British Expats - credit cards

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)

- Canada (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/)

- - credit cards (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/credit-cards-304388/)

Re: credit cards

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbd33

I have, and sometimes use, a Barclaycard. I haven't been resident in the UK since 1981. It's not efficent to use as it's billed in pounds but the only Canadian card I have is Amex and occasionally I'm in a place that doesn't take Amex. Amex was the only card I could get when I arrived and now the rest of them can keep their cards.

I'm surprised that new arrivals have trouble in getting Visa and Mastercard though. I live with someone who has no status in Canada, we've just started the process of sponsoring her as my common law spouse, for the moment she's a "visitor". She has Canadian credit cards. Someone walked up in Loblaws and asked if she wanted a bank account, she opened that with $200 and, a couple of months later, they offered the card. Once she had the first card more offers arrived. My daughter in Montreal had a similar experience, neither of these people have an income, neither were asked for even proof of address and neither required any sort of guarantor. The card limits are low but the number of cards is effectively unlimited and, if one uses the cards, the limit gets increased.

Isn't your gf American (or resident in the US) and haven't we explained that there is a HUGE difference between treatment of US residents and the rest of us countless times before?? :rolleyes:

Re: credit cards

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennyhp

Hi All

Are there any credit cards that I can get in the UK that will have any bearing on my credit rating once in Canada?

I know it's a long shot!

Pennyhp

You can, as i was informed by my bank ( Nat-West ) continue your uk credit card,and bank account. Controlling them via internet banking, or( telephone banking ) while resident in Canada..... Obviously they have no bearing ''what-so-ever'' on Canadian credit rating. Credit rating in Canada is ''one on it's own''.....:confused:

Re: credit cards

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbd33

I guess we must of just looked liked Hobos then when we went to apply for a credit card if your daughter managed to get one without any income or proof of address. Maybe thats what we should of done, DOH.

Wonder why they ask for income on the forms if it is not relevant. I guess then I could be a homeless bum using someones address on the form and still get a credit card.

Seems unreal to me, especially if you are coming from another country without any credit rating, no job, or less than a year in a job and less than a year in a new address.

Maybe our experience was unique

Re: credit cards

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingbat

Isn't your gf American (or resident in the US) and haven't we explained that there is a HUGE difference between treatment of US residents and the rest of us countless times before?? :rolleyes:

She's an American, yes, but the bank doesn't know that. PC Financial only asked for a mailing address and she used this one.

Re: credit cards

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spongebob

Wonder why they ask for income on the forms if it is not relevant. I guess then I could be a homeless bum using someones address on the form and still get a credit card.

I think it's about the introduction, people pushing credit cards are desperate for their commision, they'll get it done if they can. If you approach the bank they've less of an incentive. In the case of the daughter she declared an income of $10,000, that's about what she makes part time and holidays, and got a card with a $1,000 limit. In the case of the girlfriend she wrote "homemaker" income zero and got a card with a $500 limit. I don't think the card issuers are lax so much as disorganized, those people who get cards for their cats and dogs probably make dozens of applications before one works.

Re: credit cards

Forget about prebuilt credit history option.
I have a credit card from CIBC for about 4 years now. Basically I was in canada for about 6 months wherein I applied for a unsecured credit card (Limit $500) which they approved.
When I was moving out of canada after 6 months I wanted to close the account but they insisted that I can keep the card till it expires. Meanwhile I came to USA and kept on using the CIBC card frequently. They even increased the credit limit to $15K.
Recently I am planning to move to canada so I asked them if I have any credit history built as i have been using the card for more than 4 yrs now.
They denied saying that I need to have a canadian address (residency etc) to built credit history which makes sense. But its cool because I already have a credit card with huge credit limit to start a new life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritBob

I was told by the CIBC when I first arrived in Canada, that a UK credit rating carries no weight. My first credit card in Canada was a secured one, which helped me establish Canadian credit. Store cards are useful, and relatively easy to get. I even got my Sears card by using my Barclaycard as an instant credit reference! Get a store card, look after it and that will also help.

Capital One seems to be a popular card (for those with little credit), even the unsecured ones. I have one, got after living here only 1 year. I was pre-approved with one of those letters. Their customer service can be frustrating, but that`s the only grumble I can find.