Obtaining a UK credit card
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,098
Re: Obtaining a UK credit card
It’s much more widely accepted now. You can use it in all supermarkets, most restaurants and a lot of smaller businesses.
https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/benefits/shop-small/
https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/benefits/shop-small/
https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/c...r-credit-card/
#17
Re: Obtaining a UK credit card
We have HSBC accounts in both the UK and Canada. I have a UK HSBC bank card but it clearly says on the UK web site you must be in the UK and have a UK address to get a credit card. We did have a few issues opening a UK account from Canada. We intend to move back to the UK in 2022 as soon as my soon completed Grade 12.
We do use the UK HSBC debit card occasionally to buy things in the UK and for family presents etc. I have UKP accounts on both sides of the pond for various reasons.
We do use the UK HSBC debit card occasionally to buy things in the UK and for family presents etc. I have UKP accounts on both sides of the pond for various reasons.
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 4
Re: Obtaining a UK credit card
The biggest challenge to get a UK credit card is being on the Electoral Roll (the credit checks used are typically 'the computer says no' unless you are living in a UK address). Even if you move into a UK address, and register for council tax (property tax) with the council and hence register on the Electoral Roll it can take up to 3 months to appear on it depending on your location.
Luckily American Express (as mentioned above) have common sense and look at your USA credit/payment record and will be pragmatic and ignore the Electoral Roll check - like an old fashioned bank manager! Its not like the USA, and the credit card merchant fees are miniscule now in the UK, even for AMEX, so you can easily build your credit score (having got your Amex) by doing your grocery shop at any major supermarket each week over a number of months. I managed to do this and get a great (i.e. best) mortgage rate (via a broker talking to pragmatic lenders - not online) within 3 months of moving back to UK after 14 years of being in the USA.
Luckily American Express (as mentioned above) have common sense and look at your USA credit/payment record and will be pragmatic and ignore the Electoral Roll check - like an old fashioned bank manager! Its not like the USA, and the credit card merchant fees are miniscule now in the UK, even for AMEX, so you can easily build your credit score (having got your Amex) by doing your grocery shop at any major supermarket each week over a number of months. I managed to do this and get a great (i.e. best) mortgage rate (via a broker talking to pragmatic lenders - not online) within 3 months of moving back to UK after 14 years of being in the USA.
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15
Re: Obtaining a UK credit card
The biggest challenge to get a UK credit card is being on the Electoral Roll (the credit checks used are typically 'the computer says no' unless you are living in a UK address). Even if you move into a UK address, and register for council tax (property tax) with the council and hence register on the Electoral Roll it can take up to 3 months to appear on it depending on your location.
Luckily American Express (as mentioned above) have common sense and look at your USA credit/payment record and will be pragmatic and ignore the Electoral Roll check - like an old fashioned bank manager! Its not like the USA, and the credit card merchant fees are miniscule now in the UK, even for AMEX, so you can easily build your credit score (having got your Amex) by doing your grocery shop at any major supermarket each week over a number of months. I managed to do this and get a great (i.e. best) mortgage rate (via a broker talking to pragmatic lenders - not online) within 3 months of moving back to UK after 14 years of being in the USA.
Luckily American Express (as mentioned above) have common sense and look at your USA credit/payment record and will be pragmatic and ignore the Electoral Roll check - like an old fashioned bank manager! Its not like the USA, and the credit card merchant fees are miniscule now in the UK, even for AMEX, so you can easily build your credit score (having got your Amex) by doing your grocery shop at any major supermarket each week over a number of months. I managed to do this and get a great (i.e. best) mortgage rate (via a broker talking to pragmatic lenders - not online) within 3 months of moving back to UK after 14 years of being in the USA.
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 4
Re: Obtaining a UK credit card
Hi there! Thanks so much for this info, it's something we had been curious about. We plan to move back in two or three years, and have been unsure how to establish credit and get credit cards. My husband has a credit score in UK, but we wanted to try and build it up before moving over. Can I ask, was there a specific card you applied for? Also, did you apply before you moved back, or after you arrived? We were curious if we could apply for it maybe a year before we move back and use it to make UK purchases. Thank you!
Last edited by uid73404; Mar 14th 2021 at 9:58 am.
#21
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 23
Re: Obtaining a UK credit card
Good luck
Last edited by christmasoompa; Apr 30th 2021 at 9:43 am. Reason: Sorry, but referral links are not allowed on the forums.