Mot eligible for credit card with perfect credit score

[minimonkey11]

I have a credit card - had one for years- and pay it off every month. It has recently migrated to Natwest (its a sainsbury’s card) and i thought i might try a different one. Went on MSE and filled in some information (income, address etc) and it showed me a load of cards i can get but said i wasnt eligible for an M&S card. I am confused as to why I wouldn’t be eligible?? I can’t call them as it asks for your banking information and i am not a customer. I have lived at my address 13 years and have a good income and a perfect score. It does say if you have applied for credit in the last 30 days… would the card moving from Sainsbury’s to Natwest account for ‘applying for credit’? I am just a bit pissed off… i dont even know if i want one but why dont they class me as eligible??

ugh that should say *Not

Each lender, and each product offered by those lenders will have their own criteria. Those may not necessarily be the ones you'd think. They may, for example, prefer somebody who doesn't pay in full every month as there's not much to make from that cohort.

If you really want an M&S card then may be speak to M&S or go through their website.

I've two with Santander, my main bank, one of which has no transaction fees for use abroad. There's also a Barclaycard of my own for emergencies - lives in a different wallet - and one on my partner's account.

My father had around half a dozen and used each of them over the few days where the statement date was just passed so as to get the max interest free period before paying in full.

Are you on the electoral roll and is it up to date?

I kept getting rejected for a phone contract and it was because I was still registered at my old address so there was a mismatch.

I am on the electoral roll and it is up to date.

I went through their website and was rejected. Cant speak to them as it asks for your banking information when you call them.

Did the MSE check say you were ineligible for all the cards, or just the M&S one?

It is usually correct, which is why you then got rejected.

I've had similar issues recently, often cards / lending seems to go in cycles ie: I can be offered nothing one month, and lots the next.

What is the reason that you want another CC?

It sill be because you pay it off every month. How do you think they will make any money out of this, in fact, You will cost them!

I was offered others but it said i couldn’t have M&S.
I wanted to see what good rates/rewards there are seeing as it wasnt my choice to move to NatWest anyway! It’s not a desperate thing i am just confused as to why they would refuse me. I understand that i wont make them money but neither does my mum and she was approved!

So did you apply expecting to be refused based on MSE? And are now surprised you were refused?

They'll have a particular set of criteria, which might not be what you'd expect, and computer said no.

Companies won't usually tell you why you were refused. You could try changing some of the optional information (if they ask) like required credit limit, if you want to use it for cash withdrawals or transfers in. Otherwise it's probably income or credit risk.

I did just apply for a second credit card after seeing banks having technical problems recently, I thought I would get one from a different bank so if one fails I have back up.

I just tried the MSE site (soft search only so didn't mind trying!) and was approved for everything including M&S, I also pay off every month and always have done.

MSE said you weren’t eligible, and you applied anyway, and got rejected? That will put a black mark on your credit report for 6 months. My advice would be sticking with your current credit card and not applying for anymore for at least 6 months. Why did you want to move? M&S rewards?

It’s not income or credit risk- that’s why i am confused by it? I am not a credit risk as i have checked my credit score and i earn over their limit. I have not asked for a large credit limit. I appreciate all the replies but I guess i still dont understand why!? If i had bad credit or low income or anything else on their list i would not be baffled! The only thing i can think is that in moving from one cc to another (sains to natwest) it is considered as ‘applying for credit’? !

I don’t think the migration to NatWest affects anything - or it hasn’t in my case. Every card company has its own criteria.

I always pay off my credit cards every month - I’m not paying interest, but it seems to affect nothing.

I’m on pensions, and am a widow, but all seems fine with CC companies.🤷‍♀️

MSE eligibility check is a soft check. I did that. I haven’t applied as such - just been told i am not eligible… but i meet their criteria. Except clearly i dont meet some unwritten criteria… i just wondered if anyone had any experience or knowledge of that.

Each card issuer has their own eligibility criteria so you might never get an answer to your question. It’s a bit on a non issue really unless you’re absolutely desperate to have an M&S card.