Getting a credit card - newly departed partner

RacingSnake1

My Dad is 93. Mum has just died. They were living together in a care and nursing home having been married for 71 years. Dad used 'piggy back' credit cards off Mum's store credit cards.He now needs his own one.

I've tried MSE's credit card checker on his behalf and it is unable to return a positive response.

Income is £9100, care home fees are £6900 per month, savings exceed £200k. A low level of credit is required to cover minor purchases - I've suggested £500 although he is not likely to need this much.

How do we get him a credit card?

horsewithnoname

Try a credit builder card like Aqua? 

FlorayG

I would be questioning why at 93 and with decent money in the bank he needs one? Can he not use a debit card? His bank will supply this without questions

born_again

I would echo the above.

There is no need for a credit card, to cover minor purchases  Debit card will be more suitable.

Does anyone have POA over the finances?

teaselMay

I agree debit card from his accoutn is the way to go, but surely his income is higher than 9K even if only state pension, because there'll be a fair bit of interest on the savings

Olenna

His own bank would be my first port of call but given his age and that he's in a care home wouldn't a debit card be sufficient?

grumpy_codger

RacingSnake1 said:

My Dad is 93. ...

Some recent thread: Re: Are credit card companies ageist/anti pensioners?

And I agree - your dad doesn't need it. However, if you think he does, get a CC in your name and make him a second cardholder.

TakeittotheLimit.

You could also open a Stirling account and apply to have a connected card, this would give your dad upto £200 to spend and you can just keep topping it up when it gets low, instead of trying to get a Credit Card.

blue.peter

Have you spoken to your mother's card issuer(s)? I have a vague recollection that the FCA got a bit interested in exactly this situation a few years ago, with the result that issuers were supposed to look sympathetically at issuing credit cards to the surviving spouses of deceased cardholders. I'm sorry that I can't now quote chapter and verse, or remember details. I just recall having thought that it might have helped my mother when my father died.

NoodleDoodleMan

grumpy_codger said:

RacingSnake1 said:

My Dad is 93. ...

Some recent thread: Re: Are credit card companies ageist/anti pensioners?

And I agree - your dad doesn't need it. However, if you think he does, get a CC in your name and make him a second cardholder.

Doesn't the additional cardholder need to stay at the same address as the principal one ?

grumpy_codger

NoodleDoodleMan said:

grumpy_codger said:

RacingSnake1 said:

My Dad is 93. ...

Some recent thread: Re: Are credit card companies ageist/anti pensioners?

And I agree - your dad doesn't need it. However, if you think he does, get a CC in your name and make him a second cardholder.

Doesn't the additional cardholder need to stay at the same address as the principal one ?

Not sure. Quick google search shows that this depends on the CC provider. Barclaycard explicitly require this. In Nationwide's form I see separate fields for two addresses.