Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Aqua Card vs Sainsbury's
Aqua Card
Sainsbury's
Higher score in this comparison
Where Aqua Card and Sainsbury's differ
| Compare | Aqua CardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Sainsbury'sReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| APR | 39.9% | 20.95%Lower |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 months | 34 monthsHigher |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% | 2.88% to 3.88%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 | Nectar points |
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Points |
| Rewards rate | Not confirmed | 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Annual fee (£0), Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Sainsbury's scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- APR is lower at Sainsbury's: 20.95% vs 39.9%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Sainsbury's: 2.88% to 3.88% vs 3%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Sainsbury's: 34 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 Sainsbury's offers Nectar points.
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.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is a points credit card for shoppers who already spend with the supermarket and want no annual charge, paying 20.95% on borrowing. The balance transfer offer, with a fee of 2.88% to 3.88% across a 34 intro period, is the reason to look past the everyday card when old balances need clearing.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aqua Card | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| 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 helps, but 20.95% interest and a 2.88% to 3.88% transfer fee keep costs mid-range. |
| Offer | 9.2HigherPerks centre on credit building: score checks, the Aqua Coach tool. | 9.0Points as the points reward plus a 34 balance transfer window cover everyday spend and old debt. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.0 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Aqua Card | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 682417 | Not confirmed |
Available in 1 country for both.
How they place
| Ranking | Aqua Card | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 183 of 1020 | 171 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 15 of 35 | 13 of 35 |
Also worth a look
HSBC UK has balance transfer intro period at 17 to 36 months, against 5 months for Aqua Card and 34 months for Sainsbury's.
HSBC UK reviewSources behind this comparison
Aqua Card
- aquacard.co.uk: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Sainsbury's
- clearscore.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wp.estoaresearch.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- goodmoneyguide.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- lovemoney.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aqua Card | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Features | Not confirmed | Rewards |
| Legal entity | NewDay Ltd | Sainsbury's Bank plc |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aqua Card | Sainsbury's | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0at the median | £0at the median | £0 |
| APR | 39.9%highest quarter | 20.95%above the median | 19.39% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 5 monthslowest quarter | 34 monthshighest quarter | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3%at the median | 2.88% to 3.88%below 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
Sainsbury's
Pros
- Spending in the supermarket earns the stronger rate set out in 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere, so card spend in a single place is worth more.
- Clearing an old balance is possible: the transfer window runs 34 and the charge for moving the balance is 2.88% to 3.88%.
- The card is issued by Sainsbury's Bank plc, trading since 1996, rather than by a newer entrant.
Cons
- Borrowing is not cheap: 20.95% applies to anything carried from one statement to the next, so the card only pays when balances are cleared.
- The balance transfer is a paid deal rather than a free one, with 2.88% to 3.88% for the balance moved and 20.95% charged outside the 34 window.
- The reward is points tied to a single supermarket chain, and the thinner part of 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere covers everything else.
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
Sainsbury's
Who it suits
- Shoppers who put most of their card spend through the supermarket and already collect Nectar points.
- Borrowers clearing a balance on another card who can use the 34 window and pay the 2.88% to 3.88% fee.
- People who pay their statement in full each month and want a credit card carrying an annual fee of £0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card, where everyday spending comes straight from the account balance instead of accruing 20.95% on a credit card.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card or Chime Card, which also charge an annual fee and suit anyone focused on secured credit building rather than points at 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere.
- Anyone who spends little in the supermarket, since the thinner rate in 2 points per GBP1 at Sainsbury's, 1 point per GBP5 elsewhere then covers most of the card use.
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 | Sainsbury's |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | 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.
Sainsbury's
What does it cost to keep the card open?+
The annual fee is £0 on the main card, so there is no charge for holding it year on year. That applies to the card as issued; the balance transfer deal is the only other fee the terms set out, at 2.88% to 3.88% for the balance moved. Borrowing, not holding, is what costs money here.
What rate is charged if I carry a balance?+
Purchases that are not cleared each month are charged at 20.95%. That rate is the card's real cost, and it applies whatever the rewards are doing, so the card suits someone who pays in full each statement rather than revolving a balance month to month.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Aqua Card
Sainsbury's