13 reasons a credit card is refused
Rejections usually come down to eligibility, credit history, your financial situation, or the application itself. Some are quick fixes; some need six months.
Explore the topic
Credit cards
Use credit cards with confidence, from applications and APR to limits and minimum payments.
8
pieces of guidance
APR on credit cards explained
APR is what a year of borrowing costs, including fees. The advertised "representative" rate goes to at least 51% of customers — yours depends on your credit…
Balance transfers and your credit score
Balance transfers can affect your score, but usually only temporarily. Keep up your minimum payments and your score should improve over time.
Closing a credit card and your score
Closing a card can cause a small, temporary drop — open accounts count for more, your utilisation rises, and you lose an old account. Usually not a reason…
Credit card applications and your score
Applying doesn't automatically lower your score — it's reasonable credit activity. The problem only arises with a cluster of applications in a short period.
Credit card minimum payments explained
Minimums are either a flat rate or a percentage of your statement balance, often whichever is higher. Paying only the minimum keeps the debt alive far…
Credit cards explained
Used well, a credit card builds your credit history. Used badly, it damages it. The difference is entirely in how you manage repayments, not how much you…
Understanding your credit limit
The limit you're offered is personalised, not the one advertised. Going over it brings fees and consequences, and how close you run to it tells lenders a lot.