Q re Barclays Basic & Premier Account

EvaCustard

My husband has been working very hard to sort out his credit record and clear his old debts. (No defaults etc)

He currently has less than £1000 debt split over 2 credit cards, both of which are paid off each month.

He has a Barclays Basic Account and a Barclays Premier Account. However the Premier Account (for which he pays the fees etc) only has a normal debit card, he apparantly didn't pass the credit check for the premier debit card. This was about 18 months ago.

He went into the bank recently to try to upgrade to the premier debit card in the hope his "internal score" would have improved enough to enable him to do this.

The guy in the bank said that the request had been declined and told him that the problem was that he had the basic account and it was "holding him back" - surely this can't be true? How could having a basic account along side any other account be a problem?

Any thoughts?

InsideInsurance

What is the difference between the "premier" debit card and the standard one other than the aesthetics? The only thing I know of is the increased limit at cash machines but how often do you really withdraw over £300 in an evening/ sunday when you cannot go in branch?

Ultimately, its their business and so their rules. It would be an unusual decision, having a sub prime product like one of their Initial credit cards or such would make more sense to be impacting it but ultimately if they want to set them rules they can.

My experience of Barclays however is that they will make up stories to explain a decision rather than try and find out from someone that knows. Have had more than one out and out lie from them in the past.

EvaCustard

Thanks to you both for your comments. The main issue is the withdrawal of larger amounts of cash. My husband works away through the week and pays for his digs monthly by cash. It's just a pain having to withdraw the money over 2 days.

Re the £75k, I guess they must not be strict on that as he earns less than that but as long as he's paying the fee, I suppose they don't care.

I also have a premier account (with the black debit card) but only earn £30k

richard9991

AFIK The so called premier card is the one that used to guerentee cheques but now that scheme is closed down the prem card is a contactless card and the basic ac debit card is not.

InsideInsurance

EvaCustard wrote: »

The main issue is the withdrawal of larger amounts of cash. My husband works away through the week and pays for his digs monthly by cash. It's just a pain having to withdraw the money over 2 days.

The higher limit is only for Barclays ATMs, there is no reasonable in branch limit for cash withdrawls. Given we are talking about rent so something he knows about he can just go in and get it out in one hit rather than do two ATM transactions if it is that much of a pain.

EvaCustard

You-kip wrote: »

I'm surprised Barclays would give someone an account who earns 45k less then the advertised critera needed for the account.

I know there was 2 Barclays Premier accounts one for the black debit card and the higher wage customer and 1 the Premier life I think it was where there was no criteria needed.

They upgraded me to it when it was first introduced I've been a customer for over 20 years - I don't really know why or how I got it

It's def the black debit card - used to be a chq guarantee card, it's also now contactless.

EvaCustard

Aside from all that stuff, I think the question I was really asking is, is it right that having a basic account would hold you back from being approved for anything else?

helptoyou

1 am unsure as to why your husband has both a basic current account see details below and a premier account surely he just needs one or the other.

I assume that your husband is failing the credit score for the upgraded card, but that can be down to many factors. It might be worth him obtaining a copy of his credit report to see if this sheds any light on it




Cash card account (previously basic current account)

This could suit you if:
You have difficulty opening a regular current account
You want to keep tight control of your money
You don’t want an overdraft




Cash Card Account


No monthly account fee
Online, in branch and phone banking
Avoid overdraft fees and debt
Apply in branch (Link opens in a new window)
Account information
Rates & charges
ID you need
Straightforward banking with no frills
Barclays Cash Card Account is a basic account that offers free, no-frills banking for customers who may not be able to open a regular current account. With this account you can:
Choose between a Barclays Visa debit card or cash card (ATM only)
Make payments from your Cash Card Account by Direct Debit or standing order 1
Withdraw up to £300 a day (if you have available funds) from Barclays ATMs or at Post Offices, or wherever you see the LINK sign
Manage your account online, by phone or in branch
Access your account through Mobile Banking
Get Text Alerts to your mobile about your account
Transfer money to other Barclays accounts online or by phone 24 hours a day
Bank in more than 1,700 branches nationwide
Get regular statements to help you keep track of your money
Personalise your account in the Barclays Features Store 8 – an online interactive hub where you can shape your account to suit your needs
The following are not available on this account:
An overdraft – so you'll need to ensure your account is in credit before making payments
A cheque book

anqet

Your husband could close the basic account, does he need two?

Savvy_Money

I'm presuming the OP's husband had the premier life account, although at £25 per month it is an expensive way of addressing his debts. Barclays no longer offer the premier life account but I remember that to get the black card you needed to pass their internal credit score. When they had cheque guarantee cards even the Black card came in £50, £100 & £250 versions. I suspect that your husband simply does not pass the internal criteria for an offline card hence the decline