First time credit card?

CLAPTON

cazs wrote: »

To be clear, no credit apart from student loan and mortgage mentioned in original post, which I would have thought would be categorized differently than having taken out credit cards before. Am on electoral roll.

I have looked at applying for one at Natwest, (my bank) though they only seem to have a very limited range to my surprise and as I am not a student or black account holder there was only one I could apply for which had a fee attached to it which was a bit off-putting.

Was originally just going to apply straight for Amex one but the 50/50% chance of success MSE gave me just deterred me as I didn't want to get a black mark so to speak.

what's wrong with the

Clear Rate Platinum Credit Card
It's our simplest credit card
To apply you need to be aged 18 or over, UK resident and earn at least £10,000.
Clear Rate Platinum Credit Card
Tick No confusing introductory offers or fees
Tick A simple low rate - 6.9% p.a. (variable) for all purchases and balance transfers
Tick No balance transfer fees – just one annual fee of £24
Tick Representative 11.1% APR (variable)

thebritishbloke

CLAPTON wrote: »

what's wrong with the

Is the £24 fee only if you BT to the card? I think that's where OP may have gotten confused.

cazs

thebritishbloke wrote: »

Is the £24 fee only if you BT to the card? I think that's where OP may have gotten confused.

Am I getting confused? I thought it was saying that we don't charge you to transfer balances to the card but we do charge you £24 to have the card each year...

CLAPTON

thebritishbloke wrote: »

Is the £24 fee only if you BT to the card? I think that's where OP may have gotten confused.

no

my mistake

natwest seem to be uniquely rubbish as I can't think of any other CC provider that doesn't provide a fee free CC.

cazs

Yep, so I'm a bit caught. I want the cash-back one but to get that I need to build a history, which I can do with my bank, but to do that I'll get charged £24 a year which would bug me as I don't exactly need/want the card.
Maybe they'll bring out a fee - free one soon I hope. Otherwise maybe I'll have to go with one of those cards for people with poor credit like Vanquis or something I guess.

ricky_v

cazs wrote: »

Yep, so I'm a bit caught. I want the cash-back one but to get that I need to build a history, which I can do with my bank, but to do that I'll get charged £24 a year which would bug me as I don't exactly need/want the card.
Maybe they'll bring out a fee - free one soon I hope. Otherwise maybe I'll have to go with one of those cards for people with poor credit like Vanquis or something I guess.

Capital One Classic Extra.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cashback-credit-cards#caponeclassic

Instead of paying a fee, they pay you a fee plus cashback.

cazs

Funnily enough I've been looking at the same card today as Mse gave me a 90% chance of approval so maybe I can use that for a few months before looking at the Amex.

thebritishbloke

cazs wrote: »

Funnily enough I've been looking at the same card today as Mse gave me a 90% chance of approval so maybe I can use that for a few months before looking at the Amex.

Have you tried applying for the AMEX? To be honest, given that you're a homeowner, I think you'd have a shot. Worst case scenario, they say no and you can apply for the Capital One Classic Extra. They're not going to deny you because of one search.

cazs

thebritishbloke wrote: »

Have you tried applying for the AMEX? To be honest, given that you're a homeowner, I think you'd have a shot. Worst case scenario, they say no and you can apply for the Capital One Classic Extra. They're not going to deny you because of one search.

Hi just to be on the safe side, I applied successfully yesterday for the Capital card and I'll use that for a few months paying it off and do Amex in say November just in time for the Xmas spending. That way I think I'd have a greater chance of success too. Thanks though.