Think I've messed up - what can I do?

Iwani

Hi,

I'm separated and have previously only ever been joint card holder with my ex, as he had the large salary. I decided to apply for a card of my own now, knowing I wouldn't get much in the way of credit as I'm only part time, salary of around £7600, just hoping I'd be approved at all. We/I had an excellent credit rating while together and to my knowledge nothing has changed that.
I applied for the Halifax Clarity card as wanted it as back up while abroad, and was approved, £700 limit. Happy with that, waited a few weeks, nothing came. When I called up they told me my application was abandoned as I hadn't checked the last box on the website, or something along those lines. Total mistake as I'd thought it was all done but they said the application can't be retrieved now!
So, I applied for the M&S card 0% spends instead today. It's gone to underwriters for a decision and I now realise that both applications fairly close together as probably really hurt my credit score. Are M&S likely to decline me? If they do am I basically stuffed for getting a credit card now, as to apply somewhere else would be a third check! :eek:

Feeling like a numpty, not used to not being able to get credit when needed, so think it flustered me a bit and I didn't pay attention to what I was doing properly.

Anthorn

Are you sure the Halifax did a full search? When I applied to Halifax they did a soft search similar to those done by comparison sites. (I actually refused their offer btw). Maybe get your credit reports.

Even if it's a full search two applications are unlikely to adversely affect your credit report but personally I wouldn't do another one over the next six months. A lender will see from a search that you applied and from your accounts that you didn't get it depending on the date the lender who refused you reports to the CRA and will most likely regard it as reasonable that you applied for a different one.

Iwani

Thanks Anthorn. I haven't technically been refused by either lender, the first one the application got 'abandoned' and so hasn't gone any further and the second one's been referred...

I guess if the second one is declined then I may have to wait a bit, it's just a bit of a pain as am going abroad in a couple of months and would have felt a lot happier having a card as backup just in case.

Good to know about Halifax searches though thank you, I may ask them about that.

thebritishbloke

Just as a side note, if you're planning to have a direct debit set up to pay it in full every month, you could always go with a sub-prime card for the time being to improve your credit rating for a year or so.

I wouldn't necessarily wait 6 months to try again, given that it's your first sole credit card. I'd try going through your bank (is it Halifax?) for a credit card.

[Deleted User]

Can you not just reapply for the first one, making sure you ticked all the boxes this time?

Iwani

I bank with Nationwide, my instinct and preference was to apply with them BUT my (ex) husband has a credit card with them currently and the bank accounts are still joint (I know, I know...) so I assumed they wouldn't want to give a second credit card to me?

I did think about reapplying to the first people, Halifax, they said I could do this after June 8th only, I may well do that, I was just a bit put off by their representative on the phone and also things I'd read about the card being frozen while abroad. But I might do that if M&S decline me.

Just don't want to make another mistake with my next move as suspect that really will mess everything up.