Anyone applied for New Student Barclaycard?

techno_geek

Has anyone here applied for the new Student Barclaycard with the 14.9% interest rate and actually got that published rate?

I'm considering applying (even though the card design looks like a toddler's scribbled all over it) but I don't want to if I might end up getting the 18.9% rate the other major Student CCs have :eek:

It's just in case I have to do a bit of short-term borrowing to avoid tying up my overdraft when I've got direct debits to pay! :rolleyes:
14.9% looks competitive compared to many cards available to people with good credit ratings...

techno_geek

... I guess not then, lol

I'll take the plunge next week and will let the forum know how I got on...

I've already got Student CCs at HSBC and NatWest, may as well go for the jackpot

techno_geek

Well... finally got round to applying this evening, and their online application confirms that it's 14.9%. That said, my application is still pending and I may not get the card!!

However, one thing to note: I tried applying by telephone, and their computer system was under the impression that it was a 19.9% card, and the operator I was speaking to was unable/unwilling to override it and reccommended I apply online as "sometimes there are different offers" :rolleyes:

I also called up HSBC Credit Card, and quoted the Barclaycard 14.9% offer, and asked them if they could reduce my APR from 18.9%... and they reluctantly reduced it to 15.9%, so not much to shout about there.

Forgive me for rambling on, but:
Barclaycard have often been criticised for encouraging student debt, and this offer of 14.9% on purchases and cash withdrawals certainly fuels the critics... I'm sure if I were less savvy (thank goodness for MSE!) I'd be enticed by this.
As it stands, though, I only want to improve my credit rating and leave my HSBC card limit free to book flights for my important trip to Canada next summer (involves 3 months of CV-boosting work experience, so yes it IS important lol)

Ramble over, but I hope I've helped someone!

si1503

Sounds good mate, i'm just sticking to the 0% overdrafts, have a CC with natwest just incase of an emergency, but otherwise i don't really have any need for more than one and would rather keep as much credit avaliable as possible just incase i did need to apply for anything important. I did recently get offered a moneyback card from A&L when opening a reg saver with them, but declined. I've also had a MBNA 0% purchases card offered to me in the post, not sure why as i doubt i'd get accepted on one of those being a student and all, but might be worth looking into if you're in need of short term funds.