First time credit card

odysseus_2 · 14 June 2017 at 11:10AM

Hi,

I got myself into debt a few years back but have managed to pay most of it off and my credit report looks healthy again.

I have a holiday coming up and I'd like to get a credit card incase I run short of cash while I'm away. I estimate I'll only need 300 pounds max.

Usually because my credit record sucks I would cancel one of my larger payments to free up money while away then pay up as soon as I get back. This has worked previously and I haven't incurred any black marks on my credit report doing it this way.

This year though i thought it might be better to get a credit card instead.

Which type of card would you recommend? I've never had a credit card before.

Thanks.

PROLIANT · 14 June 2017 at 11:18AM

Try the Marbles card, they have an eligibility checker that will give you a good indication if you will be accepted before doing a full credit application, this won't lower your credit score.

https://www.marbles.com/

MallyGirl · 14 June 2017 at 11:57AM

odysseus wrote: »

Usually because my credit record sucks I would cancel one of my larger payments to free up money while away then pay up as soon as I get back. This has worked previously and I haven't incurred any black marks on my credit report doing it this way.

This is a high risk strategy that you should avoid - you won't always be lucky and a 6 year blot on your history is not what you want

Candyapple · 14 June 2017 at 12:11PM

odysseus wrote: »

Hi,

I got myself into debt a few years back but have managed to pay most of it off and my credit report looks healthy again.

I have a holiday coming up and I'd like to get a credit card incase I run short of cash while I'm away. I estimate I'll only need 300 pounds max.

Usually because my credit record sucks I would cancel one of my larger payments to free up money while away then pay up as soon as I get back. This has worked previously and I haven't incurred any black marks on my credit report doing it this way.

This year though i thought it might be better to get a credit card instead.

Which type of card would you recommend? I've never had a credit card before.

Thanks.

But why does it suck? Do you have a history of making late payments / defaults / CCJs?

Do you not have a budget so that every month there are no unexpected bills?

Or are you just speculating that you have a poor credit history, rather than having checked all 3 of your files to know for certain?

You would need a travel credit card. Ignore the Marbles recommendation above. There are eligibility checkers against each card:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

PROLIANT · 14 June 2017 at 12:37PM

Candyapple wrote: »

Ignore the Marbles recommendation above.

Why ignore my post?
The OP has indicated he/she has a limited or poor credit history - it does not matter what sort of credit the OP gets as long as it works :think:
Shop around by all means but don't discard someones advice simply because you have assumed certain factors!

Candyapple · 14 June 2017 at 1:06PM

PROLIANT wrote: »

Why ignore my post?
The OP has indicated he/she has a limited or poor credit history - it does not matter what sort of credit the OP gets as long as it works :think:
Shop around by all means but don't discard someones advice simply because you have assumed certain factors!

Because OP has specifically mentioned:

I have a holiday coming up and I'd like to get a credit card incase I run short of cash while I'm away.

The Marbles credit card is a subprime card which has zero benefits for use whilst abroad:

If you use your marbles card abroad you will pay a non-sterling transaction fee of 2.95%. If you withdraw cash abroad, you will also pay a cash fee of 3% (minimum £3).

Just because the OP said their 'credit record sucks' means nothing. Further info is required - as I already specified.

And even if the OP does indeed have a poor credit history, there are far better options for credit cards than the one you have suggested, e.g. Aqua:
http://welcometo.aquacard.co.uk/v0/core/reward-s/?9110693AA002DAG01100

The Aqua Reward card is a good all-rounder, designed for people with a less-than-stellar credit score. You'll get 0.5% cashback (max £100/yr) on spending – even abroad – but don't use this as an excuse for overspending on the card.
The card doesn't levy a charge for spending abroad (most cards charge a 3%-or-so fee) making this a good card to take overseas.

So like I said, ignore the post about applying for a Marbles credit card.

First time credit card

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