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Access to Credit Cards for non working parents

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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?
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Comments

  • lr1277
    lr1277 Posts: 2,131 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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.
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Apply to your own bank, they'll see the money running through your account.
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • 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.
  • robber2
    robber2 Posts: 559 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    I'd suggest you use cash to buy your husbands presents
  • 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.
  • Sea_Shell
    Sea_Shell Posts: 10,004 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    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)
  • 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
  • Sea_Shell
    Sea_Shell Posts: 10,004 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    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)
  • 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.
  • Sea_Shell
    Sea_Shell Posts: 10,004 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    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)
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