How long did it take you to get a mainstream card?

hoffage123

Just wondering what other people's experiences were of going from sub-prime to prime, and how long it took them?

I'm with Vanquis at the moment (just paid off my first statement). This is my first CC since being made bankrupt in Nov 2007 (early discharge 2008). All my credit files are correct. I applied for a Capital One but was declined (because at the time my credit files weren't correct but they are now, and I am appealing their decision)

My plan is as follows:

1. Good payment history with Vanquis for 6 months (pay in full).
2. At 4 months apply for Aqua card. Start using that (pay in full).
3. At 9 months in ask Coop to upgrade my basic account to a normal account - it will then have been nearly 5 and a bit years since my discharge.
4.At 12 months in close Vanquis and apply for mainstream card.

Does that sound feasible, or should I be aiming for a longer term view (say 18 months plus before I apply for a mainstream card and/or current account)?

Venusflytrap

As a student in '04 I got a BC initial. When I started working in '07 I got a HSBC CC as they'd been my bank for 2 yrs+. And it's been uphill since then - BC Platinum, NW Rewards, Nectar Amex and Halifax Clarity (INPO).

blacksta

Took me about 4 years of fixing my credit record.

john1002

As long as you have any bad credit on your file the co op will not upgrade your account. Will be 2014/15 before that will happen with the co op anyway.

john

James129

After keeping barclaycard initial and capital one progress for 15 months, I was accpeted for Natwest's platinum mastercard and just this week I have been accepted for Halifax's all in one credit card.

The latter two both have 0% deals on balance tranfers and purchases for 18 and 15 months respectively.