Confusion with MSE Credit Card Eligibility Checker Results - Seeking Clarification

john10001

I recently tried out the credit card eligibility checker here on MSE, aiming to get a clearer picture of which balance transfer credit cards might be within my reach. However, I've run into a bit of a puzzling situation and would appreciate some insights.

The checker indicates that I am 100%, 90%, or 80% likely to be approved for certain cards. However, as I scrolled down to the bottom of the page, I stumbled upon a section titled, "Unfortunately, you're not eligible for the card(s) below based on the information you've given us." Intrigued, I clicked on "show me these cards" and noticed a significant overlap with the cards listed in the top section where I supposedly have high approval odds. Now, this has left me scratching my head. Are these conflicting results, or is there a glitch in the system?

I'm a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on applying for a card if there's any uncertainty with the MSE eligibility checker. The last thing I want is an unnecessary hit on my credit file, especially when the checker is designed to prevent such issues.

Quick background on my financial journey: I've made strides since the GFC, boosting my credit rating, and slashing my debts from £30k to a mere 10% of that. My payment history is rock solid—go me!

One observation I'd like to share is the importance of keeping your information up to date when using these tools. Aside from potential glitches, like the one I've encountered, outdated details can skew results. For instance, the checker had an older salary figure for me, probably because I hadn't used it in a while.

So, fellow MSE users, has anyone else encountered this? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Let's navigate the credit card maze together!

elsien

I’ve just done a trial run and it’s done the same on me - with the 0% Barclaycard it’s telling me there’s 100% chance of approval but then when I scroll down to the section that you were talking about telling me, I’ve got zero chance of being accepted. 

I’m suspecting a glitch of some sort. I have a good credit history, average income, mortgage paid off,, and they just accepted my 85-year-old mother on her pension income so the hundred percent makes much more sense to me than the snowballs chance in hell. 

Gandalf644

I often notice that the ones I am not eligible for have a different (usually higher in my case) rate of interest to the ones I am pre-approved/95% etc for, or slightly differing offer terms. Even if it is seemingly the same credit card (same bank, same credit card name etc). 

FindMyWayBack

MSE's affordability and credit card eligibility checker is totally hopeless. Completely inaccurate.

Barkin

john10001 said:

The checker indicates that I am 100%, 90%, or 80% likely to be approved for certain cards. However, as I scrolled down to the bottom of the page, I stumbled upon a section titled, "Unfortunately, you're not eligible for the card(s) below based on the information you've given us." Intrigued, I clicked on "show me these cards" and noticed a significant overlap with the cards listed in the top section where I supposedly have high approval odds. Now, this has left me scratching my head. Are these conflicting results, or is there a glitch in the system?

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Nothing more to add though, I'm afraid. I don't want or need another card. I was only playing out of curiosity, and didn't delve into the details. 

Nasqueron

I had a 100% pre-approved one from Virgin, I applied on the off chance as it would be nice, though not essential, to spread the BT card repayments a bit longer, it went for manual review and was rejected. I only applied as I'd had the same offer on another CRA site, I wouldn't bother taking anything they say as more than random chance. MSE also push cards they get affiliate payments for (as they make clear and make money from) but next time I apply for one I will just use a site like Topcashback, they have a £26 or so offer for for HSBC BT card so I'm going to do that one at some point, left it 4 months since last search and don't really need it but the cashback and monthly repayments reduced = more money in the regular savers so probably worth a punt