Platinum Barclaycard to Barclaycard Avios (free)

[omer.adnan2]

Hello

Is anyone facing this issue, I really want to change from my visa platinum Barclaycard to the free avios card. I have had this card for 2 and a half years and the avios one is better suited for me however everytime I go to change from the app, it says “no options available”. I have asked their team loads of times and everytime I get told that this is a promotional offer that is reviewed by the system and your account does not have it currently.

I have never seen the offer come on to swap the card and I’m really getting frustrated with this as cancelling the card and applying again seems like a big hassle. I do have 2 money transfer offers currently on my visa card and I don’t know if this is stopping the product transfer offer from appearing? Or do they make you stick to one card for a set number of time, I don’t know as their customer service team tells me that there’s no eligibility criteria for application? I have a £7100 limit on my card and I don’t know if that is too high for their other avios card. I always clear the card balance on time and have never incurred interest.

Has anyone come across this situation and any idea on what to do?

[Rob]

Unfortunately this is the Barclays way.

An algorithm decides if you will be offered an upgrade via the app. If its not there, the call centre cannot override it.

Barclaycard does not allow you to have two cards.

Frankly your only option is to cancel, wait out the 6 months to qualify for the bonus and then apply from scratch. Logically you should go for the Premium card, bank the 25,000 Avios bonus and then downgrade.

[Matt]

On a related topic, I have the paid Barclaycard avios card, but would like to downgrade to the free version. If I go to “change card” in the app, it shows no options for me. Do I need to wait for it to show up there, or could I change over live chat?

[JDB]

Matt wrote:

On a related topic, I have the paid Barclaycard avios card, but would like to downgrade to the free version. If I go to “change card” in the app, it shows no options for me. Do I need to wait for it to show up there, or could I change over live chat?

It’s the same as above! You either have the option to downgrade in the app or you don’t and it can’t be overridden by staff.

People report that these offers come and go, so unfortunately you need to check regularly. The only other option is to cancel and wait six months, but that won’t get you a new SUB for which you need a two year gap.

[Matt]

JDB wrote:

Matt wrote:

On a related topic, I have the paid Barclaycard avios card, but would like to downgrade to the free version. If I go to “change card” in the app, it shows no options for me. Do I need to wait for it to show up there, or could I change over live chat?

It’s the same as above! You either have the option to downgrade in the app or you don’t and it can’t be overridden by staff.

People report that these offers come and go, so unfortunately you need to check regularly. The only other option is to cancel and wait six months, but that won’t get you a new SUB for which you need a two year gap.

Thanks. Wondered if it was different for going between paid and free versions of the avios card, rather than from a different type of card.

[AndrewT]

Don’t forget the completely bizarre feature that if you view your pin via the app it immediately removes all card switch options for a few weeks, so don’t make a habit of doing that.

[omer.adnan2]

Thank you, I complained about this to the CEO but no luck even then – they keep saying there is no promotional offer available to switch it. Does anyone know what the eligibility is? Is there any other avios collecting card apart from amex I could have a look at? I’ve never seen the switch offer in my app – on avg does anyone know how long you have to hold this card for so the offer becomes available?

[Jlorente11]

I have the same issue. I had the Barclaycard Platinum for a few years and I have never had the option to change to a different card. I checked this forum over a year ago and found no answer. I was just checking now, but looks like the situation is still the same.

[tootsci]

It’s the same as above! You either have the option to downgrade in the app or you don’t and it can’t be overridden by staff.

People report that these offers come and go, so unfortunately you need to check regularly. The only other option is to cancel and wait six months, but that won’t get you a new SUB for which you need a two year gap.

+1 on this. The offer was on OH’s card after holding it for a few months, then it disappeared for a little while, and then reappeared, so got the SUB and voucher and then downgraded to the free card which we will keep for where Amex (my BAPP) isn’t accepted

[strickers]

I’ve been trying for months to upgrade to the paid card, zero options. There’s also a banner ad on the app that offers me a loan, I don’t want one but when I click the link it takes me to business borrowing!

[omer.adnan2]

@strickers – Its the same for me – I don’t get the loan option but no upgrade options either to switch the card – I have 2 money transfer offers on my platinum card, I don’t know if that is stopping it. I don’t think barclays will allow me to re-apply after 6 months if I cancel the card.

[omer.adnan2]

@rob any idea on the above please? If my money transfer offers would stop this switch?

[SteveJ]

@omer.adnan2 there’s no new answer. If you really want the Avios card you need to cancel the Platinum. Computer says no and no one knows of a way to change this, not even Barclaycard staff!