QUESTION re FirstDirect Black to Gold

oscarhugo

Further to various other threads on this subject, I have a specific question which hopefully somebody may be able to answer for me --

If you upgrade a FirstDirect black card to a gold one on-line, do you AUTOMATICALLY get a further 6 months at 0% ? Or do you have to ring up & ask ? And hope for the best ? (My FD black is only a coupla months into its 6 mo. anyway so it's not an urgent thing)

Ta muchly in advance.

Reaper

It's automatic.

Rafter

I think it is automatic.

Given the 'pain' First Direct are having with their £25 offer though, I can see them closing this loophole too and going for the nationwide approach - ie one offer per customer only.

As a first direct customer for 10 years I support this approach too! Don't see why money savers should make free money out of my bank. Although HSBC makes big profits, I'm sure all this money, paper and staff time being wasted on promotions and account applications for moneysavers who have no intention of using the account isn't going to help the customer service I receive, or keep the interest rates on my accounts as high as they could be.

Why not transfer to an american owned bank like MBNA or Capital 1 and exploit their offers? At least that way you are hurting the profits of a company that isn't owned by UK shareholders and pension funds to the same extent!

zcaprd7

Doubt it, I'm sure their bean counters have figured out these marketing exercises bring in the dough longer term...

oscarhugo

Rafter wrote:

I think it is automatic.

Given the 'pain' First Direct are having with their £25 offer though, I can see them closing this loophole too and going for the nationwide approach - ie one offer per customer only.

As a first direct customer for 10 years I support this approach too! Don't see why money savers should make free money out of my bank. Although HSBC makes big profits, I'm sure all this money, paper and staff time being wasted on promotions and account applications for moneysavers who have no intention of using the account isn't going to help the customer service I receive, or keep the interest rates on my accounts as high as they could be.

Why not transfer to an american owned bank like MBNA or Capital 1 and exploit their offers? At least that way you are hurting the profits of a company that isn't owned by UK shareholders and pension funds to the same extent!

My heart bleeds for them! I think your post belongs in the "Pity the poor little banks" [or whatever it's called] thread... Thanks for your input anyway, Rafter. And yrs, Reaper. ("Rafter & Reaper" -- what a great Music Hall act that would make).

bigb66

Rafter wrote:

I think it is automatic.

Given the 'pain' First Direct are having with their £25 offer though, I can see them closing this loophole too and going for the nationwide approach - ie one offer per customer only.

As a first direct customer for 10 years I support this approach too! Don't see why money savers should make free money out of my bank. Although HSBC makes big profits, I'm sure all this money, paper and staff time being wasted on promotions and account applications for moneysavers who have no intention of using the account isn't going to help the customer service I receive, or keep the interest rates on my accounts as high as they could be.

Why not transfer to an american owned bank like MBNA or Capital 1 and exploit their offers? At least that way you are hurting the profits of a company that isn't owned by UK shareholders and pension funds to the same extent!

Hearts and violins at the ready this wonderful bank has made 6 BILLION pounds out of the likes of you this year only. but thanks for the input

Galstonian

Could we keep to the topic of credit cards here please? If you want to discuss the morality of banking then I suggest taking your posts to the "Discussion Time" board.

oscarhugo

Please Sir -- he started it! It was 'im - Rarftah!

Shinds

Reaper - Would you recommend paying off the balance on the Black Card before anyone attempting to upgrade to the Gold card...?

And when would be the exact right time to upgrade..? Before your 0% ends on the Black or just after..?

Thanks

Rafter

Sorry Gal and sorry Oscar,

It was nothing personal and I have moved the debate to the vent board. I'd just rather you picked a non uk bank and not one that has given me great service for the last 10 years.

Their own silly fault for having offers that can be so easily exploited though.

R.

oscarhugo

No apology needed, Rafter -- not to me, anyway. It's all just a bit of fun [sorry if your FD interest rates remain a bit low, though...!]