HSBC vs Barclaycard

simon.walker66

Advice appreciated: HSBC vs Barclaycard credit cards.

I have both the above and I want to get shot of one of them entirely. Both have similar credit limits. The Barclaycard interest rate is slightly less gouging than the HSBC. Which of the two would you keep? Would interest rates be the only consideration?

I do not have a bank account with either organisation.

I wish to retain one card as a sort of emergency reserve (obviously savings are the ideal way to do this but that is a work in progress) so one consideration might be how quickly they reduce your limit if you are not using the card.

[Deleted User]

If they are your only cards, I would keep them both, using them regularly.

If for some reason you can't, or you have other cards you are using, then Barclaycard would have the better long term offers.

GM1880

In my experience, customer service on both is pretty average. But, the HSBC systems are absolutely horrible and if you call up you get passed from pillar to post. Amex customer service is way way better than both, in fact even Vanquis customer service has been better than these two.

In terms of offers, Barclaycard have been pretty good to me.

micky2phones

GM1880 wrote: »

In my experience, customer service on both is pretty average. But, the HSBC systems are absolutely horrible and if you call up you get passed from pillar to post. Amex customer service is way way better than both, in fact even Vanquis customer service has been better than these two.

In terms of offers, Barclaycard have been pretty good to me.

Hi, i agree its must therefore come down to Customer Service and Reviews.

Things like if the card gets lost or stolen the way they handled problems ?

simon.walker66

Thanks for the advice so far. I am going through a process of trying to reduce credit card debt and, given my poor management of cards in the past part of my plan is to lose one card by way of simplifying matters. I appreciate that many people can do well out of careful card management but to date I am not one of them. Part of my solution, if you can call it that, is a MBNA 0% balance transfer card (a third card), and my attention is focussed on getting that paid off within the 18 months I have to do it. So I will have that card as well as one active card (with zero balance), to manage and on past experience that is enough for me.

Hence the query, which one to ditch.

That is my current thinking anyway but I am happy to absorb advice from here. Thanks!

Weybridge78

Barclaycard better with giving offers for money and balance transfers. I can't stand HSBC customer service.

System

You could call up each and see which of their current products you could get converted to?

Low rate, travel or freedom rewards would seem the most obvious for Barclaycard.
HSBC don't seem to offer much.

chelseablue

I've never been with HSBC but do have a Barclaycard.

I've always found them good as long as you don't have to call them......their call centre drives me insane

simon.walker66

Thanks all. I think I!!!8217;ll close the HSBC one, on the grounds that the interest rate is higher, their website is rather clunky, and they never offer me anything.

maxximus75

Just cut it in half or leave it in a drawer.

The empty balance will help with any debt to avail credit ratios.