Upgrading Barclays Account

hoops1201

Hi All

I have successfully upgraded my Barclays account now from the kids one to the normal one. Whilst I was in there the teller wanted me to apply for a Barclaycard.

Two things really - firstly even though I am discharged the chances of me getting accepted are VERY VERY slim (she seemed to think it was a good idea) Was this just a sales tactic or should I give it a go?
Secondly am I better off going to Vanquis and trying there? This is merely to boost my credit rating and to be honest I am reticent to even take one for obvious reasons (I will be paying in full)

Also I tried Noddle to get a credit score but they came back to me saying they didnt have enough info on me to credit score me. Is there any other free credit agencies out there?


Thanks in advance!

Hoops

alltaken

How long have you been discharged for? If Barclays have upgraded your account to a current then it might suggest their own internal scoring is satisfactory in your case for a barclaycard initial. You could of course apply but from what I read most go to Vanquis/Aqua and then initial from Barclays.

TheGardener

I had a Barclays Basic and they upgraded it to a current account (no overdraft or cheque book though) without me asking. I was actually quite happy with the basic and to be honest - I cant see what the difference is - there are no more facilities with the current account they've given me that I can see - but there you go.

With noddle - what more info do they want? Can you give them that info? Basics like being on the electoral role - checking all addresses are right, file clean up done - all this helps.

hoops1201

True the gardener, not much different but i thought it was better to get an adult account and they offer contactless which the basic one didn't.

CakeCrusader

I wouldn't touch Vanquis with a barge poll (I have one of each by the way and I'm in the process of clearing the Vanquis one off as I was only given the Barclaycard last week and I can't transfer the balance as the limit on the Barclaycard isn't enough). The interest rate on a Barclays Initial is a lot less than Vanquis, and the interest free period is longer too. You have the added advantage of being able to connect your Barclaycard to their mobile banking app so you can transfer money over really easily to pay your bill. Vanquis are terrible. They increase your limit, but also increase the interest (maybe they should have told me about the increased interest rate). If you just pay the minimum payment it will take you about 40 years to pay it off, as most of the monthly payment is just for their interest. They also email/call you a lot to try and sell you car finance/card security and all sorts of crap you don't need. Honestly, just stick with a Barclaycard.

tigerfeet2006

CakeCrusader wrote: »

I wouldn't touch Vanquis with a barge poll (I have one of each by the way and I'm in the process of clearing the Vanquis one off as I was only given the Barclaycard last week and I can't transfer the balance as the limit on the Barclaycard isn't enough). The interest rate on a Barclays Initial is a lot less than Vanquis, and the interest free period is longer too. You have the added advantage of being able to connect your Barclaycard to their mobile banking app so you can transfer money over really easily to pay your bill. Vanquis are terrible. They increase your limit, but also increase the interest (maybe they should have told me about the increased interest rate). If you just pay the minimum payment it will take you about 40 years to pay it off, as most of the monthly payment is just for their interest. They also email/call you a lot to try and sell you car finance/card security and all sorts of crap you don't need. Honestly, just stick with a Barclaycard.

As former bankrupts we don't have the luxury of deciding what cards to go for and Barclaycard most likely will reject the OP. So Vanquis and CapOne et al are the only options. Also as former BRs we pay off the balance every month and only use it for things we would buy normally ie: food shop or petrol not extras so no interest.

Johnsmith2016

How long have you been discharged? This could explain why you have been upgraded. Still doubt you would be accepted for a barclaycard. No difference with a vanquis card if used correctly as above. Try clear score, another free credit file agency. Or sign up for experian and equifax use the 30 day free trial and cancel before trial period ends.

Barclays basic offers contactless, just not apple pay. (Even when barclays role out apple pay the basic account wont get it )

A4445

It does say on the Barclays Inital page you won't be accepted for the card if you were made bankrupt in the last 6 years :-(

Tesco foundation card could be an option bankruptcy must be 18m or older.

owlet

CakeCrusader wrote: »

I wouldn't touch Vanquis with a barge poll (I have one of each by the way and I'm in the process of clearing the Vanquis one off as I was only given the Barclaycard last week and I can't transfer the balance as the limit on the Barclaycard isn't enough). The interest rate on a Barclays Initial is a lot less than Vanquis, and the interest free period is longer too. You have the added advantage of being able to connect your Barclaycard to their mobile banking app so you can transfer money over really easily to pay your bill. Vanquis are terrible. They increase your limit, but also increase the interest (maybe they should have told me about the increased interest rate). If you just pay the minimum payment it will take you about 40 years to pay it off, as most of the monthly payment is just for their interest. They also email/call you a lot to try and sell you car finance/card security and all sorts of crap you don't need. Honestly, just stick with a Barclaycard.

Vanquis is fine as long as you pay in full each month - then you don't get hit with charges. Even carrying a very small balance evety now and then then isn't too bad as long as it's not ongoing. I sometimes just pay a minimum then clear on the following statement.

I did have a fair number of calls in the first 6 months to get me to sign up for their paid service for whatever it was. I haven't had any calls for ages now though and they have upgraded to me the gold account (honoured *sarcastic intent* lol) & increased my credit limit to £1750 . Not bad in a year.

It's great for discharged bankrupts to credit build. We don't have the luxury of choice I'm afraid. Keep tight reign on it & it's fine.

Gingerprincess

I went with Aqua over Vanquis, I used the tool on this site over which card to go with if you have bad credit.
I started with a £200 limit and its now nearly £4k. I pay in full every month. They have never called me. They now have an app.
I'd recommend them.
Now I'm post 6 years as of last week, my credit files look healthy and I want to get a card with someone else, one with a lower apr, Any recommendations?