Originally Posted by Posidrive

You do need to keep a UK bank account going to make payments though

Originally Posted by TrishB

No point - bank wasn't interested. Experian and Equifax, although the same name as the UK companies, operate as totally separate entities to the UK counterparts, so credit rating still zero when you get here.

Originally Posted by TrishB

Get a letter from your existing BANK in the UK, not credit card provider, before you come to Canada. When we approached Scotiabank for a credit card they insisted on a credit reference from our bank (Woolwich) in the UK. Once they got that we got credit cards no problem, were even able to negotiate the limit on the card (got $10K) with no money bond.
I suppose we were in a fortunate position as there are only 2 banks in town and Scotia knew we'd go to CIBC if they didn't give us credit cards!!

Originally Posted by dbd33

I actively use the Barclaycard without having a UK bank account. They'll take any sort of payment. I send money orders purchased from a currency broker.

Originally Posted by Posidrive

I'm too senile to cope that. I need the automatic minimum payment facility (UK banks only as far as I know) to cope with those times that I forget about it.