Thinking of applying...

guitarbloke

...For another credit card. My Cap1 card has a £400 limit and I've held it since September 2010, using it regularly and paying between 5-7 times the minimum payment every month. I've got about £150 left to pay off on it.

I don't know if it affects anything, but about 2 months ago I opened a new bank account - I bank with the Halifax and have a basic account, 2 current accounts (no overdrafts set up) and an ISA with them as well. I applied online and there was no mention - that I saw - of a credit check being needed (I guess because I'm already a customer?)

I also have an unused current account with Nationwide and an Ing savings account.

The question in my mind is this - does having these accounts hurt my credit score?

I've not made a late payment to anyone in about 4 years and the only debt to my name is my Cap1 card. Experian gives me a credit score of 792 or "Fair - in the top 38% of the population".

Would I be better off applying for a Halifax credit card since I have been a customer for 10 years with them? Or is that not taken into consideration?

Basically my worry is applying for a card and being declined and having that listed on my credit file.

Is there a list somewhere of cards which are not too strict in terms of acceptance criteria? I'd love to go with Tesco for the extra points, or M&S for the cashback vouchers they offer but I've no idea if I'd be accepted.

Thanks, and apologies if these questions are a bit basic, I'm still quite new to all of this

KingElvis

Always try your bank for a sensible limit and easiest acceptance.

Any

Savings accounts are not even shown on your credit file. It is CREDIT file, and savings are not credit.

If you have the Cap1 since September, I would wait a while longer... the recommended time before new application after having first sub-prime card is 6-12 months and you don't even have it 6 mths yet... (or just about, depending on dates, but I would wait a little longer).

And yes, I would possibly go to your bank for your first main stream card as they can take into consideration the way you manage your current account - other banks don't.. (unless you are in overdraft, then it is credit and details of management of that overdraft are on your credit file and it is never good...)