Visa/electron Card Needed-sporadic Income

ampersand

Can anyone suggest how I might acquire a Visa or Visa Electron card, please?

I changed to banking with NatWest(Maestro and Solo cards)just on a year ago and have not wanted Credit Cards until now, when I find formerly used operations blocked without them e.g. I cannot pay for Speedferries, Hostelling International, sell on Amazon or pay(fee-free)on Ryanair - these are just four discovered in the last week.

My regular income is only £65-ish weekly - I'm told that Banks now need to see Monthly Income circa £1500 to support a CC. But my sole requirement for it is as an earnings-enabler, via Amazon etc.

I am sensible with money: I have to be.

I chose(for good reason)not to be on the Electoral Roll, but, having read Martin's articles on CC's for newbies, might change this.

Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thankyou.

skyrider007

Sounds like your credit score should be okay, but will be even better if you're on the electoral roll. If you've been banking with Natwest in the past year, I recommend you apply for a credit card from them. You're more than likely to be accepted at least on to their classic card with relatively high APR. £70 weekly income shouldn't be much of an issue. I earn *zero* but have a combined credit line of about £2,000.

Should NatWest declines your application (which I think they should not!), you are 99% guaranteed to get a credit card from the following companies:

* Aqua (HBOS)
* Barclaycard Initial
* Capital One Classic - I recommend this one
* Vanquis (Halifax)

The cards I mentioned above have extremely high APRs, I recommend you only use them as payment method and not for loan. Make sure you pay the bills off in full every month and you will not be charged interest. They also help improve your credit score if you manage them well.

If you don't want a credit card but only need something based on Visa/Master scheme that will allows you to make payment then you may want to have a look at a range of prepaid debit cards: http://www.what-prepaid-card.co.uk/features/compare-cards-prepaid.html

Personally I'd get a credit card as they have no fees if you don't owe them money. Protection on a CC is better, you also get up to 50 days free credit and best of all it helps improve your credit score.

Good luck!

NickX

ampersand wrote: »

I chose(for good reason)not to be on the Electoral Roll, but, having read Martin's articles on CC's for newbies, might change this.

I'm sure you have good reasons to not be on the electoral role, but I strongly recommend that if you want credit, then you get on. It is the first thing that the lenders check and is crucial to getting a decent line of credit.

ampersand

Thankyou both for your thoughtful replies.
Yes, it seems that electoral roll presence is essential.
Sky - do the four cards you cite have the Electron factor, which is charge-free for Ryanair, please?

skyrider007

ampersand wrote: »

Sky - do the four cards you cite have the Electron factor, which is charge-free for Ryanair, please?

The four card I listed are all FULL Visa/Master credit cards. Electron is a debit card, if you want one get a bank account with Halifax (and ask for the basic account not the normal account as they will issue a full Visa debit). You may also want to have a look at the pre paid cards link I provided above.

ampersand

I've just taken a first look at these, Sky - have never heard of them, I admit!
I will read more thoroughly tomorrow, ready for a Branch visit next week. It does seem strange that not owing on cards is a negative. I suppose it's because they won't make much money from me.
But I might win the Lottery.........I might even buy a ticket.

ampersand

I'm posting Electoral Roll registration today, but have been told it is updated only monthly(closing date 9 Apri to show in May).
So no point in applying for anything till then.
Rang the Freephone Capital line, but lass did not understand my asking about this.
I'll wait - but it's annoying. Checking at Halifax Branch in person shortly.
I listened carefully to the full blurb that precedes the Capital One connection - it sounded sensible and thorough.
Is this a general requirement that any provider has set up on their phone system?