Best Balance Transfers Discussion Area

Moggles_2

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I was offered this credit card when I opened a new regular saver with LTSB (I am a long-standing existing customer). My credit check was approved straight away, in spite of me having no income (I did tell them this). My husband's however, was queried and the LTSB adviser had to make an extra phone call. He has an income of £10k a year (although they didn't ask this) and has been a customer as long as I have. We live in Spain (which they know), but were in the UK when I opened the account. I do have some direct debits in my name connected with my UK house; also if we use a credit card to spend on (infrequently), we always use mine as he can never remember his PIN. Do you think that could be the reason?

There are any number of reasons.

Have you checked your credit reports lately to see what's on there? For help, see page 1 of the *How to obtain credit reports* sticky

Down1

Decided to get my debt sorted out and put credit card balance into a longer term low rate card. I went for Barclaycard and was accepted no problem. However, despite being asked the amount I wanted to do as a balance transfer, they have started me off on a £1k and say if account is operated properly this will increase after a few months. Of course that eats into the time for their 36 month deal at the lower rate.

I'm really disheartened. Thought I was doing the right thing.
Any advice as to what to do? Should I just cancel the agreement and try another company?

molley

I've got a slight problem with a new Barclaycard Platinum card I got with a £9000 limit on a 12 month 0% BT deal.

Apart from the fact you can send them secure e-mails from your account and they reply saying they can't answer as e-mail isn't secure ( why don't they do what Cap'l 1 and some others do and have a secure message setup on your account?) they are giving me conflicting advice regarding the BT fees .One person tells me the BT limit ( £5000 in my case) includes the 2.5% fees and another tells me it excludes the fees .

Is there a "norm" for this aspect?

Moggles_2

Down1 wrote: »

Decided to get my debt sorted out and put credit card balance into a longer term low-rate card. I went for Barclaycard and was accepted. However, despite being asked the amount I wanted to do as a balance transfer, they have started me off on a £1k and say if account is operated properly this will increase after a few months. Of course that eats into the time for their 36 month deal at the lower rate. Any advice as to what to do? Should I just cancel the agreement ,,, ?

None of us knows in advance the credit limit we'll be handed. If the worst happens, Martin's advice is to transfer what you can. Don't leave an offer unused out of exasperation. It's on your credit files, so you may as well use it . You'll still save money (See Martin's *Credit Card Limit: didn't get what you wanted?* article.)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/bad-credit-rating

Note for future reference: with most providers you either complete the BT request section (if there is one) during the application process or wait until the card arrives and request your BT(s) when you call to activate. (There's usually a dedicated, Freefone number for this)

IMO, it's safer to wait until receipt of the card and credit limit before requesting BTs. That way you keep your options open, avoid unwanted partial transfers, paying the same card twice etc and retain some control over what happens when. BTs are not easy to reverse and, in attempting this, you could incur two BT fees.

Should I try another company?

Which credit card(s) - apart from Barclaycard - do you have at the mo and how much are you looking to transfer?

Moggles_2

molley wrote: »

I've got a slight problem with a new Barclaycard Platinum card I got with a £9000 limit on a 12 month 0% BT deal. They are giving me conflicting advice regarding the BT fees. One person tells me the BT limit (£5000 in my case) includes the 2.5% fees and another tells me it excludes the fees. Is there a "norm" for this aspect?

Fortunately, yes.

I'm a Barclaycard Platinum customer. You can transfer any amount from £250 up to £5000 (or 90% of your credit limit, whichever is lower.)

The £5000 maximum applies to all B'card's customers and excludes the 2.5% handling
fees

molley

Moggles wrote: »

Fortunately, yes.

I'm a Barclaycard Platinum customer. You can transfer any amount from £250 up to £5000 (or 90% of your credit limit, whichever is lower.)

The £5000 maximum applies to all B'card's customers and excludes the 2.5% handling
fees

Thx Moggles ....I presume tho' that it all ,incl the fees,get's the 0% Rate .

Another thing they got in a fankle over was doing BT's online .I couldn't see where it could be done and one guy at the Call Centre insisted it could be done ,another said it could be done but not for the 0% offer only the 6.9% offer and another e-mailed me also pointing me to the place on their website where you could do it ..unfortunately where he pointed me said that facility was "on it's way soon" How I detest calling these places especially when a Scottish accent meets a Mumbai accent:D

Moggles_2

molley wrote: »

I presume though that it all, incl. the fees, gets the 0% rate

Yes. Barclaycard no longer charges interest on BT fees.

Another thing was doing BTs online. I couldn't see where it could be done and one guy at the Call Centre insisted it could. Another said it could be done, but not for the 0% offer, only the 6.9% offer and another e-mailed me also pointing me to the place on their website where you could do it. Unfortunately where he pointed me said that facility was "on it's way soon" How I detest calling these places especially when a Scottish accent meets a Mumbai accent.

AFAIK, you can only take up online BT offers over the phone.

If you ring Barclaycard Card Services during business hours on 01604 234234, you'll avoid the perishing 0870/0844 numbers and, with luck, the overseas call centre

Note: this is not a static connection. During busy periods, it dynamically routes your call overseas.

Very best
M

molley

Moggles wrote: »

Yes. Barclaycard no longer charges interest on BT fees.

AFAIK, you can only take up online BT offers over the phone.

If you ring Barclaycard Card Services during business hours on 01604 234234, you'll avoid the perishing 0870/0844 numbers and, with luck, the overseas call centre

Note: this is not a static connection. During busy periods, it dynamically routes your call overseas.

Very best
M

I think I did try a 01604 number but it was 230230 but it took me to Lost or Stolen Cards .I'll try the one you have given next time on my Mobile as it'll be free . There is however a Freephone Number 0800 9177277 but that's overseas as well. Thx again Moggles

Down1

Hi Moggles, in answer to your question, £4k on a Bank of Scotland card.

Thanks so much for your advice, it's much appreciated. It's all so confusing to a newbie like me. It's great to be able to come on here and get non judgemental advice and to be taking positive action.

Moggles wrote: »

None of us knows in advance the credit limit we'll be handed. If the worst happens, Martin's advice is to transfer what you can. Don't leave an offer unused out of exasperation. It's on your credit files, so you may as well use it . You'll still save money (See Martin's *Credit Card Limit: didn't get what you wanted?* article.)

Note for future reference: with most providers you either complete the BT request section (if there is one) during the application process or wait until the card arrives and request your BT(s) when you call to activate. (There's usually a dedicated, Freefone number for this)

IMO, it's safer to wait until receipt of the card and credit limit before requesting BTs. That way you keep your options open, avoid unwanted partial transfers, paying the same card twice etc and retain some control over what happens when. BTs are not easy to reverse and, in attempting this, you could incur two BT fees.
Which credit card(s) - apart from Barclaycard - do you have at the mo and how much are you looking to transfer?

Moggles_2

Down1 wrote: »

Hi Moggles. Thanks so much for your advice, it's much appreciated. It's all so confusing to a newbie like me. It's great to be able to come on here and get non judgemental advice and to be taking positive action.

I've learned a lot too. This a great site.

In answer to your question, £4k on a Bank of Scotland card.

There's a dearth of decent, life-of-balance cards at the mo and credit limits tend to be on the low side.

Would you consider a 0% BT card? To maximise the 0% period, 16 months is currently available to new customers from Virgin. There's a 2.98% handling charge.
IME, and from feedback here, credit limits tend to be generous

http://uk.virginmoney.com/credit-card-v3/