Credit card for 18 year old?

[lineror]

Just wondered if anyone had any advice re who may be the best company to apply to. I know the main ones won't be interested in someone with no credit history, but does anyone know who is likely to accept?

Sorry didn't mean to bold

Try the one they have a current account with..

Do they definitely need one? I had one when I was very young, no good came of it!

They won't offer one, their classic card says you need a good credit rating.

Do they definitely need one? I had one when I was very young, no good came of it!

Well that didn't take long!

No, they don't NEED one. But it would be quite handy for various reasons. Just like most adults?

Ignore what it says on the website for the bank account provider and ask them. Often existing customers who keep their accounts in good standing are pre-approved. When did they turn 18? If they have a bank account then they will have a credit file. Possibly worth them getting a mobile phone contract to build up a rating rather than going and getting a credit card aimed at people with poor credit ratings, just for the sake of getting a card.

She had the current account since she turned 11 but the bank themselves said it was unlikely and she doesn't want to start triggering searches unnecessarily. She turned 18 six months ago. She doesn't have a phone contract or need one, so it would be a case of getting that for the sake of it whereas a credit card would be beneficial.

She isn't applying to anyone until she has worked out the best way to do it. I'm asking everyone to see if they have been accepted or have a DC who was, to try and woke out the best company to ask.

There are a couple of 'starter' credit cards designed for people with no credit history (as opposed to bad credit history). Capital One definitely do one, as do Barclaycard IIRC. There are also some specifically for students with student accounts.

Try looking on Money Supermarket for 'credit building' credit cards. It'll come up with a list of lenders (APRs will be high, though that's only a problem if the balance isn't repaid each month) who are more likely to accept a young person with no credit history. Once she's shown she can manage a credit facility, she'll be able to apply for a better card.

Thanks, it's starter rather than poor we are hoping she can get. Looking everywhere to get as much advice as possible first. She can't get a student account because she is going to do an HNC before going to uni so she is only doing a 1 year course and you need to be doing 2 to get a student account.

My DS got one at 18 from HSBC alongside his student account - it only has a £500 credit limit on it as far as I know!

Thank you! I have just checked HSBC and they accept HNC students for a student account.

They have just gone to the top of the list!

You could sign her up to the money saving expert credit club. It's free and they do a soft credit search to see what she would be accepted for.

Oh, and make sure she's on the electoral role.

I will get her to look into joining the credit club, thank you. She has been on the electoral role since she was 15 so that's a positive.