advertised APR rate and credit history

book12

Out of curiousity about the following situation:

I understand that people will go for the Barclaycard Initial, Aqua, Abacus, Capital One credit cards for example when they have a poor/low, reparing credit history, and no credit history.

I was wondering if you guys tried applying for 'traditional' credit cards (i.e. the cards with less than 20% APR at least, balance transfers, cashback, flat rate, etc...), and got accepted with the advertised APR rate when you have poor/low or no credit history. Also, if you didn't get the advertised APR rate on the 'traditional' credit cards (in this case, let's say 15% APR), was the APR rate high as Barclaycard Initial (27% APR) for example, or still high but a bit lower than Barclaycard Initial for example (e.g. 25% APR). I hope you get what I mean.

For people who have some sort of credit history, did you get the advertised rate? If so, was it lower or higher? How often do people get the advertised rate?

Rafter

book12,

My understanding is that 75% of applicants must get offered the advertised rate. Others can get offered a much higher rate, but this must usually be on the same product. You cannot apply for a platinum card and then be offered a classic.

Some application forms expressly allow the card company to offer you a different product or even 'sell' your details to a loan broker to try and find you a loan if your credit card application is declined.

R.