To Activate or Not To Activate

MegNificent

I've just been accepted for the Tesco Balance Transfer Credit Card. I will not be using the card for purchases, instead I'll just be completely paying it off over the 12 month period. My question then is; should I just not activate the card when it comes, and if I don't activate it what would happen?

reclusive46

MegNificent wrote: »

I've just been accepted for the Tesco Balance Transfer Credit Card. I will not be using the card for purchases, instead I'll just be completely paying it off over the 12 month period. My question then is; should I just not activate the card when it comes, and if I don't activate it what would happen?

I know one or two issuers can get a little annoyed about not activating the card. I left a card unactivated and eventually started getting letters and then a phone call asking to activate it.

planteria

yes, i would activate it, complete the balance transfer you want to do, ensure the balance is on the account.. and if you are sure you don't want to retain it, cut it up. i have Halifax and HSBC card accounts without physical cards.
just a thought, but i retained my Tesco credit card even after closing the account...to use it as a clubcard for fuel. [see the thread here re. that].

stator

If they think you've not received it they might cancel it?

RichardD1970

I've had a couple of cards which have been used just for balance transfers and have never bothered activating them with no problems.

CLAPTON

MegNificent wrote: »

I've just been accepted for the Tesco Balance Transfer Credit Card. I will not be using the card for purchases, instead I'll just be completely paying it off over the 12 month period. My question then is; should I just not activate the card when it comes, and if I don't activate it what would happen?

why wouldn't you activate the cards?


there are no downsides to activation and there are unknown complications about not doing so.


why create potential difficulties?

rehanmalik3030

Most credit card companies give you at least 90 days to activate your card after that time the account is closed. Since I am assuming you already have a balance transfer on the account i.e. you owe them money and you are paying it off monthly then there should be no problems if you decide not to activate the card.

planteria

so, in that situation the account is active.

zerog

planteria wrote: »

so, in that situation the account is active.

The account can be active without the card being activated.

You need to activate the card in order to make further BTs online.

MegNificent

Thanks for all of your replies. I know that once the card arrives I probably will activate it - after all it's just a phone call. I was just interested in what would happen if I didn't.

zerog

It's an automated phone call, btw.