Balance Transfer FROM Amex (aaaaargh!)

SevenOfWine

So, I applied for a balance Transfer card from Sainsburys. I noted that it said they don't allow transfers from some cards, but it asked you confirm the details of the card you are transferring from, and I did, so on acceptance - I had assumed that it was ok. Silly me obviously, as I have now received the card and can't transfer my balance. So now, I have a card I can't use, which I will cancel.

1) I assume this is going to hit my credit rating, because it will take some time to show that it is not on my profile? So should I not apply for a new one straight away?
2 ) Also - anyone know of any providers that DO allow balance transfers from Amex, please?

jpsartre

I've transferred from Barclaycard, TSB and Santander cards in the past without problems.

SevenOfWine

Thanks, but I am looking to transfer from Amex

MalMonroe

There's an article about it from this very site in the link below - scroll down to the bottom and it says to contact Sainsbury's in advance. If they specifically told you that they would accept the balance transfer from Amex, you could write to them and tell them that you were misled. If they did deliberately mislead you, then I'd complain to the Ombudsman. 

Link - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer-credit-cards/

MalMonroe

jpsartre said:

I've transferred from Barclaycard, TSB and Santander cards in the past without problems.

Yes, but the OP is wanting to transfer FROM Amex to Sainsbury's. And is having problems. 

jpsartre

SevenOfWine said:

Thanks, but I am looking to transfer from Amex

Sorry, typo on my part, I meant to write that I've transferred a balance from my AmEx card to the cards I mentioned.

Sandtree

Have you spoken to them on the phone to try and do it? I recall in the past there were banks that you couldn't do it online because their website was set to validate a 16 digit card number rather than the 15 used by AmEx but that it wa possible to do it by phone... if you phrase your question wrong you may also get a dumb answer.

[Deleted User]

MalMonroe said:

There's an article about it from this very site in the link below - scroll down to the bottom and it says to contact Sainsbury's in advance. If they specifically told you that they would accept the balance transfer from Amex, you could write to them and tell them that you were misled. If they did deliberately mislead you, then I'd complain to the Ombudsman. 

Link - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer-credit-cards/

Suggesting the bank deliberately misled a customer would be a serious accusation of fraud, that would be taken very seriously as it's accusation of criminality, OP would need evidence of this. I would suggest you refrain from advising users to claim the bank is doing that.

maxximus75

This can usually be done but it has to be manually input by the credit card provider.

Give them a call (speak with the department that deals with balance transfers - not just a frontline agent), and they should be able to help.

Good luck!

SevenOfWine

Thanks everyone. I have tried online and I have tried by calling, but I think I will persist, worth a try!

SevenOfWine

SevenOfWine said:

Thanks everyone. I have tried online and I have tried by calling, but I think I will persist, worth a try!

I tried again, still no. I will close the account and move on.