Common Credit Card Questions
Application questions
Who can apply?
What is credit scoring or credit checking?
Do you offer a credit quotation search service (soft search)?
When will I be able to apply online?
When can I apply for a credit limit increase?
What is the difference between MasterCard and Visa?
What option should I choose on marital status if I'm a civil partner?
Payment and fee questions
How can I make a payment on a Halifax Credit Card account?
Is there an annual membership fee for our cards?
Can I pay by Direct Debit?
What Direct Debit options are available to me?
When will my Direct Debit payment come into effect?
Can I cancel a Direct Debit?
Can I amend the date on which my payments are due?
What is the minimum amount I should pay?
What rate of interest am I currently paying?
Introductory offer period and balance transfer questions
When will my introductory period end?
How long does it take to make a balance transfer?
What are your balance transfer rates and charges?
Credit card account questions
How do I query an entry on my statement?
How do I update my name or address details?
Can I choose my own PIN?
What is credit card repayments cover (payment protection)?
How to complain about payment protection insurance
Application questions
Who can apply?
Halifax credit cards are only available to residents of the UK who also have a UK bank account. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply.
top^
What is credit scoring or credit checking?
Like all responsible credit card companies we take a number of factors into account when we assess your application. A Credit Search is when we carry out a search on your name and address with a Credit Reference Agency to help us understand more about your credit history. Each time a search is done it is noted on your credit record to let other organisations know that we have asked for information about you.
top^
Do you offer a credit quotation search service (soft search)?
We do not currently offer a quotation search for loan or credit card products you will need to apply and be credit scored before being offered an interest rate.
top^
When will I be able to apply online?
You can apply for most of our cards now. Just click the Apply Now link on the card page that interests you.
top^
When can I apply for a credit limit increase?
In order to help us to make a sound decision we require at least six months payment history on your account. We would advise that you allow your account to run with Halifax Card Services for a minimum of six months before you apply for an increase to the credit limit available on your account.
top^
What is the difference between MasterCard and Visa?
Both cards are widely accepted worldwide in retail outlets and cash machines. In certain areas acceptance levels may vary. If you would like further information, please call 08456 00 10 30 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 08459 444 555).
top^
What option should I choose on marital status if I'm a civil partner?
You can select a marital status of either single or married depending on your preference.
top^
Payment and fee questions
How can I make a payment on a Halifax credit card account?
You can make payments in one of four easy ways:
1. Direct Debit
2. Cheque and debit slip
3. Telephone banking
4. Online (if you're registered with our online service and have a current account with us)
top^
Is there an annual membership fee for our cards?
No, we don't charge an annual fee.
top^
Can I pay by Direct Debit?
Yes, call 08456 00 10 30 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 08459 444 555) to set up a Direct Debit. To do this you’ll need your credit card details and the sort code and account number of the account from which you intend to pay.
top^
What Direct Debit options are available to me?
There are three Direct Debit options:
Full payment - this will collect the total balance shown in your monthly statement.
Minimum payment - this will collect the minimum payment shown on your monthly statement. Paying this way means you can avoid late fees but will usually mean you’ll be charged interest on your outstanding balance. To help reduce interest charges you can make an extra payment on top of your Direct Debit.
Regular monthly amount - this allows you to choose a fixed amount or a percentage you want to pay each month. If this is less than the minimum payment we will set the payment to the minimum amount.
For fixed amounts; if your chosen amount is more than your statement balance we will set the payment to the statement balance. If paying a fixed percentage; as this amount will fluctuate dependant on your statement balance, it is important to monitor your statement and ensure you have sufficient funds available on the collection date.
top^
When will my Direct Debit payment come into effect?
We will work with the holder of your Bank Account to set up a direct debit. Before you stop making other types of payment you need to wait until your statement states that we will be collecting your payment by Direct Debit. This should be after your next statement but please make an alternative payment until the Direct Debit appears on your statement.
top^
Can I cancel a Direct Debit?
You have the right to cancel your Direct Debit at any time. You will need to contact us at least 4 working days before your payment collection date if you need to cancel your Direct Debit, or if you need to change your bank details. The Direct Debit will be collected every month even if you send us an additional payment unless you request to cancel it.
top^
Can I amend the date on which my payments are due?
You may want to change your payment date to coincide with your pay day. If so, just call 08456 00 10 30 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 08459 444 555) and we'll arrange it for you.
top^
What is the minimum amount I should pay?
The minimum monthly payment you must make will be shown on your statement, including the date your payment must reach us by.
You can make your payments by:
- Bill payment from our online banking service if you hold a current account with us. For more information see our online demo
- Direct debit
- In branch at the counter
- Posting a cheque with your statement giro slip to Halifax (Bank of Scotland) Card Services, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline KY99 4BS. If your card no. begins 525303 please send a cheque to Card Services, Halifax (195), PO BOX 109, Sheffield, S98 1GE.
For more details, see the reverse of your monthly statement.
top^
What rate of interest am I currently paying?
The current interest rate for your existing credit card is shown on your monthly statement. Alternatively you can call us for the information on 08457 28 38 48 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 08459 444 555). Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm weekends.
top^
Introductory offer period and balance transfer questions
When will my introductory period end?
Your introductory rate commences on the date that your Halifax Credit Card account is opened. The length of your introductory rate depends on the card you have. Please see the conditions for your card for the length of the introductory period. Introductory rates do not apply to cards which offer a flat rate.
top^
How long does it take to make a balance transfer?
Simply call us on 08456 00 10 30 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 08459 444 555), give us the balance transfer details (amount, account number and issuer) and we will take care of everything for you. Once approved the transfer should normally take 1 working day to reach the lender holding your other account.
top^
What are your balance transfer rates and charges?
To transfer a balance to your Halifax credit card from another Card provider, or for information about our balance transfer rates, call us on 08457 28 38 48 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 0844 8460 599). Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm weekends.
Give us the transfer details (amount, account number and card issuer) and we'll take care of the rest. The transfer should take no more than ten working days.
Only 90% of your Credit Limit, subject to available credit limit, can be transferred to your card. A handling fee may apply – please see your Terms and Conditions, or call the number above.
Balance transfers can be made from most credit and some store cards, excluding other Halifax or Bank of Scotland products.
top^
Credit card account questions
How do I query an entry on my statement?
If you have a query about a particular transaction on your statement, call us on 08457 28 38 48 (if your Card no. begins 525303 please dial 08459 444 555). Lines open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm weekends.
top^
How do I update my name or address details?
To change the name or address details we hold for your account, complete and return our 'change your details' form section.
Alternatively visit your local branch.
top^
Can I choose my own PIN?
Yes, you can choose your own PIN at any Halifax or Bank of Scotland ATM.
top^
What is Credit Card Repayments Cover?
Repayments cover could give you peace of mind if you cannot make your credit card repayments due to disability (accident & sickness), unemployment or hospitalisation. It could also pay off any outstanding balance in the event you become a full-time carer, if you are diagnosed with a critical illness or, in the worst case, if you die.
Currently we do not provide a payment protection insurance product but for further information view a leaflet about this type of insurance (pdf) which has been independently produced.
top^
