First Credit Card

ZeroG_2

I am planning a trip to New York next year and one thing I thought might be handy would be a credit card. At the moment I have a Mastercard Debit Card through the Clydesdale Bank and not sure how widely accepted that would be over in the States. The trip isn't the only reason I would like one. I often order PC Components and Electronics and a credit card would come in handy for ordering from abroad online.

I've never had a credit card before and am unsure what kind of card I should go for. I would mainly be using it for emergencies and the odd purchase here and there, paying off the balance in full each month. Anyone have any suggestions in what I should aim for and who to go with?

reclusive46

The Aqua cashback card might be a good one to apply for. Its a MasterCard (Which is fine anyway in the US, accepted practically everywhere apart from some restaurants that only take American Express) and it charges no fees, you also get 3% back on all your purchases.

Plxply

Your Debit MasterCard should be accepted perfectly fine in the states as it's treated as a normal MasterCard however you may run into some problems with certain merchants who use older systems.

I agree with Reclusive if you've never had a credit card before the Aqua Rewards is probably a good one to go for. Although if you have had any credit before overdraft, personal loan, mortgage, phone contract etc. then it would be good to list here as they are all displayed on your credit file.

ZeroG_2

I haven't had any loans or credit cards before. The last time I checked my credit file the only thing on there was my mobile contract, which has now ended. 24 month contract and never missed a payment, currently on my 2nd 24 month contract.

cautiousjon

Your Mastercard should be accepted fine but if you do want a credit card, I would look at the Halifax Clarity card. It is a Mastercard credit card and charges zero fees and will give you the best exchange rate when spending US dollars. I assume you have a fulltime salaried job?

BugsyBrowne

cautiousjon wrote: »

Your Mastercard should be accepted fine but if you do want a credit card, I would look at the Halifax Clarity card. It is a Mastercard credit card and charges zero fees and will give you the best exchange rate when spending US dollars. I assume you have a fulltime salaried job?

Yeah and he is really going to be accepted for that with no credit history whatsoever.

ZeroG_2

Yes, I am in a full time salaried job (same company for over 6 years now). I did wonder if having no credit history would be a bad thing but wasn't sure how much it would affect it or what I can do about it.

BugsyBrowne

ZeroG wrote: »

Yes, I am in a full time salaried job (same company for over 6 years now). I did wonder if having no credit history would be a bad thing but wasn't sure how much it would affect it or what I can do about it.

Mate without credit history you will have to go down the sub-prime route like vanquis,capital one secured or cap1 classic and your own bank would also be one to ask.

ZeroG_2

I was going to see my own bank (Clydesdale) but they are rubbish. Will probably look into those others.

reclusive46

ZeroG wrote: »

I was going to see my own bank (Clydesdale) but they are rubbish. Will probably look into those others.

Aqua is for those with bad or no credit, and it has no forex fees. So that is your best bet.

ZeroG_2

reclusive46 wrote: »

Aqua is for those with bad or no credit, and it has no forex fees. So that is your best bet.

Been reading through http://www.moneysupermarket.com/credit-cards/credit-builder/

So many different options on there.