What have I done wrong?

Broke_Student

Sounds like you have no credit history and applied to a credit card 'above your league'. The bank's search would have left a mark on your credit history. This makes it even harder to get another credit card if you apply too soon - the lenders see it as suspicious if they see alot of searches in a short space of time. It has become alomst like a negative spiral of applications and rejections.

Have you been using your overdraft for the last 3 years? If so then this should have built you up a credit history - this also explains why your friends who have maxed out overdrafts have got credt cards with no problem.

If I were you, I would wait 6 months for your credit record to be 'clean' of recent searches. Then apply for a credit card from your usual bank as you will also have an internal credit score which they will assess you on.

doodlez1612

Just-Me, you can check your credit score free here:
http://www.joincreditexpert.com/freecreditreport/?sc=410006&bcd=interactivehomepage1

I think its a free trial thingy but I've done it before and so long as you cancel it straight after you have the report through it's fine.