New to Credit Cards

Andrew115

Hi,

I've just received my first credit card which has a limit of £260.
I need the card as im going on holiday and wish to hire a car for 2 weeks (all car rentals require credit, not debit cards) this amount will not get me very far!!

Can I put more money onto my credit card, ie £1000 so my credit limit becomes £1260. Is this possible? my card is a barclaycard.

I would apply for a capitalone card, but im going in a months time and not sure how long the process will take - or if I would even get one with a better credit limit.

I dont have money issues, just need the card for car rental.

thanks

wannabedebtfree_2

I wouldn't do this personally, especially after reading an OP's thread about a ruined honeymoon when they did exactly that.

Most credit cards will br frozen when you take them into a high credit balance, its not what they are designed for, the OP was advised that he could do it, and found when he arrived on honeymoon that the card was frozen for the first 4 days, and after many phone calls and wrangling with the bank they put the money back into his current account so he could use his debit card (and this was only as a favour, he was told it should take about 10 working days to sort out under normal circumstances)

I would say phone the CC company and ask, but the OP I am talking about was advised in a branch he could do it, and the advice was wrong, so check your terms and conditions VERY VERY carefully!

CLAPTON

some cards allow this and some dont.. so best to read the T&Gs of your particular card and/or phone up and ask.
Also it may be worth phoning and explaining your situation and asking for a higher card limit.

Andrew115

hmm its my honeymoon too

I did ask if I could pay money onto the card, and the support at barclaycard said this shouldnt be a problem.

I'll go to my bank tomorrow for some advise...

Karl.H_2

Which Barclaycard is it? And where are you going?
Make sure you know the extra charges when abroad.

davetrousers

Could you phone up Barclaycard and ask for a higher limit? £260 isn't a lot really!

Karl.H_2

davetrousers wrote: »

Could you phone up Barclaycard and ask for a higher limit? £260 isn't a lot really!

Obviously, it depends on circumstances. They'll most likely say: use the card for a few months, stay within your limit, and we may increase. Still, phone them and discuss this with them; it's worth a try. As he's a new credit-card user, they have no idea how he'll use the card.

YorkshireBoy

Personally, I wouldn't pre-load £1K on to a card (other than an Egg Money card). I also read the Halifax issue post a couple of weeks ago!

Some other options:

1. Apply for a Nationwide FlexAccount and their credit card at the same time (in branch). With a bit of luck the card will be here within a month.

2. Ask a family member (with a sufficient credit limit) to add you as a secondary cardholder on their credit card account.

3. Ask your own bank for a card. After all, no-one knows your account conduct like they do.


Just a thought, when the hire company scan your card at the start of the rental, can the system see what the credit limit is? After all, they'd want to know that, with excesses of say £1,000, you were 'good for the money'

Andrew115

Luckily I have found a car rental for £230

However Id still like to have more credit just incase it works out more...

Paying the card back isnt an issue for me, the only reason I applied for a credit card was to rent the car.

If I put an additional £200 on the card so the limit is £460, this should cover me for unexpected costs. As i will take cash and debit card on honeymoon with me. So credit card will only be used for car hire.

I've phoned up barcalycard twice. The first bloke was useless a blunt 'no' wait till 6 months, the second call she was a little more helpful, and said she couldnt see a problem with adding money to the card. I may try a third time to see if I get someone better on the phone.

thanks for the advise.

I wouldnt mind going for a second credit card as a backup, could any one provide advise on a good card that will arrive within a few weeks?

thanks

wannabedebtfree_2

Just remember that most debit and credit cards will charge you a fee for each withdrawal - so make sure you check the costs.

Nationwide and I think The Post Office don't charge for CC transactions abroad, I've had a Nationwide CC for years and apart from it having a high balance (entirely my fault obviously!) I can't fault it, never had any issues with them, but I'm sorry I can't remember how long it took to come through.

Andrew115

I've applied for an egg card online.

Just waiting to see if ive been accepted