Retirees looking for credit card

24237125

Looking for information on how husband and I can get credit cards. He is retired getting pension and attendance allowance. I am not getting pension but carer's allowance only. We are living in our caravan in our daughter's backyard while we wait for housing.  Therefore not home owners and not paying rent. Is there anything out there for us????

retiredbanker1

Have you checked your credit reports to see what information is on there?

Do you have any other debts?  Is the address you actually live in now on the post office database? (when they try to check your address)

WillPS

Nothing is marketed specifically at retirees.

The advice is the same as for anyone trying to get their first credit card - use the eligibility checkers with the banks you have the deepest/longest relationship with to see if you stand a chance. They are able to use internal data which might allow them to offer you something the rest of the market can't.

Failing that, use an 'eligibility calculator' (MSE have one as do a whole load of comparison websites nowadays) to show you if there's any open-market products which might be willing to take you.

Don't be surprised/offended if there's only a few or even 0 cards which show up.

Finally if nothing accepts you now look to build your credit profile however you can - having a contract (not prepaid or PAYG) mobile/SIM is an easy way to get started. Do what you can, pay everything off in full and check again in 6 months.

cymruchris

24237125 said:

Looking for information on how husband and I can get credit cards. He is retired getting pension and attendance allowance. I am not getting pension but carer's allowance only. We are living in our caravan in our daughter's backyard while we wait for housing.  Therefore not home owners and not paying rent. Is there anything out there for us????

Are you on the electoral roll where you are? Are your bank accounts registered at your daughter's address? That'll have an impact on the risk factor. Have you had credit cards previously? If so, how recently? 

Ryan_Holden

Heya, why do you both want credit cards? What's the objective? Maybe there's a better solution.

lr1277

Ryan_Holden said:

Heya, why do you both want credit cards? What's the objective? Maybe there's a better solution.

Because if one is a primary card holder and the other person is a secondary card holder, and the primary card holder dies, the secondary card holde loses their credit card.

My dad had a card with Nationwide and mum was a secondary card holder on that account. At some point Nationwide wrote to mum and offered her a credit card in her own name, which she accepted.

So when dad died, she still had access to a credit card.

Ryan_Holden

Aware of that mechanism but I'm asking the OP to clarify exactly that, it could be interpreted as both wanting a unique credit card.

24237125

As far as we are aware, we have done everything suggested. On electoral role, bank account registered at daughter's address, no outstanding debts, had credit card before while living in Canada which was cancelled March 2023. Just limited income and no property as an asset

cymruchris

24237125 said:

As far as we are aware, we have done everything suggested. On electoral role, bank account registered at daughter's address, no outstanding debts, had credit card before while living in Canada which was cancelled March 2023. Just limited income and no property as an asset

How long have you been living in the UK? If you're only recently back in this country, generally credit cards are quite difficult to get if you have limited UK history. Many lenders need to see a certain amount of residency before granting credit cards.

lr1277

Which cards did you have in Canada? Can any of them give you an easier path to getting a card here?

I know Amex allows you to move your credit facility when you move to another country.

redrosebud

24237125 said:

As far as we are aware, we have done everything suggested. On electoral role, bank account registered at daughter's address, no outstanding debts, had credit card before while living in Canada which was cancelled March 2023. Just limited income and no property as an asset

Just to clarify, have you checked your credit reports? You can get them all for free - your Experian report via MSE Credit Club, your Equifax report via Clearscore, and your TransUnion report via Credit Karma. Check them all to make sure your electoral roll status is showing correctly.

Do you have any accounts other than a bank account? Like a mobile phone contract, or a utility account in your or your husband's name? If so, check if these are on your credit report. Not all utilities report to CRAs, but most mobile phone companies do. An account like this on your credit report can be a "stepping stone" to a credit builder credit card, but the probability of getting one may still be affected by low income.

In terms of looking at whether or not you can get a credit card, what have you done so far? Have you checked the credit card eligibility checkers on Clearscore and Credit Karma? Do they show any offers? Have you made any applications?

Be careful about making applications as too many in a short space of time will significantly reduce your chances of getting credit. It's better to see if you're "pre-approved" for something before you apply (although this isn't an absolute guarantee).