Need a credit card

NANANINANOONOO

Hi, My son is a qualified experienced electrician and has just started a very good new job at a large pool company. The job requires him to travel a lot, at times to work away from home. He has been provided with a van and tools and the company repays all his travel and fuel expenses at the end of month. For this reason he would like a credit card to use solely for this purpose which is what his work colleagues do. However he has not had a credit card before and with a young family on a previously tight budget has only used cash or visa. The only debt they have is the purchase of their car last year which he pays monthly via D/D. However when he applied for a credit card today he was declined. What is the best way to approach this? How does he get a credit score? Advice would be much appreciated.

[Deleted User]

He should apply for a sub prime card.

What did he apply for today?

Willing2Learn

NANANINANOONOO wrote: »

What is the best way to approach this? How does he get a credit score? Advice would be much appreciated.

Since your son will have a very limited amount of credit account data recorded on his credit file, I would recommend a card designed to build a credit history. Either a Barclaycard Initial card or a Tesco Foundation card would be my recommended options. Is your son on the electoral register?

Fireflyaway

I had a very poor score but capital one accepted me. You can check online if you are likely to be accepted before you apply. Downside is the limit will most likely be low.

Dobbibill

He may get an idea of likelihood from using an eligibility checker - here is the link
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility/credit-cards/


Another option would be to speak to his bank - a quick call and they may be able to say whether he is eligible to apply.

NANANINANOONOO

Deleted_User wrote: »

He should apply for a sub prime card.

What did he apply for today?

He applied online to Nationwide as he banks with them.

[Deleted User]

Probably a bit too much of a mainstream choice for a first card. Try aqua, Vanquis or Bcard Initial.

If anyone will accept him, they will. He can trade up later on.

eskbanker

It would be worth him checking his credit files just to ensure that all is as it should be and that there are no errors that may mislead prospective lenders: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/

Then go through the article at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/bad-credit-credit-cards/

NANANINANOONOO

Willing2Learn wrote: »

Since your son will have a very limited amount of credit account data recorded on his credit file, I would recommend a card designed to build a credit history. Either a Barclaycard Initial card or a Tesco Foundation card would be my recommended options. Is your son on the electoral register?

Yes he is on the electoral register.

MovingForwards

Do the checker as suggested above and pick the ones which says 100% chance, then look at the APRs, pick the one with the lowest APR or any other perk he thinks is better. Submit the application and the card/PIN should be with him within about 10 days.

It will be a sub prime card (as covered above), only awkward thing is the credit limit may only be a couple of hundred.

Just means he will have to try and limp through til it arrives. Unless you are able to assist with paying the bookings and lending a bit of cash for food?

NANANINANOONOO

MovingForwards wrote: »

Do the checker as suggested above and pick the ones which says 100% chance, then look at the APRs, pick the one with the lowest APR or any other perk he thinks is better. Submit the application and the card/PIN should be with him within about 10 days.

It will be a sub prime card (as covered above), only awkward thing is the credit limit may only be a couple of hundred.

Just means he will have to try and limp through til it arrives. Unless you are able to assist with paying the bookings and lending a bit of cash for food?

Thanks I will get him to try all the advice on here and we will of course help them until they get organised