Back to back credit card applications for earning airmiles

zerog

According to the Experian representative (search for it if you like), searches are registered instantly so if you click Apply for 5 cards at the same time, you won't have any control over which one sees 0 searches and which one sees 4 searches

The Americans' idea is that it takes a day for the credit search to register. I don't know how true that is.

pingles

I remember reading around this on a US focused site- the members referred to it as an application spree. I think it was encouraged mainly where different issuers would use a different agency.

Having said that, in the last 3 months I've opened 2 new cards with Amex (Gold Rewards and BA Premium Plus, I already had the Plat Cashback), the Nationwide Select and, because I'm moving my personal primary account to HSBC Premier (from another bank), an HSBC Premier CC. Maybe there is something in making a few applications at the same time.

nadirnwo

Very interesting. Yes, alot of the tips that these various frequent flyer bloggers give out wont be relevant in the UK without a credit scoring system similar to the US.

zerog

pingles wrote: »

I remember reading around this on a US focused site- the members referred to it as an application spree. I think it was encouraged mainly where different issuers would use a different agency.

Having said that, in the last 3 months I've opened 2 new cards with Amex (Gold Rewards and BA Premium Plus, I already had the Plat Cashback), the Nationwide Select and, because I'm moving my personal primary account to HSBC Premier (from another bank), an HSBC Premier CC. Maybe there is something in making a few applications at the same time.

None of these credit check you if you have an existing relationship with them, at least in certain cases (anecdotal).

I was not credit checked when opening the Select CC, which was 5 months after opening a current account with them. Unless Nationwide uses Equifax, as no searches showed up on the other 2.

You can open the HSBC Premier CC without ever stepping foot in the UK.