Getting a Credit Card With No Credit History?

lr1277

gh148 said:

CliveOfIndia said:

Do you have any form of credit history at all?  Not just credit cards, but maybe a mobile phone contract, utility bills, car insurance paid by monthly instalments?  Do you have a steady income, what living expenses do you have?

Check all three of your credit files to make sure all data is accurately recorded - address history and being registered on the Electoral Roll are two things in particular that most lenders will look at.

Also, whilst you're there, just make sure there are no negative markers on your history (perhaps unlikely if you say you've got no history, but it's as well to check).

Nope, no phone contracts, bills, or insurance either. 

I have checked my credit files as well, and nothing odd there either, and I am on the electoral roll. I also have no living expenses which I hoped would help but nope.

1st suggestion would be to get a monthly pay mobile phone contract (and not a PAYG sim). After you have had this for a few months, check your credit files again (or MSE credit club) to see if this shows.

Could it be your income?

Length of time in the country(don't be offended, suggesting this as I don't know anything about you)

This might be really dumb, but the address for you on the electoral roll, is that the address you are putting on your credit card applications? How recently were you put on the electoral roll? Weeks or months ago?

Most current accounts offer overdrafts. Does your current account offer an overdraft, even if you don't have one? Because there is a possibility of needing an overdraft,most banks will perform a credit check before offering you a current account? Unless you have the type of current account that doesn't offer an overdraft or in your current account application you stated you didn't want an overdraft.

gh148

cymruchris said:

So just to confirm:

- You're on the electoral roll (How long for?)

- You have no negative points on any of your THREE main credit reference agency reports

- You do have existing accounts in your name on the credit reference agency data? (how many? current account? - if so - how long's it been on there?)

- You have no 'credit' accounts on your files? (No buy now pay later, klarna, that kind of thing?)

How long have you been at your current address?

What income are you declaring? (Approx)

Are you self-employed or employed and earning a salary?

Do you have a mobile phone? If so - who pays the bill?

A good starting point is usually to get a low value sim-only contract that reports to your credit files - there's usually a good chance of getting one even with limited history, and will form a pattern of paying something to give lenders a feel for whether you'll pay back their credit card.

Judging by the questions I assume it's supposed to be easier to get a credit card even with no credit history then? I don't know how long I've been on the electoral roll for but certainly at least a couple of years, I don't have any negative points, I only have a current and savings account, and no credit history at all. I've been at my current address since May 2018, I declare my income as roughly £5000 personal and £105,000 other household income, and essentially self-employed as the director of my own company. I could thus technically make my personal income more if necessary, but at the same time I don't want to draw too much money out of the company account just to get a credit card. I do have a phone but I don't pay for it, plus I already have an unlimited SIM plan as part of our broadband deal so there's no need for me to get any additional SIM card.

gh148

lr1277 said:

gh148 said:

CliveOfIndia said:

Do you have any form of credit history at all?  Not just credit cards, but maybe a mobile phone contract, utility bills, car insurance paid by monthly instalments?  Do you have a steady income, what living expenses do you have?

Check all three of your credit files to make sure all data is accurately recorded - address history and being registered on the Electoral Roll are two things in particular that most lenders will look at.

Also, whilst you're there, just make sure there are no negative markers on your history (perhaps unlikely if you say you've got no history, but it's as well to check).

Nope, no phone contracts, bills, or insurance either. 

I have checked my credit files as well, and nothing odd there either, and I am on the electoral roll. I also have no living expenses which I hoped would help but nope.

1st suggestion would be to get a monthly pay mobile phone contract (and not a PAYG sim). After you have had this for a few months, check your credit files again (or MSE credit club) to see if this shows.

Could it be your income?

Length of time in the country(don't be offended, suggesting this as I don't know anything about you)

This might be really dumb, but the address for you on the electoral roll, is that the address you are putting on your credit card applications? How recently were you put on the electoral roll? Weeks or months ago?

Most current accounts offer overdrafts. Does your current account offer an overdraft, even if you don't have one? Because there is a possibility of needing an overdraft,most banks will perform a credit check before offering you a current account? Unless you have the type of current account that doesn't offer an overdraft or in your current account application you stated you didn't want an overdraft.

I do already have a free unlimited SIM as part of the broadband plan so I don't really need another one. Also yes the addresses do match up everywhere. I've probably been on the electoral roll for a few years now.

lr1277

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

So just to confirm:

- You're on the electoral roll (How long for?)

- You have no negative points on any of your THREE main credit reference agency reports

- You do have existing accounts in your name on the credit reference agency data? (how many? current account? - if so - how long's it been on there?)

- You have no 'credit' accounts on your files? (No buy now pay later, klarna, that kind of thing?)

How long have you been at your current address?

What income are you declaring? (Approx)

Are you self-employed or employed and earning a salary?

Do you have a mobile phone? If so - who pays the bill?

A good starting point is usually to get a low value sim-only contract that reports to your credit files - there's usually a good chance of getting one even with limited history, and will form a pattern of paying something to give lenders a feel for whether you'll pay back their credit card.

Judging by the questions I assume it's supposed to be easier to get a credit card even with no credit history then? I don't know how long I've been on the electoral roll for but certainly at least a couple of years, I don't have any negative points, I only have a current and savings account, and no credit history at all. I've been at my current address since May 2018, I declare my income as roughly £5000 personal and £105,000 other household income, and essentially self-employed as the director of my own company. I could thus technically make my personal income more if necessary, but at the same time I don't want to draw too much money out of the company account just to get a credit card. I do have a phone but I don't pay for it, plus I already have an unlimited SIM plan as part of our broadband deal so there's no need for me to get any additional SIM card.

I can't speak for every bank, but I think Satander used to have a minimum income of somewhere between £6k and £7k to get one of their cards. They still might have a minimum income at that level, I last looked last year.

I googled 'UK minimum income for a credit card' and got this result:

https://www.finder.com/uk/credit-card-minimum-income-requirements-for-application 

I like the finder site for the amount of credit card information it provides and their search criteria.

Apparently a credit card from Tesco needs a minimum income of £5k so that may suit?

Edited to add: but you still might get stuck without having an existing credit contract. Getting that mobile phone contract would be your easist solution to this problem.

born_again

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

So just to confirm:

- You're on the electoral roll (How long for?)

- You have no negative points on any of your THREE main credit reference agency reports

- You do have existing accounts in your name on the credit reference agency data? (how many? current account? - if so - how long's it been on there?)

- You have no 'credit' accounts on your files? (No buy now pay later, klarna, that kind of thing?)

How long have you been at your current address?

What income are you declaring? (Approx)

Are you self-employed or employed and earning a salary?

Do you have a mobile phone? If so - who pays the bill?

A good starting point is usually to get a low value sim-only contract that reports to your credit files - there's usually a good chance of getting one even with limited history, and will form a pattern of paying something to give lenders a feel for whether you'll pay back their credit card.

Judging by the questions I assume it's supposed to be easier to get a credit card even with no credit history then? I don't know how long I've been on the electoral roll for but certainly at least a couple of years, I don't have any negative points, I only have a current and savings account, and no credit history at all. I've been at my current address since May 2018, I declare my income as roughly £5000 personal and £105,000 other household income, and essentially self-employed as the director of my own company. I could thus technically make my personal income more if necessary, but at the same time I don't want to draw too much money out of the company account just to get a credit card. I do have a phone but I don't pay for it, plus I already have an unlimited SIM plan as part of our broadband deal so there's no need for me to get any additional SIM card.

I would ring your bank & apply that way. If it is then declined then I would ask to speak to some one in the approval team, as to why, as 5 years at address & that income, seems very odd.

Could you not apply via company?

lr1277

born_again said:

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

So just to confirm:

- You're on the electoral roll (How long for?)

- You have no negative points on any of your THREE main credit reference agency reports

- You do have existing accounts in your name on the credit reference agency data? (how many? current account? - if so - how long's it been on there?)

- You have no 'credit' accounts on your files? (No buy now pay later, klarna, that kind of thing?)

How long have you been at your current address?

What income are you declaring? (Approx)

Are you self-employed or employed and earning a salary?

Do you have a mobile phone? If so - who pays the bill?

A good starting point is usually to get a low value sim-only contract that reports to your credit files - there's usually a good chance of getting one even with limited history, and will form a pattern of paying something to give lenders a feel for whether you'll pay back their credit card.

Judging by the questions I assume it's supposed to be easier to get a credit card even with no credit history then? I don't know how long I've been on the electoral roll for but certainly at least a couple of years, I don't have any negative points, I only have a current and savings account, and no credit history at all. I've been at my current address since May 2018, I declare my income as roughly £5000 personal and £105,000 other household income, and essentially self-employed as the director of my own company. I could thus technically make my personal income more if necessary, but at the same time I don't want to draw too much money out of the company account just to get a credit card. I do have a phone but I don't pay for it, plus I already have an unlimited SIM plan as part of our broadband deal so there's no need for me to get any additional SIM card.

I would ring your bank & apply that way. If it is then declined then I would ask to speak to some one in the approval team, as to why, as 5 years at address & that income, seems very odd.

Could you not apply via company?

I suspect but don't know for sure, you don't get S75 protection with a business card as that will be deemed a business to business transaction. Also all purchases on such a card should be for the business. I understand Amex have introduced T's & C's to that effect.

gh148

born_again said:

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

So just to confirm:

- You're on the electoral roll (How long for?)

- You have no negative points on any of your THREE main credit reference agency reports

- You do have existing accounts in your name on the credit reference agency data? (how many? current account? - if so - how long's it been on there?)

- You have no 'credit' accounts on your files? (No buy now pay later, klarna, that kind of thing?)

How long have you been at your current address?

What income are you declaring? (Approx)

Are you self-employed or employed and earning a salary?

Do you have a mobile phone? If so - who pays the bill?

A good starting point is usually to get a low value sim-only contract that reports to your credit files - there's usually a good chance of getting one even with limited history, and will form a pattern of paying something to give lenders a feel for whether you'll pay back their credit card.

Judging by the questions I assume it's supposed to be easier to get a credit card even with no credit history then? I don't know how long I've been on the electoral roll for but certainly at least a couple of years, I don't have any negative points, I only have a current and savings account, and no credit history at all. I've been at my current address since May 2018, I declare my income as roughly £5000 personal and £105,000 other household income, and essentially self-employed as the director of my own company. I could thus technically make my personal income more if necessary, but at the same time I don't want to draw too much money out of the company account just to get a credit card. I do have a phone but I don't pay for it, plus I already have an unlimited SIM plan as part of our broadband deal so there's no need for me to get any additional SIM card.

I would ring your bank & apply that way. If it is then declined then I would ask to speak to some one in the approval team, as to why, as 5 years at address & that income, seems very odd.

Could you not apply via company?

What do you mean by apply via company?

Brie

You say you don't need a sim contract but obviously this is something that could get you a card after a while.  Go for the very cheapest - might be £5 a month?  (mine with ee includes extras so is £7).

What about a store card of some sort?  M&S card?  Stores love to sell cards to people to get them to spend in the sales so may be a bit more willing to do something.  Or a catalogue account?  Paypal?  

But if your income is £5k a year that might make it difficult to get anything.

born_again

gh148 said:

born_again said:

gh148 said:

cymruchris said:

So just to confirm:

- You're on the electoral roll (How long for?)

- You have no negative points on any of your THREE main credit reference agency reports

- You do have existing accounts in your name on the credit reference agency data? (how many? current account? - if so - how long's it been on there?)

- You have no 'credit' accounts on your files? (No buy now pay later, klarna, that kind of thing?)

How long have you been at your current address?

What income are you declaring? (Approx)

Are you self-employed or employed and earning a salary?

Do you have a mobile phone? If so - who pays the bill?

A good starting point is usually to get a low value sim-only contract that reports to your credit files - there's usually a good chance of getting one even with limited history, and will form a pattern of paying something to give lenders a feel for whether you'll pay back their credit card.

Judging by the questions I assume it's supposed to be easier to get a credit card even with no credit history then? I don't know how long I've been on the electoral roll for but certainly at least a couple of years, I don't have any negative points, I only have a current and savings account, and no credit history at all. I've been at my current address since May 2018, I declare my income as roughly £5000 personal and £105,000 other household income, and essentially self-employed as the director of my own company. I could thus technically make my personal income more if necessary, but at the same time I don't want to draw too much money out of the company account just to get a credit card. I do have a phone but I don't pay for it, plus I already have an unlimited SIM plan as part of our broadband deal so there's no need for me to get any additional SIM card.

I would ring your bank & apply that way. If it is then declined then I would ask to speak to some one in the approval team, as to why, as 5 years at address & that income, seems very odd.

Could you not apply via company?

What do you mean by apply via company?

Via your business banking. So it is a business Credit card, not a personal one.

daivid

99p per month for the 1st six months from Lebara (see MSE cheap sim finder), you may not need any longer. Having an overdraft facility on your current account may help - don't use the OD just show you can have access to one and be responsible. Though I'd echo the advice of calling your current bank and if denied ask them for the reason why and if possible suggestions for how to make yourself eligible.