Card sharp - does card-jumping affect your credit rating?
Once you've enjoyed the 0% honeymoon period with your credit card, the APR kicks in and interest payments start to mount. Smart credit card customers have been working the system by transferring the outstanding balance left to a new 0% offer, taking advantage of yet another interest-free period. By doing this a card-sharp customer can end up paying little or no interest on outstanding balances, actually paying off the loan rather than paying interest. But this practice has caught the attention of the card lenders, and they're not happy about the system being abused.
Card jumping can affect your credit rating. It's a common misconception that those who build up a debt on their credit card and pay high APR are the ones that are most likely to be rejected for future credit or have a poor credit rating. The truth is that the card companies love these customers, as the interest they pay keeps the credit card lenders in business. It's the ones who attempt to beat the lenders at their own game by repeatedly taking advantage of 0% offers time and again that are at higher risk of ending up with a lower credit rating and a handful of potentially damaging rejections, lessening their chances of obtaining any kind of credit.
A credit rating appears to be shrouded in mystery for most people; they know it exists but the chances are they've never seen one in real life. However, it's easy to take control of your finances by simply writing to the three UK credit agencies and, for a small fee, getting your hands on a copy of your credit rating. This will give you details of your financial history including how many times you have card jumped and just what kind of an impact that has on your rating. It's a worthwhile exercise, as mistakes can and do happen. There could be a simple, factual error on your report that is having a big impact on your ability to gain credit and get the most from the market. By exercising your right to access this information you can use the opportunity to correct mistakes and see what action you can take to improve your rating.
'Blanket applications' (applying to multiple credit cards to see if one lets you slip through the net) are unwise, as most credit card lenders have more than one product on the market. They will spot a multiple applicant a mile off and a cluster of rejections on your record doesn't do anything to improve your credit rating. The 0% lenders are particularly aware of this practice, and although they offer the opportunity to transfer a balance from one card to another openly, they are still cautious of anyone with 'Black data' included on their record, such as frequent card jumping or blanket application techniques. How you operate financially leaves a clear trail that lenders can easily follow, especially as those same lenders are tightening their criteria in the current economic climate.
If you are looking to transfer the balance of one card onto a 0% offer, the best policy is to look for a card that has a long 0% introductory period so that you are not attempting to transfer balances every six months or so. Short-term credit card balance transfers catch the eyes of the lenders and are signs of customer disloyalty, something lenders are loath to promote for obvious reasons. Some cards offer an introductory 0% period of up to 16 months. By moving your balance onto one of these cards you can stay with the same provider for a longer period of time, therefore drawing less attention to yourself by card-hopping too frequently and building up your reputation as a loyal customer. It also gives you a greater opportunity to pay off a larger amount of the balance at 0% interest. If you haven't paid off the debt completely by the time the offer runs out, the amount that you will be looking to transfer will at least be considerably reduced. Again, this gives you a greater chance of being accepted by the next card you choose to move to.
Lenders don't exactly frown upon card jumping - after all, they're the ones offering the opportunity to make the move. But they are looking for new, long-term customers, not short-term hoppers who take advantage of the 0% offers for a few, brief months and then move on. Most financial experts agree that by playing it smart you can maintain a balancing act of reducing your initial debt, paying little or no interest and keep your good name amongst lenders. It can help you to manage your finances much more successfully as long as you remember the golden rules - the general thought is don't use the balance transfer card for anything else except paying off an outstanding debt and don't card jump too often.
Card jumping can affect your credit rating. It's a common misconception that those who build up a debt on their credit card and pay high APR are the ones that are most likely to be rejected for future credit or have a poor credit rating. The truth is that the card companies love these customers, as the interest they pay keeps the credit card lenders in business. It's the ones who attempt to beat the lenders at their own game by repeatedly taking advantage of 0% offers time and again that are at higher risk of ending up with a lower credit rating and a handful of potentially damaging rejections, lessening their chances of obtaining any kind of credit.
A credit rating appears to be shrouded in mystery for most people; they know it exists but the chances are they've never seen one in real life. However, it's easy to take control of your finances by simply writing to the three UK credit agencies and, for a small fee, getting your hands on a copy of your credit rating. This will give you details of your financial history including how many times you have card jumped and just what kind of an impact that has on your rating. It's a worthwhile exercise, as mistakes can and do happen. There could be a simple, factual error on your report that is having a big impact on your ability to gain credit and get the most from the market. By exercising your right to access this information you can use the opportunity to correct mistakes and see what action you can take to improve your rating.
'Blanket applications' (applying to multiple credit cards to see if one lets you slip through the net) are unwise, as most credit card lenders have more than one product on the market. They will spot a multiple applicant a mile off and a cluster of rejections on your record doesn't do anything to improve your credit rating. The 0% lenders are particularly aware of this practice, and although they offer the opportunity to transfer a balance from one card to another openly, they are still cautious of anyone with 'Black data' included on their record, such as frequent card jumping or blanket application techniques. How you operate financially leaves a clear trail that lenders can easily follow, especially as those same lenders are tightening their criteria in the current economic climate.
If you are looking to transfer the balance of one card onto a 0% offer, the best policy is to look for a card that has a long 0% introductory period so that you are not attempting to transfer balances every six months or so. Short-term credit card balance transfers catch the eyes of the lenders and are signs of customer disloyalty, something lenders are loath to promote for obvious reasons. Some cards offer an introductory 0% period of up to 16 months. By moving your balance onto one of these cards you can stay with the same provider for a longer period of time, therefore drawing less attention to yourself by card-hopping too frequently and building up your reputation as a loyal customer. It also gives you a greater opportunity to pay off a larger amount of the balance at 0% interest. If you haven't paid off the debt completely by the time the offer runs out, the amount that you will be looking to transfer will at least be considerably reduced. Again, this gives you a greater chance of being accepted by the next card you choose to move to.
Lenders don't exactly frown upon card jumping - after all, they're the ones offering the opportunity to make the move. But they are looking for new, long-term customers, not short-term hoppers who take advantage of the 0% offers for a few, brief months and then move on. Most financial experts agree that by playing it smart you can maintain a balancing act of reducing your initial debt, paying little or no interest and keep your good name amongst lenders. It can help you to manage your finances much more successfully as long as you remember the golden rules - the general thought is don't use the balance transfer card for anything else except paying off an outstanding debt and don't card jump too often.
About the Author:
As a financial writer Paul Dury enjoys breaking down the jargon and provide consumers with a clear view of the financial options available. If you would like to learn more about a credit card balance transfer you can read more here.
posted by Debt Consolidation Loan at
11:01 AM
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