Is this normal nowadays for a new CC application?

[Pupsiecola]

DH and I want to close our AMEX/Lloyds credit card because when we applied around 7 years ago it was great for airmiles. Since it's no longer an AMEX, and we don't appear to be getting a free annual companion ticket, plus DH mostly flies with Virgin for work, we thought we'd swap to one with more usable rewards.

Having done some research we've gone for a JLP one. The application was in his name, although I filled it out. Once it's set up we can add me as a second card holder. I handle all financial matters just because I'm better at it.

After the initial online application we had to send in some ID: a photocopy of an original proof of address (so utility bill within 4 months which couldn't be a print-at-home job) and a photocopy of photo ID signed by someone from a list of about 10 professions. We took it to our optician who had to write a load of blurb on it and then sign it.

We sent those off for both of us and added a note to say here's my wife's too as we'll be applying for an additional card holder, so please keep these on file for then (and I have a copy here).

Now we have an email asking DH to call a number to complete the application.

Last time we applied for a CC we did an online application and about a week later the card arrived. Have the rules changed? Or are JLP just overly cautious? Or have we aroused suspicion because it's my email and phone number on the application form which is in my name and I've also sent my ID for a card for me once the application is approved, but with a signed note from DH. I can see how that would potentially ring alarm bells in hindsight.

We only have the one credit card. I've cleared it to zero balance in preparation for cancelling it. Our credit rating should be very good. DH is a high earner etc. I can't believe the faff and it's making me nervous about if we ever have to speak to them about anything.

#ifonlymonzodidcreditcards

JL are overly cautious. I had to get my passport stamped by a notary when I applied. Having said that though, once that hurdle was passed they gave me a much higher credit limit than I would have asked for, and I’ve found their online banking quite good. And they send me vouchers every quarter.

Thanks Doo. That's good to know. Yes, we are used to quite a high limit so that would be useful. Yes, we applied because of the reward vouchers. Waitrose is our nearest supermarket and with 2 teenage boys I'm in there often.

And their phone customer services are good as well, lots of common sense used.

Oh that's good to know doo. Do you remember if you had to call them after they received your supporting documentation?

I surf the credit card offers and have never had to go through any of that - few clicks online and the card comes.

I have a Barclaycard that pays 0.5% cashback with a reasonably high limit. I don't shop in John Lewis and Waitrose only occasionally, so any extra reward they give wouldn't be worth it to me.

I don't remember it being too much faff when I opened mine last year - they normally do electronic ID verification so didn't need documents. It might be that they have struggled to use the normal electronic sites to verify your and/or your DH's identity for some reason (a common name maybe?) so needed to go down the route of documents. All that said, I've found it a great credit card. Very easy to increase your limit and I get about £300 of JL vouchers a year through my points and I'm not a particularly big spender.

Thanks for the replies.

DH called them. The proof of address for him was not valid as it was the bill for a mobile phone contract: broadband would have been okay.

I've just requested a bank statement be posted instead.

We have a very, very unusual surname. I wonder if it just flagged because of what I said previously: application in his name, my email address and number and a written note saying we'll add me.

Anyway, should be up and running soon, hopefully.

Ah yes, mobile bill would have been a problem as it doesn't count as proof of address (because it's not linked to a physical place in the way that a phone line is). That plus unusual surname and slightly unusual application probably flagged it for extra attention as it doesn't just go through the usual tick box process for standard applications.