Rebuilding Credit Rating

allankay
allankay Posts: 4 Newbie
in Debt-free wannabe
Hi Everyone,

I have had a good credit rating in the past but then I lost my job and had to default on two credit cards.

I am now in full time employment and one of my goals is to improve my creditscore.

I still have one usable credit card which I managed to keep up payments on. My question is this. Is it better for me to terminate this credit card and get a new one, which I could use monthly and pay it off at the end of each month, just for the purpose of improving my score. Or can I achieve the same outcome using my existing credit card (which I have now paid off)?

Experian recommends getting a high APR card for a single purpose of rebuilding your credit score. But will I get the same result using my current credit card?

Many Thanks

ALLAN

Comments

  • DominicJ_2
    DominicJ_2 Posts: 373 Forumite
    You wont get a new one.
    Even if you could, what do you think looks better.

    A normal card you have had for 5 years.
    A sub prime card you have had for six months.
  • allankay
    allankay Posts: 4 Newbie
    Dom,

    this is the advice given by Experian. I will be able to qualify for a high APR card, if not now then in a few months.

    I am also wondering should I stop using my credit card for good. Or should I keep using it and paying it off at the end of each month, just to improve my score?

    ALLAN
  • Tixy
    Tixy Posts: 31,455 Forumite
    Does the existing card have a default shown for it on your credit file?
    If not keep using that one, use each month and repay in full each statement.

    If it does have a default then you can't use that to rebuild your rating, and it will disappear from your file once the default is 6years old. So in that case it would be better to try applying for a new subprime one (usually people are only accepted once their defaults are over 3-4years old), and use that each month and repay each statement.
    A smile enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give
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  • UsetheFORCE
    UsetheFORCE Posts: 688 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    If you still have an active card then continue to use that, you have years of history which I assume are 0000000's on your credit file?

    This is far better for you, the defaults will fall off eventually and you'll be left with one card in perfect order with lots of age.
    I have numerous qualifications in Business and Finance, Accountancy, Health and Safety and am now studying Law.

    Don't rely on anything I write as it may be wrong!!!
  • allankay
    allankay Posts: 4 Newbie
    The existing card does not have default.

    Do you think it would be wise to get another credit card just to improve my score (repaying full balance at the end of each month)?
  • UsetheFORCE
    UsetheFORCE Posts: 688 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    You could do, like Capital One or Vanquis, just put say £50 a month on it and clear it every month on receipt of the bill, ensure your statement balance is never more than 30% of your limit.

    Bear in mind that opening another card will heavily lower your average age which could have a negative impact on your credit file.
    I have numerous qualifications in Business and Finance, Accountancy, Health and Safety and am now studying Law.

    Don't rely on anything I write as it may be wrong!!!
  • Treadmill
    Treadmill Posts: 1,102 Forumite
    I would think that your existing card used properly would do a better job of improving your credit rating but nobody really knows part from the CRAs.
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