Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Aqua Card vs NHL® Discover it®
Aqua Card
NHL® Discover it®
Higher score in this comparison
Where Aqua Card and NHL® Discover it® differ
| Compare | Aqua CardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | NHL® Discover it®ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | $0 |
| APR | 39.9% | 18.49% to 28.49%Lower |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 months | 15 monthsHigher |
| Credit needed | Poor | Good |
| Perks | 24/7 fraud protection, Free credit score checks in the Aqua app, Aqua Coach credit building tool, Instalment plans, Offers and discounts from well known brands in the Aqua app, Contactless Mastercard, Instant spend with Apple Pay and Google Pay, UK based call centre support, Credit limit increases for well managed accounts | $0 fraud liability on unauthorized purchases, Unlimited Cashback Match: dollar for dollar match of cash back earned in the first 365 days, Free CreditWise credit monitoring and FICO Score 8 access, Pre approval tool that does not impact your credit score, Card Lock in the mobile app, 99% nationwide acceptance (Nilson Report, Feb 2026), Virtual card available before the physical card arrives, if eligible |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Cashback |
| Rewards rate | Not confirmed | 1% cash back on all other purchases; 5% cash back in rotating categories, plus dollar-for-dollar match in first year |
Same on both: Balance transfer fee (3%), Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- NHL® Discover it® scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- APR is lower at NHL® Discover it®: 18.49% to 28.49% vs 39.9%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at NHL® Discover it®: 15 months vs 5 months.
- Perks: only Aqua Card offers 24/7 fraud protection, Free credit score checks in the Aqua app, Aqua Coach credit building tool.
- Perks: only NHL® Discover it® offers $0 fraud liability on unauthorized purchases, Unlimited Cashback Match: dollar for dollar match of cash back earned in the first 365 days, Free CreditWise credit monitoring and FICO Score 8 access.
Our verdict on each
Aqua Card
Aqua Card suits people with poor credit who want a UK credit card and tools to build their credit file. Its annual fee is £0, so the real cost sits in the representative APR of 39.9% charged on any balance you carry.
NHL® Discover it®
NHL Discover it is a US credit card that suits people who want cashback on everyday spending without paying an annual fee, and who are comfortable holding a balance at 18.49% to 28.49%. It is issued by Discover by Capital One, N.A., and rewards are cashback rather than points or miles.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aqua Card | NHL® Discover it® |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Annual fee of £0 on the Aqua Classic and balance transfer cards, with a balance transfer fee of 3%. | 9.2HigherAnnual fee of $0 and a balance transfer fee of 3%, with APRs of 18.49% to 28.49% against a site median of 20.97%. |
| Offer | 9.2Perks centre on credit building: score checks, the Aqua Coach tool. | 9.4HigherCashback on every purchase with a match on the first 15 of spending, plus good credit needed. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.4 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Aqua Card | NHL® Discover it® |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 183 of 1020 | 96 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 15 of 35 | 3 of 35 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Aqua Card | NHL® Discover it® |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 682417 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Aqua Card: 1. Additional countries for NHL® Discover it®: 1.
Moving a 3,000 balance
Aqua Card
90
3% of 3,000
NHL® Discover it®
90
3% of 3,000
Both come to the same total.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Also worth a look
HSBC UK has balance transfer intro period at 17 to 36 months, against 5 months for Aqua Card and 15 months for NHL® Discover it®.
HSBC UK reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Aqua Card | NHL® Discover it® |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Features | Not confirmed | Rewards |
| Legal entity | NewDay Ltd | Discover by Capital One, N.A. |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1985 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aqua Card | NHL® Discover it® | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 39.9%highest quarter | 18.49% to 28.49%below the median | 19.39% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 monthslowest quarter | 15 monthsat the median | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3%at the median | 3%at the median | 3% |
Median across 196 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Aqua Card
Pros
- Annual fee of £0 on the Aqua Classic and on the balance transfer card
- Contactless Mastercard with instant spend through Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Support runs on phone, chat and help centre plus a UK based call centre
Cons
- Interest is the main cost, at a representative APR of 39.9% on the Aqua Classic and the balance transfer card
- The balance transfer offer runs for 5 and each transfer costs 3%
- It is a credit card, so it suits people ready to clear a balance each month rather than spend beyond their means
NHL® Discover it®
Pros
- No annual fee, so nothing to pay for keeping the card open: $0
- Cashback on all purchases, with a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 15 of spending
- Balance transfer offer of 15 at a fee of 3%
Cons
- Purchases carry an APR of 18.49% to 28.49%, and cashback is smaller than the interest on a carried balance
- Rotating category bonuses mean the 15 match is the strongest part of the offer only early on
Who each suits
Aqua Card
Who it suits
- People with poor credit who want a credit card that accepts an application
- Borrowers who want a fee free way to start a credit file in the UK
- Anyone who wants to check a credit score and track limits inside the app
Who should look elsewhere
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card or Chime Card, if you would rather put a deposit behind the card than rely on a credit check
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card, if you want a debit account that spends only what you hold
NHL® Discover it®
Who it suits
- US cardholders who want a simple cashback card with no annual fee
- People planning a balance transfer who can clear the balance inside the offer period
- Hockey fans who want a card with cashback and no annual fee
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting points or miles instead of cashback, where Wise has no rewards at all
- Anyone who needs a debit card for daily spending, where Starling is the better fit
- Anyone rebuilding credit from scratch, where Varo is the better fit
Current offers
Aqua Card
Current offer
First period offer
0% on balance transfers for up to 5 months on the Aqua balance transfer credit card: 0% interest for up to 5 months, 3% balance transfer fee (minimum GBP 3)
Transfers must be made within 60 days of account opening; offer period runs from date of account opening; minimum payment must be made in full and on time and the credit limit must not be exceeded or the promotional rate is withdrawn; 34.9% APR representative variable
Source, checked September 26, 2026
NHL® Discover it®
Current offer
Bonus
Discover it Cash Back $200 welcome bonus: $200 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
One-time, new cardholders only, available by clicking Apply Now on the page; may not be available if you navigate away or close the page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Unlimited Cashback Match on Discover it Cash Back: Dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in the first 365 days, no limit
For new cardholders; no purchase minimums; offered from account approval through first 365 days; promotional offer may not be available in the future
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
0% intro APR on Discover it Cash Back: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Eligible customers only; 18.49% to 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Aqua Card | NHL® Discover it® |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Aqua Card
Is there an annual fee on the Aqua Card?+
The annual fee is £0 on the Aqua Classic, and the balance transfer version carries the same figure. The only regular cost is therefore the interest on a balance you carry, at a representative APR of 39.9%.
What APR does the Aqua Card charge?+
The representative APR is 39.9%, which is high for a UK credit card. It suits people who clear their balance each month rather than rolling one, since interest accrues on whatever you carry.
NHL® Discover it®
What does NHL Discover it cost to keep?+
There is an annual fee of $0, so the card costs nothing while it sits in your wallet. A balance transfer costs 3% and runs for 15, which is the only separate charge on the card.
What APR will I pay on purchases?+
Purchases carry an APR of 18.49% to 28.49%, which is a range set by your credit profile. The site median across compared cards is 20.97%, so check where your own rate lands before carrying a balance.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Aqua Card
NHL® Discover it®