Didn't use my card now can't get credit anywhere !

boots_babe

Apart from the advice everyone has given about checking your credit rating, as you said you only need a credit card to book a flight, what about a prepay credit card?

An example is FairFX - I'm not saying they are best value, I know they recently changed their Ts and Cs, but they are an example. That way, you could get a credit card and buy the flight you need.

Hax

boots_babe wrote: »

Apart from the advice everyone has given about checking your credit rating, as you said you only need a credit card to book a flight, what about a prepay credit card?

I don't think you get section 75 protection on a prepay card - in which case, may as well just use a debit card.

boots_babe

Ah ok. Sorry I thought the card was needed as the flight provider only took credit cards and not debit cards. But maybe that's not the case - thanks.

nausey

Hax wrote: »

Six attempts to claim payment on the same day wouldn't show as six missed payments - that would only register as a single missed payment.

I suspect that you have actually missed six payments in succession.

When you miss one payment, the number '1' is recorded. Miss two, then number '2' is recorded. And so on... Miss six and the number '6' will be recorded. Any more than that and chances are that a default would get registered against you for that account.

So how should I go about fixing this ? Thanks for any help !

biscit

macman wrote: »

Having a credit card is no proof of credit worthiness unless you have used it and demonstrated that you can make the repayments on time-that's what the scorers look for.
People often say,' I have never had a debt, why can't I get credit'? It's precisely for that reason.

I had a similar problem a few years back. I didn't have a debt apart from a student overdraft (cleared), a graduate loan linked to my bank account, and a credit card also linked to my graduate package. Because I'd not abused either facility, neither showed up on my credit record, as my bank were not, for some reason, telling the reference agencies about my positive credit history.

Maybe banks are tighter on what they report these days, but I did struggle to get a cash-back credit card from a supermarket branded bank because I had no history.

Hax

nausey wrote: »

So how should I go about fixing this ? Thanks for any help !

The credit records have to be factually accurate. So, if you have missed six payments in succession then you can't do anything about getting the late payment markers removed - you can try asking whoever registered the late payments against you - but chances are they will say "no" - especially as there are so many. If it was just a one-off then you might have a chance. But, a nice, polite and apologetic letter to them can't harm - they can only say "no" (or ignore you! ).

You can add a note to the entries if there are any circumstances which you think a lender should consider that may explain the reasons for the late payments. Doing so means that lenders are forced to consider the note and all credit applications will have to be processed manually.

I assume that the account is now settled - if not, then it's worth settling the account as a settled account looks better than one with an outstanding balance.