Halifax Clarity Rejection

halfajack

I applied for the above card early last year, based on it being the top rated for overseas spending on this site. I was told by phone they couldn't process the application because I had another Halifax credit card (which I didn't use any more).

I cancelled the card and waited three months as suggested and applied online. I got a rejection message as soon as I submitted my application. I thought maybe I needed to leave it a bit longer for the other card cancellation to register then forgot all about it. Just popped into my head to do it now (on holiday and sadly using most of the time to sort out lots of house and financial stuff). I got an instant rejection message again!

I have an OK paid job and my debts include my mortgage, a credit card I use monthly and pay off the balance each month, and another credit card I used for a 0% balance transfer which I don't spend on but am paying off in instalments just big enough to avoid any interest payment. The balance on the last card is less than £500, which I could pay off now but thought it better to use it the way intended rather than miss out on interest payments in my current account. As well as my main current account, I have another current account with Halifax which has had 1p in it for years, other than a couple of occasions when I've accidentally left my main card at home and used that one to dip into the overdraft but paid it straight off using online banking, incurring no cost.

I've been with my current employer for over four years, at my current address for almost four years and with my current bank for about seven years. The last time I applied for a full credit report was just over four years ago and it was very healthy. The only change is my mortgage, but I didn't think having one would negatively impact a credit score, would it? Any other ideas what the problem could be? I'm worried two failed attempts to apply for this card could affect my credit score further and I might be looking to apply for a bigger mortgage in the next few years.

halfajack

Should have added - I used this site's eligibility calculator first and scored 80%.

Tixy

If you haven't got copies of your credit reports for 4 years then I'd say its worth getting copies from each of the 3 agencies just to ensure there is nothing incorrect/unexpected on them (its usually advisable to check them annually).

2 credit application searches over a period of few months will not have any long term impact on your ability to get credit.

As to what may be the cause of decline - as you have only been declined by 1 lender for a sought after product then it could be nothing to do with your credit files at all, it may just be an internal decision they have made.

halfajack

Thanks Tixy. That's reassuring.