Those who started out with a subprime card because they had no credit previously

Maestro.

...how long was it until you get accepted mainstream? I want to hold off applying for any card until I know I'll have a good chance.

I have been on the electoral roll a month and although my credit history is pretty "young" I have only green marks. Had an overdraft from bank for about the last 8 months and a credit card just over 2 months.

Some people say 6 months, others say a year, others say 18 months or longer.

I'm not impatient, just interested to hear from other's past experiences. Can I also reiterate that there is nothing at all wrong with my credit report, and I am sensible with money.

Gordon_Hose

Do you NEED a credit card?

James129

I'd say minimum of 18 months of well run credit accounts.

I applied for Barclaycard initial and Cap1 progress in July 2010 to build my credit history. Both came with low limits of £250 and £200 respectively. I only had Natwest step account and o2 pay monthly contract then both around 2-3 years old.

Then I believe after a year I was accepted for Natwest platinum mastercard, albeit after an appeal.

In January 2012, I was pre-approved for Halifax all in one credit card.

Since then I closed my credit building cards and have been accepted for Cap1 world mastercard, Nationwide select credit card, Marriott rewards credit card and Natwest yourpoints mastercard. Reason I got these cards was mainly for rewards, cashback and no fee foreign transactions etc

In total I have over £35k available in credit cards and overdrafts. Ps I only got myself on electoral roll in July 2011.

InsideInsurance

The wife, having never had UK credit and never being on the electoral roll did get a debs/santander credit card with a £1k limit when she applied in store (prior to us having any financial links).

Sometimes these things are a law unto themselves but certainly some reward cards in own bank branding are more challenging to get than some affinity cards

skintdad

you could try after 6 months if refused wait another 6 months. Oct last year I had very little history and a 5 year old CCJ and got Barclaycard Gold with £1k limit and 19.9% just increased to £2k and CCJ doesnt drop off til Sept. Yesterday was accepted for MBNA football card at 16.9% (don't know limit yet). Only had mobile contract (with missed payments but clean for 2 years) and current account from Oct 08 (clean) on my credit file

Voyager2002

At a guess, wait until you have been on the electoral roll for at least six months. Obviously it also depends on how long you have lived at each previous address; how long you have been with the same employer; your age and marital status...

Anyway, one (or even two) unsuccessful applications won't do any real harm. So apply for one decent card when you feel ready, and if that fails then wait six months before applying for any other form of credit.

Suarez

I applied for a Vanquis - got a £250 limit.
9 month later applied for a Cap one and got a £1000 limit
9 months after that applied for my bank (HSBC) and got a £3250 limit.

Never had an increase from Vanquis or Cap one and I'll be closing the Vanquis next month

giblet10

Came out of IVA Feb 2011 - CRAs all clear Feb 2012..

- Vanquis approved June 2011 - £500 limit now £1250

- Metro approved January 2012 - £1250 limit

- Tesco approved March 2012 - £2500 limit

Maestro.

That's not bad actually.

Maestro.

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The wife, having never had UK credit and never being on the electoral roll did get a debs/santander credit card with a £1k limit when she applied in store (prior to us having any financial links).

Sometimes these things are a law unto themselves but certainly some reward cards in own bank branding are more challenging to get than some affinity cards

When the time comes ill probably try for a clydesdale card first. They are my bank,a bit old fashioned but in all honesty they've been brilliant... Really friendly, opened an account for me ages ago despite us having hardly any details to hand, and gave me an overdraft last year almost no questions asked. OD now not used at all.

Oh, and I got a phone on contract at £36 per month. Doesn't show up on my noddle report though.

Plxply

Maestro. wrote: »

Oh, and I got a phone on contract at £36 per month. Doesn't show up on my noddle report though.

Not all lenders report to all of the CRA's it would be a good idea to get your statutory report from Equifax and Experian.