The Best Balance Transfers article discussion area

bunney

Can anyone actually tell me if you have to be an HSBC customer to have applied for their credit card to do a balance transfer? I applied and have a good credit rating - no bad marks or anything - yet they turned me down simply because the ISA and current account I hold with them do not show enough 'activity'. I explained I only have a current account to easily access my ISA funds in case of emergency but this didn't make a difference. It just seems wrong that this is the only reason the Branch Mangager would give me as to why she wouldn't let me have the card - especially when the one I hold already with a different bank will offer me limitless amounts of money it seems. Has anyone else had this problem? And is this a reasonable reason why they turned me down as they said everything else was fine. Confusion...

Phoenix79_2

You don't have to be a HSBC customer to have a credit card from them.

TECHNOPUG

Hi,

can anyone suggest any 0% rate or even low rate life of balance cards that offer a high balance transfer? I have around £8k which I wish to shift and although I have no problem being accepted for new cards, the maximum I am allowed to transfer is always tiny. For example, HSBC have just come back to me with their 0% deal until April 2008 but will only allow me to transfer £1k - which isn't much use when I'm trying to clear my debts.

mella_3

Hi similar to the above poster I'm trying to get a feel for which CCs are known for generous lending. I know that Virgin/MBNA will (but I have one already). I know that Barclaycard are notoriously low (got stung by them a while back). I'm looking at three options:

HSBC
Halifax One
Post Office

Any of the deals would be suitable time wise, it's more about the levels of lending - anyone have any experiences?

Thanks

Phoenix79_2

HSBC seem to be tighters than a ducks behind at the minute when giving out credit limits. Not sure about PO. I've seen some people have big limits on Halifax cards so maybe thats the one to go for?

Farl_2

Hi

I have just joined the boards to ask some advice. I applied for the Smart Classic Card as recommended on this site on the understanding that there was no BT fee. My terms and conditions state: "We may charge a handling fee of 3% (at least £3) for balance transfers and cheques offered at special promotional rates other than a special promotional rate you received when your account was opened" and in the summary box "Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (minimum £3) on special prmotional offers other than the introductory period" which implied to me that no fee would apply in the introductory period.

On phoning to make my balance transfer, I was told that I would have to pay a fee and that "all our cards now charge a BT fee". I telephoned back when I had the terms and conditions in front of me and quoted them to the operative. She seemed baffled but told me that "it must be the way you're reading it" and again told me that I had to pay a fee but that I should ring back on Monday when their BT department was open to query it.

Can anyone please advise me on where I stand as I don't feel the terms and conditions are particularly clear.

Farl_2

Hi

I have just joined the boards to ask some advice. I applied for the Smart Classic Card as recommended on this site on the understanding that there was no BT fee. My terms and conditions state: "We may charge a handling fee of 3% (at least £3) for balance transfers and cheques offered at special promotional rates other than a special promotional rate you received when your account was opened" and in the summary box "Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (minimum £3) on special prmotional offers other than the introductory period" which implied to me that no fee would apply in the introductory period.

On phoning to make my balance transfer, I was told that I would have to pay a fee and that "all our cards now charge a BT fee". I telephoned back when I had the terms and conditions in front of me and quoted them to the operative. She seemed baffled but told me that "it must be the way you're reading it" and again told me that I had to pay a fee but that I should ring back on Monday when their BT department was open to query it.

Can anyone please advise me on where I stand as I don't feel the terms and conditions are particularly clear.

cohiba

Hi Quick question, having just recd a o% BT card how long should i wait before applying for another.

Greg_s_2

Hi,

I am in similar position to mella

I have two MBNA cards both with a £3500 limit. One has £3200 on it ( % deal expires at the end of the month) the other has just been paid off (still to be cancelled).

I also however have a £4000 on my Halifax overdraft.

My credit rating is good but I have just moved house (halifax mortgage)

Basically I would like any suggestions as to the best card to apply for.

I was going to explain to the halifax that I want to shift my dept onto their credit card. However as somebody suggested they would probably refuse the card so they can keep getting the 13.9% they are currently charging me.

chun831

NavalAviator wrote:

Hi,
Any suggestion as to the best course of action would be gratefully appreciated.

NA

IMO - phone them and get them to write to you stating that they have made an error. In essence get them to outline the exact dates in writing!!

(ps Nice to see a WAFU on the site - from a GL fishead)