Credit cards and the Forces

GregB_2

I'm having problems at the moment getting hold of a new credit card. Quite a simple task you might think, but as a member of the forces and moving around every 2 years either in the UK or abroad I keep on getting refused.
My current card has a 12k limit, there is <4k on it and I'm paying off at least £800 a month so will be clear in 5. However I would like for obvious reasons to go to a card with 0% on balance transfers.
Its annoying as I have a mortgage with plenty of equity and tenants in my house, got a new car loan with no problems which was completed with no problems and for all intents and purposes am in a well paid secure job.
Credit card companies, please take note, some of us have to move frequently!:mad:

So, can anyone point me in the direction of a forces friendly card company with a 0% balance transfer rate????

Thanks

Greg

desperation_2

Sorry to hear your experiencing these problems, my brother is in the Army so I understand your situation.


I am going to preume here that when you say you keep getting refused, you are referring to an 'automated decision' (ie, apply for card on line, and conmes back as declined?)

If this is the case I would suggest calling the company concerned and asking for the decision to be referred to an underwriter and where possible ask to speak to the underwriter as well. You are legally allowed to appeal against an automated decision. (used to work for Barclays/Woolwich).

Most automated decisions do not take your type of situation into account, and would probably decline automatically due to the number of changes of address which would flag up on its system.

When you ask for a referral, (and hopefully speak to the underwriter), explain your personal cicumstances to them. This SHOULD hopefully make a difference. If they still decline you at this point, ask them why you have been declined. They are legally obliged to tell you why they have declined you. By this I mean they will not go into detail, but they MUST tell you whether this decline is based on their own lending criteria or information held on your credit file.

If it is the latter then I would suggest getting hold of your credit file to see why.

Bear in mind, the more you look, and the more credit scores you have in a short period of time, thiswill go against you.

Hope this helps.