Why 2 new Barclaycards?

hardpressed

This morning received 2 new Barclaycard cashback cards. Apparently my account has been updated so I get 2 new cards, one is an American Express Barclaycard which give 1% cash back and the other a Visa Barclaycard giving 0.5%. I must be dense but why 2 cards? As the American Express one is giving double the cashback why would I want to use the Visa one? They are both linked to the same account with the same pin number, I just don't get it.

GingerBob_3

hardpressed wrote: »

This morning received 2 new Barclaycard cashback cards. Apparently my account has been updated so I get 2 new cards, one is an American Express Barclaycard which give 1% cash back and the other a Visa Barclaycard giving 0.5%. I must be dense but why 2 cards? As the American Express one is giving double the cashback why would I want to use the Visa one? They are both linked to the same account with the same pin number, I just don't get it.

I've got the same thing. It's their new arrangement as of earlier this year. You'll find the AMEX card is not accepted in loads of places, so then you've got to use the Visa card, which only pays the 0.5% cash-back.

It's rubbish. Don't know why I stick with it, really.

reclusive46

hardpressed wrote: »

This morning received 2 new Barclaycard cashback cards. Apparently my account has been updated so I get 2 new cards, one is an American Express Barclaycard which give 1% cash back and the other a Visa Barclaycard giving 0.5%. I must be dense but why 2 cards? As the American Express one is giving double the cashback why would I want to use the Visa one? They are both linked to the same account with the same pin number, I just don't get it.

While AMEX is widely accepted in the UK with all Major Supermarkets, Petrol Stations, restaurant chains and department stores accepting it, American Express is not always accepted by smaller businesses. Thats the main reason they have provided the Visa card as a backup.

One thing to note as well that is off topic, the security code for an American Express card IS the 4 digit code on the front right of the card and NOT the 3 digit code on the back. I only mention this as a vast amount of people don't know this and wonder why their Amex is being declined online or the phone.

reclusive46

GingerBob wrote: »

You'll find the AMEX card is not accepted in loads of places,

I think thats probably a slight over exaggeration, while admittedly it depends where you shop, its definitely the exception rather than the rule for it to not be accepted. Even Poundland accept it these days! Unless the majority of your spend is at small independent retailers and even then many still accept the card (Its extremely rare for a restaurant not to take it from my experience).

You can blame the European Union for crap cash back rates on Visa and MasterCard though, this is because they are capping the amount a merchant provider can be charged for accepting a Visa and MasterCard. Because American Express run its own network entirely (3rd party system - It owns the network and also manages its own merchant accounts and in many cases also issues the cards as well) they are not subject to this rule and can still charge more and give better rewards. These won't even benefit small or medium sized merchants as the merchant bank will profit the difference, the only other people who will benefit are the big chains like Tesco and I bet they won't be passing that saving onto us!!!

GingerBob_3

reclusive46 wrote: »

I think thats probably a slight over exaggeration, while admittedly it depends where you shop, its definitely the exception rather than the rule for it to not be accepted. Even Poundland accept it these days! Unless the majority of your spend is at small independent retailers and even then many still accept the card.

You can blame the European Union for crap cash back rates on Visa and MasterCard though, this is because they are capping the amount a merchant provider can be charged for accepting a Visa and MasterCard. Because American Express run its own network entirely (3rd party system) they are not subject to this rule and can still charge more and give better rewards.

About one quarter of the transactions (by value) on my most recent statement were Visa. You're right about AMEX being accepted by the major retailers, but it's surprising, and annoying, how a significant number of outlets don't accept it, including many online and loads abroad.

Poundland might accept it, but Home Bargains don't.

reclusive46

GingerBob wrote: »

About one quarter of the transactions (by value) on my most recent statement were Visa. You're right about AMEX being accepted by the major retailers, but it's surprising, and annoying, how a significant number of outlets don't accept it, including many online and loads abroad.

Poundland might accept it, but Home Bargains don't.

With the online transactions, did they not accept Paypal (who accept Amex)? I generally find that online shops will either take Amex or Paypal. Very rare for neither of them to do so.

B19JON

Personally, I'm quite glad to have the Amex + Visa combo. I think the perks you get with the Amex ( Trip advisor, cardmember offers, Foursquare etc) are worth the extra hassle of carrying another card.

I also have another Amex card like many members here, so double dipping on these offers are brilliant.

colmil

I have had a 1% cashback card with Barclaycard for a long time, and,as I suspected, saw that I was going to lose out as soon as I sawMEX was to be the 1% one.

In four trades from receiving it, my newsagent refused to take it in payment of my monthly bill, my local restaurant refused it, and East Coast, although supposedly accepting it, did not allow me to put in my 3 figure security number on four occasions!

As soon as another trader can offer a free 1% cashback, I'm off!

I use my credit card for business use, and spent £17,000 on it last year, any wonder I'm upset!

reclusive46

colmil wrote: »

and East Coast, although supposedly accepting it, did not allow me to put in my 3 figure security number on four occasions!

Did you try the 4 digit code on the front of the card? I've never had a UK website accept the 3 digit code, the 4 digit code on the front should be provided as long as the space allows 4 digits to be entered (even if it says 3 digit code).

Cell

Proof that people don't always read threads. Poor reclusive. Snubbed following a very useful post.:D

SuperAllyB

Only discovered B&Q so far that don't accept Amex