Newcomer to UK, how to get a normal credit card

DarkFallout

Hi guys,

I came to UK in November 2009. My income is pretty decent. Since I have come to UK I experinced constant problems with opening bank accounts, arranging overdfafts and applying for credit cards.

I managed to open an offshore bank account before coming here at Lloyds. I closed it and moved to Halifax Current Reward in January 2010. Now I am moving to A&L. I managed somehow to get a 1000 pounds overdraft with Halifax on month 6. I hope to match it with A&L.

I opened a cash card account with NationWide in December and got my Visa Debit today.

I managed to get an 200 pound limit Visa credit card from Capital One and got my second statement yesterday. I pay it in full with direct debit.

However whenever I try to apply for normal credit card I am always declined.

I just need a normal credit card (for example NationWide Classic Visa) with a normal credit limit (about 1000 pounds).

Any suggestions how to achieve it?

I really don't understand this stupid scoring system, as with my disposable income I should have access to all types of credit cards, but it just does not happen.

PNPSUKNET

was it the spell checker?

PNPSUKNET

joke aside. if you have as much disposable as you say why do you need extra credit

DarkFallout

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

joke aside. if you have as much disposable as you say why do you need extra credit

The main reason is I travel around the country and sometimes I have to pay like 1000 pounds for a hotel and then to claim it back from my company. The process takes few weeks. It would be more convinient to have a credit card.

Fergie76

If you have only been in the UK roughly 8 months, why have you need some many bank accounts? Halifax, A&L and Nationwide?

DarkFallout

Fergie76 wrote: »

If you have only been in the UK roughly 8 months, why have you need some many bank accounts? Halifax, A&L and Nationwide?

Lloyds was an offshore account - the only account available to open before coming to UK. It was charging me 7 pounds for nothing - no insurance ... simply nothing ...

Every month I go to Europe, so it is quite obvious for what I need NationWide.

I am currently moving to A&L for different reasons, but basicaly I think their accounts are better than Halifax Ultimate Reward account.

sukysue

I can't say I am surprised you have been refused a cc after all the applying and changing bank accounts . You need to be patient and get a good cr before anyone will give you one. Despite the swagger and bs it all smacks of desperation and that is just to me let alone the banks.!

DarkFallout

sukysue wrote: »

I can't say I am surprised you have been refused a cc after all the applying and changing bank accounts . You need to be patient and get a good cr before anyone will give you one. Despite the swagger and bs it all smacks of desperation and that is just to me let alone the banks.!

If it is so slow, I will be out of the country by the time I build up the proper credit history, as my contract is for 2 years.

P.S. Any ideas how to make it faster?

Curt.

Christ! Stop making so many applications for a start - multiple applications and limited time with the provider of the facility is a total no go...it'll all but get you marked down.

Have you even done the most basc of things like trying to look at a credit report? Are you even on the ER? If not, that may negate a ton of cards straight off the bat. Limited history will likely get you shot down from a ton of them anyway.

You're probably going to need to spend substantial time with a provider to get their trust, as you have almost no track record, not to mention, your time with your provider in this country can be no longer than a handful of months - be patient.

Curt.

DarkFallout wrote: »

Lloyds was an offshore account - the only account available to open before coming to UK. It was charging me 7 pounds for nothing - no insurance ... simply nothing ...

Yeah, residency criteria and all is one of the few things i the UK that doesnt cowtow to immigrants just yet - you wont get any sympathy from most folks on that one.

Every month I go to Europe, so it is quite obvious for what I need NationWide.

A building society with overseas use? Doesn't seem obvious at all...

I am currently moving to A&L for different reasons, but basicaly I think their accounts are better than Halifax Ultimate Reward account.

And those constant searches against your name for so many accounts are what is hurting you.

DarkFallout

Curt. wrote: »

Christ! Stop making so many applications for a start - multiple applications and limited time with the provider of the facility is a total no go...it'll all but get you marked down.

Have you even done the most basc of things like trying to look at a credit report? Are you even on the ER? If not, that may negate a ton of cards straight off the bat. Limited history will likely get you shot down from a ton of them anyway.

You're probably going to need to spend substantial time with a provider to get their trust, as you have almost no track record, not to mention, your time with your provider in this country can be no longer than a handful of months - be patient.

I have instant access to my credit report at all times.

I am on electoral roll 3 weeks after coming to this country. The entry was not in my credit report so I had to send an e-mail to Experian to correct their mistake.

I had a pre-arranged overdraft of 1500 with Lloyds even before coming to UK and when I moved to Halifax they almost matched it.

Be patient sounds nice, but living on the mainland and having an offshore account is not so nice.

Any other ideas?