Barclaycard Cashback Platinum Visa card - so far so weird

Chordeiles

The other day I checked out Euro rates for an upcoming holiday, of course I used "Travel Money Maximiser" from MSE and the most cost-effective way of getting my hands on Euros was to use a Barclaycard Platinum Cashback card to get money from a "hole in the wall" in Euroland. So I applied for one. On the day it arrived I happened to hear Martin Lewis himself on the radio giving the same card a recommendation. But in only three days of having it I noticed a few things that I hope aren't a portent of bad things to come.

I needed to call Barclaycard to get it activated. My heart always sinks when I realise a call centre is in India. I'm not a racist and I don't begrudge the Indians a job, but as someone who still regularly gets scam 'phone calls (purporting to be) from TalkTalk (resulting from the data breach in their Indian call-centre some years ago) I can't help feeling uncomfortable when I hear an Indian voice on the 'phone.

It was in any case disappointing that I had needed to make the call, but the online system had recommended I set up a direct debit before "activating" the card, but pressing the button to enter the direct debit details just sent me round in circles without ever suggesting what it was unhappy about. After the agent on the 'phone had done the activation for me, the direct debit details went in just fine.

Then an email saying I must make a payment NOW as the direct debit won't be set up in time for my first payment. !!!!!! ! I didn't even see a bill yet ! Another voice from the sub-continent has confirmed (with a profuse apology) that I should not have received that email and should ignore it. But hardly impressive.

Also unimpressed with the documentation that came with the card, which talks about fees that I wasn't expecting (they are the ones that will apply from 2023 when the introductory offer - that gets MSE to recommend the card - runs out). Admittedly it does say you might have an introductory rate. The same glossy booklet claims that "You'll find your payment due date within the letter that came with this guide" - but it isn't there ! It's as if they can't do anything right, so I'll make darned sure to check the statements carefully.

Now I recall that nearly 25 years ago I was part of a trial of "PC Banking" with Barclays (note that was NOT internet banking, my modem dialled into Barclays, not my ISP). When the trial ended they introduced "internet banking" immediately (I wondered who had been trialling that !) and I was invited to join - for a not inconsiderable fee. Many perfectly respectable banks were already offering online banking for free, so I jumped ship (and have been happy with "Britain's most recommended bank" ever since). As my mother got older I had the dubious joy of using Barclay's online banking (by then free, of course) on her behalf (as "power of attorney") and it was crippled compared with First Direct's offering (so maybe I now know who trialled the system ;-)). So maybe I shouldn't feel surprised that the Barclaycard systems are "clunky".

[Deleted User]

There’s quite a bit here.

What exactly is the question?

Terry_Towelling

Is this your first credit card?

You can set up a direct debit payment from Barclaycard's online service - no need to talk to anyone. Many card providers will require your first payment to be made 'manually' if the direct debit wasn't set up as part of the application process.

No need to worry about letters with the payment due date in, that will show on your statement and, as soon as the direct debit is up and running, your payments will be taken automatically on or about the due date, so you won't need to worry about that at all - as long as you have enough money in the paying account.

The end date in 2023 for certain promotional offers does appear in their marketing blurb so shouldn't really have come as a surprise.

Never had a problem running a POA using Barclays online banking - although Barclays latest upgrade to online banking has made things painfully slow.

Anyway, it's good to talk, so thanks for the reminiscences and your hopes and fears for the future. Enjoy your holiday.

Dobbibill

The email to make a payment because the DD won't be set up immediately is just to forewarn you that it takes a little bit of time for them to set it up and they don't want you to be misled thinking the DD is up and running immediately. It's an automated response - nothing to worry about.

Make sure when you get your bill, it states that funds with be taken by DD on x date. If not, make a manual payment

18cc

You know, sometimes I think people should be a little bit grateful - just a little bit - for all the technology, hard work and clever thinking that actually allows them to present a bit of plastic issued in one country anywhere in the world and get cash or pay for goods and services without a care in the world.

Chordeiles

Sorry to appear ungrateful for the technology that makes all this possible, my point was that the technology can be compromised by sloppy programming (and procedures). This a morning a letter arrived in the post telling me my credit card is on its way. Well actually I have been using it for over a week ! O.k so I shouldn't blame Barclaycard for postal delays, but I suspect they have chosen a cheapo mail service that is certain to take weeks to arrive. Also I am bombarded with emails telling me I should be using online servicing, when their systems should be able to detect that I am already using online servicing.

Certainly not my first credit card (not even my first Barclaycard, but that's going back to 1973 !), I have worked a lot overseas but used to be less concerned about conversion fees as my expenses always got reimbursed at the converted level ! I'm retired now so that probably explains why I come across as a grumpy old git ;-)

And my comments about Barclays online banking had nothing to do with operating with POA, it was clunky at the basic level (compared with First Direct, but I'm going back more than 12 years here, may be much better now).

I'm happy to give credit where it's due and when my Mum died 12 years ago I did all the probate stuff myself, and Barclays were by far the most helpful organisation to deal with (don't get me started about the Halifax).

northwalesd

My experience with my first ever Barclaycard (applied for last Wednesday) is poles apart from yours. It couldn't have gone any more smoothly.