Halifax Clarity - accepted then declined - help!

Hellsbells77

I have had a search for this scenario but I can't find anything, so my apologies if it has been posted about loads of times.

We are off to the USA again in a few month's time and after reading on MSE which credit cards are best to use overseas decided on the Halifax Clarity, he did the soft check, which came back with 90% likely so applied online for the card. He was accepted and given a credit limit of £6300 and a 12.9% APR and we thought all was good. Received a letter welcoming him to Internet banking, received his pin, received the card then received a letter saying that he failed the final checks and they've closed the account.

We're at a bit of a loss because we've heard of people being declined straight away and there's usually an obvious or fairly obvious reason why but there doesn't seem to be with him.

He has never deferred a loan, never gone overdrawn, has always paid off his credit card in full apart from over 14 years ago when he had a 0% balance transfer, which he paid off before the offer was up (obviously paying the minimum in the meantime). Has nothing negative on his credit score, hasn't applied for any credit cards for a couple of years and has never been refused credit. We haven't moved bank accounts recently, we've lived in our house for almost 10 years, we have a mortgage that we've never been in arrears with, my credit history and score is also very good. The only debt that either of us have, apart from the mortgage, is I have a student loan (never been in arrears but is currently deferred).

Apart from the fact that it's annoying that he can't use the card, we're also concerned this refusal will have a negative impact on his credit score in the future.

I have noticed that the credit card agreement states that "the credit intermediary was MoneySavingExpert". Could he have been penalised because of that rather than going directly through Halifax and they don't want to pay any commission??!! Clutching at straws here!

If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do or has been in a similar position we would love to hear. Thanks!

grumbler

Refusal isn't reported/recorded, only a credit search is.
It's extremely unlikely that MSE has anything to do with the rejection.

You can try to appeal, but check your credit files thoroughly first: Halifax Clarity appeal success

GingerBob_3

I wouldn't bother appealing. It's their loss. They had their chance, and they've blown it - to coin a phrase.

Last time I checked, the Post Office credit card was good one for using abroad. Perhaps have a look at it?

RMS2

GingerBob wrote: »

I wouldn't bother appealing. It's their loss. They had their chance, and they've blown it - to coin a phrase.

Last time I checked, the Post Office credit card was good one for using abroad. Perhaps have a look at it?

Totally missed the point of the post. They're not seeking how to get credit or a credit card (they've already got that).


They're wondering if a) it is normal to get turned down at that stage and b) should they be worried.


So, no it is not normal, you usually get refused long before cards and pin numbers are sent out, especially because if you'd been quick off the mark, you could have run up a fair bill on it.


Second, yes, I'd be a bit concerned as to why I'd been turned down at such a late stage. They obviously found something at a late stage that they didn't like. Is there anything you or your partner may have missed off? That's a rhetorical question, I don't want to know your personal affairs, but I'd have a think is something was missed out, accidently or deliberately. Please don't comeback protesting innocence to me, I'm not the one who will magic the credit card for you, I'm just asking you to have a think/prod you in the right direction.


I'd certainly be ringing them to find out what went on and whilst they might not tell you exactly, they may point you in the right direction.

lisyloo

Doesn't seem normal to me.
I'd be checking all my credit reports (all 3) and asking Halifax what is going on.
For one thing it's not a good way to treat customers.
They ahve the right to decline you but to accept then decline is messing people around and not a good way to behave.

Hellsbells77

Thank you to all the responses.

RMS2, that's pretty much what we thought, which is why it concerned us so much, and we had a good think and checked everything, but there isn't anything. My husband's thought is that maybe they think he's too good and won't make them much money! I don't personally agreeing I guess you never really know what their criteria is.

Anyway, a little bit of an update... My husband phoned Halifax to ask why he had been rejected, they just said it was something to do with his credit score and told him to check it with someone like Experian, which he duly did and paid for. Unsurprisingly there was nothing untoward on there.

With a few reminders from me ;-) he is finally writing them a letter to appeal so we'll see how he gets on.

grumbler

HUKD today: Supercard Travelex Visa "Debit" - No International Fees

academiet

Thank for all the responses. I'll have a look.

SnowTiger

grumbler wrote: »

HUKD today: Supercard Travelex Visa "Debit" - No International Fees

Excellent idea for customers.

Really can't see how they can break even with this, let alone make a profit.

https://www.supercard.io/:

Is it really free?

Yes! We charge no fees, commission or foreign-exchange mark-up when you use Supercard abroad, so you can truly roam free. As Supercard is a travel product, small fees apply for using it in the UK – see FAQs below for details.

Interesting that the card doesn't have to be pre-loaded. Every time a customer spends the payment is taken from their UK debit or credit card.

Presumably it won't use Visa's published exchange rates. Issued by Treavelex - perhaps it will the their published exchange rates without any mark-up. :rotfl:

m00se1986

"Supercard processes transactions using the Visa Exchange Rate, with no commission or foreign-exchange fees added on."

SnowTiger

m00se1986 wrote: »

"Supercard processes transactions using the Visa Exchange Rate, with no commission or foreign-exchange fees added on."

Oh yes, in the FAQ under "How does it work?"

Really can't see how this is viable, though; unless card transaction fees are higher in other countries than here.

Even then I can't see how they can offer free ATM withdrawals.

It'll be interesting to see how it works out. I've signed up, of course.