Why I'm exhausted trying to get a credit card
After living in England for three years, Canadian Alwynne Gwilt decides to get a credit card. How hard could it be?
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This is so true - we had the same experience trying to get a Tesco credit card, having dealt with them for several months, accumulating reward points and paying cash for everything. After several months of letters to and fro they finally gave us a card with a credit limit of - wait for it!- £400!! Not even enough to cover groceries for a month!
We now hold a bank credit card and one from M&S, both paid off in full each month and won't be bothering with Tesco again - they can wear the cost of us paying with another company's card!
There is nothing unusual about UK banks. It just cannot be as difficult as obtaining a Credit Card in the USA. I have a bank account their - but have given up trying to obtain a credit card!
After six months of banking with Lloyds, I was offered a financial review at the branch. They offered me some products but I declined, then I mentioned I would prefer to have a credit card instead. They set-up a new appointment with another financial advisor and I got a credit card.
Lloyds was my first bank in the UK. When I arrived here in 2008, I first applied at HSBC. But they refused me twice although I have presented the documents that they need. I believe I was racially discriminated. When I presented the same documents at Lloyds, they were able to immediately open an account for me. Kudos to Lloyds.
Has your name ever been on the Coucil Tax list or the Electoral Register in UK ?
That should help. Also, try Capital One : they are pretty good with "poor credit rated customers" - or in your case " no credit verified "!
I have had a USA credit card for about 20 years,& still do. But when I applied for a CC with B OF America I was declined as no ALIENS (as the USA us Brits,& others)
would be issued with a CC since 9/11, I was told,even tho I held another Co's card for so long,& always paid in full,on time. So the UK banks etc have followed
the USA lead ,as they always do.