Which banks allow multiple credit cards?

dave_dph

I've had a Natwest Reward credit card for just over 12 months. Yesterday I applied (and appears accepted) for their 18 months no fee balance transfer card. Just waiting for final confirmation.

Alex9384

Emily_Joy said:

Jami74 said:

Why do you ask? I'm suddenly wondering if I'm missing some sort of multi-card trick. 

I have quite a few credit cards but they all run out of offers periods (some were Balance Transfer, some were Purchase cards) so I am thinking about closing them. However, it might be wiser to apply for a second card with the same bank, e.g. with a long Purchase offer, than transfer the limit from the old card to the new one and then close the first down. This has several advantages: no need to wait before applying, no need to worry whether I will get the limit I need or not, and finally, if the application is rejected, I still can use the existing credit card.

One more advantage if your existing card is Halifax or Lloyds: You can get the second card without a hard search if you're already a customer.

eskbanker

Emily_Joy said:

Jami74 said:

Why do you ask? I'm suddenly wondering if I'm missing some sort of multi-card trick. 

I have quite a few credit cards but they all run out of offers periods (some were Balance Transfer, some were Purchase cards) so I am thinking about closing them. However, it might be wiser to apply for a second card with the same bank, e.g. with a long Purchase offer, than transfer the limit from the old card to the new one and then close the first down. This has several advantages: no need to wait before applying, no need to worry whether I will get the limit I need or not, and finally, if the application is rejected, I still can use the existing credit card.

Best not to assume that you'd be able to transfer credit limits between cards - some may allow this but others won't, so if it's what you have in mind, then worth checking before applying....

zagfles

EarthBoy said:

Alex9384 said:

Barclaycard only 1 card, though some people on MSE forum claim they have 2.

It sounds like you don't believe them.

Some people do have more than one Barclaycard because a) Barclays suspend their "only one" rule from time to time and allow you apply for another card, and b) Barclaycard has taken over some other credit card providers, so customers who already hold a Barclaycard end up with another one.

Barclays mentions people with several Barclaycards on their website:

"If I've got more than one Barclaycard how do I see them both together in the Barclaycard app? | Barclaycard" https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/help/other-information/see-cards-app

I've had 2 Barclaycards for ages. I had the old Amex/VISA cashback combo - a package of 2 cards on the same account - and then when that was closed they gave me a "choice" of a new card to move to - I wanted the Travel card but they wouldn't let me move to that so they themselves suggested I apply for a new Travel card and close the cashback card.

I never got round to closing it and then after Nationwide cut their cashback it was the best cashback card I had so started using it again, and the Travel card when abroad. So my main 2 cards.

Chris_Type_R

I have 3 with NatWest currently:
- a platinum which I've had many years which doesn't offer much in the way of benefit if paying off monthly. IIRC I got it initially as a 0%
- a 0% for some interest free 'borrowing'
- a reward card to replace the platinum.

I did have to jump through a couple of hoops in terms of the application process for the last one - despite being told 95% chance etc The did say at the time that I could have cancelled one of them and transferred the limit. 

waitpatiently

Alex9384 said:

Who has info about other lenders?

Virgin ??

MBNA ??
Santander ??
Tesco ??
M&S Bank ??

TSB ??

Smile / Co-operative ??

Santander do - 123 and the regular card

glennevis

As a Smile customer I have both a Smile and a Coop credit card.

funkycredit

Alex9384 said:

Yes, Halifax allow 2 cards. I have 2 as well, both 0% purchase cards.

American Express, either 4 or 5 cards per customer.
Barclaycard only 1 card, though some people on MSE forum claim they have 2.
Nationwide only 1 card

HSBC told me they allow 2 if the second one is Classic credit card.

Who has info about other lenders?

Virgin ??

MBNA ??
Santander ??
Tesco ??
M&S Bank ??

TSB ??

Smile / Co-operative ??

I've had / got pretty much every card available (sad but true) and here's the answers for some - 

* Smile - Coop allows one of each max
* Santander allows one per type. So I've got 3 - Red one for BT's / Zero for overseas spend and black one (all in one). 

* TSB allow only one
* Tesco allows one main card but if you have a foundation you can open a second main one. You can't open foundation after you have a main one.