Never had a Credit Card.... need one for car hire. Can anyone help?

mickym

Hi,

I need to hire a larger car over the Christmas period for a break away, and upon doing my research it seems that many car hire firms (in this case Enterprise) require a credit card when booking and paying for a hire of their vehicle.

I would like to get hold of a credit card for this purpose v soon, so I can avoid the price I have been quoted being hiked up any further.

Some detail on my financial affairs...
I do not have any loans other than our mortgage, and due to some financially tough few months I am into my overdraft of around £1,200 at the moment (had a big car insurance bill, and a few house hold things needed fixing/replacing).

I have around £1000 in saving I could use to clear most of this overdraft if required.

I know you are all a knowledgable bunch here, so hoping you can help me

[Deleted User]

Your own bank may be the best place to start, pretty an eligibility checker.

Being in your overdraft won't help.

Superscrooge

Try the credit card eligibility checker to see which credit cards you are most likely to be accepted for
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility/credit-cards/

IAmWales

Agree with starting with your own bank first. If you have online banking there may be a pre approved offers page.

Is the interest on your savings higher than your overdraft charges?

mickym

IAmWales wrote: »

Agree with starting with your own bank first. If you have online banking there may be a pre approved offers page.

Is the interest on your savings higher than your overdraft charges?

Doubt it.

When I say savings its an account I use for freelance work I do, I need to do a tax return first before I know the exact amount I can use as savings, hence why i want to keep it separate from my current account.

mickym

As you say my bank may be the quickest route to getting one.... however would I be better getting a 0% interest one so I have the bonus of having that facility if required? (at 40 years old and never having a crredit card before, i doubt I will be looking to use it regularly).

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't worry about going for a 0% offer - you're more likely to be declined. You just need a card.

mickym

Thank you all...i need to put some cash into the bank tomorrow morning so I will ask in store to see if they can sort it out for me whilst im there.

Ben8282

I would suggest repaying the overdraft then wait at least a month preferably two to be sure your credit files have updated to show you are no longer overdrawn then use one of the eligibility checkers to see what type of results you get for the various types of card then make an application accordingly.
Obviously a 0% balance transfer card would be of no use to you as you have no existing credit card balance to transfer. A 0% purchases card may be useful if you want to pay off your car rental by instalments or delay repayment for several months.
You say you don't intend to use the card very much. Why not? Why not spend on it every month, pay in full and keep the money in your account longer in order to avoid going overdrawn every month?

mickym

Hi, I like the sound of a 0% card, as it is a facility to have 'just in case'.

I didnt realise being in my over draft would cause an issue with applying for a card or anything else needing to check my credit rating. Never been turned down in the past for anything ive applied for apart from about 12 years ago when an outstanding balance of £9 i owed NTL World was on file as being unpaid... I got that sorted back then though.

mickym

Oh, and unfortunately I cant wait a month or two as I need to book the rental asap as its for hire in mid December.