AQUA - poor customer service

pojy

Got an aqua card 15 months ago, £500 credit limit, in order to benefit from good cashback rate. Had to be extremely careful in managing it as £500 is not much, and definitely less than my normal monthly outgoing. I have been paying my full balance every month. After 8 months, I asked for an increased credit limit so I wouldn't have to worry so much about going over it. Was turned down with no explanation. In March, my card was declined as the purchase I was trying to make would have taken me over my limit by some £20 or so - the purchase did not go ahead and I used a different card. My statement confirmed that I had not gone over my limit, yet I was charged a £12 fee. Soon after I asked again for my credit limit to be increased, only for it to be increased by £150. Soon after, I went over my limit by a mere £29. I was charged another £12 fee, and my £100 cashback was wiped out.
I have come to the conclusion that Aqua attract customers with a great-looking cashback rate, but in fact give out such a low credit limit that it is nigh on impossible to keep within it and therefore earn the cashback. What a waste of time.

[Deleted User]

They're a sub prime lender. Low limits are the name of the game.

There seems to be a lot of people who have managed to stay within their limits and earn their cashback.

Sinhanada

I'd agree. You have a limit and £500 is a lot for some people. If you are clearing your full balance each month why not switch to cash instead of trying to go over? This way they wouldn't have to decline transactions and charge you a fee for doing so

opinions4u

I went over my limit by a mere £29

What don't you get about this?

A limit is a limit.

Don't breach it.

Hominu

Read your statement.

What does it say?

"Over limit charge - £12"

How is this poor customer service?

I managed to get my £100 cash back with no problems. Sure, some months my spending was in excess of £500, so I made mid-month payments to ensure I didn't go over the £500 limit, not really a big problem since you know what you are spending and know when you are near your limit.

jamesml

As above, this isn't poor customer service, this is poor account management.

capitaine

You sound like you have an "everyone else is to blame" approach to life

skivenov

Hominu wrote: »

Read your statement.

What does it say?

"Over limit charge - £12"

How is this poor customer service?

I managed to get my £100 cash back with no problems. Sure, some months my spending was in excess of £500, so I made mid-month payments to ensure I didn't go over the £500 limit, not really a big problem since you know what you are spending and know when you are near your limit.

I'd agree. I use an Aqua card for business expenses, and you've really got to keep an eye on that low limit. It's well worth checking your balance regularly (use the 0113 244 8986 number off the back of your card, it's cheaper to ring).

My cashback's due just in time for some xmas shopping, but you've got to play the game to get it and not eclipse it with a couple of fees.

samtoby

I think Aqua are great. Started with a £250 limit - 9 months later I have a 1k limit. Never missed a payment, never gone over my limit and never had any reason to call up.

Keep within the rules and they raise your limit?!

Jcts

You broke your credit agreement and went over your limit. They charged you for it. Why is this confusing? This is all in black and white.

As for your small credit limit, they have given this to you to reflect your personal circumstances/credit file. They DID increase it for you and you still went over. Proves you can't be trusted with credit, simple!