Barclays changes its credit card application rules again – for the worse

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• James67 says:

  9 Jan9 January 03:40

  The rules you are reporting as comming into effect after Christmas are the rules as they were explained to me by Barclays back in August, and were borne out by comments on numerous HFP posts. What was also borne out by comments is that Barclays rules always were, and probably remain, farcical. How an application is treated is anybodies guess, and it’s just your luck what you do or don’t get. For those who are not too fussed about the outcom there’s probablh no harm in trying an application any time it suits them. What will surprize me most is if it becomes apparrent that Barclays start applying any rules consistently.

• Alan says:

  9 Jan9 January 03:46

  Hilton card closed ages ago, so look forward to entering the application lottery again for it soon (I find Barclays very hit-or-miss on approving applications, when MBNA and Amex consistently approve them!).

  IHG closed more recently as everytime I went to close it they kept offering me more cash to keep it – after £60 received finally closed it off!

  • James67 says:

    9 Jan9 January 04:35

    My father had a similar experience with IHG white. He applied for it last winter and spent less than £2 for 30k points. His points were late crediting so £10 goodwill credit. Called later to cancel, £20 to keep, a month later anothe request to cancel was met with £50. £80 plus 30k point for sub £2 spend. They even sent him a cheque for last £50 when he finally cancelled in antjckoation of bonus again this winter (bug came unstuck with the early promotion and 6 months rule).

• DJ says:

  9 Jan9 January 04:37

  The whole way in which Barclaycard conduct there business leaves much to be desired. A recent string of applications led to countless calls to an incomprehensible call centre. Finally resolved by writing letter of complaint/concern and eventually dealing with UK call centre. Only the efforts of a member of their staff enabled the fatuous underwriting decisions to be overturned. We have no problem with Amex, Lloyds, Natwest or MBNA so what is the purpose of Barclaycard’s behaviour. It is only the free hotel night that makes it worthwhile. The most amazing comment made during this tortuous process covering 6 months was that there were too many searches on the credit file. Guess what they were all made by Barclaycard. So what is the point of dealing with them? I suppose if you have the time and inclination to pursue the result can be worth it

  • DJ says:

    9 Jan9 January 04:38

    Not for the faint hearted or those who hate rejection

• Mr(s) Entitled says:

  9 Jan9 January 07:13

  If you cancel, wait, then reapply is it possible to earn another Hilton Certificate?

  • Raffles says:

    9 Jan9 January 12:12

    Yes

• Swiss says:

  9 Jan9 January 07:18

  Maybe I’ve been very lucky / my application slipped through the net. I cancelled my wife’s Hilton card in November, applied for the IHG card 2 days ago. Referred, but received confirmation accepted yesterday. Will now look to cancel my IHG and may try Hilton application before the 6 month window is over (or simply start the count down….). 4 free nights a year worth going after.

  Can’t find a 6 month rule anywhere in their terms by the way – the rest, yes

  • Mr(s) Entitled says:

    9 Jan9 January 08:36

    Right, time to cancel my Hilton card then to start the clock ticking to the next certificate.

• Ddc says:

  9 Jan9 January 07:20

  This is a very old rule reincarnated. Their risk team believe if customers need quick access to more credit (ie get another card) then they are likely to default on payment. Hilton and ihg are a miniscule (and pretty irrelevant) part of their p and l so there is no value in making exceptions where people play the game for sign up bonuses.

  • Richard says:

    9 Jan9 January 09:24

    But that doesn’t explain why you can’t switch from one product to another product which you prefer. It wouldn’t increase your available credit, and it’s a motivation which shouldn’t ring any alarm bells, credit-wise.

    I wonder whether the rule really is there to clamp down on churning sign-up bonuses? Though in that case, just making a rule where you don’t get the bonus would make more sense I suppose.

• Keith says:

  9 Jan9 January 07:48

  It happened to me, I have a very old Visa card, standard non-aligned and tried to apply for the Hilton Card. I use the BC about twice a year (wow I’m being honest) as a vehicle to play the odd bet on the Grand National via an online Coral account. It is currently in £100 in credit! I may use it again in March for a couple of each way bets at Cheltenham.
  I am fortunate I have an excellent credit rating so didn’t anticipate any issues. I was rejected. Speaking to anyone at BC that you can either understand or has an ounce of common sense is virtually impossible. I was told to visit my branch. I duly did and was told I had to book an appointment to see a ‘manager’. At the interview after the ‘cup of tea’ and the attempt to change my mortgage the lady reviewed my application and again remained adamant that I could not have the HH credit card as I already had a BC. I could be considered after closing my current card in 3 months. How uncommercial is that?

  If I were Hilton I’d seriously question the relationship with such a shoddy service related organisation.
  The result.
  No card.
  No spend on Barclaycard.
  No stay in Hilton property spending money in bar and restaurant.
  I think the Americans call this a lose/lose situation.

  • Britbronco22 says:

    9 Jan9 January 08:29

    Keith I think you should use debit cards to fund betting accounts. My understanding was that most bookies charge deposit fees for CCs and the CC treats it as a cash advance and charges interest from the transaction day

• Adam says:

  9 Jan9 January 08:28

  What a pain as I already hold the IHG, will it be possible for a partner to open a Hilton visa but credit points to my acct? As I have Diamond though the recent status match with Spire.

  • Liz says:

    9 Jan9 January 09:44

    I’m in exactly the same position as you. My husband has the HH card as I was refused on the grounds of having the IHG card. I have diamond status due to recent match – once we hit 10k later this year he will be gold I suppose. Will just have to book using the 2 accounts. Same with IHG – I have Spire and I’ve recently opened an account for him to buy points – he is only a Club member.

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