Another question about credit cards?

A couple of questions about credit cards:

1. how long should you wait to apply for a mastercard or visa?
2. I was thinking about applying with my bank how long should I be with them? or is it better to apply with someone else?

The only card I have in the UK is my maestro card and Debenhams (which is new)

Anyone have any experiences with this?

You really need to give us more information.

Are you wanting to apply for a card in the UK or USA?  How long have you lived there?

I'm assuming you're in the UK, since you have a Debenham's card.  For me, I was able to get credit cards after opening a store account....I think about 5-6 months after I moved here.  Others, however, have been told that they have to live here anywhere from 1 to 3 years before they'll be given a card.  It just depends on your personal circumstances, I think.

I am in the UK been living here about a year and working for 6months.
I was thinking of trying to apply for a credit card with my bank I have been banking with them for 6months.

The Debenhams card is fairly new about 2months.

I'm pretty sure that your bank will be able to offer a "starter" card now. It usually has a low limit and a high APR, use it all the time and clear it every month and within a fairly short period of time you'll be able to upgrade. You may even luck out and get a regular card.

Failing that hit Egg.com or any of the other cards not linked to a bank (Tesco, Sainsbury etc) do be careful of applying for many cards as all will check credit reference agencies and multiple searches could be viewed as a possible fraud risk

...or any of the other cards not linked to a bank (Tesco, Sainsbury etc)...

Some of these are most certainly connected with one high street bank or another.  If memory serves, Tesco card is under Royal Bank of Scotland and Sainsburys is part of HBOS.

Word to the wise:  If you have to get a card with your current account bank to establish credit, then do so, but only for a brief period until you can get a card elsewhere.  It is frequently better not to bank (for checking & savings) with a bank to which you owe money.

A store card or even doing a little bit of catalogue shopping can help you begin to establish a credit rating here.

Some of these are most certainly connected with one high street bank or another.  If memory serves, Tesco card is under Royal Bank of Scotland and Sainsburys is part of HBOS.

Yes the processing is done by a Bank but they won't have recourse to your accounts under "right of set-off" nor do they share their clients for marketing. They basically pay the bank to issue their branded cards and manage the payments collections. If you ring Sainsburys it all feels like Sainsburys not HBOS.

i think i got a visa debit with my first bank account (natwest).  about 3 months later i got a regular visa credit card through them.  very low limit & horrible APR.  i just used that to the max each month & made sure i paid it off in full.  i've now switched to an BA Amex (for points) and Nationwide visa (for overseas travel as they don't charge conversion fees).  the only time i've been declined for a credit card is the IKEA one- i had just moved into a new house like a week b/f and they wouldn't give me one-

www.moneysavingexpert.com is a great website.

www.moneysavingexpert.com is a great website.

I second that.  Also, moneysupermarket is a good one too!

Barclay offers a card to people who have been in the country 3 months, and Sky has a credit card that I THINK is also available to people after 3 months. We have been living here just over three months and I'm contemplating which card to apply for.