Best credit card to build credit history from scratch

AGBrown

I have no credit history, having not taken out any credit since moving to the UK. The MSE credit card tool rates me as 60 % likely to get accepted for the Capital One, or Luma cards. It doesn't list any others that are more likely.

Can anyone recommend a card that I am more likely to be accepted for that would help me build a credit history (I intend to do my weekly shopping on it and pay it in full every month). I am full-time employed (although on maternity leave until March) and have been at my current address for 3 years and 1 month. The bills and utilities at the address are not in my name.

(Aside: this is not actually for me, but for a friend who has moved to the UK and I am trying to help)

[Deleted User]

Try aqua or Vanquis.

AGBrown

Deleted_User wrote: »

Try aqua or Vanquis.

Thank you. Following your reply I have re-checked the MSE eligibility tool and the Aqua cards show up as a 20 % acceptance chance, and the Vanquis as 50 %. So it looks like the Capital One/Luma (and now Ocean Finance) at 60 % might be the best I can hope for?

I guess that means I am stuck with trying these 3.

AGBrown

The MSE eligibility tool shows the "Barclaycard Initial" with no % chance, just a "NO ELIGIBILITY SCORE" note. Does that mean its a 0 % chance, or that you can always get this card?

I certainly pass all the checks on the barclaycard page for the Initial card (barclaycard.co.uk /personal/eligibility and /personal/credit-cards/initial#tabbox0), although as I mentioned I have no bill payments in my name at all - would that count against me?

darkidoe

There's no best credit card to build history. Use the eligibility calculator as a rough guide which applications to make. 60% is decent odds but it's always going to be slightly difficult with limited history. Don't worry too much even if the application fails. Don't keep making multiple applications without re-evaluating your credit file.

Other simple things to try build history is to get registered at the electoral roll and get on a monthly mobile/Sim Only plan.

AGBrown

darkidoe wrote: »

There's no best credit card to build history. Use the eligibility calculator as a rough guide which applications to make. 60% is decent odds but it's always going to be slightly difficult with limited history. Don't worry too much even if the application fails. Don't keep making multiple applications without re-evaluating your credit file.

Other simple things to try build history is to get registered at the electoral roll and get on a monthly mobile/Sim Only plan.

Thanks. That's really my (badly worded) question - is there one that the eligibility calculator isn't highlighting which is more likely than a "60 %" chance to accept the application. Having had one credit check for the (refused) SIM-only deal in the last week, I guess the best plan is to apply for one of the aforementioned cards anyway and hope it goes through. Just not sure if it should be the Capital One, or the Barclaycard Initial (see my previous post).

(Other info: SIM-only deal refused due to failed credit check, already on electoral roll - therefore looking for most likely credit card to be accepted for in order to build credit history).

Ben8282

If you have been refused a SIM only contract I think there is a high probability that something is seriously wrong somewhere.

AGBrown

Ben8282 wrote: »

If you have been refused a SIM only contract I think there is a high probability that something is seriously wrong somewhere.

Interesting, thank you for this. Noddle just says there is no credit history. Equifax (the agency used by the mobile company that refused the SIM only deal) doesn't even let me open the account - it doesn't list the address I have lived at for 3 years (yes - I am definitely on the electoral roll).

AGBrown

Update: apparently Barclays have another option. If you open a bank account with them, then under the Better Together option you can pay your salary into the account, and after the first salary payment you can take out a credit card with no credit check.

This option cannot apparently be used if you have failed the credit check for an application for a barclaycard in the last 6-months.