DMP plus credit card for work

janepn

Hello
We are just about to start a debt management plan and I am actually quite looking forward to it and the stop to the spiralling out of control but there are a couple of things still worrying me.
Firstly, we rent and will have to move in the next 8 months and I'm worried whether the DMP and any possible CCJS - the CCCS hasn't contacted our creditors yet so I don't know how our DMP is going to go down, will work against us for renting again.
The other thing is that my husband works abroad a lot and needs to pay for hotels on credit. I've heard of Cash Plus - is this an option for someone on a DMP? He receives expenses to cover the cost from his work but any ideas/advice on any ways to get around this?
Thanks in advance.

ciarasdreams

Hi, I am sadly someone who cannot answer your question as I do not have the relevant knowledge or experience to do so but somebody who does will be along soon so please do not worry as help is on its way.

Tigert

Hi,

If you just need a card that allows you to pay for hotels, then cashplus is fine. I use mine for my company expenses all the time. But it's not a credit card - You have to put the money on it in advance then you can use it anywhere that you can use Mastercard, whether that's in Shops, over the phone or over the internet. The only thing you can't use it for is Car Hire.

It costs £9.95 to get the card, then you can either pay £4.95 a month for unlimited transactions or £1 per transaction.

There are lots of other similar cards that may charge less in your circumstances, just use Google to search for Pre-Paid Credit Card and you'll find lots of reviews.

Regarding renting, I'm not sure - I rent - but I haven't had to move yet.

shinyhead

Hi,
sorry but I know nothing about Cash Plus.

I too have to go away on business and I think I know what you're trying to ask. On a DMP you're not supposed to have any credit cards!

Can he not get a company card for this, or an advance paid into your bank account to cover the cost for his expenses? He could then pay by Maestro.
I usually get an advance and pay that way.

What type of bank account do you plan to have when you start your DMP?

Regarding your renting it might be an idea to check your current tenancy agreement and see what it says. I understand quite a few include bankruptcy as a clause that allows eviction but I'm not sure, nor have I heard about, CCJs having the same effect. If when you come to move in 8 months, you might be refused if you're credit checked before signing a new lease, CCJs or not. It would be something that you might need to be in the open about to any landlord or agent.

janepn

Thanks for your help - yes, my husband works for a Japanese company and they do give him the expenses. Not sure if Maestro can be used in Japan/US where he seems to be a lot of the time.
Re the bank account, I have a Natwest account opened already - he will have to open a new one - any suggestions? A prepaid credit card is fine as long as he can use it abroad.
I really appreciate your comments.

shinyhead

Maestro used to be switch and I believe it can be used almost worldwide. Its the debit card so there's no dispute over having a credit card. Tigert's suggestion of a pre-paid card sounds good too.

JES_F1

Hello!

I'm on a DMP with the CCCS and have a Cash Plus Mastercard. I've used it online, in shops, and once in hotels. It's accepted like a usual Mastercard but you have to put money on it in advance, so you can only spend what you've got on it.

For hotels, do make sure you've got more on the card than just whatever the room will cost. The hotel needs a 'reserve' to allow for anything extra you might charge to the room even if you don't intend to do this. When you check out, this money is released back to the card - assuming you've not spent it of course!

The hotel I used reserved £50 a night on the card but this amount may vary from hotel to hotel. This amount was unavailable for me to use on the card elsewhere during my stay, and was available again a couple of days or so after I checked out.

JES_F1

Just had a thought ... Does his company issue company credit cards to staff? Where I work, if staff travel regularly, they can have a company credit card to pay for work expenses (eg train fares or hotel) rather than having to pay out then claim back.

The limit on the card varies from person to person depending on their likely expenses. Some have only £200 if just for train fares or petrol, others considerably more if they use hotels.