Unoffical Existing Customer Balance Transfers

Mortgageman

Yeah, that happened a lot to me.

A couple of years ago I had a 2k worth of cc debts, got a cheaper rate and transfered the balance.

Original provider phoned and offered a much lower rate than they had done before I changed. So I changed back

Then the new provider - who I had transfered than balance to, and then from then called and offered a 0% rate. So I changed back again

I was waiting fot the call form the original cc company offering me a negative interest rate, but it never came

System

An update on the first direct refusal.

I applied for the gold card and was turned down, despite having been a customer for over 10 years. I rattled off a complaining email and lo and behold I received a phone call today appologising and offering me a gold card with 0% for the first 6 months.

Well done First Direct, you may have fouled up but you did put it right!

laminki

Paul M

take the money from Lloyds TSB and stick it in a high interest account until the new rate elapses then transfer it back.

AndrewDavidStone

Capital One Platinum Card are offering 4.9% balance transfer for life of balance :-/...

Already have a 0% BC :-*. Just waiting to find out if I my application for a 0% Premeirship BC will be approved :P

In for a penny (BC) in for a pound (permiership BC) ;D

System

;DI have just phoned Capital One and told them I wanted to transfer to them a balance of £2000. They said I had a high credit score and rather than lose me as a customer they offered me 10.7 percent on purchases and 6.9 percent on balance transfers for life. When I first spoke to them they said 12.9 on balance transfers and 12.7 on purchases. [flash=200,200][/flash]
Also they said I could have all my credit card limit in cash if I wanted rather than just 50 percent etc.
Ok I can do better but at least it pays to negotiate.
I have now been offered 3.9 percent from LLoyds for 6 months or 5.9 for life of transfer. Have decided to go for 3.9 percent.
Who said credit cards are a bad thing.

System

I've had a Diners Club charge card for a few years, and in February was offered a new 'Companion Credit Card' with a standard 14.9%APR, and an ongoing offer of 4.9% APR for the life of a balance transfer. No purchases need to be applied to ensure eligibility for the balance transfer rate. It's apparently only a targeted offer--just not sure how large the target is!

Only the standard charge card continues to require an annual fee to be paid.

Milarky

Beneficial - a brand of HFC (who also do Marbles) are offering 5.9 APR on balances transferred before 15 October and that rate will last until 31/03/04. I just happened to check the account online today, thinking "I wonder?" Last time I went there they had up an offer to 31/12/03 at 7.9 APR for balances transferred before 31 July. In other words, it's worth looking out for  these 'repeat' or 'rollover' deals which they tend to keep improving on slightly. b]Update, 27 October[/b]: [i]As suspected, they have 'rolled over' this offer - extending the end date 2 months and allowing qualifying BTs - again at 5.9 - upto the end of November. Worth checking![/iMBNA tend to do the same thing, but I'm wary of them since they introduced a discretionary BT fee.

Halifax have recently sent out a letter [ref 'HL7783 BA')] offering 6.9 APR for life-of-balance if transferred before 30 Sept. They confusingly state that the rate will be: '0.5614 (variable)  for the life of the balance'

System

Rang Halifax Card Services to close my Halifax Classic card (zero balance on it). Was put through to someone from "customer satisfaction department" was offered 9.9% for life on BT.

(I declined and closed the a/c).

Nickynoo1

Went to close my virgin credit account as the offer rate ended and went to 13% and was offered a further reduced rate of 3.9% for 6 months. I wanted 2 balance transfers and was told the second one would incur a charge of £35. So transferred the lump sum into my current account and transferred all out from there with no fee!. I know 3.9% isn't great but it saves another credit search in my name, and it's still cheaper than it was.

Nicky

System

I have just been received an RBS Advanta Platinum card with 0% for both balance transfers and purchases until 1st June 2004.

Although I don't think I would want to make any cash withdrawals - 15.9% kicks in straight away.