Applying for a second credit card

If your borrowing needs have changed recently, a second credit card could help.

A second credit card could be one way:

  • To secure the flexibility to make planned purchases. 
  • To keep other balances and everyday spending separate. 
  • To transfer balances from other credit card providers. 
  • To transfer money to your UK current account. Available on selected cards only. 

If you have two credit cards with the same lender, you may be able to redistribute your credit limits so you can take full advantage of the lowest and longest lasting interests rates.

Are you eligible for a second credit card?

  • You can only have one Rewards credit card at any time, but you can apply for a different card type. 
  • It must be at least 60 days since you applied for your first credit card with us. 
  • You can only have 2 Lloyds Bank credit cards, and up to 5 with Lloyds Banking Group, which also includes Halifax, Bank of Scotland and MBNA. 
  • Any credit agreement and borrowing amount is subject to an assessment of your personal circumstances.

How it works

Your cards will need to be managed separately, for example, you’ll need to make two payments each month. The features of your existing credit card won’t change – interest rates, fees and charges will be individual to each card.

If you have Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), your policy will only cover your existing credit card.

Other ways to borrow

Swap credit cards

If you’d prefer to stick with one card, you may be able to swap your existing Lloyds Bank credit card for one which better suits your current credit card needs.

Consider your options

  • Does this option suit my borrowing needs, or should I consider other alternatives?
  • Will I be able to make repayments, even if my circumstances change?

Ready to apply for a second credit card?

1. Check if you're eligible

One Check makes it easy to find and compare the Lloyds Bank credit cards you’re eligible to apply for, with no obligation and no impact on your credit score.

Fill in one short form to:

  • See a list of credit cards you’re likely to be approved for. 
  • See your estimated credit limit up front.

2. Select a card and apply

After you’ve completed your One Check and you’ve found a credit card you’d like to apply for, follow the on-screen instructions and fill out the rest of the form. 

Just be aware, we will complete a full credit search when you submit your application, which will be registered on your credit record.

Start One Check

Types of credit card offered by Lloyds Bank

Large purchase cards

A credit card could help you to spread the cost of a larger purchase.

More about large purchase card

Everyday spending cards

Manage your day-to-day budgeting with an everyday credit card.

More about everyday spending

Balance transfer cards

Move other credit or store card balances to make things easier to manage.

More about balance transfer

Let’s look at the details

  • The lowest and longest lasting introductory interest rates are usually offered on one primary transaction type, so think about the main reason you need a second credit card.

    Card purchases – if you’re planning a larger purchase and need to spread the cost over a number of months, a second credit card could offer that flexibility.

    Or, if you’ve got a balance on your existing credit card that you’re focussed on paying off, a second credit card could help you to manage your everyday spending separately.

    Just bear in mind, unless a 0% p.a. promotional rate for purchases applies, to avoid paying interest on purchases you need to pay off your monthly statement balance in full every month.

    Balance transfers – with a second credit card, you could consolidate credit card balances you hold elsewhere, making your outgoings easier to keep track of. Transfer fees may apply.

    At Lloyds Bank, you can transfer balances from most credit cards and store cards which display the Mastercard®, American Express®, or Visa® logos, but not from loan companies, bank accounts or other Lloyds Bank credit cards.

    More about balance transfers

    Money transfers – with selected credit cards you can transfer funds to your UK current account, helping you to manage cash-only purchases and unexpected expenses. Transfer fees may apply. Just bear in mind, if you make a purchase using money transferred from your credit card to your current account, the purchase will not be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 – unlike some credit card purchases.

    More about money transfers

  • There are conditions to applying for a second credit card with Lloyds Bank, as detailed earlier in this page. For instance, it must be at least 60 days since you applied for your first credit card with us.

    Otherwise, as with any credit application, you’ll be accepted subject to an assessment of your personal circumstances. This is based on a number of factors, including: 

    Your credit record – credit reference agencies securely hold information about you and your financial past, issuing you a credit score. We use this information to inform our lending decisions.

    Affordability – we’ll assess what we think you can reasonably and sustainably afford to repay, based on things like your income and the total amount of credit that’s already available to you.

    Current and past relationships – we also hold a record of accounts you’ve held with Lloyds Bank, including information about how well they were managed.

    You can find and compare the Lloyds Bank credit cards you’re eligible to apply for, without affecting your credit score, by using One Check. Simply fill in a short form to get started.

  • Applying for a second credit card could affect your credit score in a few ways:

    • Any full application for credit will be recorded on your file at the Credit Reference Agencies.
    • If your application is approved, the total amount of credit available to you will increase, which may limit further credit applications being approved, at least in the short term.
    • If your application is declined, it could affect your credit score negatively.

    The way you manage your borrowing is also important. If you pay late or miss a payment, you may have to pay fees, lose any promotional offers you have, and it could damage your credit score.

    Before you apply for a second credit card, consider if this is the right borrowing option for you and if you’ll be able to make repayments, even if your circumstances change.

    More about your credit score

    If you’re concerned about protecting your credit score, you might prefer to make changes to your existing credit card, rather than applying for a second credit card. There’s more detail about that in the next section below.

  • You could make some changes to your existing credit card, so it suits your needs better:

    • Increase your credit limit for added flexibility, without applying for a new card, subject to status and security checks.
    • Check for promotional interest rates on your existing credit card. We may contact you by email or post when new rates are available, but you may also see offers advertised when you log on to Internet Banking or the Mobile Banking app.
    • Add additional cardholders, so you can keep track of family spending in one place. Just be aware, cardholders must be aged 18 or over, and you’ll be responsible for all spending and repayments.

    Alternatively, you may be able to swap your existing Lloyds Bank credit card to take advantage of new interest rates.

  • Yes. Once you’ve got 2 Lloyds Bank credit cards, you can request to redistribute your credit limits between them. For example, if there’s a promotional interest rate on one card, you could move a portion of your available credit from your other card, so you can take full advantage. 

    You can redistribute your credit limit once every 6 months, moving a minimum of £100 and up to 90% of your available credit limit. Any single card must have a credit limit of at least £500. 

    Your outstanding balance remains the same, and this won’t increase your combined credit limit. It’s simply a way to split your credit limit to better suit your needs. 

    If you’d like to redistribute your credit limit, please give us a call.

Key points on getting a second credit card

  • Consider if you can make changes to, or swap your existing credit card instead.
  • Useful for purchases, transfers or to keep balances and everyday spending separate. Look for introductory interest rates which best suit your credit needs.
  • Conditions apply, e.g. it must be at least 60 days since you applied for your first credit card. You can have up to 2 credit cards with Lloyds Bank, and up to 5 Lloyds Banking Group credit cards, which includes Halifax, Bank of Scotland and MBNA.
  • Any credit agreement and borrowing amount is subject to an assessment of your personal circumstances.

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