Credit Cards for students

Lisapeep

Hi!
Just wondering, do any banks give out credit cards to students?

Bluehair

AIB give out a student mastercard with €600 limit. Very handy.

susanna

Yeah I'd recommend the AIB one

idontknowmyname

Yeah I've the AIB student credit card 4 years now and its great. I bank online and get the option to increase my max value on it every 6 months and its now up to over 1500.

snappieT

You do have to be 18 though...
Right?

0utshined

snapscan1212p wrote:

You do have to be 18 though...
Right?

17 if you get a parent to go guarantor IIRC, although it says 18 on the website.

snappieT

*Ears prick up*

How do I do this exactly? Do I just walk into the bank with papa and say credit card please!

0utshined

You can do it one of two ways, the first being giving their student\graduate line a call. The number is on the website but I'd imagine they only deal with the more routine stuff. Try them first anyway, it's handier this way.

The second would be to pick up an application form in the branch and fill it in and send the application through them. In either case you'll need proof of identity and proof of residence. If your dad knows someone in your local branch then this is probably the easier option.

Once your app is in the system though you can just ring their credit card centre up to check the status. Ask them for your app number the first time so you can give them it next time you ring up and save them searching for it. I think it takes about 3 weeks or so but if you go the branch route you can ask them to mark it as urgent.

I'm not 100% if i'm right on the 17 thing, it was the case when I had to check it out - a long time ago!

Just a warning though, using a credit card is a very pain free way of shopping an it's easy to get yourself in trouble with it so use it responsibly.

If you've any other questions let me know.

HTH,
0.

snappieT

That great Outshined.
I know all about the risks of CCs, - I know my parents CC number by heart, and use it when necessary, and always pay them in full when the bill comes along - it wouldn't be very different. Is there any chance you could give me a source on the 17 thing - just if it comes to it.
And finally, do all banks offer this service?

Thanks again,
Snapscan

Creamy Goodness

can you get a credit card from them if you're over 18 but still in secondary school?

i saw their application form and they ask what college you attend so i'm guessing that's a no?

snappieT

And both AIB and BOI have a prerequisite to be 18 on the site...

You've no idea how handy a CC would be for me - no more queues in UGC and Internet Shopping galore!

If AIB and BOI refuse, none of the other banks will say yes. EBS, NIB, Ulster - all way too conservative

0utshined

snapscan1212p wrote:

That great Outshined.
I know all about the risks of CCs, - I know my parents CC number by heart, and use it when necessary, and always pay them in full when the bill comes along - it wouldn't be very different. Is there any chance you could give me a source on the 17 thing - just if it comes to it.
And finally, do all banks offer this service?

Thanks again,
Snapscan

Ah, I just had to get that warning in there - If only I took my own advice .
I'm not sure if I still have anything official stating the 17 thing, like I say it was a few years ago. I'll have a look around for it tomorrow. I'm not sure if all banks do (did) it, it was AIB I was talking about.

snappieT

Thats great Outshined. Cheers again

snappieT

Find any info on it perchance?

0utshined

No, sorry.

I gave them a call though and you can be an Authorised user at 17 though but have to wait till 18 for a card in your own right. Not what you wanted to hear i'm afraid.

0.

snappieT

Never mind. I'll try and see anyway.

Thanks very much for your help.
Snapscan