First Credit Card - suggestions?

Talisker_2

Hello! Been reading this board for ages and finally got around to registering. I could really do with any advice you guys might have about which credit card might work for me - it's not something I know a lot about and I've been meaning to apply for one for a while.

Basically the story is this...I had no credit to speak of until recently. I'd mistakenly decided that steering well clear of it was the best plan until I started looking into mortgages and realised that I'd need to actually have a credit history in order to get one! So I upgraded my bank account (got an overdraft & things), got a mobile contract and that's where I am now. All payments made and up to date but there isn't much of a history on them yet.

The problem I have is this, when I upgraded to a current account, the Bank of Scotland asked if I also wanted to apply for their credit card so I said yes. The current account went through fine but the credit card application was refused - the customer service guy thought it was probably down to the fact I had no history to speak of at that time because there was nothing wrong with my income/outgoings etc.

So...they turned me down 2 months ago...there are now payments showing on my record but I don't want to reapply with them and risk being refused again. Can anyone suggest a good credit card for me? Doesn't have to have anything fancy, just a reasonable interest rate and good 'starter' credit limit.

Any advice much appreciated!

NewbieMoneySaver**

I like the MBNA range.

They seam to be pretty flexible as I have 5 of them available.

Sony, A & L, Virgin and there are plenty more. I have one not heard of when I got it FSBF but it has a great rate and they keep offering me 0% so great.

Just give it a try.

Good luck

Talisker_2

NewbieMoneySaver** wrote: »

I like the MBNA range.

They seam to be pretty flexible as I have 5 of them available.

Sony, A & L, Virgin and there are plenty more. I have one not heard of when I got it FSBF but it has a great rate and they keep offering me 0% so great.

Just give it a try.

Good luck

Thanks for the heads up - will do some digging around and see what I find with those ones.

Right now, I'm just as interested to know about those who have accepted applicants without other credit cards as much as the interest rates. These things terrify the bejesus out of me and I don't want to get it wrong and be rejected...

lr1277

I am not keen on MBNA because I had a card with them a few years ago. Seem to remember they contacting me when I thought it was unnecessary. Can't remember the exact reasons though.

However I do believe Capital One have cards with no/poor history. As long as you pay off the bill every month, you won't be hit with punitive charges.

If this is your first card, issuers that help you deal with fraud easily may be preferable? I know that my card provider First Direct were good when there was fraud on my card. However I do bank with them so getting a card was no problem.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Barclaycard are good at resolving problems around fraudulent spending.

CLAPTON

I think it unlikely you will get a good (i.e. low APR or 0%) card as a starter card.
Get something like Barclaycard Initial which is intended for people new to CCs.

The interest rate is very high but set up a DD to pay in full each month and it won't matter.