Lower APR on Halifax Clarity Credit Card

SCowley88

I've got the Halifax Clairity CC to take with me travelling later this year. Thing is, I assume because I'm a recent graduate and have only just started working, they offered me 17.9% rather than 12.5%. This is quite annoying as I'm going away for 6 months so will be spending quite a lot on it.
Do you think if I ring them up in a few months time, having been earning all the while, I stand a chance of getting them to lower it? I'm going to get the Metro current account as well but would prefer to spend mainly on the CC for saftey's sake so coud d'threaten' them with that.
In terms of debt I've just got my student loan plus a £1.6k 0% overdraft (which I still actually have it's just squirreled in a savings account).

Thanks in advance!

[Deleted User]

Very unlikely. It's a risk based rate. You've done very well to get 17.5% given your status - still a good rate in these times.

But you can always try.

CLAPTON

there is of course nothing to stop you using your credit card for the extra safety but still pay in full each month

izools

Have you tried for the Metro Bank Credit Card to go with your metro current account?

13% APR and no overseas usage fees. Might be better to put your monthly spend on the Halifax card and clear in full as CLAPTON suggests, to benefit from the five pounds cashback, and use the Metro Credit Card for overseas expenses, if you're approved.

Good luck if you choose to apply! :beer:

paulmcerlean

The rate is likely to go up, but rarely down. Threaten them as you wish, it will get you nowhere.

SCowley88

I didn't realise Metro had one. An extra back up can't hurt! Thanks.

rb10

paulmcerlean wrote: »

The rate is likely to go up, but rarely down.

Nonsense.

Banks frequently put down the rates on credit cards. Most often for customers who use the card regularly, and who are considered a 'good' risk.

They will look at how you have managed your credit card, other accounts with them, and your credit report to make the decision.

SCowley88

If I get a Metro CC as well I will then have three credit cards (I have one for use in the UK for flights and big payments i want to delay a month -always pay off in full). That seems like alot of credit cards to have or does it not matter so long as I'm using them responsibly?

izools

As long as you're using them responsibly, and your cumulative limits don't add up to more than about a third to a half of your annual salary then it's not going to negatively affect your credit worthiness atall, quite the opposite when they've been open a while