Credit cards

Im bummed my excellent credit here in the states wont do me any good over there....

My husband and I just applied for credit cards through Halifax. His application was accepted and mine was denied (they won't tell me why) We have the same joint checking account (I've been on his account for the last five months and have been working for the last three with my paychecks going directly into our account at Halifax, so I don't understand.  Do any of you have any ideas as to why I would have been denied?

When one has no credit history in the UK, it is difficult to get a plain credit card, let alone a platinum one. When you get here, you will see.

This wasn't our experience either-neither of us have any credit history here, but we too were offered a Mastercard (£2500) with HSBC when we opened our current account, and a mortgage as well!  (The mortgage was only for 72k, but the lady said once we have actual earnings records to show that amount will go up.)

HSBC is TOTALLY the place to go-I can absolutely confirm that.  They were nice as pie.

When people talk about getting mailorder/catalog credit to start building their credit history before they can try to get a Visa/Mastercard, what are they talking about?

I was just wondering since I need something to build credit so I can actually get a credit card!

When people talk about getting mailorder/catalog credit to start building their credit history before they can try to get a Visa/Mastercard, what are they talking about?

I was just wondering since I need something to build credit so I can actually get a credit card!

A credit card that can only be used at a certain store or catalog. Like an Argos credit card. Those companies are easy to get credit cards with. Once you have had their card for awhile and make your payment on time,you're more likely to get a visa/mastercard

How long should one wait before applying for a store credit card?  Do they want you have a UK address for a certain limit of time or have a job for a specific time period?

Thanks again!

yes to all and you'll be required to have a bank account as well. I got an argos card but only as a secondary cardholder through my hubby

When people talk about getting mailorder/catalog credit to start building their credit history before they can try to get a Visa/Mastercard, what are they talking about?

Mail order catalogues like Freemans, JD Williams, Kays, etc offer accounts so you can buy their stuff (but at high interest rates/service charges).

My husband and I just applied for credit cards through Halifax. His application was accepted and mine was denied (they won't tell me why) We have the same joint checking account (I've been on his account for the last five months and have been working for the last three with my paychecks going directly into our account at Halifax, so I don't understand.  Do any of you have any ideas as to why I would have been denied?

Is he English? If so it's probably because he actually has a credit history - or at least an address history! I've had trouble because I only have a couple of years' worth of addresses. My point rating is very low even though I have a history and excellent payment record - it's largely because I haven't been here long enough.

Halifax won't do much until you've had an account with them for six months. After I had mine there for six months with direct deposits they offered me an overdraft and a credit card.

As for store cards, Next is super easy to get....

I have two 0% for 9 mos cards. Virgin and Mint. Both of these can be applied for online.

I was told by two banks that you have to reside in the UK for 2 yrs before you can get a credit card?  Question- I still use my US card.  Will the stores still accept it after Feb when you must use a chip and pin.  The US does not use that system.  Tesco said it must be a chip and pin or they will deny it.  What about tourists? This cannot be right.  My US credit company said just explain that it is a US card.

I way I hear it is,if you have a debit card like switch/solo, you'll be required to use the chip & pin. I dont think it applys to visa/mastercard,since the only way you use a pin with those is for cash advance

My credit cards are chip and pin.

I was told by two banks that you have to reside in the UK for 2 yrs before you can get a credit card? 

I got one after having a current account for 6 months.... My bank didn't ask how long I'd lived in the UK and I definitely had not been banking with them for 2 years....

My credit card is chip and pin too....

I dont think it applys to visa/mastercard,since the only way you use a pin with those is for cash advance

I pay for my shopping at Sainsburys using a MasterCard, and always have to enter my PIN into the little machine...