Need help with applying for a credit card please!

louisecp

Morning All!!

I am 24 years old and a teacher - I have currently only had problems with student overdrafts in which i made agreements to pay off - one of which is completely paid off this month (£1500 paid in a year) and the other has a year to go (£800)... Other than student loans this is my only debt.

I am going travelling for 3 months in the summer and would like a credit card I can use in emergencies in America.

I checked my credit rating - i have poor credit but I have taken the advice and registered on the electoral role to gain better credit.

However, I can wait to apply for a credit card until April as I dont go away until May 26th.

So guys - any adivce? Which credit cards should i apply for? I am aware I can't apply for many as this would effect me rating etc.

Im new to all this and want to be v. careful - i don't want any debt!! :-)

Many thanks guys

Louise :-)

epsilondraconis

The Nationwide credit cards provide competitive rates when using the cards abroad. That may be worth a look.

YorkshireBoy

I don't know if student overdrafts are reported to the CRA's? (my degree is from the university of life...and sits alongside a diploma from the school of hard knocks!).

Once you're on the Electoral Roll (confirmed by viewing your credit reports), then I'd suggest applying for a Nationwide FlexAccount in branch and asking the PBA to 'tick the box' for a credit card.

That way, you can both withdraw cash and make purchases without being penalised for foreign currency transactions.

Further reading: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money