Credit Card to Help Build Credit Score

What are the best credit cards for building credit?

Using any credit card responsibly and making at least your minimum repayments on time can, along with other factors covered below, help to build your credit score over time.

If you are looking for the best credit cards for building credit, it’s worth knowing that there are cards referred to as credit building cards or bad credit credit cards. These are aimed at people who have a poor credit history, or no credit history, and who may want to build their score. They work just like any other credit card, but they usually have a lower starting credit limit to help ensure you don’t spend more than you can afford to repay and the payments remain manageable. Lower, affordable credit limits can reduce the likelihood of overspending.

Who are thimbl. credit cards for?

A thimbl. credit card may be for you if you want to focus on building your credit score. However, all credit scores are welcome and may be eligible, you just need to check your credit card eligibility.

There are many different reasons for having a poor credit score. It may be because of credit problems in the past. It could also be that you just haven’t built up enough credit history yet. This may be the case if you’ve just turned 18 and have never taken out any forms of credit or you have just moved to the UK.

Whatever the reason, a thimbl. card could be an option, alongside the other factors below, to help with building your credit score.

How can you build your credit score with a credit card?

Managing your accounts well and paying back what you borrow on time looks good to lenders. Even if you’ve had credit problems in the past, getting back on track with all of your financial commitments and making more than the minimum repayments on time could help to rebuild your score in the future.

If you are considering using a credit card to help build your credit score, here are some suggestions for using it:

• A card can be used to make small, affordable purchases. The card won’t help if it isn’t used.


• Stay within the credit limit and don’t spend more than you can afford to repay. It can be a good idea not to get too close to the credit limit.


• Make repayments on time. Never pay late or default.


• Try to make more than the minimum repayment.

You can view some of the tips given on how to build your credit score by the Credit Reference Agencies (CRA) by clicking the guides from each respective CRA: Experian Guide, Equifax Guide and TransUnion Guide.

Doing this consistently could help with building your credit score. However, a credit card is only part of the picture, and it can take months sometimes years to build your credit score up. You need to make sure you keep any other accounts and credit obligations in good order too.

How to boost your credit score in other ways:

As well as having a credit score building card such as thimbl., there are other ways to boost your credit score suggested by credit reference agencies.

• Make payments on time to all credit agreements you have. This includes mobile phone or broadband accounts. Pay over the minimum repayment on credit cards, if possible.


• Register to vote on the electoral roll. Lenders use the electoral roll to check identity as part of their credit check.


• Applying for too many credit accounts could be problematic. Too many rejected applications is a potential indicator of money problems, and this can harm a credit score.


• Check credit reports for inconsistencies/errors and report any discovered. This can be done through a reputable credit reference agency such as Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Checking the report allows for monitoring of score changes over time and should enable any mistakes that might need correcting to be promptly discovered.

Who can apply for a thimbl credit card?

Providers of credit cards will typically want you to be:

• Aged 18 or over
• A UK resident
• Employed or have an alternative regular income paid into your bank account
• A holder of a UK bank account with a debit card
• Not bankrupt or an active IVA

Potential lenders will also look at your ability to make repayments. Each lender will make its own decision on whether to accept your application.

What is an eligibility checker and should I use one?

Each time you apply for a credit card, the provider does a “hard credit search” of your credit history. Each search is recorded on your credit file and too many searches can have an adverse effect on your credit score. Careful consideration needs to be given before applying for cards when the probability/likelihood of approval is low.

A good way to reduce this risk is to use an eligibility checker. These tell you whether you are likely to be a good match for a provider’s lending criteria. They don’t leave a record on your file for other lenders to see and so they don’t have any impact on your credit score. This is known as a “soft credit check”

The thimbl. credit card is a credit building credit card that doesn’t necessarily need a good credit score. You can check your eligibility in 60 seconds using the free eligibility checker!

Need Help?

If you feel that you are having difficulties managing your finances, you can find free independent advice at your local Citizen Advice Bureau, from National Debt Line (0808 808 4000), StepChange Debt Charity (0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org), or online at www.moneyhelper.org.uk.