0% Chance on all cards in eligibility check?

cymruchris

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

cymruchris said:

As I also said - did you check these directly on their website? (Not the comparison sites)

Aqua

Vanquis

118118

Tesco foundation

(You do have an income I presume?)

Which is your main bank? You said you didn't qualify for their card based on their 'conditions' - which condition didn't you meet?

As above...

Checked with all of those, same story. My main bank is Nationwide and their minimum income requirement was too high.

Ok - so income at the moment is one of the limiting factors, combined with your thin credit history.

You're still of working age? Income isn't a pension?

To get yourself to where you'd like to be - that is, with a travel credit card like Barclaycard Rewards or Halifax Clarity might take some time, as you need to demonstrate that you have a positive credit history before anyone is going to issue you with credit.

It's unusual for someone on the electoral roll, with a current account on your credit file, who's been at an address over 3 years, with an income and no negative marks to be unable to get any card - so in this situation I'd go with the following (but as I say it'll take time).

Open a Loqbox account:

https://www.loqbox.com/en-gb/save 

This on paper loans you an amount of money at the beginning of a 12 month repayment schedule, and the end result is a 'settled financial agreement' on your credit file - but you don't actually get the money. In a sense in the real world it works like a savings account - you pay a monthly payment, and at the end of the term, get your money back, but it's recorded as a personal loan. In effect you are getting an active financial loan on your credit history that other credit lenders can see, and see that you are managing well. (They don't see who provides the credit - just that you have an active account, and that you're making repayments on time)

Ignore any claims on the website about increasing credit score - that's a marketing gimmick - you're only interested in boosting your positive credit history.

Once you've made your 12 monthly payments - of say £100 a month (You set the amount - personally I think if you can afford it - go for the maximum - but DON'T miss a payment!) - you then either get your all of your money back for a £30 fee at the end - or you open a current account with one of their partner banks, and the money gets deposited there fee-free. (When I did mine - the TSB was the main bank they worked with).

Once this has been reporting to your files for 6 months - then I'd run the eligibility checkers again for the 'credit-builder' cards - you're very likely then to get a yes, as you have an active financial account that's being maintained well.

Once the Loqbox account is marked on your credit files as 'settled' - I'd try Barclaycard Forward again - (So that's just over a year down the road).

If successful - after a year of managing that card well, you can usually transfer to the Rewards card for international travel perks.

As I said above - it can be a long journey - probably 2 years - before you get to a position of actually getting the card you want - and this being down to your limited credit history and income.

gh148

cymruchris said:

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

cymruchris said:

As I also said - did you check these directly on their website? (Not the comparison sites)

Aqua

Vanquis

118118

Tesco foundation

(You do have an income I presume?)

Which is your main bank? You said you didn't qualify for their card based on their 'conditions' - which condition didn't you meet?

As above...

Checked with all of those, same story. My main bank is Nationwide and their minimum income requirement was too high.

Ok - so income at the moment is one of the limiting factors, combined with your thin credit history.

You're still of working age? Income isn't a pension?

To get yourself to where you'd like to be - that is, with a travel credit card like Barclaycard Rewards or Halifax Clarity might take some time, as you need to demonstrate that you have a positive credit history before anyone is going to issue you with credit.

It's unusual for someone on the electoral roll, with a current account on your credit file, who's been at an address over 3 years, with an income and no negative marks to be unable to get any card - so in this situation I'd go with the following (but as I say it'll take time).

Open a Loqbox account:

This on paper loans you an amount of money at the beginning of a 12 month repayment schedule, and the end result is a 'settled financial agreement' on your credit file - but you don't actually get the money. In a sense in the real world it works like a savings account - you pay a monthly payment, and at the end of the term, get your money back, but it's recorded as a personal loan. In effect you are getting an active financial loan on your credit history that other credit lenders can see, and see that you are managing well. (They don't see who provides the credit - just that you have an active account, and that you're making repayments on time)

Ignore any claims on the website about increasing credit score - that's a marketing gimmick - you're only interested in boosting your positive credit history.

Once you've made your 12 monthly payments - of say £100 a month (You set the amount - personally I think if you can afford it - go for the maximum - but DON'T miss a payment!) - you then either get your all of your money back for a £30 fee at the end - or you open a current account with one of their partner banks, and the money gets deposited there fee-free. (When I did mine - the TSB was the main bank they worked with).

Once this has been reporting to your files for 6 months - then I'd run the eligibility checkers again for the 'credit-builder' cards - you're very likely then to get a yes, as you have an active financial account that's being maintained well.

Once the Loqbox account is marked on your credit files as 'settled' - I'd try Barclaycard Forward again - (So that's just over a year down the road).

If successful - after a year of managing that card well, you can usually transfer to the Rewards card for international travel perks.

As I said above - it can be a long journey - probably 2 years - before you get to a position of actually getting the card you want - and this being down to your limited credit history and income.

Thing is, do I even need all of this? Like I said earlier, the only reason I wanted a credit card was because I heard some hotels don't accept credit cards, and I have no use for one beyond that. But the more I've looked into it the more it looks like hotels should be able to accept either. So is there really any point left in me trying to get a credit card?

CliveOfIndia

gh148 said:

Thing is, do I even need all of this? Like I said earlier, the only reason I wanted a credit card was because I heard some hotels don't accept credit cards, and I have no use for one beyond that. But the more I've looked into it the more it looks like hotels should be able to accept either. So is there really any point left in me trying to get a credit card?

It's true that many hotels do prefer a credit card, as do many (most?) car hire companies.  This is so that they can charge any damage/extras/whatever to your card after you've checked out/returned the car.

Credit cards do provide a level of protection, as well, in terms of Section 75 for qualifying items. So yes, a credit card does have certain benefits.

However, you said earlier that you don't meet Nationwide's minimum income criteria, which is £5000 per annum.  If you're earning less than that, then I'd question whether a credit card is the right choice.  But do remember that things like pension and/or benefits can legitimately be cited as "income" on the application form, if either of these are relevant to you.

gh148

CliveOfIndia said:

gh148 said:

Thing is, do I even need all of this? Like I said earlier, the only reason I wanted a credit card was because I heard some hotels don't accept credit cards, and I have no use for one beyond that. But the more I've looked into it the more it looks like hotels should be able to accept either. So is there really any point left in me trying to get a credit card?

It's true that many hotels do prefer a credit card, as do many (most?) car hire companies.  This is so that they can charge any damage/extras/whatever to your card after you've checked out/returned the car.

Credit cards do provide a level of protection, as well, in terms of Section 75 for qualifying items. So yes, a credit card does have certain benefits.

However, you said earlier that you don't meet Nationwide's minimum income criteria, which is £5000 per annum.  If you're earning less than that, then I'd question whether a credit card is the right choice.  But do remember that things like pension and/or benefits can legitimately be cited as "income" on the application form, if either of these are relevant to you.

As long as I don't find myself in a situation where I can't check into a hotel on the other side of the world because they don't accept debit cards I really don't mind not having a credit card that much. Even with all the money combined coming in each year it will be anywhere from £4500-5000 or so, so just barely scraping that criteria.

cymruchris

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

cymruchris said:

As I also said - did you check these directly on their website? (Not the comparison sites)

Aqua

Vanquis

118118

Tesco foundation

(You do have an income I presume?)

Which is your main bank? You said you didn't qualify for their card based on their 'conditions' - which condition didn't you meet?

As above...

Checked with all of those, same story. My main bank is Nationwide and their minimum income requirement was too high.

Ok - so income at the moment is one of the limiting factors, combined with your thin credit history.

You're still of working age? Income isn't a pension?

To get yourself to where you'd like to be - that is, with a travel credit card like Barclaycard Rewards or Halifax Clarity might take some time, as you need to demonstrate that you have a positive credit history before anyone is going to issue you with credit.

It's unusual for someone on the electoral roll, with a current account on your credit file, who's been at an address over 3 years, with an income and no negative marks to be unable to get any card - so in this situation I'd go with the following (but as I say it'll take time).

Open a Loqbox account:

This on paper loans you an amount of money at the beginning of a 12 month repayment schedule, and the end result is a 'settled financial agreement' on your credit file - but you don't actually get the money. In a sense in the real world it works like a savings account - you pay a monthly payment, and at the end of the term, get your money back, but it's recorded as a personal loan. In effect you are getting an active financial loan on your credit history that other credit lenders can see, and see that you are managing well. (They don't see who provides the credit - just that you have an active account, and that you're making repayments on time)

Ignore any claims on the website about increasing credit score - that's a marketing gimmick - you're only interested in boosting your positive credit history.

Once you've made your 12 monthly payments - of say £100 a month (You set the amount - personally I think if you can afford it - go for the maximum - but DON'T miss a payment!) - you then either get your all of your money back for a £30 fee at the end - or you open a current account with one of their partner banks, and the money gets deposited there fee-free. (When I did mine - the TSB was the main bank they worked with).

Once this has been reporting to your files for 6 months - then I'd run the eligibility checkers again for the 'credit-builder' cards - you're very likely then to get a yes, as you have an active financial account that's being maintained well.

Once the Loqbox account is marked on your credit files as 'settled' - I'd try Barclaycard Forward again - (So that's just over a year down the road).

If successful - after a year of managing that card well, you can usually transfer to the Rewards card for international travel perks.

As I said above - it can be a long journey - probably 2 years - before you get to a position of actually getting the card you want - and this being down to your limited credit history and income.

Thing is, do I even need all of this? Like I said earlier, the only reason I wanted a credit card was because I heard some hotels don't accept credit cards, and I have no use for one beyond that. But the more I've looked into it the more it looks like hotels should be able to accept either. So is there really any point left in me trying to get a credit card?

A challenge might be that usually with a credit card, a hotel can 'hold' an amount as a security deposit, in case you damage the room or run off with the towels. You can't do that with a debit card. An alternative is that many hotels will take a cash deposit against damages refunded at the end of your stay. It depends on whether you're staying at big brands or small independents when you travel.

There's no doubt having A credit card - ANY credit card - is useful - but there are mostly ways around it. You might need to confirm the alternative options with your hotel before travel.

MrFrugalFever

Every hotel I have stayed in within the last 5 years abroad has insisted on credit card holding / upfront damage deposit etc.

I wouldn’t be without a credit card.

118Money CC is the only sub-prime card that truly has 0% FX fee free.

Please don’t take this the wrong way but please do tell how you manage to live off £400 a month, what’s the secret?!

gh148

MrFrugalFever said:

Every hotel I have stayed in within the last 5 years abroad has insisted on credit card holding / upfront damage deposit etc.

I wouldn’t be without a credit card.

118Money CC is the only sub-prime card that truly has 0% FX fee free.

Please don’t take this the wrong way but please do tell how you manage to live off £400 a month, what’s the secret?!

So am I just doomed then or if I just explain I don't have a credit card will the hotels just take a deposit from a debit card or cash instead?

MrFrugalFever

gh148 said:

"MrFrugalFever said:

Every hotel I have stayed in within the last 5 years abroad has insisted on credit card holding / upfront damage deposit etc.

I wouldn’t be without a credit card.

118Money CC is the only sub-prime card that truly has 0% FX fee free.

Please don’t take this the wrong way but please do tell how you manage to live off £400 a month, what’s the secret?!

So am I just doomed then or if I just explain I don't have a credit card will the hotels just take a deposit from a debit card or cash instead?

Perhaps do some finer detail research on your intended destinations, maybe a ‘hotel’ is not the only form of accommodation that could be suitable.

Each individual place will have their own rules, it’s best to ask them directly. I imagine that you have been rejected for credit largely on affordability.

stewartwilliams

I've used a debit card many times for hotels in Europe, the US etc.  Some do put a £30 - £150 or whatever hold on funds, which generally goes back on within a week or checking out.

gh148

stewartwilliams said:

I've used a debit card many times for hotels in Europe, the US etc.  Some do put a £30 - £150 or whatever hold on funds, which generally goes back on within a week or checking out.

Oh so there's nothing really to be worried about then? That's good then, as the trip is getting closer and closer and I still haven't been able to find any place willing to give me a credit card.