Amex application - referred

Bossworld

Hi all

Was in Natwest yesterday asking to have my credit card limit extended (currently £500 from a student card that expires Sept). I was told I'd need to call up and cancel it, then apply for another as I can only have one. I need to book some flights which are going to be a lot more than the CC limit, but I'd sooner have the protection of using a CC.

What I wasn't sure is whether that means other credit cards would turn me down for having 1 already, or I can only hold 1 Natwest credit card? Either way I haven't cancelled the Natwest one yet.

I've tried to apply for an Amex platinum cashback. I meet all the criteria listed but the decision has been referred and should hear back within 10 days.

Just wondering how common referals are and whether it's just a polite way of saying you're going to be refused? I've just paid off the balance on the Natwest one (only about £80 - it always comes out in full as a DD at the end of the month anyway). Have plenty of DDs that go in and out, haven't ever defaulted on anything and the only money Natwest ever made off me on the credit card was going over that £500 limit by a couple of quid - I've never paid any interest on it.

Only other thing I could think of was that having previously been a student (2006-2009) my home address has changed several times over the years?

Thanks

SCO

I dont think AMEX will accept you for the following reasons:

You have breached your credit limit on at least two occasions.
This will be on your credit file

You only have had one card and a student one at that

You have changed address alot

AMEX are very picky, but you never know.

You are probuably better aiming for lower prime cards like Creation.

BugsyBrowne

SCO wrote: »

I dont think AMEX will accept you for the following reasons:

You have breached your credit limit on at least two occasions.
This will be on your credit file

You only have had one card and a student one at that

You have changed address alot

AMEX are very picky, but you never know.

You are probuably better aiming for lower prime cards like Creation.

Last year I went over on my credit limit not on purpose my interest took me over it decided to look my credit report and nothing was there about me going over my credit limit...

SCO

star-fire wrote: »

Last year I went over on my credit limit not on purpose my interest took me over it decided to look my credit report and nothing was there about me going over my credit limit...

I thought they reported that after a couple of breaches. OP could be in luck with that one then.

Bossworld

It was only the once and it was when I'd settled the balance but used the card again before my payment had cleared it.

I've had the other natwest M/C since 2006, as said always paid in full on time for what it's worth - so I'm not exactly going to earn them much interest for outstanding balances. Have had loads of direct debits and contracts over the years, again always paid in full on time.

Dunno what Amex can see but I've got a healthy amount in an ISA and my current account is also in the black. As said only really want a new card for the purpose of booking flights over the current Mastercard limit. if needs be will see just how much protection my visa debit will give.

Address was the same for 12 years (for the purpose of banks etc. although have been on a few electoral registers). So effectively worst case of looking at it is that in the last 3 years I've had two address changes with the bank, although the one before that was valid for 12 years. 2 years ago I was briefly signed up for a store card while on a mis-match of bank address/electoral register address and had no issues with that.

Trying to think of other things that might help - on a side note I've reduced my available bank overdraft to £500 (from £1000), probably ought to look into shutting an old Barclays current account down too as it's lying dormant with a penny in it. Though from reading one of Martin's articles, paying off in full every month is probably going to count against me.

Ah well cheers for the advice will have to wait and see, if not would be fairly confident Natwest will offer me something with a better limit but liked the look of the cashback one. Do you ever receive any notification of why you would be declined (e.g. address changes?).

Bossworld

Just rang em up, approved this morning, 3,500 limit. Spot on, must have just been an address related delay.