first direct credit card

zcaprd7

As far as I know HSBC and First Direct do their own credit scoring so no searches will appear on experian et al, nor will your credit limit/balance either.

Someone correct if I am wrong...

Reaper

I always thought they did do a credit search (although i don't have my reports here to check). However what they don't do is tell Experian/Equifax that they issued you a card unless you miss any payments. That is very useful when you are trying to gather lots of cards for stoozing. HSBC and LLoyds do the same, at least for now as the industry was meant to be tightening up on it this year.

zcaprd7

Ah, so they will check you out to start with but then what they lend you is invisble to other lenders, handy...

realaledrinker

My application for a Black card is recorded as a 'Current Account' search (on Experian) and the application to switch to Gold 6 months later as an 'Enquiry'. Make of that what you will!

No info on credit card activity provided, which is god, good, good!

dealseeker

Go for black for 6 months 0%.
I paid off black card first before asking for upgrade to gold.
Then ask if they have a better / follow-on offer. They may offer you Gold card at same credit limit for further 6 months. Doesn't matter that there has been no activity on black card other than balance transfer. Tried for credit increase but didn't get it

So effectively 12 months 0% with little credit check involved at second stage.

If only they had a platinum card .....;)