Graduate seeks 1st Credit Card - Which One??

samcooper_2

Hi everyone,

I've just left University and want to get a credit card so that I can build up a credit rating as I will be looking to find a place of my own in the next 18 months or so.

I'm planning to put up to £100 a month on it for the next 2 months in basic things like fuel etc. In October I am moving to Berlin for 6 months and I was planning to put my flights on it once a month just to keep it going (about £60/70 a time). I have no plans to put big amounts onto it as I dont have the funds to pay it off and will want to clear it by Direct Debit every month, no question.

I'm with Natwest at the moment (student account) and have been looking at their Classic Credit Card - it seemed fair enough to me but I just don't know about these things. Does anyone have a recommendation? I don't want all-singing-all-dancing, just basic, bog standard that will let me get a mortgage when the time comes.

I hope you can help!

Thanks

Sam

CannyJock

If you've got a relationship with them already then makes sense. If you can speak to them in-branch to smooth through an application may speed up the process.

It's basically one of the things that Natwest hope for when they offer the student account, is that you feel all warm and fuzzy towards them and give them your future banking business. Use it to your advantage to build a credit profile.

NickX

samcooper wrote: »

In October I am moving to Berlin for 6 months and I was planning to put my flights on it once a month just to keep it going (about £60/70 a time).

If you can get an Santander Zero or Nationwide credit card you could then use this in Berlin and benefit from fee-free foreign currency purchases.

As you have only just graduated, they may prove difficult to get but its worth bearing in mind.