Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Aqua Card vs Kiwibank
Aqua Card
Kiwibank
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Aqua CardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KiwibankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | NZ$0 |
| APR | 39.9% | 12.9%Lower |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 months | 6 monthsHigher |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% | 1%Lower |
| 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 | 55 days interest free on purchases |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 2.5% |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | None |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Kiwibank scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- APR is lower at Kiwibank: 12.9% vs 39.9%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Kiwibank: 1% vs 3%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Kiwibank: 6 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 Kiwibank offers 55 days interest free on purchases.
- Support channels: only Kiwibank offers Email.
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.
Kiwibank
Kiwibank suits New Zealand customers who already bank with the brand and want everyday spending and borrowing on one relationship. The credit card carries an annual fee of NZD 0 and an APR of 12.9%, so it only suits you if you clear balances rather than carry them.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aqua Card | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Annual fee of £0 on the Aqua Classic and balance transfer cards, with a balance transfer fee of 3%. | 8.8Annual fee NZD 0 and monthly fee NZD 0 sit against a currency conversion fee of 2.5%. |
| Offer | 9.2Perks centre on credit building: score checks, the Aqua Coach tool. | 9.9Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.2 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Aqua Card | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 682417 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Aqua Card: 1. Additional countries for Kiwibank: 1.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Aqua Card | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 183 of 1020 | 130 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 15 of 35 | 5 of 35 |
If neither fits
Nexo has apr at from 1.9%, against 39.9% for Aqua Card and 12.9% for Kiwibank.
Nexo reviewSources behind this comparison
Aqua Card
- aquacard.co.uk: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Kiwibank
- kiwibank.co.nz: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- creditcardscompare.co.nz: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wise.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aqua Card | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Legal entity | NewDay Ltd | Kiwibank Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | New Zealand |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2001 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aqua Card | Kiwibank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 39.9%highest quarter | 12.9%lowest quarter | 19.39% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 2.5%above the median | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 monthslowest quarter | 6 monthslowest quarter | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3%at the median | 1%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 312 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
Kiwibank
Pros
- The credit card has an annual fee of NZD 0 and the everyday Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0
- Purchases get an interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases, which suits clearing balances in full each cycle
- Help is offered on phone, email and chat, including phone, email, chat and a help centre
Cons
- The rewards type on the credit card is none, so everyday spending earns nothing back
- The currency conversion fee of 2.5% ranks 192 of 259 brands compared
- A balance transfer charges a fee of 1% and lasts 6, so the saving is short lived
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
Kiwibank
Who it suits
- Kiwibank account holders in New Zealand who want a Visa card for everyday spending with a monthly fee of NZD 0
- People planning a large purchase and paying it off inside the interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases
- Business users of a Visa debit card, since the card is aimed at a business audience
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who spend abroad often, since the currency conversion fee is 2.5%
- Shoppers who want cashback, since the rewards type is none
- Borrowers carrying a balance past the 6 intro period, who pay 12.9% and might prefer the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card
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
Country by country
| Country | Aqua Card | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
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.
Kiwibank
What does it cost to keep a Kiwibank card?+
The credit card has an annual fee of NZD 0 and the everyday Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0, so holding either costs nothing on its own. Borrowing on the credit card is what costs money, at an APR of 12.9% on any balance you carry.
What is the interest-free period on purchases?+
Purchases get an interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases, which is one of the longer runs on the market and suits people who clear the balance each cycle. Any unpaid amount after that period is charged at the standard rate of 12.9%.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Aqua Card
Kiwibank