Never had a credit card..

Curls2208

bones85 wrote: »

Thanks for all the help guys, ideally as well a card i could use in america would be handy as i'm going there in April and i get paid while i'm out there? But then again, i will have saved enough spending money before going out there to not use one abroad

I don't think i've come across a good 0% and foreign exchange credit card

You don't NEED a 0 % card, when you get the card, just make sure you tick the box to 'pay in full' by direct debit every month. You said you're sensible with your money right? Well if you pay it in full you'll NEVER pay anything extra than what you've spent. It's only when you start paying minimum payments and the rest of it , that you get in trouble. So the question is how much do you trust yourself?

If you're going to the states then it's the perfect opportunity to get a good card for spending abroad like the Halifax Clarity card. You get a better rate than you ever would in the post office getting money exchanged. Just remember....always pay off in FULL. (which should be easy if you tick the box on the direct debit when setting it up).

Drucifer

I'm 27 and got a mortgage last year, I've never owned a credit card and never will. Just making you aware that you don't NEED a credit card to get a mortgage. My parents also suggested to me that I "should" get a credit to build up a reliable history beforehand, it's not a bad idea by any means, but I personally don't want to play with snakes and I'm not buying into the myth that you need to flirt with debt (or be in debt) to get debt. If you've been sensible with money and haven't defaulted on any payments in the past I don't see why you wouldn't get a mortgage.

If you do get one then as others have said, pay it off in full every month and don't be tempted to spend more than you would normally.

Congratulations btw, getting the keys to your own home is a great feeling

bones85

but if it\s not 0% won't i be paying the Apr or whatever on the card?

Nebulous2

You don't pay any interest on purchases for most cards if you pay your bill in full, on time, every month.

bones85

Ah right ok, so a 0% one for 20 months for example would only really be necessary if i was planning on buying something and paying it back within 20 months otherwise there is no point?

Just unsure on which card to get now, i checked my budget for USA and i don't actually think i'll need a card for when i'm out there because i would of changed a lot of money before going

elsien

It's not just the mortgage though, is it?
I can recall some years ago my brother having to be guarantor on some credit agreement or other for my mother - as she had no credit history always having bought in cash, when she did finally need a contract computer said no even ghost though she could easily afford the payments.

ricky_v

Just unsure on which card to get now, i checked my budget for USA and i don't actually think i'll need a card for when i'm out there because i would of changed a lot of money before going

I would apply for Aqua reward. It's a sub-prime card (means you're more likely to get accepted), 0.5% cashback and you can use it for purchases in the USA as there's no FX fee and you'll get a perfect rate. DO NOT use it to withdraw cash and ALWAYS pay the statement balance off in full every month and there will be no interest due. As suggested by other posters set the DD to pay it off in full.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cashback-credit-cards#aquareward

Credit cards can be incredibly useful and money saving if used correctly. Read the T+C's carefully and understand fully how they work so they work to your benefit.

AllieKat

See if you'd be pre-approved for the Virgin Money travel or Halifax Clarity (better because it has Android Pay and Apple Pay) - I wouldn't wish Aqua on my enemy. I'm trying to decide if I want to cancel it or not. 0.5% is not worth having to deal with Aqua.

bones85

AllieKat wrote: »

See if you'd be pre-approved for the Virgin Money travel or Halifax Clarity (better because it has Android Pay and Apple Pay) - I wouldn't wish Aqua on my enemy. I'm trying to decide if I want to cancel it or not. 0.5% is not worth having to deal with Aqua.

This one? https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/credit-cards/travel-card/

Seems ok, No foreign transaction fee and 0& on purchases for 12 months as well

AllieKat

Yup, that one, and you can get a rainbow card design that supports Stonewall!

Sadly, Virgin Money is stuck in the past and doesn't support Android Pay that's why I'd prefer the Clarity to it if I only had one.