Amex to Virgin 0% Balance Transfer

PropGuy

Hi everyone - need some help with an Amex to Virgin 0% Balance transfer.
Earlier in the week I applied online for a Virgin balance transfer card, and during the application form entered in my Amex card number and amount that I'll be transferring - and it was all approved, got the email, and today received the card.
I called up to confirm the balance transfer, and they said it's been rejected because it was an AMEX. 
Now I have a card which I don't need or want, and a balance that I can't transfer.
Questions I have are:
1) Is this a situation where I just need to call back Virgin during the week and ask them to do the transfer again over the phone?
2) How long do I need to wait before applying for another balance transfer card if indeed Virgin can not carry out the process?
3) Should I close this card before applying for a next one? or just leave it open?

I've seen on similar posts that others have had success with MBNA cards, so I just wanted to check best course of action!

Your advice and help is much appreciated! 

[Deleted User]

You'll need a money transfer card for Amex, if it's a 15 digit card.

Apply for one now  If declined, leave it a couple of months. If you're within the 14 days, you might want to withdraw from the Virgin card agreement, rather than closing it.

Sharon87

I've done successful balance transfers from AMEX to MBNA. Do you have another credit card with a 0% APR for a balance transfer - whether it's a fee or not, then transfer it to the Virgin card? I have an MBNA card with 4.9% APR but 0% fee, so if I had the Virgin card I would transfer it to MBNA and then to the Virgin.

That's the only way I can see it working, unless the Virgin card does money transfers as well.

PropGuy

Thank you both - I believe the Virgin Money card is a Money Transfer card, but I will give them another call on Monday to see if it makes a difference to do it over the phone. Otherwise will try for MBNA, and if not - then Sharon87's suggestion could be  a sound alternative.

PropGuy

Update:
Virgin Money actually offer a Money Transfer offer for people in this exact situation, slightly higher transfer fee - but still worth it! So got it all done in the end

onlyfoolsandparking

PropGuy said:

Update:
Virgin Money actually offer a Money Transfer offer for people in this exact situation, slightly higher transfer fee - but still worth it! So got it all done in the end

Nice one   Yes Virgin usually have money transfer deals as well as balance transfer deals most months, they are a little more than I would like on fees but the consistency they offer them is excellent. 

Sharon87

On the back of this has anyone ever transferred an AMEX balance to Halifax, Barclaycard or HSBC credit cards before? I need to do a transfer, I do have an MBNA I could use, but the others may have a better deal.

onlyfoolsandparking

Sharon87 said:

On the back of this has anyone ever transferred an AMEX balance to Halifax, Barclaycard or HSBC credit cards before? I need to do a transfer, I do have an MBNA I could use, but the others may have a better deal.

I have never done that as I don't possess an AMEX, I suppose you could try it and if it works job done, if not go to your back up plan. I think in current climate ANY transfer is better than none, even a money transfer like the OP, slightly higher fee but at least that's guaranteed to shift the debt. 

Mr87

I've transferred an Amex balance to Halifax before

PaulW922

It depends on the *type* of Amex card. If it is a charge card (so no preset spring limit but you pay in full each month) then Amex does not accept balance transfer payments. Amex credit cards are different.