Barclaycard to start issuing Amex network cards

reclusive46

Just saw this on cards international site


"Barclaycard has become an American Express card issuing partner in the UK. The agreement enables Barclaycard to sell cards accepted by the American Express global network in the UK for the first time.
The announcement builds upon an existing business relationship between the two companies, which includes card issuing in the US and UK payment acceptance.
The two businesses claim that this agreement will increase the choice of products available to UK customers, revealing that product development would begin this year.
Valerie Soranno Keating, chief executive of Barclaycard said: "Today's news that two of the world's leading payments businesses will be working more closely in the UK will mean greater choice for UK consumers. It also reinforces Barclaycard's position as a partner of choice in the payments industry and as a leading innovator in UK payments.""

Looks like Barclaycard doesn't like Visa anymore :P Strange considering the fact they were the first issuer in the UK.

Sparx

Where does it say Visa credit card products will no longer be offered? In fact, even your extract states:

"The two businesses claim that this agreement will increase the choice of products available to UK customers"

All it means is Barclaycard will add 1 or 2 extra credit cards to their existing product range for AMEX..

guesswho2000

Somewhat less 'prestige' (if there is in any case) to whipping out an Amex with "Barclaycard" plastered on the front...:rotfl:

Willing2Learn

Does this mean the new slogan for advertisements will be

"Barclaycard? That'll do nicely"

reclusive46

Sparx wrote: »

Where does it say Visa credit card products will no longer be offered? In fact, even your extract states:

"The two businesses claim that this agreement will increase the choice of products available to UK customers"

All it means is Barclaycard will add 1 or 2 extra credit cards to their existing product range for AMEX..

It never said that they were getting rid of Visa, just not exclusive (Apart from some of the ones they took from egg).

guesswho2000

reclusive46 wrote: »

It never said that they were getting rid of Visa, just not exclusive (Apart from some of the ones they took from egg).

I always wondered why they stopped offering MasterCards. Their "Breathe" product was a MC some years ago. Don't suppose it matters either way.

reclusive46

guesswho2000 wrote: »

Somewhat less 'prestige' (if there is in any case) to whipping out an Amex with "Barclaycard" plastered on the front...:rotfl:

haha. Bare in mind that Lloyds TSB and MBNA already issue Amex network cards.

ronin93

I have just received notification from Barclaycard that they are changing cashback from May. Instead of 1 card I will have 2 - a Barclaycard Visa paying 0.5% and a Barclaycard American Express card paying 1%. They claim this will be simpler and more straightforward. This is an underhand way of saving money for Barclaycard. American Express is not accepted by as many companies as Visa so there will be occasions where I will have to use the Visa card which only pays 0.5% instead of 1%. It also means I will have to carry 2 cards around instead of 1.They are also withdrawing the insurance benefits.
Does Barclaycard think people are stupid and cannot see through their latest ploy to save money? It really annoys me the way they are selling this change as a benefit to customers.

OverlandLandy

ronin93 wrote: »

I have just received notification from Barclaycard that they are changing cashback from May. Instead of 1 card I will have 2 - a Barclaycard Visa paying 0.5% and a Barclaycard American Express card paying 1%. They claim this will be simpler and more straightforward. This is an underhand way of saving money for Barclaycard. American Express is not accepted by as many companies as Visa so there will be occasions where I will have to use the Visa card which only pays 0.5% instead of 1%. It also means I will have to carry 2 cards around instead of 1.They are also withdrawing the insurance benefits.
Does Barclaycard think people are stupid and cannot see through their latest ploy to save money? It really annoys me the way they are selling this change as a benefit to customers.

Just got the same letter...
Cant see any benefit in keeping either?
I already have Amex Platinum with cashback
and at 0.5% Cashback on the Barclaycard can their rate not be beaten by other cards now?

Time to DITCH & SWITCH!!!

toasterman

ronin93 wrote: »

I have just received notification from Barclaycard that they are changing cashback from May. Instead of 1 card I will have 2 - a Barclaycard Visa paying 0.5% and a Barclaycard American Express card paying 1%. They claim this will be simpler and more straightforward. This is an underhand way of saving money for Barclaycard. American Express is not accepted by as many companies as Visa so there will be occasions where I will have to use the Visa card which only pays 0.5% instead of 1%. It also means I will have to carry 2 cards around instead of 1.They are also withdrawing the insurance benefits.
Does Barclaycard think people are stupid and cannot see through their latest ploy to save money? It really annoys me the way they are selling this change as a benefit to customers.

I just got the same letter this morning, and thought the very same!

I've got a similar arrangement with my bank - a Visa that earns one benefit, and an Amex that earns a better rate (although it's airmiles, so the chance of me accruing enough to get a budget Ryanair flight to France in my lifetime is pretty slim). The reality is that I don't have enough room in my wallet for both cards (what with loyalty cards, and various other things), so I take the one I know will be accepted everywhere, and the Amex has spent the last 2 years in a drawer at home.

Can you imagine being in the meeting where either of these companies discussed how they were going to promote having to carry 2 cards instead of 1, as a benefit to the customer? Ridiculous marketing bs.

reclusive46

OverlandLandy wrote: »

Just got the same letter...
Cant see any benefit in keeping either?
I already have Amex Platinum with cashback
and at 0.5% Cashback on the Barclaycard can their rate not be beaten by other cards now?

Not really. The Amazon cards gives an equivalent to 1% cash back on Amazon vouchers but thats about it at the moment.

Out of interest, does it say when your getting the new cards?