Mainstream Credit Cards

System

I would also say ditch the Vanquis ASAP!

S75 only applied from £100 + so almost impossible for the OP to use it.
Having a £100 credit limit isn't an asset to your credit file; quite the opposite

matttye wrote: »

By spending only £10 on it!

How 'frowned upon' is it to almost max out a card if paying it back every month anyway? The reason I ask is because there's a financial incentive to use credit rather than own funds (to gain interest on own funds) and it seems discriminatory that they would equate using credit to being in financial trouble! There's also the S75 protection for CC purchases.

CherlokHomes

Vanquis bank very high APR but with loose change as a credit limit hardly worth worrying about at the moment.

Keep it for some greens on your credit files whilst its at £100.

zingarina

UsetheFORCE wrote: »

I currently have:

Capital One Progress (nearly 9 months) Limit £200 27.9 APR
Vanquis Alpha (nearly 6 months) Limit £100 89.9 APR
Barclaycard Intial (nearly 6 months) Limit £400 29.9 APR


Any ideas on when I am likely to get a mainstream credit card?

Close the Vanquis, lowest limit, highest APR and not the oldest account. I can't believe they are offering an 80% APR, sick bankers...

Use the other two responsibly for one year (low utilisation ratio and if possible pay in full each month), don't increase your limits, etc.

UsetheFORCE

Innovate wrote: »

Vanquis bank very high APR but with loose change as a credit limit hardly worth worrying about at the moment.

Keep it for some greens on your credit files whilst its at £100.

That is what I will do, just put my £3.49 Equifax subscription on it and let it be...they did say the next review is next month so who knows what they are intending to do.

One of my catologues increased my limit by £500 today....wish they would just increase the credit cards!!!

iAMaLONDONER

UsetheFORCE wrote: »

That is what I will do, just put my £3.49 Equifax subscription on it and let it be...they did say the next review is next month so who knows what they are intending to do.

One of my catologues increased my limit by £500 today....wish they would just increase the credit cards!!!

3.49- I didn't know that they did a subscription this cheap!

UsetheFORCE

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

3.49- I didn't know that they did a subscription this cheap!

It is normally 6.99, rang up after first month wanting to cancel...they offer you half price. I have had it at 3.49 a month for the last year.

Ok, still £40+ a year BUT trying to build my credit up, I think it has been worth it as I have caught a few issues within a day or two or them coming up.

I am considering cancelling it now but they have put the regular price upto near a £10 so maybe better to keep it running for longer...

[Deleted User]

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

3.49- I didn't know that they did a subscription this cheap!

Yeah they do offer a cheaper subscription without all the unnecessary insurance and other useless !!!! they bundle to justify the £14.99 a month fee.

Unfortunately I don't think it's possible to sign up for this service directly - you have to already be a paying member and then threaten to leave and they will offer it to you to try and keep your custom. It allows you unlimited access to your credit file but without the score or identity theft 'insurance' p which, as I say, is useless as you are already automatically covered for any fraudulent use of your identity/accounts. This protection is enshrined in law which is far more useful that some 'insurance' that you have to pay for.

iAMaLONDONER

UsetheFORCE wrote: »

It is normally 6.99, rang up after first month wanting to cancel...they offer you half price. I have had it at 3.49 a month for the last year.

Ok, still £40+ a year BUT trying to build my credit up, I think it has been worth it as I have caught a few issues within a day or two or them coming up.

I am considering cancelling it now but they have put the regular price upto near a £10 so maybe better to keep it running for longer...

Lazyloki wrote: »

Yeah they do offer a cheaper subscription without all the unnecessary insurance and other useless !!!! they bundle to justify the £14.99 a month fee.

Unfortunately I don't think it's possible to sign up for this service directly - you have to already be a paying member and then threaten to leave and they will offer it to you to try and keep your custom. It allows you unlimited access to your credit file but without the score or identity theft 'insurance' p which, as I say, is useless as you are already automatically covered for any fraudulent use of your identity/accounts. This protection is enshrined in law which is far more useful that some 'insurance' that you have to pay for.

I see , what about experian? I would love to see what it says but I don't want to pay 14.99 a month!

My equifax report has always been incomplete and even less comprehensive then my Noddle/Callcredit one!

[Deleted User]

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

I see , what about experian? I would love to see what it says but I don't want to pay 14.99 a month!

My equifax report has always been incomplete and even less comprehensive then my Noddle/Callcredit one!

Oh, I was talking about Experian. You could try phoning them and asking for the cheaper deal straight away but I think they restrict it to people 'downgrading' from the normal package.

UsetheFORCE

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

I see , what about experian? I would love to see what it says but I don't want to pay 14.99 a month!

My equifax report has always been incomplete and even less comprehensive then my Noddle/Callcredit one!

https://www.privacyguard.co.uk has a 30 day FREE trial, £6.99 per month.

It uses Experian, you can get a new updated report daily and supplies the Experian Credit Score as well!!!


BTW, I am on my SECOND FREE 'TRIAL', PMSL!!!