How long to wait after cancelling a CC to apply again?

[Deleted User]

Hi to everyone at the MSE Forums!


I recently visited my local Halifax branch to obtain more information on the Halifax Clarity credit card and to make an application should it suit my requirements - which it does.


Unfortunately, as I already have a Halifax All-in-One credit card I was unable to apply unless I cancelled my current credit card (they couldn't upgrade the card either), which was arranged in-branch and I'm currently awaiting confirmation of cancellation.


How long after receiving confirmation of cancellation should I wait before applying for the Halifax Clarity credit card? The advisor in-branch said 30 days (which is the same information on MSE) but the advisor I spoke to on the phone said 60 days.


I've held the Halifax All-in-One credit card for over 3 years, never been in debt or missed payments, have a £2,500 credit limit and the balance on the card is £0. I've been banking with Halifax for at least 11 years, have a substantial amount of savings and I'm a home owner with no mortgage.


I'm assuming the information above would go towards me being accepted, but I don't want the process of cancelling and applying to soon to cancel that out.


Any advice would be much appreciated...:D

ElliotLibertine

if you find out the answer, I would really love to know too. I will be paying off the remainder of the balance on my Halifax 0% Purchases card in the next few days but want to take out the Halifax Clarity card before a holiday in mid-May

rb10

Three years ago, the official answer was that you had to wait 30 days, but in practice you could apply as soon as the old card had been closed.

This may have changed now that new cards are held on a different system to the old ones.

Jessii1990

I think it is now the 60 days you need to wait before re-applying

bouncydog1

I rang customer services and had a chat with the rep resulting in my current Halifax card being converted to clarity so was able to carry on using current card and the se am less transfer to clarity.

[Deleted User]

How strange, bouncydog1. The advisor in-branch phoned their credit card line and enquired about getting it converted but was told it wasn't possible. It doesn't give me much time to apply for the card - great!

MallyGirl

Tesco said 6 month to me when I cancelled over the phone - when the paperwork came it said 9 months.

[Deleted User]

Just got off the phone with an extremely helpful advisor within Halifax's credit card department who managed to answer the points raised in my original post.


The amount of time you have to wait to apply for a credit card after cancelling one is 60 days from the date of cancellation - which takes place with immediate effect.


It used to be 30 days but was amended in September 2013 along with the removal of the option for converting (also referred to as 'upgrading') credit cards, which the advisor commented has caused no end of problems.


I explained my reasons for wanting to apply for the Halifax Clarity credit card and that I'm now concerned that I may not have it in time for a trip to Florida in May. I was advised that in a perfect scenario the whole process should take 1-2 weeks, with it being much quicker in-branch as the agreement can be signed straightaway rather than waiting for it to be posted. I was also advised not to apply before 60 days as their system would reject the application automatically regardless of credit score/rating, although this wouldn't have a negative effect but it is a pain the chuff.


So, reminder scheduled for 22nd March to apply...fingers-crossed!

blitzboy

There is a rough guide on how long it takes to 'regenerate' on the main site, see link below.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cancel-unused-cards#when

[Deleted User]

blitzboy wrote: »

There is a rough guide on how long it takes to 'regenerate' on the main site, see link below.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cancel-unused-cards#when

Yes, that is what confused me originally. I was told 30 days by advisor in-branch and MSE states the same, however, the credit card department told me 60 days.

The correct information is 60 days as of September 2013, so MSE is currently displaying the wrong information.

ohit

bouncydog1 wrote: »

I rang customer services and had a chat with the rep resulting in my current Halifax card being converted to clarity so was able to carry on using current card and the se am less transfer to clarity.

Pretty common for bank branches to be useless for anything useful day-to-day.