First time card advice please

frowner

Hi,

My hubbie and I are in our 30's but never had a cc. we have never been in debt etc but am unsure what card is best for us. we will pay it off each month but thought a cc would be safer in terms of fraud etc. we are barclays customers. any advice greatly received.
thanks in advance.

Moggles_2

If this would be your first credit card, you have a limited credit history, so from the lender's perspective you're something of an unknown quantity. They are likely to see your lack of a payment history as too great a risk. You probably need to be more concerned about actually getting a credit card, rather than looking for the best cards to meet your present circumstances. If Barclays holds your main current a/cs, Barclaycard may be the best place to start.

For tips to improve your chances of credit card acceptance, have a look at the *Credit Rating: how it works and how to improve it guide*, especially Martin's *Manage and Improve your credit score* article

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/credit-rating-credit-score#improve

Moggles_2

We thought a cc would be safer in terms of fraud etc.

Absolutely. There's risk attached to everything but, in general, credit cards are the safest way to purchase goods/services.

Btw, couples cannot hold a credit card jointly. Also, there are some advantages to having one or more different cards from your partner.

bitterSTAR

As you are Barclays customers, I would think your first port of call should be Barclaycard. I was approved by Barclaycard in August for my first credit card, and given a £2000 credit limit. However I did have a bit of history, having had 2 phone contracts and 1 buy now pay later deal. I had also been banking with Barclays for the past 6 years or so.

frowner

thanks for taking the time to reply. think the card will have to be in my husbands name an additional card for me to use if poss? i have currently ceased work to be a stay at home mum so don't think i'll get one. my husband has a company amex card and been a barclays customer for 15 + years. bitterSTAR which card did you go for, am a bit concerned that there seems to be a fair bit of negative feedback about barclaycard on this forum. thanks.

bitterSTAR

Yes, you can be an additional card holder with Barclaycard: http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/cards/additional-cardholder/index.html

I applied for the Barclaycard OnePulse with 6 months 0% interest on purchases, as I wanted a built-in Oyster card for when I travel into London. Personally I have not experienced any problems with them, and they have even given me an unexpected £25 cashback credit.

If you do get a credit card, ensure to pay off the full amount by the due date - ensuring you do not incurr any interest.

moonrakerz

bitterSTAR wrote: »

Yes, you can be an additional card holder with Barclaycard: http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/cards/additional-cardholder/index.html

The only possible problem with a additional card is that it is not absolutely certain that Sect 75 applies to the second named person.

frowner

applied for the barclays platinum and was succesful just have to see what amount of credit they have given me. thanks for all your help everyone.