barclaycard - free nectar points

moneysaver10_3

i recently called to cancel my barclaycard because they are ending the nectar points association.

i was offered something like 4000 free nectar points to keep my card open, which i actually declined (in hindsight perhaps not a great idea).

So, if you want some nectar points give it a go.

KP74

I called to cancel and they offered me 4000k Nectar points which I took of course.

Easiest £20 ever!

chalky_bertie

There is a lengthy thread about this HERE

phbaker

I tried to get the points. I emailed them because I couldn't get through onthe phone. Received a blank response, so emailed again. Just got a reply from the CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, which in many many words said NO, stating that since I had just been using the card as a balance transfer machine I would receive no points in compensation. The final line also states that Barclaycard are unable to compensate customers for withdrawl of the scheme. I have been a customer of thiers for about 15 years and have a good relationship with them, so I was a bit surprised when they simply said no, even though I have had a good interest deal with them for ages.
I have copied the email i received if anyone needs to look at it. And I was so looking forward to that toaster!

"
I am sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction with regard to Barclaycard’s withdrawal from the Nectar scheme. However, it may help if I clarify the reason that this decision was made.



The credit card market place is constantly changing, and we at Barclaycard are aware that in order to be competitive, we have to keep pace with the changes. With that in mind, we have noticed that many of our competitors have moved away from reward schemes, and are looking instead for ways to offer better value for money to our customers. Because of this, Barclaycard had already made the decision that any new products would be offered with benefits other than Nectar points, and therefore when our contract with LMUK (who run the Nectar scheme) came up for renewal, a decision was made at the highest level that we would not continue with our participation in the Nectar Scheme.



Barclaycard has been with the Nectar scheme for a period of 3 years, in which time our customers have had the opportunity to transfer points out of the old Rewards scheme and convert them to Nectar points, as well as save further points through Barclaycard spending. The fact that Barclaycard is withdrawing from Nectar does not in any way affect your ability to continue with the scheme and collect points from the other participants if you should so choose.



Clearly Barclaycard were aware that the decision to withdraw from Nectar would not meet the approval of all our customers, I am sure you will agree that it would not be possible to make a decision with which all our customers would agree. It was never our intention to alienate any of our customers by making this decision, and I would like to assure you that Barclaycard particularly values your loyalty very highly.

On checking our records I note that you only ever had balance transfers on this account. Unfortunately they do not qualify for Nectar points so none have been accrued on your account.

It may help you to know that Barclaycard are unable to compensate customers for the withdrawal of Nectar.

I hope that my explanation will help to clarify why this decision has been made, but please contact me if I can provide you with any further information or assistance. If I do not hear from you within 8 weeks from the date of this e-mail I will close my complaint file in accordance with our usual practice.



Regards

Diane Eckerman

Customer Relationship Manager

01642 663827"

Rafter

Seems like a reasonable explanation.

If the only thing you have used the card for is BT offers which make Barclaycard no money then why would they reward you to carry on?

Because interchange fees (the amount banks get from retailers) are low in the UK compared to say the USA, banks cannot afford to offer decent cashback or rewards schemes without making a loss (or charging higher interest rates to customers who do borrow on their credit cards)

Think about it. Why should you be paid to use a credit card, when it offers you various fraud and purchase protection and you don't have to pay the bill for a month?

Conversely, why shouldn't you get a nice discount when you pay by debit card, which is cheaper for the retailer to process and offers you no insurance or purchase protection?

R.

phbaker

yeah i would agree, it is a perfectly reasonable explanation and i understand thier position, but you don't get if you don't ask