refused 2nd clarity card

snapper2

We're off to Australia for a while, and took Martin's tips about getting a clarity card for spending whilst we're out there (I already have a Barclaycard platinum - the Clarity is the reserve one)

No probs with the application, and as soon as I got the card I applied for a second card for my wife. I've just chased this up, and Halifax has said that it's been refused because of a credit check on my wife, and I should have been told. Well, I wasn't told, and she's in a much better financial position than me!

So, apart from being very annoyed, can't see the sense of having her credit checked as it's my account, I'm responsible for the account and it's debt, and there's no increase in credit limit - it's a convenience that she has a second card.

jonesMUFCforever

It's not clear whether you applied to have her on your card as a secondary holder or applied for a card in her own right.

As for the credit search it could be a simple ID check but they could not verify her electronically - does she have anything in her own name such as a credit card or phone contract?

john1002

You will have been told as part of the application that any person you are financially linked with would be checked and would have an impact on the application, you did read all the privacy policy and details before you checked the boxes and pressed submit.

You should wait till you get the declined letter see what reason is given and if necessary appeal it.

John

chattychappy

It is odd. You would be liable for all your wife's spending and you share the same credit limit - so in theory, there is no extra risk for the CC except, perhaps, the extra risk of a card being lost.

About two years ago I got a second card on my account for somebody who is not my wife, isn't on the electoral roll and isn't even living in the UK. That was Clarity!

snapper2

I applied for a second card on my account. Yes, she does have a card in her own name though it's rarely used.
@john - of course I did ;-)
I havn't been sent a decline letter - in fact no communication about it at all - apart from when I called in to customer services.
I have raised a complaint, about the lack of communication, the difficulty of contacting customers services and how useless the agent was. I'm waiting for a response within five working days.

john1002

If you look at the additional online application process they don't give much detail on the check but do indicate that it's is subject to eligibility and status.

Before you complete this request, please make sure the address we hold for you is correct and your account isn't in arrears.
As the primary credit card holder, you're liable for all debt incurred on the additional credit card.
We may conduct an Experian identity check. This check may leave a footprint on the additional card holder's credit file.
We'll add the additional credit card holder to your account if successful and send the credit card and PIN to you separately.
If we need further information or your request is refused, we'll write to you within seven working days.
Cardholders must be UK residents, 18 or over and free from any County Court Judgements, bankruptcy and not subject to an Individual Voluntary Agreement

I think they should be making it clearer exactly what they check as usually an identity check will leave no hard footprint yet they suggest it might, they should make it clear whether this Experian check will have an impact on her credit file.

Let us know how you get on with complaint.

John

System

You may have a valid complaint in relation to customer service but not on the refusal to issue a secondary card - it's issuance is entirely at their discretion.