100% Pre-approved for Santander 0% Balance Transfer CC... but I already have one

crunch89

Hi,

I have around 12k on an existing Santander credit card which is coming to the end of its 0% term (15 months). I am looking to balance transfer this to a no-fee card.

When I carry out the MSE credit club eligibility checker it says I am 100% pre-approved for the same card. I realise that you can't usually balance transfer from the same banking organisation.

My question - is this an error? Surely I cannot apply for another of the same credit cards if I already have it. If so, then how accurate is the eligibility checker?

I weirdly have 0% chance of getting a Barclaycard, which I have not had for 2-3 years. (I have a mortgage with Barclays).

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656651/100-pre-approved-for-santander-0-balance-transfer-cc-but-i-already-have-one

Credit card comparison sites arent like insurance sites typically, with insurance they go off each time to the sellers every time and get an accurate quote and then present it to you. Slightly ironically MoneySupermarket were the last to adopt this approach and previously just guesstimated it themselves long after others had stopped doing that.

Traditionally for credit cards it was a pure guess based on the websites own views of what different banks liked and didnt like with no input at all from the card issuers. Certainly some seemed to have a reasonable correlation between the amount of commission they will earn and the rankings. It does appear as some have a slightly different approach now with at least some banks as they "preapprove" but others remain a pure guess by the website.

Just because you have one card with a bank doesnt stop you qualifying for another with them. Some banks cap the number of accounts you can have but not all cap it at one. Barclays has flip-flopped on this many times over the years. At one point had 3 credit cards with them but last time I checked they were currently not allowing you to open additional accounts.

So, in short, can't say if it's an error or not. It certainly could be accurate but a BT card won't help you. If they offer a MT at comparable terms then that would work or you need a different card from a different bank

Gandalf644

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656651/100-pre-approved-for-santander-0-balance-transfer-cc-but-i-already-have-one

You are better doing soft eligibility searches on the individual bank’s websites as opposed to using a generic one like MSE. The generic ones are notoriously inaccurate and the alleged ‘pre-approved’ status does not necessarily mean you will get the card if you apply.

Banks do not usually let you BT between the same bank or other banks within the same group.

On the Santander website, under ‘Full Detail’s’ it does mention you cannot have a card if you already have the same type of card:

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards?cid=ppc-google-generic-paid-cc-multi-alwayson-----oct2025&gclsrc=aw.ds&s_kwcid=AL!13209!3!765594629237!e!!g!!santander%20balance%20transfer&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17134589250