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Original poster

Cant get a credit card? Is this normal?

38 replies

Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 08:24

Hi just want to check before I panic.

On maternity leave, work part time, not earning much at all, studying online.

Just wanted to boost my credit score in the future ready for when I work full time and just to get everything in order.

Won't get accepted by anyone. Credit score says average can't see anything sinister.

Is it just earnings? It won't consider with household income.

Is this normal and will change once I go back full time?

Or is there something sinister going on?

Even those low income crazy interest rates won't.

OP posts:
Wolfpa · 27/09/2024 08:41

As you are solely responsible for the credit card household income doesn’t count.

are you eligible for a student account? You may be able to get a credit card with a low limit via that route

Singleandproud · 27/09/2024 08:43

Why do you need to boost your credit score for working full time? That's not necessary, only if you want to take out a mortgage.

Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 08:46

Wolfpa · 27/09/2024 08:41

As you are solely responsible for the credit card household income doesn’t count.

are you eligible for a student account? You may be able to get a credit card with a low limit via that route

Oh that's OK then, I was panicking some fraud was happening 😅
Don't think so as I'm getting my qualifications through work :/

Don't suppose you know how you build credit score other ways in the meantime?

I have a 5 year plan 😅 so currently building my work experience and qualifications whilst saving. But I need my credit score optimised over next few years. :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 08:47

Singleandproud · 27/09/2024 08:43

Why do you need to boost your credit score for working full time? That's not necessary, only if you want to take out a mortgage.

Yes a mortgage is my hope at the end of it 😅 so I'm saving and building up in work so I can jump up into a different qualified role with the income required. So I was hoping if I could build my credit now everything will come together.

OP posts:
Tapestree · 27/09/2024 08:50

My son's credit score leapt up after he got a phone contract. His score is better than mine!

pickedplock · 27/09/2024 08:52

Amex does household income.

Singleandproud · 27/09/2024 08:54

Amex will also give you a fuckton of credit (and a huge Apr to go with it) fine if you manage your money well, they are great for points and cashback, not good if you tend to splurge. I get given £1,500 on most credit cards with an excellent credit score, Amex gave me £10k.

CrumpledBankNote · 27/09/2024 08:56

Download clear score - it'll tell you everything that's going on and it's totally free. Plus tips on how to improve your score and it'll show any pre approved deals. I use it all the time it's great.
I'm not an employee or affiliated with it in any way 😂 but it's definitely made me more financially savvy.

Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 08:56

Capital One seem to accept most people but I think any provider will require you to have some kind of income. I worked part time when I had mine and my sister had one while she was off with her baby. It had a low limit only £500 but that was raised once her income increased.

Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 08:58

CrumpledBankNote · 27/09/2024 08:56

Download clear score - it'll tell you everything that's going on and it's totally free. Plus tips on how to improve your score and it'll show any pre approved deals. I use it all the time it's great.
I'm not an employee or affiliated with it in any way 😂 but it's definitely made me more financially savvy.

Yes I have clearscore. It says doing well and nowhere for improvement. Which is why I was confused, I couldn't find anything untoward. But it occasionally drops. I'm really confused :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 08:59

Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 08:56

Capital One seem to accept most people but I think any provider will require you to have some kind of income. I worked part time when I had mine and my sister had one while she was off with her baby. It had a low limit only £500 but that was raised once her income increased.

Wouldn't accept me on the money supermarket soft check :/

OP posts:
BuzzieLittleBee · 27/09/2024 08:59

You say you can't get accepted by anyone. Does that mean you've applied for a lot? Every time you apply for credit, a mark goes on your credit score, and applying for a lot of credit is a warning sign. It's why some companies make a big thing of doing a 'soft search', where they can pretty much make a decision, but no mark is left on your file.

Having (and responsibly using) a credit card is a great way to improve your rating, so it is worth doing.

If you are not being accepted, and you 100% know that you will pay it off in full every month (so you're basically just using it for things that would normally go on your debit card) then there are cards designed for people who struggle to get accepted, and who are trying to rebuild (or build) their credit. They can be brilliant for doing that, but the APR is astronomical, so you have to pay off every month, without fail. They also, rightly, start with a very low credit limit so you can't get into too much debt.
Responsible use of one of those cards can soon lead to acceptance by a mainstream provider.

As an aside, a big reason people get turned down for credit is not being on the electoral role. Are you definitely on that?

CrumpledBankNote · 27/09/2024 09:00

Are on the electoral roll?

CrumpledBankNote · 27/09/2024 09:00

Also, if you have clear score, what score is it giving you?

Doggymummar · 27/09/2024 09:01

I only work 20 hours a week and got a Barclaycard Platinum card a few weeks ago. It has a 4k limit and two years interest free period. I got it as my dental bill is £2600 and wanted to spread the cost.

Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 09:01

May I ask what your average monthly income is?

Are you registered to vote at your address?
Do you currently have any debt like finance agreements?

Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 09:02

BuzzieLittleBee · 27/09/2024 08:59

You say you can't get accepted by anyone. Does that mean you've applied for a lot? Every time you apply for credit, a mark goes on your credit score, and applying for a lot of credit is a warning sign. It's why some companies make a big thing of doing a 'soft search', where they can pretty much make a decision, but no mark is left on your file.

Having (and responsibly using) a credit card is a great way to improve your rating, so it is worth doing.

If you are not being accepted, and you 100% know that you will pay it off in full every month (so you're basically just using it for things that would normally go on your debit card) then there are cards designed for people who struggle to get accepted, and who are trying to rebuild (or build) their credit. They can be brilliant for doing that, but the APR is astronomical, so you have to pay off every month, without fail. They also, rightly, start with a very low credit limit so you can't get into too much debt.
Responsible use of one of those cards can soon lead to acceptance by a mainstream provider.

As an aside, a big reason people get turned down for credit is not being on the electoral role. Are you definitely on that?

Only on money supermarket comparison checks. So no proper applications and tbh given that says everyone will decline I won't try 😅

Yes im on the electoral role :/ no debts (just phone contracts, car insurance, bit on store card, but that gets paid off every month)
Never missed any payments 😭😭

Can you name one if those cards so I can try that?

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 09:05

What about Aqua?
Or one from your bank, then they have a long history with you and may be more likely to accept you.

Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 09:08

Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 09:05

What about Aqua?
Or one from your bank, then they have a long history with you and may be more likely to accept you.

Edited

No bank says no. It's high street so expected that and think they stated due to income when I was tweaking my savings with them I asked.

I might look into aqua, it's not to use much, just few bits to pay off. Purely for my score 😅

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 09:10

It's got to be related to your income, everything else sounds fine, have you ever missed a payment on your store card? I just don't get why there is literally no one willing to take your custom. I'd be inclined to look a bit deeper into your credit report tbh as a store card would count as credit so your score should be in Good from what you've said.

Either your income is just far too low or there's something in your history that's disqualifying you.

unsync · 27/09/2024 09:14

pickedplock · 27/09/2024 08:52

Amex does household income.

Amex usually have high interest rates and a punitive fee structure. Unless you're extremely diligent, can't recommend them.

DeliciousApples · 27/09/2024 09:17

Have you moved address a lot?

Do you have the same full name as your parent?

I ask because I know someone whose son had the same name and his debt was allocated to the parent!!! Horrific situation. Resolved now. But a real wtf moment.

Pay Experian or equifax or whatever the big ones are for a one off check of your credit score. It'll tell you all debts. You can then fully check it out. Somethings wrong somewhere and now is the time to act so it can be resolved soon as it will likely prevent your mortgage application next year. Do it now.

Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 09:18

Balloonhearts · 27/09/2024 09:10

It's got to be related to your income, everything else sounds fine, have you ever missed a payment on your store card? I just don't get why there is literally no one willing to take your custom. I'd be inclined to look a bit deeper into your credit report tbh as a store card would count as credit so your score should be in Good from what you've said.

Either your income is just far too low or there's something in your history that's disqualifying you.

Do you know how you look deeper? There's not much information on the report. Just the doing well points. There's no ccj or anything big untoward against my name, I managed to find that section. I'm hoping it is just income, but wish they would just say so I'm not panicking I'm secretly being screwed.

I guess I'm also confused as I see people with credit who aren't currently employed so I don't see why I am such a horror for all lenders 😬😬

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 27/09/2024 09:20

I would look on Credit Karma and check out your credit history (it's free). It will tell you things impacting your score and how to improve it but also if anyone else has credit out in your name. ID theft is a very real risk and worth looking in to.

Original poster
Pinenuts91 · 27/09/2024 09:39

Singleandproud · 27/09/2024 09:20

I would look on Credit Karma and check out your credit history (it's free). It will tell you things impacting your score and how to improve it but also if anyone else has credit out in your name. ID theft is a very real risk and worth looking in to.

Edited

Looked at that, again can't see anything, says to improve by getting more credit 😅

On there it says I could get approved for
Bits card, creditspring and loqbox. Oh and pave.

Have you heard of any of them?

OP posts:
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