Credit card for a student

JhonRB

Hi all,

I'm currently a University student. Compared to most students I'd say I'm quite good with money and currently my focus is on building a good credit history for later on in life when it comes to things like mortgages. I have my own phone contract which I took on recently, and I've checked my credit score accounts and the only negatives they show are that I don't have a credit card.

My bank account is the Santander student account so I have a £1500 overdraft that I don't use as I'm in credit and have an ISA and so on. Using the calculator on here I'm unlikely to get the Santander credit card, but I tried QuickCheck with Capital One and they said I was guaranteed to get their card. So I'm trying to get advice on whether it would make much difference on what credit card to go for, if I know that I will pay back in full every month - of which I most certainly will be by DD!!

I think getting this Capital One card and using it for a small amount of spending each month and always paying it back in full would be a good idea. Would this be a good card, and is it too early to apply after taking on a phone contract even though QuickCheck guaranteed it to me? Thanks!

[Deleted User]

Any card will be fine if you're paying full each month.

[Deleted User]

Most student accounts offer cc, have you asked santander?

JhonRB

Thank you for your responses. Santander only offer their standard credit card and 123 credit cards, I asked in my University branch and I've looked online and they don't have student cards.

PeacefulWaters

Vanquis.

Repay in full.

JhonRB

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Vanquis.

Repay in full.

Hi, thank you for suggesting Vanquis to me. Are there any benefits with Vanquis over Capital One or the other way around?

And then my other concern was about having the two credit searches within a few weeks of each other, one for my phone which was successful and then this for a card, which I got pre-approved for. If both credit checks are successful and I then don't apply for anything for a while would this be ok do you think?

PeacefulWaters

JhonRB wrote: »

Hi, thank you for suggesting Vanquis to me. Are there any benefits with Vanquis over Capital One or the other way around?

And then my other concern was about having the two credit searches within a few weeks of each other, one for my phone which was successful and then this for a card, which I got pre-approved for. If both credit checks are successful and I then don't apply for anything for a while would this be ok do you think?

I suggested them as they recently mailed my 18 year old son with an assumption that he'd not got a job and would benefit from a card as he starts university.

If you're intending to pay off in full before the due date each month then, unless a card pays points or cashback, they're all much of a muchness.

I wouldn't overthink the searches too much. Don't overdo things, but three followed by a period of silence won't hurt you.

JhonRB

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

I suggested them as they recently mailed my 18 year old son with an assumption that he'd not got a job and would benefit from a card as he starts university.

If you're intending to pay off in full before the due date each month then, unless a card pays points or cashback, they're all much of a muchness.

I wouldn't overthink the searches too much. Don't overdo things, but three followed by a period of silence won't hurt you.

Ok, thank you for your advice!

The_Cappuccino_Kid

My stepson is a first year university student. He banks with Santander but has just received a credit card from Clydesdale Bank. The eligibility checker gave him most chance with that one so we didn't look any further.