Can applying for multiple credit cards in short span hurt me?

Trek98

Okay, so in a bit of a conundrum here...

I'm going abroad for 3 weeks next month. While I travel, I want to use a credit card solely purposed for travel - better exchange rates, not having to "top up" a travel debit card, pay only for what I use etc. I'm totally clean - have a card with said main bank, paid with direct debit every month touch wood and otherwise nothing about me that would raise a lender's eyebrows. Not to mention I haven't spent a penny (yet) on any other card.

Last year I applied for a Barclaycard and got one, but then a while ago I found out that the app for managing that isn't compatible with my phone (I have the general Barclays app but it doesn't let me manage the card directly, probably doesn't do push notifications once I start using it either). So just to be on the safe side, I applied for another credit card, got accepted a few days ago and just got that one through the post, thought I was set until I tried logging back in after closing THAT app and it doesn't work because it just loads forever when I try to sign in... so I've now applied for a 3rd additional credit card and just waiting on that one to come through (and hoping the app isn't a piece of garbage like the other two otherwise I'm gonna have to bite the bullet.) I need to be able to manage my card and preferably want spending notifications each time I use it, considering I'll be travelling and want to know what I've just spent in GBP.

Will this impact me score-wise in any way or cause other problems? I'm also worried that something else goes wrong down the line, particularly when I'm abroad when I'll be relying on it. Any advice appreciated, thanks

Cloth_of_Gold

Trek98 said:

Okay, so in a bit of a conundrum here...

I'm going abroad for 3 weeks next month. While I travel, I want to use a credit card solely purposed for travel - better exchange rates, not having to "top up" a travel debit card, pay only for what I use etc. I'm totally clean - have a card with said main bank, paid with direct debit every month touch wood and otherwise nothing about me that would raise a lender's eyebrows. Not to mention I haven't spent a penny (yet) on any other card.

Last year I applied for a Barclaycard and got one, but then a while ago I found out that the app for managing that isn't compatible with my phone (I have the general Barclays app but it doesn't let me manage the card directly, probably doesn't do push notifications once I start using it either). So just to be on the safe side, I applied for another credit card, got accepted a few days ago and just got that one through the post, thought I was set until I tried logging back in after closing THAT app and it doesn't work because it just loads forever when I try to sign in... so I've now applied for a 3rd additional credit card and just waiting on that one to come through (and hoping the app isn't a piece of garbage like the other two otherwise I'm gonna have to bite the bullet.) I need to be able to manage my card and preferably want spending notifications each time I use it, considering I'll be travelling and want to know what I've just spent in GBP.

Will this impact me score-wise in any way or cause other problems? I'm also worried that something else goes wrong down the line, particularly when I'm abroad when I'll be relying on it. Any advice appreciated, thanks

Are these cards all with different banks? If so, have you thought that maybe the problem is with your phone rather than the apps?

Trek98

Cloth_of_Gold said:

Are these cards all with different banks? If so, have you thought that maybe the problem is with your phone rather than the apps?

Yes and each one codes their apps differently. My phone is just an Android from 2017 but on the latest update so nothing hugely out of the ordinary.

Cloth_of_Gold

Trek98 said:

Cloth_of_Gold said:

Are these cards all with different banks? If so, have you thought that maybe the problem is with your phone rather than the apps?

Yes and each one codes their apps differently. My phone is just an Android from 2017 but on the latest update so nothing hugely out of the ordinary.

It just seems slightly odd that neither works. Could it be a security setting you're using or something like that?

Others will be better qualified than I am to answer the question about your credit rating but I'm pretty certain that too many applications for credit in a short space of time might well have an effect. If your third application is successful though you might not want to risk any more credit searches for a while.

Jami74

Trek98 said:

Will this impact me score-wise in any way or cause other problems? I'm also worried that something else goes wrong down the line, particularly when I'm abroad when I'll be relying on it. Any advice appreciated, thanks

What is your concern about your score being impacted? In other words, so what if your score changes, in what way do you think that would hurt you?

6 years is quite old for a phone. It might struggle with the apps. 

GrumpyDil

Your credit score is meaningless but too many applications in a short space of time might suggest that you are desperate for credit and impact further applications. 

Emmia

I have the Barclays banking app, and use that to manage my Barclaycard, and my Barclays accounts. I also have the Barclaycard app, but don't really ever use it, as I can do everything in the Barclays app.

My phone is a Samsung S8 from 2017, and I have no issues accessing banking apps... 

What "direct management" are you trying to do in the Barclays app? I can view credit card transactions and statements, pay the bill, freeze the card, and get notifications... and a few months ago I switched from a platinum Barclaycard to a rewards card in the app.

400ixl

When you say on the latest update, as in the latest update that the manufacturer provided which could now be years old, or as in the latest security patch released in September 2023?

Also, is this phone running the 32 bit version of Android or the 64 bit as more and more apps are now 64bit only.

What phone make and model is it and what cards / apps?

Trek98

GrumpyDil said:

Your credit score is meaningless but too many applications in a short space of time might suggest that you are desperate for credit and impact further applications. 

This is pretty much what I thought. Though I've just had word that my 3rd card is on the way so I take it they weren't under that impression, lol. That said once I have field-tested a card or two then I can just cancel the ones I don't need and if anything signal the contrary

Emmia said:

I have the Barclays banking app, and use that to manage my Barclaycard, and my Barclays accounts. I also have the Barclaycard app, but don't really ever use it, as I can do everything in the Barclays app.

My phone is a Samsung S8 from 2017, and I have no issues accessing banking apps... 

What "direct management" are you trying to do in the Barclays app? I can view credit card transactions and statements, pay the bill, freeze the card, and get notifications... and a few months ago I switched from a platinum Barclaycard to a rewards card in the app.

Oh that's good. I was obviously led to think that a dedicated app for Barclaycard would be better placed than a more general one from the bank, but I haven't spent anything yet so will be trying that one soon.
 

400ixl said:

When you say on the latest update, as in the latest update that the manufacturer provided which could now be years old, or as in the latest security patch released in September 2023?

Also, is this phone running the 32 bit version of Android or the 64 bit as more and more apps are now 64bit only.

What phone make and model is it and what cards / apps?

 Go figure, I have a Blackberry Keyone also from 2017 on Android 8.1.0 (latest for that phone). Over six years later and this is the first time encountering anything remotely warranting an upgrade. But the apps themselves are clearly compatible as you wouldn't be able to download them from Play Store otherwise, as is the case with the Barclaycard app.