UK credit card(s) / Amex

[Reggie]

I have read the threads over time re obtaining credit cards / getting (more like not getting) the US Amex people to accept Aust Amex as credit history.

Does anyone have tips, experiences with obtaining UK credit cards / UK Amex etc?

Whilst on the UK, any tips for obtaining a UK bank account with no fee's and no proof of address?

 

[cove]

Hello Reggie, we went thru HSBC in Booragoon to get a bank account opened in Perth and then an account in London with them. You will be deluged with paperwork and some crazy concepts.
They do reasonably priced funds transfers.
We don't earn points on our London accounts.

 

[clifford]

Whilst on the UK, any tips for obtaining a UK bank account with no proof of address?

As someone that does have UK bank accounts, I think you'll find that to be quite difficult (I don't know how it could be legally possible). Having an account that is an offshoot of your Australian account is a different matter as the above poster indicated.

But to have a regular freestanding UK bank account without a valid UK address would be quite difficult, I think.

 

[cove]

Yes we have a London address!

 

[Reggie]

But to have a regular freestanding UK bank account without a valid UK address would be quite difficult, I think.

I have access to a valid UK address, proving it is a problem. No utility, council bills or rent as we only stay there. I have Tesco and Giffgaff, but I wouldn't expect anyone to accept that as proof of abode.

 

[Reggie]

Yes we have a London address!

We (well SWMBO actually) have put some offers on a couple of flats in Greater Manchester, but the vendors still think the market is pre GFC and they can get what they paid for it.

 

[Flashback]

I have access to a valid UK address, proving it is a problem. No utility, council bills or rent as we only stay there. I have Tesco and Giffgaff, but I wouldn't expect anyone to accept that as proof of abode.

Before I moved over here, I moved one of my c/c's address details to a UK address. A statement was generated and sent out, this then gave me a UK address. They didn't really care for much more than that and I was able to open an account anyway.

Getting a credit card was near on impossible, regardless of how much you earn etc. and an easy way I found of doing it was using the AMEX Global Transfer service. No questions asked, very painless and even upgraded to a Platinum Charge Card in the process. Easy as pie.

 

[TonyHancock]

Getting a credit card was near on impossible, regardless of how much you earn etc. and an easy way I found of doing it was using the AMEX Global Transfer service. No questions asked, very painless and even upgraded to a Platinum Charge Card in the process. Easy as pie.

I have used the Amex transfer a couple of times, US-UK and UK-Australia and it was painless on both occasions. From memory it was charge cards only when I made the switches. (MR points transferred too, using the exchange rate.)

 

[Flashback]

I have used the Amex transfer a couple of times, US-UK and UK-Australia and it was painless on both occasions. From memory it was charge cards only when I made the switches. (MR points transferred too, using the exchange rate.)

I kept my AU one (they give you a choice) and I also would have lost out on the MR transfer (what I could transfer my AU points to, worked out better value). I had the choice of pretty much any card...... YMMV!

 

[Mal]

Before I moved over here, I moved one of my c/c's address details to a UK address. A statement was generated and sent out, this then gave me a UK address. They didn't really care for much more than that and I was able to open an account anyway.

Getting a credit card was near on impossible, regardless of how much you earn etc. and an easy way I found of doing it was using the AMEX Global Transfer service. No questions asked, very painless and even upgraded to a Platinum Charge Card in the process. Easy as pie.

The address change and statement worked for me to get a basic account. Like flashware i had major issues getting a credit card without a lease, tax or utility bill or being on the electoral roll. A visa or mc statement from another bank may have helped prove my address, a cc application i made was tentatively approved, but i had to give proof of address within a certain time. Regardless of the fact that i already had two accounts with that bank for several months.

Remember to make an account opening appointment and bring passport etc.

Never used the amex transfer. From memory they now allow credit card transfers.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[Formal Hall]

An update from a recent move from Australia to the UK. I applied for a transfer from a fee-free Qantas Discovery Card to a Gold Charge Card around three months after moving to the UK. I had my doubts as I only just made the income requirements and it was quite the upgrade in card. Process was prompt and entirely online. I will keep the Australian Amex to extend my Australian credit history.

So even if transfers are now available to credit cards I would stick to the charge card (which is the best sign up bonus available in the UK anyway at the moment). I am happy to provide a referral or further information if required by anyone.

 

[Flashback]

An update from a recent move from Australia to the UK. I applied for a transfer from a fee-free Qantas Discovery Card to a Gold Charge Card around three months after moving to the UK. I had my doubts as I only just made the income requirements and it was quite the upgrade in card. Process was prompt and entirely online. I will keep the Australian Amex to extend my Australian credit history.

So even if transfers are now available to credit cards I would stick to the charge card (which is the best sign up bonus available in the UK anyway at the moment). I am happy to provide a referral or further information if required by anyone.

Did you manage to get the gold signup bonus & 1 year no annual fee by doing it via global transfer?

 

[Formal Hall]

Yes, for an Australia-UK transfer you simply apply online as you normally do, so you can use any referral links or promotions. When it asks for previous addresses and previous amex cards, you simply enter your Australian details. They sent a letter asking for a certified copy of my passport and a current UK bank statement, with a reply paid envelope. They did ring me at one point, but I missed the call and a week later a I had a welcome letter in the post (and even sent my certified copies back to me).