Would it affect my credit score to apply for two cards within a month or so?

giddypenguin

My husband has stupidly high car insurance, which at the moment we pay monthly, but we could save around £400 by paying it all off in one go. My plan was to get a 0% credit card and pay it off over a few months. My husband really does not want a credit card in his name, so I was going to get it in mine. I already have a lloyds tsb amex/mastercard duo, but due to this move to avios points, I was planning on getting a cashback card, as I think it'll work out better (I always pay off in full). I've just started earning over the minimum for the capital one card, so was planning to apply now-ish. Would it instead be better to wait? Would it make me less attractive to lenders if I apply for 2 cards within a small time frame at the same time as having another? Thanks.

Tixy

It would probably affect your credit 'score' (the number that the credit reference agencies sell to you), but it shouldn't had a big impact on your credit file or on you ability to borrow.

Its generally advised to keep credit applications to a maximum of 3-4 in a 6month period. If you haven't applied for anything else recently and don't expect to need to then a couple of card applications within a month or so shouldn't have any big impact on your file.

James129

I don't think 2-3 searches would have any major affect at all. You might get a lower limit however.

From experience, I can say searches don't carry much weight compared to other factors like your payment history, income, length at address, electoral role and debt to available credit ratio.

Since November I have had 5 searches just for mortgage application as I shopped around. Nationwide searched me twice before releasing full offer. Halifax and Natwest also approved my mortgage application.

I successfully applied for Lloyds vantage account last month.

I closed my barclaycard initial and cap1 progress and been accepted for Halifax all in one, Mariott rewards card, flye card and cap1 world MasterCard pending final fraud checks.

I have more than 10 searches in last 4 months and so far I havnt had any rejections when applying.

Good luck with your application.