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Sugggested next steps

Hi there everyone. Firstly I'd like to say that I'm very new to credit cards and loans, so please go easy on me if I sound like an idiot :P

I'm currently 19 years old and a student at university living with my mum. A few weeks ago I applied for my first credit card ever, a barclaycard initial, and was accepted and sent my credit card. I applied for this card since I thought I would be unable to get any other cards since I'm brand new in the credit market. I was surprised when I received my card and was told that I had a £1200 credit limit. Considering I only earn about £4000 a year working part time, I was incredibly surprised at this.

Because of this I enabled a free experian credit experts trial and found out my score was 946. Now I'm wondering if I was massively underestimating the cards I was eligible for. Can anyone help me by letting me know if I would be likely to get a cashback or low APR card if I was to apply for one or should I just stick with my current one and ask barclaycard if they can upgrade my card? Thanks in advance :D

Comments

  • Tixy
    Tixy Posts: 31,455 Forumite
    Hi

    The credit score is a bit of a nonsense - and in your circumstances (as with many others) not reflective of what credit you will likely to be able to obtain.

    I.e. people with no credit history are frequently given a 999 score by experian - but will find it very hard to get any mainstream credit at all.

    The card you have got is likely to be a better deal than anything else you can get at the moment. If you use it sensibly to build up a credit history then in the future you should be able to get better credit cards with lower APRs.

    Cashback cards mostly have a minimum income limit..
    A smile enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give
    or "It costs nowt to be nice"
  • In that case I guess I'll just continue using it sensibly until I finish university and see what I can get once I have a proper job and a more established credit history. Thanks for the reply!
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    PeterGL123 wrote: »
    Hi there everyone. Firstly I'd like to say that I'm very new to credit cards and loans, so please go easy on me if I sound like an idiot :P

    I'm currently 19 years old and a student at university living with my mum. A few weeks ago I applied for my first credit card ever, a barclaycard initial, and was accepted and sent my credit card. I applied for this card since I thought I would be unable to get any other cards since I'm brand new in the credit market. I was surprised when I received my card and was told that I had a £1200 credit limit. Considering I only earn about £4000 a year working part time, I was incredibly surprised at this.

    Because of this I enabled a free experian credit experts trial and found out my score was 946. Now I'm wondering if I was massively underestimating the cards I was eligible for. Can anyone help me by letting me know if I would be likely to get a cashback or low APR card if I was to apply for one or should I just stick with my current one and ask barclaycard if they can upgrade my card? Thanks in advance :D


    it is indeed an absurd credit limit

    just don't be tempted by that money however

    set up a DD for the full amount so that you never get into debt on the card
    it will build a good credit record which will help you after graduation to get a mortgage
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