Halifax Clarity Credit Card - Refused!!

skipper9

I applied for the Clarity Card last week as it was rated on this site as the best for travel and spending abroad. My daughter has recently moved to New Zealand and I am going in the next couple of months for a visit.

I was told by Halifax that one or more of their criteria had not been met, so I took my free trial on Experian to find out what the problem was, as Halifax would not tell me! My credit rating can not go any higher (999) - so what's the problem? I contacted Halifax again, and after being transferred all over the place, eventually spoke to someone who told me that as a 'pensioner' my income was not high enough. If I wanted to appeal (he thought it was a waste of time) I would only get £500 credit.

I have no mortgage, no overdraft, no loans, all cards/bills paid on or before due date; I also have savings, but it appears that I am still a credit risk. Before I hit the bottle, does anyone have any suggestions as to where to go next? I think that approaching any CC company will have the same result. I'm not just angry, I'm steaming!!!!

Tixy

Its not that you are necessarily a credit risk - you might just not fit their target customer profile. The clarity card is certainly one where they will cherry pick the best customers to suit who they prefer to lend to.

As you have found the credit score is not a useful indication of whether you are likely to be accepted for any product, as a potential lender takes into account lots of things that experian don't have a clue about you - not least how much you earn.

Trying your own bank for a new credit card(assuming its not halifax) might mean you are more likely to be accepted - as they have more infor on you - or can you not use an existing card? If not then look at the best debit cards for spending abroad or even the best prepaid cards for abroad.

[Deleted User]

This shows why the 999 score is irrelevant. Halifax have concerns about your ability to repay the balance.

There may be cards that stipulate a lower income, so have a search around for those.

skipper9

Thanks Tixy and zx81, I do have two other cards but the charges for using them abroad, plus the ATM charges overseas, make it an undesirable option. So I will keep looking and hope I don't have to revert to carrying a load of cash.

Tixy

As you've mentioned being a pensioner I assume you are over 50? you could consider the saga credit card which appears as a good option on the travel money article,

balmk

skipper9 wrote: »

Thanks Tixy and zx81, I do have two other cards but the charges for using them abroad, plus the ATM charges overseas, make it an undesirable option. So I will keep looking and hope I don't have to revert to carrying a load of cash.

If you are thinking of using a credit card for cash withdrawals both in the UK and overseas you should be aware of the interest rate which is charged as there is no interest free period and the rate can be considerably higher than the purchase or any promotional rate.

If you have savings, you may find it more cost effective to use a prepaid money card which you can use in shops and at cashpoints.

solero

skipper9 wrote: »

I have no mortgage, no overdraft, no loans, all cards/bills paid on or before due date; I also have savings, but it appears that I am still a credit risk. Before I hit the bottle, does anyone have any suggestions as to where to go next? I think that approaching any CC company will have the same result. I'm not just angry, I'm steaming!!!!

Amazing skipper9! I could have written that post.

I applied online on Sunday night and was immediately refused. I am a 'carbon copy' of you. I am retired with a considerable disposable income from a stable company pension fund. Perfect credit rating etc etc.. I have lived at the same address, which I completely own, for over 25 years.

I am disgusted. Obviously, as another poster has indicated, Halifax are 'cherry picking' and in my opinion issue cards to who they think will make them the best profit. I am only 60 and have just retired from a well paid profession. In all my years I have never been refused any form of credit.

I haven't bothered to persue this any further as I feel it will be a waste of time.

I am now in the process of cancelling all the Halifax group products, including savings, that I use. It's no loss to me as there are better alternatives anyway.

Initially I felt angry, but there is little point when dealing with such a faceless organisation.

izools

Tixy wrote: »

As you've mentioned being a pensioner I assume you are over 50? you could consider the saga credit card which appears as a good option on the travel money article,

Agreed, Saga card is good for use abroad, and as their target market is, well, you, you should stand a better chance of approval.

My mother was happily approved for a Saga card despite being on a state pension and only working a few hours a week :beer:

HoneyAndLemon

If you applied online, I suggest you appeal it. The online application system can be very...cold?harsh? It will only 'like' certain answers/people. It still uses the 'old' halifax systems, before they integrated with lloyds. The lloyds system which is used over the phone/in branch is a lot more people friendly.

Appeal.

Tixy

solero wrote: »

Obviously, as another poster has indicated, Halifax are 'cherry picking' and in my opinion issue cards to who they think will make them the best profit.

Well that makes sense doesn't it? - of course they will choose the customers they stand to make the best profit from, they are a commercial company with shareholders to make money for.

opinions4u

I also have savings

With Halifax? What other accounts do you have with Halifax?

Their credit scoring systems were always massively skewed in favour of existing customers. No idea what the current state of play is, but no accounts made it very difficult to get a card in pre-LBG days.