It's all in the timing!

Richie(UK)

Hi all,

OK, a bit of a combination here - part advice for other stoozing newbies (it will be obvious for the 'old hands') and part question.

The advice
When you make your initial 0% card applications - make sure you have your SBT card in place first!

I applied for 2 cards simultaneously - a Virgin card to use as my SBT and an Intelligent Finance card. I received an acknowledgement letter from IF and then, very shortly afterwards, the agreement for my signature. Like a fool I have signed and returned the agreement. Only now has it occured to me that I will be starting my 0% period with IF before I can make a transfer to my SBT card. I have yet to receive anything from Virgin.

Oh well - I'll chalk this one up to experience.

The question
I applied for the Virgin and IF cards online, both on 19 June.

Is anybody able to offer any indication as to how long Virgin are likely to take? How long before I should 'chase' the application? (If they are taking months then I may wait a month and then apply for an Egg card)

Walletwatch

i don't think they should take time - i applied for one and got their response in a weeks time, so you should be getting yours any time now.

YorkshireBoy

Richie(UK) wrote:

Oh well - I'll chalk this one up to experience.

Why the unhappiness? I have some good news my friend!

I was fairly sure, but checked by paperwork to be 100% certain......

=====================
**** There is no BT fee on the IF card at any time in the 9 month introductory period. ****
=====================

I have documented proof of this from my activation phone call and I've just read my T&C's again. In fact I'd made a note on my "IF file" to request a limit increase after 3 months!!! Even my statement says under balance transfer fee..... "N/A". And yes, as far as I know, this stands for NOT APPLICABLE!!!!

So, there you have it. Wait for your Virgin card (maybe give them a ring and hurry it up a bit - it shouldn't take longer than 2 weeks). Do the Virgin SBT (you can set this up before you even get your card/PIN), transfer the balance from Virgin to IF, and then SBT the Virgin card again with your IF credit limit.

Jobs a good-un

Finally, stick out for NO FEE for the Virgin SBT's - some of the MBNA staff are applying 2% (max £35) but this should not apply during the introductory period. If you "let" them get away with it, that'll cost you a £70 chunk of your stooze pot!!

Good luck

Richie(UK)

YorkshireBoy wrote:

Why the unhappiness?

Hi YorkshireBoy,

Thanks for the info.

It wasn't the charges that I was thinking of, just the waste of part of the interest-free period on the IF card while I don't have an SBT card to use.