Aqua vs MBNA:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, MBNA had more branded searches than Aqua among credit cards in the United Kingdom. MBNA had about 110,000 branded searches, while Aqua had 40,500. MBNA made up 12.9% of all credit card searches we track, and Aqua accounted for 4.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about credit cards, neither Aqua nor MBNA appeared in any of the five answers.
Who do people search for more?
MBNA, about 3 searches for every 1 for Aqua
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 0 of 5 answers.
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Top credit cards in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, neither Aqua nor MBNA showed up in any of the five answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Barclaycard3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
American Express1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Virgin Money1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Capital One0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- MBNA0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Tesco Bank0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Aqua0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vanquis0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Zopa0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about credit cards
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which credit card should I use in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best credit cards in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best credit card in the UK for everyday spending?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“credit cards uk”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“business credit cards”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 19, 2026.
Share of searches by month for MBNA, Aqua. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | American Express | Barclaycard | Capital One | MBNA | Tesco Bank | Aqua | Vanquis | Virgin Money | Zopa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.6% | 23.6% | 23.6% | 13% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 0.95% | 0.95% |
| Nov 2025 | 20.3% | 24.9% | 24.9% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 22.4% | 27.4% | 22.4% | 12.3% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 23.5% | 23.5% | 23.5% | 12.9% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 22.2% | 27.2% | 22.2% | 12.1% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 20.2% | 24.7% | 24.7% | 13.6% | 7.4% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 0.99% | 0.99% |
| Apr 2026 | 21% | 25.8% | 25.8% | 11.5% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 0.85% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 21% | 25.7% | 25.7% | 11.5% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 2.8% | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.3% | 27.3% | 22.3% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3% | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.3% | 27.3% | 22.3% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3% | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.2% | 27.2% | 22.2% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.5% | 23.5% | 23.5% | 12.9% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.95% |
How has the Aqua and MBNA comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- MBNA was ahead of Aqua in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Aqua’s share of searches among credit cards in the United Kingdom moved from 3.9% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 40.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MBNA’s share of searches among credit cards in the United Kingdom moved from 13% to 12.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom credit cards in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, MBNA gained share of searches among credit cards in the United Kingdom, from 12.2% to 12.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Aqua’s and MBNA’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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