MSE Eligibilty Checker

kt1inamillion

Hi...


Just looking for some advice as I would like to do a balance transfer for a 0%...if possible.


I look at the MSE credit card eligibility checker and said for one of the Barclays credit cards that 90% of people with the same circumstances as me have been accepted. I then tried the Barclays own checker who said I was not eligible for anything.


Has anyone had the same as the above and applied and been given a card?


I just looking to see what the "norm" maybe as I don't want to do a search and it be declined.


Thanks in advance for any help which may be offered.

Nasqueron

The checker says I have 90% on Barclays but the * says you need a 20k income and as mine is less than that (which I put into the checker) I didn't see any point applying - if you earn more than 21k who knows it may go through if you try - otherwise try another of the ones that can do a "soft search" like Halifax or Sainsbury's or MNBA.

Personally when I apply for one (intending on using it as an interest free loan for a purchase I want to make later in the year) the Sainsbury's / Tesco or MBNA seem fine for me (I bank with Halifax so can't use their card) - why not look at the Tesco one, 1 month less but lower transfer fee?

kt1inamillion

"The checker says I have 90% on Barclays but the * says you need a 20k income and as mine is less than that (which I put into the checker) I didn't see any point applying - if you earn more than 21k who knows it may go through "


That's the same as me ^^^


Has anyone applied with an income as less then £20k and been accepted?


Also....is £20k before or after tax?

antonymp

I used the MSE Eligibility Checker for a Halifax Clarity Card back in November last year and was given an 80 - 90% chance of acceptance, so I went ahead and applied online, I was instantly accepted.

Nasqueron

kt1inamillion wrote: »

"The checker says I have 90% on Barclays but the * says you need a 20k income and as mine is less than that (which I put into the checker) I didn't see any point applying - if you earn more than 21k who knows it may go through "


That's the same as me ^^^


Has anyone applied with an income as less then £20k and been accepted?


Also....is £20k before or after tax?

It's the pre-tax salary.

MSE checker isn't perfect, I suspect they just didn't program it for that limit - if Barclaycard say you need to earn 20k and you apply for it via an online system it'll just decline you on the earnings field (computer check is just "earnings > 20,000 = approve and < 20,000 = reject"). If they wanted it to go to people who earn less, they would advertise it as such.

Halifax Clarity doesn't have the same earnings limit as Barclaycard (and it's mainly for cheap overseas travel, not balance transfers as there is (currently) no interest free period on transfers).

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Nasqueron wrote: »

computer check is just "earnings > 20,000 = approve and < 20,000 = reject"

Poor programming. What about the case of earnings = 20,000 ?

guesswho2000

Nasqueron wrote: »

It's the pre-tax salary.

MSE checker isn't perfect, I suspect they just didn't program it for that limit - if Barclaycard say you need to earn 20k and you apply for it via an online system it'll just decline you on the earnings field (computer check is just "earnings > 20,000 = approve and < 20,000 = reject"). If they wanted it to go to people who earn less, they would advertise it as such.

Halifax Clarity doesn't have the same earnings limit as Barclaycard (and it's mainly for cheap overseas travel, not balance transfers as there is (currently) no interest free period on transfers).

Barclaycard are just "more likely" to accept with earnings over £20k, it's not a definitive disqualification if you earn less.

For example, my OH earns just under £20k, yet has been approved for a Plat & Freedom Rewards card both with £5k limits, with the correct salary being entered on the application. I'm not sure if it affects their decision, but we live at the same address and I've been a long time Barclaycard customer, but it goes some way to proving the don't stop you holding one on salary alone

In the same way, MoneySupermarket always say she'd not be eligible for various Amex cards based on her salary, yet Amex ask for household income, not sole. These algorithms aren't perfect, just an indication.

wellsy07

just to put my two pence in


I earn 17.5k a year, pre tax and I have been accepted for two Barclays platinum cards. 6.5k limit split between both, my first had a 6.5k limit but I reduced it myself to 3k, and at a later date applied for a new 33 month and got that with a 4 k limit,


so I feel that Barclays have a guideline of income they like but
they must look deeper at the credit history and if your going to be profitable, make them happy and they will keep you happy

Nasqueron

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Poor programming. What about the case of earnings = 20,000 ?

Was never any good at coding :P

Nasqueron

guesswho2000 wrote: »

Barclaycard are just "more likely" to accept with earnings over £20k, it's not a definitive disqualification if you earn less.

For example, my OH earns just under £20k, yet has been approved for a Plat & Freedom Rewards card both with £5k limits, with the correct salary being entered on the application. I'm not sure if it affects their decision, but we live at the same address and I've been a long time Barclaycard customer, but it goes some way to proving the don't stop you holding one on salary alone

In the same way, MoneySupermarket always say she'd not be eligible for various Amex cards based on her salary, yet Amex ask for household income, not sole. These algorithms aren't perfect, just an indication.

Seems weird to advertise "minimum salary" then - I'd just prefer not to risk it but I do have the flexibility of choice of any of the cards (except the one from my own bank) so not under pressure

I was on about 16.5k when I got the Nectar/Amex card and they gave me a limit of 13k or something when I already had about 9k on my bank MC, helps having a perfect credit rating I guess but still irresponsible of lender.

phona

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Poor programming. What about the case of earnings = 20,000 ?

I am so glad someone else said that before I did But now you've done it I can over-do it...

if (income < 20000) {
decline();
} else if (income > 20000) {
approve();
} else {
overthrowSociety();
}


But to return to the OP, I would tend to believe what Barclaycard said over MSE.