Does anyone know why I've been offered a Barclaycard Initial?

FTB83

Hi there

I've had an MBNA credit card for nearly a year now, and am coming to the end of my free interest period for balance transfers. I applied for a Barclaycard Platinum for the 14 month interest free period. I have an excellent credit rating, but have been offered a Barclaycard Initial instead. They can't tell me over the phone why this is - just wondered if anyone had an idea of what I might not have met in terms of criteria? I have a good salary, am 24, have a mortgage, credit card and am nearly at the end of a three year car loan (credit card and loan, combined, now only total £800, so not a big debt and no payments ever missed) and credit score is fine.

Thanks

FTB83

Fedz

Their internal credit scoring might have suggested you have enoguh credit, even though not fully used the credit limit resides on your file.

Have you had any credit before with any company linked to Barclaycard/Barclays?
If not (or even yes) maybe that is it ...

Have you checked your credit file recently with reference agy's. in case of possible fraud?

Badger_Lady

Probably your age - I'm 24 too and can't get accepted for anything from Barclays because our age group is too risky (most prone to getting into debt).

Of course, they don't know that we're actually very mature MSE'rs, do they?

FTB83

Thanks Badger_Lady and Fedz.

Fedz - in answer to your question, I've not had any credit with Barclays before now, so I guess I'm 'earning' their trust first. I haven't had my credit file checked recently though, reckon I might do this to check everything's as it should be.

Badger-Lady - thanks - it's great to hear I'm not the only one. I guess us 'young' things are a risky bunch in the bank's eyes!

bengal-stripe

FTB83 wrote: »

I've had an MBNA credit card for nearly a year now, and am coming to the end of my free interest period for balance transfers. I applied for a Barclaycard Platinum for the 14 month interest free period.

Barclaycard might have the slight suspicion, that you’re in it, just for the free balance transfer. Like everyone else, they want long-term, loving relationships. With those interest-free incentives they're trying to attract people, who stay with the card, long, long after that initial offer has expired.

Are you one of those ‘wham-bang-thank-you-mam’ kind of guys/gals?

FTB83

bengal-stripe wrote: »

Barclaycard might have the slight suspicion, that you’re in it, just for the free balance transfer. Like everyone else, they want long-term, loving relationships. With those interest-free incentives they're trying to attract people, who stay with the card, long, long after that initial offer has expired.

Are you one of those ‘wham-bang-thank-you-mam’ kind of guys/gals?

Hmm, I take your point. But then why bother offering such a promotion? If they do the same thing to everyone else who is honest and ticks the box on the application that says they would be transferring a balance to the card, there's little point in bothering with a promotion attached to that card. As it is, Barclaycard has included the same interest-free offer on the Initial card they've offered.

My balance transfer is pretty small at £400 - the MBNA card paid off a £1,000 overdraft (found it much easier to move the debt somewhere separate from a current account to pay off). Not really a wham-bam gal thanks very much!