Post Office CC - How stringent are they on credit rating?

taless

Hi,

I am thinking of applying for a Post Office Credit Card (classic) as I travel very frequently abroad each year.

I did a search on this forum about how stringent Post Office is in terms of granting credit, however couldn't find any info on that. I wonder is Post Office/Bank of Ireland one of the banks that are extremely strict on credit (much like Nationwide) or are they relatively loose on credit and will just grant applications so long as they meet the basic requirements.

I am an international student, so parental contribution and part time wages will give me at least £12,000 a year. I am on the electoral roll at my current address, have been in the UK for 2.25 years already.

Currently I have these accounts:

LTSB Classic Plus - £200 OD (but Experian and Equifax shows up as £0)
Natwest Current Plus - £50 OD (also show up as £0)
LTSB Airmiles Duo - Recently upped to £1400 limit, always paid in full
Natwest Student Credit Card - £350, always paid in full

Recent Credit Searches:
15/11/07 - for Halifax Student A/c application (applied to take advantage of interest-free O/D online - they said they do give O/D to international students, still awaiting confirmation)
29/5/07 - LTSB Enquiry - when I requested for £200 O/D


I know this is entirely speculative, but based on the info I provide, would you think they will approve my application? Should I give it a try, should I wait, or should I not bother?

For the record, Halifax was able (I presume) to confirm my identity from credit checks, they only requested for a fax of my University Offer Letter.

Do love to hear your opinions. Thanks!

Zebedee69

Id like to hear if you get it. Iv a similar history to you but I was rejected for the PO card.

When did you apply for Airmiles Duo?.... Im a LTSB customer and they said I could have £1400..... Im waiting back for a reply.....

Do you know you can get a much larger overdraft?... Mine is £2000 but I rarely use it lol.

taless

Hi Zebedee69,

I applied for the Airmiles Duo in mid Oct. It was actually a 'change of card type' - I used to have a LTSB Classic Credit Card, which I applied for in early May. I was very surprised that LTSB didn't actually conduct a external credit search at all for the credit card. I was offered £1000 in May, but just recently got it upped to £1400 due to a large purchase which I am about to make.

When I go to a LTSB branch recently, I asked a staff if they could show me the screen on their computer where my "Pre-approved limits" are shown. They showed that I am allowed £1300 for my OD, and £2000 for my Credit Card limit. I did not ask for the increase in OD as I really doubt I'll need that amount at all - I refuse to borrow anything unless it is interest free.

Surprisingly though, when I called LTSB Card Services for the credit limit increase, I asked the agent how much am I entitled to, she answered £1400. This was contrary to what I expected, from what the branch told me! However, that was more than enough for my large purchase, so I didn't bother much about it.

Hope this helps!

Anybody has any advice on the PO Credit Card, in the opening post? Thanks!

Zebedee69

Thats interesting, il have to wait for me card then lol!

Out of interest, do you get one bill or two? Do you get two different cards? Mastercard and AMEX?.....

Sorry iv not much more info about PO card although if I get a reply to my appeal then il let you know....

Zebedee69

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musehead

I'm 22 and graduated earlier this year. I have a credit card attached to my HSBC account with a £2.4k limit (increased from £500 since I was given it about 3 1/2 years ago) - always paid off in full. I applied for the PO CC last week for use abroad. I quoted my gross annual income as £50k but my income is from "professional gambling" so there are no official records of it. My savings are substantial. I was sent the platinum card with a £6k limit, no questions asked.

taless

Thanks Musehead for your reply. I am thinking of putting my real amount of income there, which is about £12,000.

I was just wondering, when you applied for your PO Credit Card, what documents did they ask you to provide? I heard from some posts in other review centres that they requested a passport, a current account statement, a credit card statement, a payment slip (something that I am concerned about - most of my income are parental contributions anyway so how can I provide my payment slip)?

musehead

Personally they did not ask me for any documents. I just applied on the internet with all my details and they sent me the card several days later! If they had asked me for a payslip, I would have the same problem as you because i'm unable to prove my income.