Halifax Student Credit Card

homerhotspur

My Son was recently contacted about a credit card from Halifax and decided to accept one. He was told acceptance was guaranteed. He later thought better of it and did not return the forms.

Later, when discussing his forthcoming trip abroad, we thought a credit card could have its uses so he applied for a Halifax Student credit card - limit £500. He completed the online form and he was refused. He phoned the call centre today. Same outcome after a frustrating conversation and automated answer to stop him querying the reason why.

He has a current account with Halifax and savings and ISA's of well in excess of £10k - the call centre person was aware of this.

Any observations?

Lokolo

Banks don't have to give anything to anyone, they're a business, they choose their custom.

Any reason why a Halifax student card? If he is planning on paying it off in full (you say it's only for emergencies), it maybe worthwhile just applying for a generic CC anyway.

melancholly

halifax are notorious for being picky, although this sounds a bit bizarre. not much to be done though, they can just say no. perhaps his income isn't enough?

i'd suggest he waits a good few months before applying for another card though. a student card should be 'easier' to get than a standard one, although the APRs are usually pretty nasty.

Lokolo

melancholly wrote: »

halifax are notorious for being picky, although this sounds a bit bizarre. not much to be done though, they can just say no. perhaps his income isn't enough?

i'd suggest he waits a good few months before applying for another card though. a student card should be 'easier' to get than a standard one, although the APRs are usually pretty nasty.

It's funny really, they sales pitched me for a CC. 0% for 11 months - whilst I was a student. I got £1200 limit on a £5k income (I even said to the sales person that I only get student loan + a little extra!).

atypical

Does he have a credit history e.g. overdraft, mobile phone contract? That would help a lot.

You mentioned that you discussed applying for one because he's going abroad. Are you talking about the Halifax Clarity card? It's the best card for overseas spending but it will have stricter eligibility requirements than the student card.

homerhotspur

He would be paying it all off each month(or we would while he is away). It was really as a ' stand by' to have a worldwide accepted card to use if required/necessary. It just seemed a good idea having just come back from a trip abroad ourselves and noting how easy it is to pay for transport etc. To that extent, the interest rates are not important and I liked the lower credit limit in case of theft etc. He doesn't have ' income' as such so perhaps that is the reason but as I say he has only just been ' approved' for one of their main cards. I don't think there is much chance of acceptance elsewhere as he has all accounts/savings with Halifax and will probably now have a ' rejection' marking on his credit rating. Pity they don't make their position a bit more honest and up front.

homerhotspur

atypical wrote: »

Does he have a credit history e.g. overdraft, mobile phone contract? That would help a lot.

You mentioned that you discussed applying for one because he's going abroad. Are you talking about the Halifax Clarity card? It's the best card for overseas spending but it will have stricter eligibility requirements than the student card.

Yes - mobile phone contract. Always paid on time.
No, not the clarity card. Student card.

melancholly

Lokolo wrote: »

It's funny really, they sales pitched me for a CC. 0% for 11 months - whilst I was a student. I got £1200 limit on a £5k income (I even said to the sales person that I only get student loan + a little extra!).

and when they throw options like that at people, is it any wonder so many get trapped into spending more than they can afford?!? nuts! i had a £4K limit as a student.... only working in holidays. totally mad!

maybe the banks are being stricter now? maybe in general that's a good thing (not for the OP though!)