can't get CC for holiday spending

patgc

Going to USA for a few weeks and looking to get a CC for spending. Have excellent credit ratings, current accs with Nationwide & HSBC but going through this site cant get any offers. I am a retired widow with healthy savings and investments, own my home and have no dependants. I have Gov pension, pension from my late husband and small private pension. Any suggestions ?
Am I being penalised due to my age (71) and being widowed ?

[Deleted User]

No.

It's likely your credit history and not meeting risk criteria.

Your credit ratings aren't a factor in lending, so lenders are looking for reliable evidence of well managed credit, as well as meeting their target market criteria. Make sure you've reviewed your three files before applying to appropriate lender.

Nebulous2

Do you have any credit cards?

You may well have to start with a sub-prime card to build some history. 

Travel cards can afford to be picky. 

comeandgo

I retired early and have private pensions, own house, lots of savings, but I also found it very difficult to get accepted for a new credit card as my income was not through employment.  I see you have savings through Nationwide, their credit card , or the one I have, has no fees for spending overseas.

Marchitiello

patgc said:

Going to USA for a few weeks and looking to get a CC for spending. Have excellent credit ratings, current accs with Nationwide & HSBC but going through this site cant get any offers. I am a retired widow with healthy savings and investments, own my home and have no dependants. I have Gov pension, pension from my late husband and small private pension. Any suggestions ?
Am I being penalised due to my age (71) and being widowed ?

I think rather then age and being widowed is the income that may be a problem.

even if you could get a Credit Card, you may not be eligible for the Travel CC out there (Barclaycard Rewards, Halifax Clarity and the likes) and you need to understand that if the reason for wanting a CC is to borrow and repay over time, in addition to possible interest rate (unless there are introductory offers), you will also pay foreign transaction fees and potentially bad exchange rates on most regular CC offering.

Although not a credit card and thus must have funds before spending, your best bet for a US trip (with some restrictions for Alaska and Hawaii) is opening a Chase UK current account.

The linked Debit Card can be used for spending in foreign currency at near Perfect MasterCard exchange rate, without additional fees (normally charged on regular UK DC and CC), and in addition you get 1% cashback on most spending (for the first year)

however, what makes it really superior for a US trip is that it can be used Fee Free at Chase US extended network of ATM (normally US banks charges a fee to non customer using their ATM).

Having said all that, if you really need a credit there may have a better chance to apply for one with one of your current banks.

Nationwide’s Member Credit Card looks to be Forex Fee Free as well (albeit on a Visa Network, that usually has worst exchange rates then MasterCard.

Brie

Hope you can get something so you can enjoy your trip.  Assuming you do - don't forget to always pay in the local currency (USD) and not in ££.

patgc

I have never had a credit card of my own was always in my late husbands name so maybe that is part of the problem.
I will have to speak to Nationwide and see what they can offer.
Thanks for your help.

patgc

Comeandgo,

Do you know the name of your Nationwide credit card by any chance ?

Marchitiello

patgc said:

Comeandgo,

Do you know the name of your Nationwide credit card by any chance ?

The only one nationwide offer right now (all other are discontinued/not open to new customer) is the Member Credit Card, which looks to have forex fee free:
https://www.nationwide.co.uk/credit-cards/member-credit-card/

wiseonesomeofthetime

patgc said:

Comeandgo,

Do you know the name of your Nationwide credit card by any chance ?

Likely to be the, now not available to be customers, Select card. Used to have cashback in the day too.

comeandgo

patgc said:

Comeandgo,

Do you know the name of your Nationwide credit card by any chance ?

Hi it is the Select Credit Card I have.