 - 1000	604 - 627
Very Good	671 - 810	1001 - 1120	-
Excellent	811+	1121 - 1250	628 - 710

Note: Experian’s score used to be out of 999, but it changed in Autumn 2025.

Your score will be different according to each agency. However, they should all broadly agree with one another. In other words, if you've got a poor credit score on Experian's report, you'll likely have a similarly low score with Equifax, even if the numbers are different.

What is a credit card for bad credit?

A bad credit credit card is designed for customers with a wide range of credit backgrounds. Specifically, Zable uses Open Banking technology to gain a fuller picture of your spending habits, income, and regular payments to see if a credit card may be suitable, even if your credit score is poor.

These credit cards can then help you to build your credit score as they give you the chance to demonstrate responsible borrowing. You can do this by making regular purchases and paying the minimum payment on time each month.

Discover more about credit cards for building credit.

Why do I have a bad credit score?

There are several reasons why people might have a low credit score. One common reason is a limited credit history. For instance, if you're new to credit or haven't had experience paying bills or direct debits, lenders may have insufficient data to assess your history as a borrower.

Other factors that can impact your credit score negatively include missed or late payments, or using up a lot of your available credit limit (this is known as a high credit utilisation rate). If you've made several applications for credit in a short space of time, this can also have a negative impact on your credit rating.

How can I check if I have a bad credit score?

Simply download the Zable app to access your Equifax credit report and monitor your credit score free of charge. You’ll also be able to view your current credit banding and keep track of the financial activities that have impacted your score.

Download the app to see your credit rating for free

Download the Zable app

Why apply for a credit card with bad credit history?

By using a credit card responsibly and managing your repayments well, it’s possible to improve your credit score.

Taking steps to increase your bad credit score offers numerous financial benefits, including:

Better chances of loan, credit card or mortgage approval
Lower interest rates
Higher credit limits
Better insurance premiums
More rental property options
Easier approval for utility contracts

On the other hand, some of the difficulties you may encounter if you have a bad credit rating include:

Higher interest rates
Increased insurance premiums
Difficulty applying for credit
Fewer loan options
Difficulty renting properties
Challenges when purchasing a car on finance
Difficulty taking out contracts for mobile phones

“Using a credit card responsibly can help boost your credit score which in turn can unlock more opportunities; from lower interest rates to easier approval for loans, rentals, and mortgages.”

Chris Meurice - 8 years with Zable

How to get a credit card with bad credit

If your credit score is on the lower side but you still need a credit card, we can help.

If you have bad credit, you're likely to find it harder to get accepted by some high street credit card providers. But at Zable, we’re proud to offer a range of products to help people meet their financial goals, looking at more than just a number on a screen.

Here's how the process works when you apply for a credit card with bad credit:

Download the Zable app or apply online

Download now

Check your eligibility

If eligible, you'll be asked to provide some more details. We'll review your information, usually within a few seconds.

Complete your application

If eligible, you'll be asked to provide some more details. We'll review your information, usually within a few seconds.

Start spending immediately

Most customers can start spending right away, if eligible, using Apple Pay or Google Pay.

If you would like to find out more about applying for a credit card with Zable, our friendly team is on hand to answer your questions seven days a week. Alternatively, take a look at our Help Centre for more information.

Download the Zable app

How to use credit cards for low credit responsibly

If you get approved for a credit card, you have the opportunity to use the card responsibly and steadily improve your credit score. To do this, follow these tips.

Stay within your credit limit
Never miss a monthly repayment
Use the card for purchases within your budget
Repay at least your minimum payment each month

What can I do if my credit card application has been declined?

Though there are some fantastic credit cards for bad credit customers on the market, application approval is not guaranteed. If your application has been declined, first check your credit report and ensure all details are up to date, and then consider the following steps:

Illustration of a magnifying glass being cast over a stack of paper

1. Limit enquiries for new credit

Applying for multiple loans or other financial products in a short space of time can quickly hurt your credit score, so it’s best to pause further applications for four to six months.

With Zable, you can check if you’ll be accepted without affecting your credit score - we won’t perform a hard search until you accept a quote. However, other lenders may perform a 'hard search', which appears on your credit report and in turn lowers your credit score.

Illustration of a credit score shown on a tablet

2. Look into rent reporting

Reporting your rental payments to credit reporting agencies can help to build your credit score, much like the way mortgage repayments do.

You can do this seamlessly via the Zable app. Once you link your bank account, we can identify the rent payments leaving your bank account each month and report them directly to credit reference agencies.

Illustration of a three credit cards and a plus symbol

3. Watch your credit usage

Using up a large amount of your available credit limit on your pre-existing credit cards can also result in a bad credit score and impact your ability to get a credit card.

To prove to lenders that you are a responsible borrower, try to avoid maxing out your credit limits and, where possible, pay off the balance in full as often as you can.

Illustration of a stack of bills with a stamp on

4. Pay your bills on time

It may seem obvious, but making sure you pay your bills on time is one of the simplest ways you can ensure your credit score isn't negatively affected.

Missing or making late payments can seriously impact your credit rating. To ensure this doesn't happen, set up direct debits so that you pay your monthly utility bills on time.

FAQs about credit cards for bad credit

The Zable Credit Card is designed for customers with a wide range of credit history backgrounds. Our use of Open Banking technology means that we might be able to give you a quote, even if your credit rating is very poor. Fill in our short application form to get an answer - it won't affect your credit score.

The short answer is no, there are no credit card providers in the UK that can truly guarantee approval upfront. All lenders must follow responsible lending rules, taking into account your ability to repay and performing identity checks.

At Zable, we know that many of our customers are getting their first chance at credit with us. That's why we've created a card with lots of helpful features, including a highly rated mobile app, designed to support new to credit customers.

There are no lenders in the UK that don't take your credit score into account when they're making a decision on whether or not they can make you an offer. Responsible lenders need to build up a picture of your finances and your ability to manage credit effectively.

Zable can look beyond your credit score if you link your bank account during the application process when prompted, meaning you could be up to 35% more likely to get accepted than if a decision was based on your credit score alone.

If you use it responsibly and pay your repayments on time each month, a credit card can help you improve your credit score. However, it’s important to consider whether you can afford to pay off what you spend each month before applying, as otherwise you can hurt your credit score further.