Getting a credit card for travelling

Sheeno

Hi there! Sorry for the somewhat long post.

I recently graduated from university and am looking to get a credit card for when I go travelling in three weeks. I applied for a Halifax Clarity Card online last night having heard good things, but was declined, probably because I have no income to declare. I then did a credit check with Experian, one of the agencies Halifax use, and was told I have a great credit score so that shouldn't be the issue.

I then went in branch today, hoping by giving them the information about my recent graduation and my savings then they may be able to help me. However, on a second attempt I was once again declined, as even though they seemed like they wanted to give me a credit card I must have again failed the affordability checks. They said that if I had an account with them and they could access my savings then that may help, but as I'm going away in 3 weeks and their systems don't update until the beginning of the month that wasn't of much use to me.

Finally I decided to go to Lloyds, who I have always banked with, to see if they could give me a credit card, even if it's not as good as the Clarity Card when abroad. What I was told in there was pretty different to what I'd been told in Halifax, though. There they said that being a graduate with no income I would fail the affordability checks regardless of my savings, but basically said that I should apply for the credit card and make up a salary to put in the income field. They assured me that it's not fraud and that it wouldn't be verified centrally. I was pretty surprised to hear this from the bank themselves but there you go!

Which leads me to my questions. Firstly, do you agree that fabricating an income for a credit card application is a good idea? And secondly, I'd really rather a Clarity Card than whatever Lloyds will offer me, so would reapplying for one with a figure to pass the affordability checks be out of the question after I've already had a failed application online last night and in store this morning?

Many thanks!

jimbo26

Common sense would suggest that if you have no income then you will not be in a position to pay a credit card bill. Without an income you won't get a card. Simple as that really.

1. In answer to your question. Committing fraud is never a good idea, it could have criminal consequences and at least would end up with a CIFAS marker which will cripple any chances of getting credit in the future.

2. Reapplying with a made up income will almost certainly end up with a CIFAS marker.

Sheeno

Thanks for the response, and for letting me know about the CIFAS marker. I won't reapply for a Clarity card for that reason then.

In terms of committing fraud, the man in Lloyds went to some lengths to tell me that it wasn't fraud. It was confusing to me, but I am quite naive about all of this. I wouldn't even be entertaining the prospect if it had been described as fraud - he advised me that it was an acceptable thing to do, presumably on the assumption that I'd be getting a job soon after returning from my travels.

If it was common sense that I wasn't going to get a card without an income then I wish they had told me that in Halifax before making me go through the application system and getting another failed attempt for a card on my record! The first thing I told them was that I was unemployed and had failed online the night before. Frustrating, but oh well!

[Deleted User]

They're two things you should never do -

1. Commit fraud for an application.
2. Believe the pretend credit score that Experian or any other CRA gives you. With no credit history and no income, your real credit score, if you were to have one, would be about 3.

Wait until you have an income.

jimbo26

Yes it is most certainly is fraud, section 2 of the Fraud Act (Fraud by False Representation)

Shocked that a member of Lloyd's staff suggested this

Sheeno

Thanks for the advice you two. I was surprised by the credit score on Experian myself - good to know it's not to be trusted, cheers zx81. And I was shocked that he said it to me as well jimbo! The conversation went: "So you've recently graduated, have no income and are going travelling?" (yes), "Do you have a job for when you get back?" (no, but I'll be getting one as soon as is possible), "Well, if I were you I'd apply for a credit card and put any figure, an estimated salary in the box. I assure you that this is not fraud, and none of this information will be checked centrally on our systems. This way you should definitely pass the affordability checks and be accepted for a credit card."

He seemed like quite a senior member of staff as well. He was friendly and I felt like he was doing me a favour, but if what he's doing is advising people to commit fraud then maybe it's worth chasing it up! I'm glad I posted here before doing what he said, thanks again.

eDicky

Repeated applications will reflect negatively in your credit history. Credit cards can be useful for car hire, hotels etc, but not vital. Forget them for now and obtain suitable bank debit and prepaid cards instead; Starling Bank, Monzo Bank, Revolut or Loot.io - don't ask for overdraft and there's no credit check. Take at least two with you.

Sheeno

Thanks eDicky. I was definitely going to get Revolut but I'll check the other options you mentioned too. I wanted a credit card firstly to save money on non-sterling transaction fees etc (as the Clarity Card is meant to be particularly good for), and for the protection. Just a bit wary of using my debit card in far-flung places in Asia when I've got no protection! But seeing as I have no way of getting a credit card seemingly without committing fraud I'll have to explore these other avenues. Cheers.

Edi81

Why don!!!8217;t you just open a current account with starling or a monzo account?

Vortigern

Is the AQUA card still good for foreign travel and relatively easy to get?

[Deleted User]

Yes (reward and advance only) and yes.