Approach existing card provider for new interest free card?

seanfos

I have a Virgin credit card that had a long term interest free period that ended last year, so is now just a standard credit card. I would like another long term interest free period card, I use it to give myself easier purchase options and always pay back in full before the initial offer ends. Is it worth contacting Virgin and asking them for this or do I just need to apply for a new card with either them or another provider?

Many thanks

Sean

Sandtree

Asking wont hurt anyone but you may well get a very short answer of no.

If you are looking at a purchase offer rather than BT you are free to then apply to whoever you fancy... with BT cards you just have to be aware you cannot normally use the promotional rate to BT from another card with the same lender.

seanfos

Thank you. It is purely for purchases, no balance transfer. Normally I would simply phone and ask the question, but I recently had to contact Virgin to update my address (could only be done by phone) and waited on hold over an hour on a weekday afternoon. It would be good to hear of others experiences before I waste that time for a simple “No, sorry we don’t do that” from them!

Sean

born_again

Best time to ring is just before they open. That way you have a much bigger pool of staff waiting for calls. 👍

callum9999

born_again said:

Best time to ring is just before they open. That way you have a much bigger pool of staff waiting for calls. 👍

I don't see any point in ringing at all - just use the pre-application checker online.

I have multiple Virgin cards and they've given me new 0% cards shortly after cancelling the old one in the past (and my Clearscore app shows pre-approval for a new Virgin 0% card), so it's certainly a normal thing for them to do.

Fighter1986

They'll often show offers for existing customers in the online banking / app for your card.

OH has repeat offers sat waiting for him in his MBNA app and Barclaycard app. 

seanfos

Fighter1986 said:

They'll often show offers for existing customers in the online banking / app for your card

They do contact me endlessly about balance transfer options but never anything for purchases unfortunately

Sean

[Deleted User]

seanfos said:

Thank you. It is purely for purchases, no balance transfer. Normally I would simply phone and ask the question, but I recently had to contact Virgin to update my address (could only be done by phone) and waited on hold over an hour on a weekday afternoon. It would be good to hear of others experiences before I waste that time for a simple “No, sorry we don’t do that” from them!

Sean

Other people's experiences are irrelevant as each decision is made on your circumstances, even if 99 people on here were given them, you could still be rejected for not fitting the bank criteria

Fighter1986

seanfos said:

Fighter1986 said:

They'll often show offers for existing customers in the online banking / app for your card

They do contact me endlessly about balance transfer options but never anything for purchases unfortunately

Sean

Ah it's a long term purchase offer you want.

I'd suggest checking out something like the moneysupermarket eligibility checker for new purchase cards you'd be eligible for and close the Virgin one once you've opened another elsewhere.

(I suggest closing the virgin one to increase the likelihood of them giving you another new customer offer in future)

seanfos

Thank you for the advice all. I will proceed with applying for something new elsewhere I think

Sean