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Access to Credit Cards for non working parents
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TheHNB
Posts: 1 Newbie
in Credit cards
Is anyone else fed up with not being able to get a credit card if you're a non-working mum/dad?
I previously had a John Lewis Partnership Card which has changed the provider to New Day. They have made all existing card holders re-apply, as I am now a Mum I have been rejected and can't get any other credit card, despite our household income being quite high.
I am an additional card holder on my husbands card so I can use a credit card, but if I buy him a xmas present he gets an alert to spoil the surprise.
I get that you need to have an income to get credit, but why doesn't household income count?
I previously had a John Lewis Partnership Card which has changed the provider to New Day. They have made all existing card holders re-apply, as I am now a Mum I have been rejected and can't get any other credit card, despite our household income being quite high.
I am an additional card holder on my husbands card so I can use a credit card, but if I buy him a xmas present he gets an alert to spoil the surprise.
I get that you need to have an income to get credit, but why doesn't household income count?
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Comments
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Amex takes into account household income I believe. Though if you are interested in applying you should first check the places you might use it do accept Amex.0
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Apply to your own bank, they'll see the money running through your account.Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.1
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Household income e.g. an "allowance" for arguments sake isn't a guaranteed income like a salary is. With the responsible lending rules now in place, if they gave you a card and just as a theoretical thing, you ran it up and couldn't pay it back, they might end up liable / have to write off the money, hence stricter lending.2
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I'd suggest you use cash to buy your husbands presents
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Your main bank if they allow homemaker or household income.
If not, something like aqua advance or 118money both seem to have homemaker as a status.0 -
I was just thinking the same thing (which lead me to find this thread)
I quite fancy a 0% purchases card for a bit of stoozing with interest rates on the increase, but personally I have no income (although not a parent), and DH is only drawing the "tax free" personal allowance from his pension £13,800 (inc MA)
Chances of being accepted with a decent enough credit limit to make it worthwhile....low to none?
We put about £600-700 through our CC each month, and some cards are offering up to 20 months at 0% on purchases, so a small limit is a bit pointless. Although every little helps right!?!
We don't "need" another credit card, as we have others we've had for years.How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0 -
With no income for you and a very small pension income for the household, I would suspect you won't find a lender who would risk it and if you do, such a low income will get you a tiny limit anyway1
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Deleted_User said:With no income for you and a very small pension income for the household, I would suspect you won't find a lender who would risk it and if you do, such a low income will get you a tiny limit anyway
You're right. However I did 🤣 at the word "risk". On paper it looks like a risk, but if you "knew" me, there is no risk!!
I only want credit for my own benefit 😉How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0 -
The risk is for them. If they give you credit with no income and you run it up and put in a claim for hardship or unfair lending, they have to suck up and write off the money. Hence a risk.0
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Deleted_User said:The risk is for them. If they give you credit with no income and you run it up and put in a claim for hardship or unfair lending, they have to suck up and write off the money. Hence a risk.
But I only have "no income" on paper!!
I am of independent means😉
Hence, no risk.
Application forms don't take that into account. But then they probably don't want me as a customer, as they won't earn a penny interest out of me!How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0
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