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Best Credit Card for no credit History

Hi,

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this, My Girlfriend moved over from South Africa about 18 months ago. She is a British citizen and has a bank account with HSBC. But she will probably have no credit history. My question is what would be the best route for getting a credit card, she wants to pay for a flight for her mother and will be able to pay the card off in 6 months or so. She needs a limit of £500 - £1000. Would it be best to go through HSBC or another bank. She works part-time and has about £500 a month going into her bank.

Thanks for any advice.

Comments

  • Dabooka
    Dabooka Posts: 839 Forumite
    Well normally the first port of call is always your bank, as they have a "track record" of their spending habits at least, to make up for lack of recorded credit history.

    However if they say no it's a sub-prime card, such as Vanquis, and TBH she may struggle to get one for that kind of limit (as far I am aware anyway) without some time to build up a good history with them. Even then, the APR is normally very high and as such should only be used when able to pay them off in full every month. To have a rolling balance would be painful on one of those.

    I'm sure someone will be able to post up smoe more specifioc details (there's a Capital One card too, but I don't know the specifics).
  • Tixy
    Tixy Posts: 31,455 Forumite
    Most cards insist on 3years resident in the UK before they will consider opening a credit card (you need to be able to give at least 3years of addresses).

    If she has no credit history and a relatively small income she'd need to be looking at subprime, high interest cards anyway (aside from the residency issues)

    I guess she might go and talk to HSBC and see what they could do, if anything. They might consider giving her a small overdraft.
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  • Dabooka
    Dabooka Posts: 839 Forumite
    Tixy wrote: »
    Most cards insist on 3years resident in the UK before they will consider opening a credit card (you need to be able to give at least 3years of addresses).

    Didn't know that, but sounds obvious enough now you mention it!
  • Thanks for the advice guys, HSBC it is!!
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