www.iva.co.uk

When the six years has come to an end and your credit file has been wiped clean, how long does it take before you can get a credit card? No, I don't intend going down the same route again but I'm just curious. I realise that you have to build up your credit again but what length of time after the 6 years are we talking about in terms of credit cards? Also, will it be impossible to get a card with a company that was associated with the IVA - in other words, do the credit card companies themselves keep a record of you indefinitely?

Many thanks.

Hi
You will have to build up your credit file slowly.Start with cards like VANQUIS and transfer onto better cards as your credit score improves.
I am guessing that credt companies will keep records for longer than six years.
Regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

Sorry, i just dont understand why you would want another card after everything you have ben through. Maybe its just me.
If the iva has taught us one thing, its that you cant have what you cant afford. I dot know about anybody else but i for one feel good about that.

Credit cards are really ,really good for scraping the ice off car windows

Slainte
Mish

Credit cards, used responsibly, can be very useful - especially if you are travelling abroad. Just try and make sure you do not spend what you cannot afford to repay in future, and there should be no reason why you should not have a facility with a limited credit limit.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

Thanks Andy and Melanie for your prompt responses.

Skint, I can see your point, however, if I may explain the reasonings behind my question.

When the time arrives and I'm able to go abroad on holiday again, reservations for hotels in the States, for example, require a credit card to reserve the room. Also, car hire is impossible without a credit card. So although I will definitely ensure that I have enough money saved before embarking on any future holiday, a credit card is necessary to get over these hurdles. My 5 years is nearly over, hence my rather strange question. Yes, I have learnt and no, I won't be repeating this experience.

I hope that I have somewhat clarified the reasonings behind my question.

Thanks once again.

Hi Russie ... and welcome to the forum

I manage really adequately now with a prepaid card like Cashplus http://www.cashplus.co.uk/ and I'm not spending money that I haven't got

Debbie

www.familyceremonies.co.uk

www.soulgrowth.co.uk

I agree with Mish...credit cards can come in very handy some times.... I swear by them...for grouting tiles in the bathroom!!! )

Maybe the forum could produce a book..1001 USES FOR A CREDIT CARD (OTHER THAN FOR CREDIT!!!) :O)

with regard to building up your credit score after the IVA has finished i have kept my Kays catalogue account as it had a zero balance when my IVA was started. if i start using that after the IVA to buy items over 16, 24, 32 weeks etc does that build up my credit score too?

also would your bank upgrade your basic account to a full one with a cheque book after the 6 yr period if you asked them as well as giving you a proper Visa card to upgrade the Electron?

Melanie you are right about travel.

I have to do some international travel for my job and it has been tricky.

I had to get a colleague to reserve a hotel for me with his card and then get the company to do a cash transfer to the hotel in the Gulf before my trip.

My employer doednt know about my situation although I have given my boss an inkling.

It was so tricky the first time espcially when i got to checkin and they wanted a card as surety for room bills. But thats easy, pretend you are a millionaire who doesnt bother with cards! Give them a cash deposit so they can deduct the room charges like bar bills or meals!

I also take enough cash as ana dvance to deal with expenses.

Its too late to have a company credit card as i see that although it is paid for and underwritten by my employer the bank still does a personal credit check. So I wont be applying!

Regards

MelanieGiles wrote:

Credit cards, used responsibly, can be very useful - especially if you are travelling abroad. Just try and make sure you do not spend what you cannot afford to repay in future, and there should be no reason why you should not have a facility with a limited credit limit.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

Russie,
Most of us use SOLO/MASETRO/VISA Electron which have 95% acceptance even for travel abroad. BA and Virgin will take SOLO and Easy Jet will take visa electon-their fav' card. Masetro have 100 acceptance in the UK. These are DEBITCARDS.

For hotels, we pay in advance as with all booking agency and some hotels may take a VISA/Mastercard vochure to cover potential for room damages etc. But they don't take an authorisation.

A Prepaid Mastercard(CASHPLUS,VIRGIN,THE SUN) is what you really need as they have the Mastercard logo and as you don't want to use a corporate card, it is your only choice. This is a DEBITCARD. So you don't actually need to have to have a creditcard.

Even a corprorate card is not a creditcard more of a charge/debit card.

I always book hotels through last minute .com as they take solo which most hotels and booking sites dont seem to take!

For booking hotels etc. for my business is one of the main reasons I use my Cashplus card [:)]

Debbie

www.familyceremonies.co.uk

www.soulgrowth.co.uk

I have just found another use for you unwanted credit/store cards. If you have a dog give it to them as they can be curious as to what it is and start playing with it but just a warning once they have broken the card best take it off them. I know this as my hubby has just given our 15month & 17month pups one of his to play with under strict supervision . Thay have had it 5 minutes and have made teeth marks and dents in it already.