Never had a cc before & can't get one!

threelegsman

I'm 57, retired, own my house with no mortgage, have capital and am completely solvent in every way.
I have never had a credit card in my own name and have prided myself in doing without something until I could afford to buy it outright.
I now need a credit card as I have arranged a hire car in Portugal and have to produce a CC before they will hand over the keys. My debit card will not suffice.
I have applied to Barclaycard and Lloyds and even my own bank of 40 years and been refused a credit card by all of them! I now understand (through going through the Equifax credit score enquiry process) that this is because I have no history of debt and would not make any money for the provider.
I am reluctant to proceed with another application as I believe that each one I make unsuccessfully further disadvantages me by further reducing my credit score!
Any recommendations please?
Les

[Deleted User]

Try aqua, Cap One or Vanquis. One of those should accept you.

You're not being rejected because you wouldn't make money for the provider. It's because they have no grounds on which to trust you would pay them back.

threelegsman

Thank you for your reply. It just seems rather unfair to be restricted to just a few providers when I've essentially done nothing wrong. I was originally looking for a cashback card after Martin's recommendations as this would seem to offer the most benefits to me - although in reality I don't think I would use it very much at all.
It now seems I'm not going to have that sort of option. I just feel particularly upset that my bank of 40 years and with whom I had a mortgage for a few years around 30 odd years ago aren't interested in helping.
Les

aleph_0

It might be worth writing to a company to appeal, providing evidence of income etc. It's possible that because of how long ago you opened your bank account/mortgage that it's not being reported to the Credit Agencies directly. Sign up to noddle (http://noddle.co.uk) and check your credit report for free).

Also make sure you are on the electoral roll.

I agree it's a bit frustrating, but I can understand the other companies rejecting you if they can find no evidence of a credit history for you.

threelegsman

I will take your advice thank you.
My income will not read well as I'm now retired and comfortably living on my Fire Service pension (25k) since 2005.
Also, as I live in the Isle of Man, any cc provider checking the UK electoral roll would not find me. We have our own system of government here and therefore our own electoral roll.
Not looking good for me is it!
Thanks again,
Les

Just edited to add......I did subscribe to Equifax for a free period when Barclaycard knocked me back and found my credit rating was "very poor" . The refusal which came in the post from Lloyds this morning indicated that they used Experian who came up with the same answer.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

I also think that your own bank is being rather mean about this. After all, £25k is not far off the average wage and you don't have a mortgage or rent to pay.

Your bank would make money off you as they charge merchants circa 2.5% for the privilege of accepting card payments.

I agree that an appeal would be worthwhile.

spinningsheep

Try Aqua Advance, 34.9% APR but this will reduce by 5% each yr over 3 years as well.

threelegsman

Thank you all for your comments and advice. It's going to be too late now for me to get a cc in time for my holiday in Portugal (in order to hire a car) which was the initial and most pressing reason for my application.
I will appeal strongly to my bank (Isle of Man Bank) who issue credit cards through Nat West in the first place as I agree I should have been treated better as a lifetime customer.
Failing that I will look at one of the other providers you have recommended.
Many thanks,
Les

Dr_Cuckoo3

Sygma Bank accept credit card applications from Isle of Man

https://apply.creation.co.uk/microsites/derby/

http://money.asda.com/credit-cards/

http://www.flybe.com/card/



Not all credit card issuers accept channel islands applications



http://onthewight.com/2012/04/24/capital-one-error-claimed-isle-of-wight-was-not-part-of-mainland-uk/

"They were told that for ‘legal reasons’ the application was being rejected because they lived outside ‘mainland UK’."

If applying for a Sygma card , one of the football cards may be easier to get (as they have less applications for those)

gatita

Its very annoying to be in this position, this happened to my daughter.
In the end she was 'granted' one by Capitol One, so if I were you I'd try them. Good luck

dgtazzman

Are you sure you need a credit card for that car rental? UK debit cards are generally issued under visa or Mastercard and are pretty much treated as credit cards abroad. As long as you have enough on your bank account to cover the security deposit authorisation and rental fees, you have a good chance that will suffice...