Getting a credit card

[Wrwest]

18 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Hi Guys

 

Any pointers on best way to get a credit card.

 

Been retired in Thailand 6 years, out of home country for over 11 years so I guess no credit rating.

 

Talked to my bank (SCB) and they wanted me to open a fixed account and they would give a credit card for half the value of the deposit 🤣

despite already having my 800k in one account and a "current" account that has seen a very healthy flow of money through it over the last six years.

 

Don't need the card for extended credit, just for when a credit card is really useful.

 

🍻

13 years retired here and counting. As you have learned, Thai banks will extend a secured use card but not a "credit card" for us. I maintained my US CapOne and Amex cards for use here. Use CapOne regularly and pay directly from my US bank account. US Credit Rating stands at 820 ... the rating is of no use to us here to get a mortgage loan nor a western type card extending "credit" (I think this does not hold true if you are on a work permit)..

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, Wrwest said:

13 years retired here and counting. As you have learned, Thai banks will extend a secured use card but not a "credit card" for us. I maintained my US CapOne and Amex cards for use here. Use CapOne regularly and pay directly from my US bank account. US Credit Rating stands at 820 ... the rating is of no use to us here to get a mortgage loan nor a western type card extending "credit" (I think this does not hold true if you are on a work permit)..

That is absolutely correct. No job (Thai or foreigner) no unsecured credit card. The only possible exception is if you have quite a few million in the bank .

[Fab5BKK]

It's quite easy for a foreigner to get credit cards in Thailand.

 

There are 3 scenarios:

 

1. You don't have a work permit and you don't have money in the bank : no credit card.

 

2. You don't have a work permit but you get some money in the bank : you can apply for a "secured credit card".

 

3. You have a work permit : you can apply for a credit card

 

 

Years ago, I was in the scenario # 2 and I got a secured credit card. When I decided to be based in Thailand (with a TH work permit), I applied for a credit card and got it!

 

 

PS: When I was based, as a foreigner, in Czech Republic, Ireland, Kenya, UK, the rules were quite similar: you have a job then you can apply for and get a credit card

Edited September 28 by Fab5BKK

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, Fab5BKK said:

It's quite easy for a foreigner to get credit cards in Thailand.

 

There are 3 scenarios:

 

1. You don't have a work permit and you don't have money in the bank : no credit card.

 

2. You don't have a work permit but you get some money in the bank : you can apply for a "secured credit card".

 

3. You have a work permit : you can apply for a credit card

 

 

Years ago, I was in the scenario # 2 and I got a secured credit card. When I decided to be based in Thailand (with a TH work permit), I applied for a credit card and got it!

 

 

PS: When I was based, as a foreigner, in Czech Republic, Ireland, Kenya, UK, the rules were quite similar: you have a job then you can apply for and get a credit card

Succinctly put, and it is not just foreigners but it also applies to Thai citizens though of course it’s not a work permit that is required for them but a job with a history.

[fceligoj]

If your Thai wife has a very good credit 'worthy' score and has credit cards, she should be able to get you a credit card under her account as an authorized user with your name on it.  Of course, the credit card has an unsecured limit of 90,000 thb.  We have it a BBL.

[sometimewoodworker]

2 minutes ago, fceligoj said:

If your Thai wife has a very good credit 'worthy' score and has credit cards, she should be able to get you a credit card under her account as an authorized user with your name on it.  Of course, the credit card has an unsecured limit of 90,000 thb.  We have it a BBL.

While it is certainly possible to add another authorised user for some, if not most, credit card account holders, and that for some that is useful, it doesn’t help the OP’s requirements.

[BigStar]

22 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Talked to my bank (SCB) and they wanted me to open a fixed account and they would give a credit card for half the value of the deposit 🤣

 

What they all said. Now: find a bank that'll offer you a secured card w/ balance equal to the security deposit. Had such many years ago w/ Bank of Ayudhya. Later I worked for a Thai co. and got a regular cc.

[NanLaew]

6 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I Have 2 unsecured.

 

BKK and Kasikorn.

 

Good grief! And I have a red dog and a black dog, both of which brings NOTHING of value to THIS conversation on how to obtain a credit card from a Thai bank TODAY when one does not have a work permit.

 

Sheesh...

 

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

NOPE 

 

My money is not held by the bank, it's invested with MTL, it was only required for my wisdom credit card.

 

My other credit cards platinum, spouse etc. (issued 2008) when I was working in Vietnam, these unsecured credit cards were given to me without any security, requirements, caveats or impediments etc.

 

The problem is that some here don't understand, not all AN forum members are on the aged pension.

 

I am working on an offshore drilling rig, my monthly salary paid in USD (at the time 500k baht), was deposited into my kasikorn account each and every month, it's why I was given my unsecured credit cards, it's also why I have a kasikorn bank safety box located upstairs Pattaya Tai branch, it's why I have a personal relationship with the bank manager, I'm given priority. 

 

After my credit cards were issued, I worked offshore Songkhla (2012), my salary was paid in USD, from what I understand it is the only industry when you have a Thai work permit, I was paid USD. 

 

You don't have to be an aged pensioner to be an AN forum member, I am different to most here, if you are ELITE things are different, I'm not your average Joe.

 

Why is it so difficult for some here to understand, it's clear that some here are confused and sad looking at the emoji's I've received. 

 

 

 

You sound like our safety guy, always banging on about how special he is and back-pedaling when tasked on offering specifics.

 

PS: Try and ignore the emojis. That's the sort of stuff that eats you up inside.

[NanLaew]

22 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

Hi Guys

 

Any pointers on best way to get a credit card.

 

Been retired in Thailand 6 years, out of home country for over 11 years so I guess no credit rating.

 

Talked to my bank (SCB) and they wanted me to open a fixed account and they would give a credit card for half the value of the deposit 🤣

despite already having my 800k in one account and a "current" account that has seen a very healthy flow of money through it over the last six years.

 

Don't need the card for extended credit, just for when a credit card is really useful.

 

🍻

 

Out of interest, did SCB suggest what minimum they would consider for the fixed deposit account? I have a mate who's been here for ages and let all his foreign credit options go. He wanted to rent a car urgently earlier this year and a mutual friend helped him out by 'cosigning'  on the rental agreement at the rental car desk as the additional driver, using his credit card. My mate reimbursed him in cash.

 

My mate doesn't want to burden our mutual friend's generosity for any other short-term rental, and I suggested he ask at the bank for their secured credit card offering. Since he's only renting a car for 3 to 5 days tops, it doesn't need to be a large amount.

[Ralf001]

21 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Good grief! And I have a red dog and a black dog, both of which brings NOTHING of value to THIS conversation on how to obtain a credit card from a Thai bank TODAY when one does not have a work permit.

 

Sheesh...

 

 

You sound like our safety guy, always banging on about how special he is and back-pedaling when tasked on offering specifics.

 

PS: Try and ignore the emojis. That's the sort of stuff that eats you up inside.

 

Hey Champ, sorry to hear someone stole the jam outta your donut.

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

 

You sound like our safety guy, always banging on about how special he is and back-pedaling when tasked on offering specifics.

 

How sad, you're having a cry because I'm ignoring you.

Don't feel too bad, you are not the only antagonizer I ignore here. 
 

Edited September 28 by SAFETY FIRST

[retarius]

22 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I have had a kasikorn credit card since 2008, having never worked in Thailand prior. I don't have any security on my credit cards or the spouse credit card I have issued by kasikorn bank. 

 

I also have a wisdom card which I had to deposit some money into MTL account, I get interest paid every few years, the balance I deposited plus growth will be returned after 14 years if I remember.

 

@MarkT63, try applying for a wisdom credit card from kasikorn bank. 

 

I have had the same experience but it was back in about 2010, but without the MTL. My wife was friendly with the bank manager. The other card that comes with the wisdom card still gives you free admittance to a lounge at Suvarnabumhi. When it came out the wisdom card was great, you had a special coffee and snacks area and special parking, plus jumping the queue.

The old KTB bank that merged with the military bank gave my wife and I a credit card but the limit for the wife was paltry. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

31 minutes ago, retarius said:

I have had the same experience but it was back in about 2010, but without the MTL. My wife was friendly with the bank manager. The other card that comes with the wisdom card still gives you free admittance to a lounge at Suvarnabumhi. When it came out the wisdom card was great, you had a special coffee and snacks area and special parking, plus jumping the queue.

The old KTB bank that merged with the military bank gave my wife and I a credit card but the limit for the wife was paltry. 

Yes, the airport lounge pass comes in handy for me travelling internationally every month.

I noticed that the Wisdom lounge in Kasikorn branch, Central Shopping has closed.

I like the no wait queue (jumping queue) at branches, just swipe the card and I'm next at the teller. 

 

I've got my spouse credit card limit set to 20k baht. 

 

Edited September 28 by SAFETY FIRST

[BigStar]

5 hours ago, retarius said:

The old KTB bank that merged with the military bank gave my wife and I a credit card but the limit for the wife was paltry. 

 

You can top up that limit by adding cash, say 100k. Interest free, of course.

 

Just sayin'.

 

[digbeth]

13 hours ago, MarkT63 said:

I asked the bank about using my 800k as security and they said no 🍻

 

Of course the bank would say no, but if you were to present  a bank book used as secured deposit to immigraiton, how could immigration tell? in my BBL book, it just looks like any other termed deposit book with regular interest payment in, no withdrawal out, just how immigratin like your accounts to be untouched 

[Scouse123]

15 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

So far you seem to be the only one as everyone else has secured cards despite what @SAFETY FIRST is claiming his very substantial investment IS securing his card

also unless you got yours in the last year nobody has mentioned that they got one 

 

 

When was it issued.

what did you have to show to get it

 

 

KTB and was issued about five years ago.

 

It was because I had a lot of money in the bank, which I subsequently withdrew, and they never asked for the card back.

 

I hardly use it, but it has a 500,000 baht limit.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28 by Scouse123

[MarkT63]

18 hours ago, fceligoj said:

If your Thai wife has a very good credit 'worthy' score and has credit cards, she should be able to get you a credit card under her account as an authorized user with your name on it.  Of course, the credit card has an unsecured limit of 90,000 thb.  We have it a BBL.

Not an option as my wife is not Thai 🍻

[HampiK]

16 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

KTB and was issued about five years ago.

 

It was because I had a lot of money in the bank, which I subsequently withdrew, and they never asked for the card back.

 

I hardly use it, but it has a 500,000 baht limit.

 

 

 

 

THE KTC card I use a lot, as at the moment this is the card, which can be used at many restaurants for discounts.

Or use points to redem discounts. Anyway my prefered credit card since about 2 years ago.

[bubblegum]

I have never in my life had a credit card and shopping online goes fine with my debit card. However I read somewhere that shopping with a credit card would give you airmiles? So I'm with Kasikorn. Would it be a good idea to have a secured CC and with that pay my daily/monthly shopping and collect miles?

[sometimewoodworker]

2 hours ago, bubblegum said:

I read somewhere that shopping with a credit card would give you airmiles?

Some cards do that.

 

2 hours ago, bubblegum said:

Would it be a good idea to have a secured CC and with that pay my daily/monthly shopping and collect miles?

It depends on the agreement between the air miles provider and the credit card provider. 
 

You will have to find a bank who has an arrangement with an airline and will allow you to get a secured card that gives miles. If you find one then it is a good choice.

[digbeth]

8 hours ago, bubblegum said:

I have never in my life had a credit card and shopping online goes fine with my debit card. However I read somewhere that shopping with a credit card would give you airmiles? So I'm with Kasikorn. Would it be a good idea to have a secured CC and with that pay my daily/monthly shopping and collect miles?

 

I had secured card with Bangkok Bank that gets AirAsia miles every time I spend, plus extra perks when flying with them like free meals and priority boardings, got a few free flights out of them.

 

Other airlines cards also available 

[jippytum]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:55 PM, MarkT63 said:

Hi Guys

 

Any pointers on best way to get a credit card.

 

Been retired in Thailand 6 years, out of home country for over 11 years so I guess no credit rating.

 

Talked to my bank (SCB) and they wanted me to open a fixed account and they would give a credit card for half the value of the deposit 🤣

despite already having my 800k in one account and a "current" account that has seen a very healthy flow of money through it over the last six years.

 

Don't need the card for extended credit, just for when a credit card is really useful.

With my SCB  card they 'freeze' the credit amount from my savings acvouny used to debit the card.  no requirement to open new deposit account. 

Bangkok bank however did require a seperate fixed deposit account and credit allowed on 50% of the balance. 

Not a real credit card but very useful. 

 

 

🍻

 

[Thailand J]

From my experience with Bangkok Bank, my 100K secured deposit does not qualified for the 800K immigration visa deposit because the amount is not available until you have cancelled the credit card.

My credit limit is 100k ,100%, not 50% of secured deposit.

Priority boarding by showing the Air Asai card or Bangkok Bank app with a picture of the card.

 

 

Edited September 30 by Thailand J

[msbkk]

15 hours ago, bubblegum said:

I have never in my life had a credit card and shopping online goes fine with my debit card. However I read somewhere that shopping with a credit card would give you airmiles? So I'm with Kasikorn. Would it be a good idea to have a secured CC and with that pay my daily/monthly shopping and collect miles?

Kasikorn Bank Cardholders can transfer their K Points to Royal Orchid Plus Miles which can then be redeemed for award tickets on THAI and Star Alliance. Bangkok Airways as well. Just study the bank websites about credit cards in order to find out which banks have agreements with which airlines.

Edited September 30 by msbkk

[actonion]

Off topic but talking about Plastic cards, I have a Debit card from SCB that i use regularly for Supermarket shopping at all Supermarkets, and I pay  only the amount due with this card.

 I would like to know why when I use the same card at say a Travel agent, Hotel, or Car dealer ship do they try to charge me  5% extra when  a Debit card is instant money for them, I have asked the bank this question, their reply is "not sure"

[crazykopite]

I’ve got more chance of winning the lottery than getting a credit card and that’s with 19 years of banking with the same bank and always having a good amount in my account ! Unless your a Thai don’t waste your time  

[crazykopite]

On 9/27/2024 at 4:00 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

I have had a kasikorn credit card since 2008, having never worked in Thailand prior. I don't have any security on my credit cards or the spouse credit card I have issued by kasikorn bank. 

 

I also have a wisdom card which I had to deposit some money into MTL account, I get interest paid every few years, the balance I deposited plus growth will be returned after 14 years if I remember.

 

@MarkT63, try applying for a wisdom credit card from kasikorn bank. 

 

Been with that bank for years at one stage I had 11 million + sitting in it and still got laughed at when I brought up the question of credit card as for SCB where I have two accounts there a total waste of time maybe your in luck being married to a Thai of which im not 

[SAFETY FIRST]

30 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Been with that bank for years at one stage I had 11 million + sitting in it and still got laughed at when I brought up the question of credit card as for SCB where I have two accounts there a total waste of time maybe your in luck being married to a Thai of which im not 

I wasn't married.

 

Also, I didn't mention but I was only on a TOURIST VISA at the time, both the assistant and bank manager really when through hoops and over hurdles to help me. 

 

It's helps to have a switched on assistant manager (at the time, now manager) and like I said, rules and regulations change when large amounts are deposited monthly and they see your salary coming in every month. 

 

Edited September 30 by SAFETY FIRST

[sometimewoodworker]

2 hours ago, actonion said:

Off topic but talking about Plastic cards, I have a Debit card from SCB that i use regularly for Supermarket shopping at all Supermarkets, and I pay  only the amount due with this card.

 I would like to know why when I use the same card at say a Travel agent, Hotel, or Car dealer ship do they try to charge me  5% extra when  a Debit card is instant money for them, I have asked the bank this question, their reply is "not sure"

The reason is really simple, while you pay the amount on the bill (unless they are asking or 5% extra) the merchant does not get the amount you pay they are charged a fee for the transaction.

 

In most countries the merchant must eat that cost and are prohibited from passing it on to you, the situation in Thailand is not so clear cut, while merchant agreements may say that they cannot pass the cost+profit on to the customers the actual situation is that many do.

 

So why should you expect to pay less for your items than someone using cash? 
 

There are many situations where they will give you an effective Credit/Debit card discount, as it makes business sense, others like your car dealer, where the fees to the merchant are so big, they will pass them on or refuse a card transaction.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 9/28/2024 at 3:00 PM, retarius said:

The old KTB bank that merged with the military bank...

Krungthai Bank merged with Thai Military Bank?  When did that happen?

Edited September 30 by Liverpool Lou