Credit Card for Holidays

rajberi

I followed the advice and applied this morning for a Halifax card to use on holiday. I earn a good salary and have a very good credit rating. Application accepted but with £500 credit limit...which isn't going to get me far

Now I know that one can request to increase this amount once the card is being used but that wont be till I go on my hols

I dont want to send off multiple applications

Any advice?

jonjamie1970

They want to see how you manage this first, maybe 3-6 months down the line if you manage it well then you might be offered an increase.

Use the card now for petrol and clear the balance every month will stand you in good stead.

chattychappy

rajberi wrote: »

and have a very good credit rating.

I wonder what you base that on...

But the advice is good - all you can do is switch as much spending as possible to this card and ask for an increase. However some cards state a policy of not considering increasing limits during the first 6 months. If you don't use the card it is unlikely they will consider a raise even then.

Assuming your holiday is before then, the best you can do is consider other cards with better good loadings. Santander Zero (if you qualify), Post Office, Nationwide (check the complicated rules).

A couple of applications in a short time won't knacker your rating.

Venusflytrap

I can understand the OP's disappointment. I also got accepted for a clarity but with a £600 limit. Have had the card for one yr now but have not requested a limit increase (because I also acquired two more CCs in the same yr) nor have Halifax offered.

Spending can get tight when hubby and I are on holiday and want to channel all our spending on it, but it's still manageable for now with cash spent on the side.

stilltheone

I don't see the problem at all. The OP can make an immediate payments to the Clarity card to cover any spending. No need to wait for a statement to be produced. With Faster Payments, the amount can be credited the next day. Therefore freeing your credit limit.
My first credit card had an even lower initial limit. But with careful handling the same card now has a five figure limit.

lisyloo

The OP can make an immediate payments to the Clarity card to cover any spending.

But technically you cannnot go into credit.

With Faster Payments, the amount can be credited the next day.

We would not recommend using a shared computer abroad e.g. internet cafe to enter your banking details.

You could of course set up a payment in advance on your internet banking, the only problem is trying to time it for when you need it given you shouldn't go into credit as it's against lendres Ts&Cs (and worse cas eyou card would be stopped).

Azrael_1701

stilltheone wrote: »

I don't see the problem at all. The OP can make an immediate payments to the Clarity card to cover any spending. No need to wait for a statement to be produced. With Faster Payments, the amount can be credited the next day. Therefore freeing your credit limit.
My first credit card had an even lower initial limit. But with careful handling the same card now has a five figure limit.

HBoS credit cards dont support inward faster payments, it all goes via BACS at the moment.

chattychappy

The OP might be planning to take extended credit - ie pay back over a few weeks/months on return.

burnsy89

You should have got the Santander Zero Card then cut it up after you've paid it - its 0% on cash and purchases abroad and 6 months interest free on purchases

chattychappy

burnsy89 wrote: »

You should have got the Santander Zero Card then cut it up after you've paid it - its 0% on cash and purchases abroad and 6 months interest free on purchases

Also good for repeat offers (in my experience).

lisyloo

HBoS credit cards dont support inward faster payments, it all goes via BACS at the moment.

Good point Azrael.
Not all instituitions have switched to faster payments - somesill take up to 4 working day.