No credit rating

AD74

My mum has recently passed away and she had MBNA credit cards along with a Barclaycard. During the week following her passing, I as executer called to inform the companies and the accounts were closed. Dad was an additional card holder on both accounts. Both companies informed me that Dad had to reapply for cards. He has been refused with the reason given that he does not have a credit card.
I understand there are proceedures to follow by these companies and if the computer says no it means no, however it still seems crazy, that dad aged 67, retired, no mortgage, solely owning a house valued at £320K with a £2K a month pension, always paid credit card off (yes account in mum's name), never overdrawn in bank account, member with MBNA since 1997 now can not get a credit card. Having spoken with the team at MBNA who deal with deaths plus various other departments, all the people seem to think it's strange but then state that the computer says no.
Help anyone. Closest we have come is to get a credit card from Natwest requiring an annual payment of £24. I know its not a lot and will get the credit rating but feel dad is not being treated fairly.

Crabapple

Yes, it is crazy that because you haven't needed/used credit you struggle to get it when you do!

I think in the credit card advice on here (more the pages than the forum) there is some advice on building a credit rating and possible cards. I'd go have a look there and see if there is anything suggested.

The alternative of course is to not bother with a credit card...

stclair

He would have to reapply as he was a secondary card holder.

Secondary card holders are not credit scored in these circumstances as the main account holder is responsible for any debt that may be built up.

He can appeal by putting it in writing to the lender.

AD74

Not having a credit card is one way as I know he doesn't really need it, but that was the way mum did it. She actually had 2 MBNA (american express and Visa) rewards cards and built up the points. At this point in time that's the way dad wants to do it to have continuity.
I thought this would have been a frequent problem and would have been addressed by the bereavement team. Sometimes in these cases it would be good for a human decison to overrule the computer. He's not a youngster with no credit rating, he doesn't have debt all over the place and he has had access to credit all his life.