Balance Transfers -- If I've already had a card with the company

insurgente

Massive apologies if this has been asked before, but I'm getting all the wrong results if I search the forums .

I've just realised the 0% has run out on a card of mine, so it's time to move on.

However, is there a hard and fast rule regarding getting a balance transfer to a card/company you've already had?

If you've ever had a card with a particular company, does that mean you're out?

Looking at the list on MSE:

Barclaycard is one card that has debt I want to shift.

MBNA: I currently have an American Airlines card with them, that is paid off in full every month

Tesco: Had a 0% purchases card with them, cancelled it a couple of years back. In fact some of the leftover credit card debt is probably from there.

I'm guessing there's no point in applying for any of those?

Looks like Lloyds or Halifax would be my best bet. I've never missed a payment, but I worry it may look bad that I have 'access' to so much credit (even on credit cards I barely use)

Thanks!

edit: ooh one more question -- can I transfer the balances of 2 different cards to 1 0% BT card?

Ant.Evs

Normally providing you have not had one if their cards within the last 12 months you can apply again as a new customer so for example providing your tesco card was closed down over 12 months ago you can apply again and be eligible for the 0% offer.

Edit: To your ooh question.... Yes you can :-)

Another Edit: It might be an idea to log in to your existing MBNA account online. They may be offering a 0% deal for existing customers :-)

Cycrow

you can apply for a card you had previously, different companies have different restrictions, but they will usually allow you a new card after the old one has been closed for a certain amount of time (6 months is common)

If u've had previous debt with them and defaulted, then it may be more difficult to get a new card with them

insurgente

nice, thanks for the info.

Logging in to my MBNA account, it only offers less than 12 months with a 3% fee. Shame as it would be good to have the credit cards under the same log in

Good to know I have some chance of getting cards from companies I've had them before. But looking at the MSE tool, it's suggesting the Lloyds 24 month with 1.5% is the way to go

eskbanker

There is a rough guide to how long a gap you should leave before qualifying as a new customer for each of the main providers at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/cancel-unused-cards#when