Which Card To Choose For Expenses

rosswinter

Hi all in MSE World,

I have what I hope is a simple question...

Up until I have never had a credit card (always too scared of the debt) but I'm travailing more and more with work (*mainly* UK but some EU and Worldwide) and pre paying for my expenses up front is starting to eat into my income...

Im thinking a credit card may be the best way to not have to cover these costs myself while Im waiting for the claim to be processed (99% of the time within a month)

I'm 27, employed, have a good credit score (i hope ) and earn just under £40k PA.

Im looking for a card that will give ME the most benefits and wondered what all you expert types would recommend.

Thanks in advance

Ross

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Any

YOu have never had a card, you are 27 and self employed...

Good credit score...? Maybe in the eyes of one, but maybe not in another one..

Credit HISTORY is what is important - lenders judge you according to your past debt management.. if you did not have debt, your credit scoring in their eyes is not so hot. And every lender has different scoring system...

In these cases the advice usually is firstly go to your own bank. They can also have a look at your current account management (other lenders can't).

Once you have good repayment/usage history, other lenders will be much happier to give you their card as well.

rosswinter

Hi Amy,

I'm Employed... not SELF employed....

I have never had a CREDIT card before but have used other sorts of credit accounts... loans, purchases on credit, Sky TV and other such accounts... all without default.

I wasn't really after help with refusals or getting approval as I haven't had any problems (yet) more with which card I should apply for to get the most benefit.


Ross

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alexlyne

I have a capital one world... 1% cash back on everything (useful in the last year as I paid for a wedding on it!). You need an excellent credit rating, and I found it simple to apply over the internet.

If it was your own money then you would be better off getting one that doesn't charge a comission on foreign transactions (halifax tried to sell me one last week) - if you're getting paid back from your employer (as I can't see anything about you being self employed) then I wouldn't think it's an issue.

Don't go with American express, as although they do good cashback deals, the places that take them are very limited (e.g. most restaurants I found didn't like them).

alexlyne

oh, and somewhere on this site lists the best deals on credit cards, take a look

Any

Hi Ross,

Sorry, I missread it.. I thought you are self-employed.
Also forgive my assumption, but have a look around here and you will find that you wouldn't be first person thinking that cards are easy to get and all you need is heart beat:-)). And it was you who mentioned no past card.. without mentioning any past debt.

And my name is Any, not Amy (not the only one missreading lol).

Some companies will still not give you a card unless you had a card in past. Some of their scoring is really tough. However I think that the Capital One suggested above could be good bet.

Cashback is the most sensible thing to get probably, but it really depends what kind of rewards you like.. I for example love my M&S vouchers instead (treating myself rather then just putting cash back into my account:-)) and many people on the Tesco thread have Tesco card for maximising their Tesco points (either for deals or Airmiles).

rosswinter

Ok.... so your called Any and I'm not self employed Will you take a 1 -1 draw on the misreading

Thanks for the advice though

Any

rosswinter wrote: »

Ok.... so your called Any and I'm not self employed Will you take a 1 -1 draw on the misreading

Thanks for the advice though

draw it is then
Good luck

Any

And here is guide for cashback and rewards http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/
then click on tab "cashback & rewards"

JohalaReewi

If it is for work, and work WILL pay it off each month, look into a card that has some rewards you could use. Don't rule out American Express, because a lot of places do take it and their rewards are pretty good. I am not sure what sort of business expenses you are likely to incur but Amex is widely accepted by hotels, garages, and for transport all over the world.

speedbird1973

BA Amex premium for me. Worth the £150, but I fly a lot and 3 points per £1 BA spend + 1.5 points per £1 non BA spend. £10k on the card gets me two miles flights for the price of one. That said I fly a lot with BA for business and pleasure and my work expenses get me past the £10k on my own. If you don't travel then it's not worth it of course. In that case an Amex member rewards card could work.