Applying for a credit card I closed down fairly recently?

Jlawson118

I know once an account is closed, it's closed for good, so I completely understand.

At the beginning of 2016, I established I would be abroad for some time over the Summer this year, so when looking for credit cards I could use for no extra charge, the Lloyds Avios card was what I chose.
The card was really good, although due to a fault on their behalf, I was left stranded for a few weeks and was continuously disappointed with the poor service I was receiving, as well as I felt like the £24 yearly fee wasn't worth it. I closed it down October/November time.

I'd gained around 7,000 Avios points but that was only due to the double points initiative for the first six months, otherwise it wasn't worth it for me. For flights anywhere, you need a lot of points, I found that the Barclaycard Reward would be a better reward scheme for me, although the problem with that is that it's not free abroad. I know they offer a platinum card, but the free foreign transactions promotion ends in 2018, which I'd want something that I feel will permanently be free.

If anything, I'd prefer the Halifax Clarity card, but as posted the other day, despite an 80% eligibility score, they still rejected my main application. I won't be applying for any of these cards until around April/May or even June time so that'll give me plenty of time for previous searches to have expired. Though if I get rejected again for the Halifax Clarity, would I be able to apply for the Lloyds Avios again?
Can they open a new account even if I had one previously?

bengal-stripe

Jlawson118 wrote: »

I closed it down October/November time.....would I be able to apply for the Lloyds Avios again?
Can they open a new account even if I had one previously?

Most banks will ask for a period of six months after closure before you can apply for a new account with them.

Be aware, if you had previously a promotional 0% deal, you might not get that for a second time. In your case, Lloyds might be offering a straight-forward CC, but won't be giving you the bells-and-whistles of your previous Avios account again.

20aday

In my experience I closed my Lloyds Bank Choice Rewards card in September 2015.

I re-applied for the account in May 2016 and was given the same 'deal' as a new customer so you *may* be lucky.

PeacefulWaters

Time to look at Amex cards if you want and value shed loads of Avios.

Take a look at the headforpoints web site for a steer.

SnowTiger

Another option is Nationwide Select. .05% cashback on purchases in pounds sterling, 0% interest during the first year and commission-free purchases abroad. You have to have a Nationwide bank account to apply.

Downsides are cash withdrawals aren't free and it's a Visa card which means the exchange rate it offers is usually a little worse than Mastercard.

It may be a good idea to open a bank account with the card provider you're planning to go with, anyway, to get your internal scoring up.

Nationwide's FlexDirect account pays 5% interest on balances up to £2,500 during the first year, so there's a good incentive to keep money in the account.

You could also look to getting a couple of pre-paid cards. Revoult and Monzo may be good options.

Jlawson118

bengal-stripe wrote: »

Most banks will ask for a period of six months after closure before you can apply for a new account with them.

Be aware, if you had previously a promotional 0% deal, you might not get that for a second time. In your case, Lloyds might be offering a straight-forward CC, but won't be giving you the bells-and-whistles of your previous Avios account again.

The promotional offer I wasn't too bothered about anyway I just wondered if I maybe would be able to get accepted again later next year for when I look at credit cards again

Jlawson118

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Time to look at Amex cards if you want and value shed loads of Avios.

Take a look at the headforpoints web site for a steer.

I have been interested in getting an AMEX card, I like the look of their original one although I'm wondering if the £60 per year is worth it. If their travel insurance is included properly within the card, then I guess it would be worth it, as long as I knew I would be travelling.
Although are they really free to use abroad? I googled this the other day and it said they still have a 2.99% transaction fee, but I guess it depends which card you get

Jlawson118

SnowTiger wrote: »

Another option is Nationwide Select. .05% cashback on purchases in pounds sterling, 0% interest during the first year and commission-free purchases abroad. You have to have a Nationwide bank account to apply.

Downsides are cash withdrawals aren't free and it's a Visa card which means the exchange rate it offers is usually a little worse than Mastercard.

It may be a good idea to open a bank account with the card provider you're planning to go with, anyway, to get your internal scoring up.

Nationwide's FlexDirect account pays 5% interest on balances up to £2,500 during the first year, so there's a good incentive to keep money in the account.

You could also look to getting a couple of pre-paid cards. Revoult and Monzo may be good options.

It's definitely worth looking at! I've seen that Santander offer one too so it's worth a look!

There's this Metro Bank that offer free European transactions, whereas I don't think I'll be travelling any further than Europe in the Summer anyway, so if I get the chance to go down to London then I will open an account. Although I do have a friend who wants to go to Canada with me, if I have the money then I'll probably take him up on his offer, in that respect, the Metro Bank card won't work out for me..

PeacefulWaters

Jlawson118 wrote: »

I have been interested in getting an AMEX card, I like the look of their original one although I'm wondering if the £60 per year is worth it. If their travel insurance is included properly within the card, then I guess it would be worth it, as long as I knew I would be travelling.
Although are they really free to use abroad? I googled this the other day and it said they still have a 2.99% transaction fee, but I guess it depends which card you get

No, they tend not to be free to use abroad.

Focus on triggering sign up bonuses, close account, move on to another. Use a different card when you spend abroad.