Tag Archives: balance transfers

Banks, Checking & Savings, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Money, Personal Finance

Barclaycard Customers Stay Alert To Spending With mybarclaycard

mybarclaycard, the next-generation online account servicing system offered to Barclaycard customers, will now provide SMS and email alerts to enable customers to keep on top of their spending when out and about.

The new service offers Barclaycard customers the choice of up to six alerts:
– Account balance
– Notification of statements posted online
– Payments due
– Payments received
– Spending limit reached
– Balance limit

One set of alerts is available for every credit card account, allowing customers complete control and flexibility over how they manage their finances. Customers opt in for these free alerts if they wish to receive them, and can select the ones they feel are most relevant to them. They also have the option to set their own spending limits, and to choose whether to receive full alerts via email, or SMS alerts containing a link to the online system and a description of the alert in question.

mybarclaycard alerts are the latest addition to Barclaycard’s range of online services, and form part of Barclaycard’s wider strategy to encourage customers to try paperless email and SMS in place of traditional channels. By offering a proactive electronic alerts system, mybarclaycard now offers additional support to customers who might otherwise be reluctant to go paperless.

mybarclaycard is the next generation of online card and banking services, offering customers new ways to interpret and manage their spending. It enables customers to personalise their pages, and offers visual representations of spend to make card management easier.

In addition to mybarclaycard, Barclaycard customers can also take advantage of Barclaycard Freedom, the broadest rewards scheme in the UK, which allows customers to earn and redeem Reward Money in pounds and pence in thousands of retailers across the UK without the need to carry additional cards or vouchers. Customers also enjoy the flexibility of contactless technology: payments of £15 and under can be made with just a simple swipe; all backed up by Barclaycard’s advanced security and fraud prevention measures.

Via EPR Network
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Barclaycard Launch Global iPhone Game And Competition

Barclaycard is inviting people across the world to ride Rollercoaster Extreme, bringing the concept of the rollercoaster advertising campaign to the iPhone.

In the advert, aired for the first time in January 2010, the main character enjoys a hassle free journey to work on a rollercoaster, riding high above the clutter and congestion of the world below. In Rollercoaster Extreme, players will ride the rollercoaster through four New York environments, avoiding the obstacles and racing against the clock.

The new Barclaycard rollercoaster game ‘Rollercoaster Extreme’ looks set to be bigger and better, offering an improved gaming experience and a competitive edge with top prizes at stake. The global vision of the competition reflects the global presence and ambitions of the Barclaycard brand. This is the first time Barclaycard has created a global community of gamers.

Hannah Deans, Senior Digital and New Media Manager, Barclaycard said: “Rollercoaster Extreme is an exciting development for Barclaycard. We are building on the success of the advertising campaign and the overwhelming success we experienced with Waterslide Extreme, offering customers the chance to engage with the rollercoaster concept, but also encouraging Barclaycard fans across the world to get involved in an innovative global challenge. The game is sure to be a big success, particularly with such great prizes on offer.”

Via EPR Network
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Banks, Checking & Savings, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Money, Personal Finance

Barclaycard Has Reduced The APR On It Barclaycard Simplicity Card To 6.8%

The new rate, which is one of the lowest rates available on any card in the UK, applies to both purchases and balance transfers. Barclaycard Simplicity offers customers an affordable way to manage their finances, from significant purchases such as large household goods and holidays, to everyday spending.

Barclaycard Has Reduced The APR On It Barclaycard Simplicity Card To 6.8%

In addition to the low rate offered by Barclaycard Simplicity, Barclaycard has also increased the balance transfer deal on Barclaycard Platinum. Barclaycard Platinum now offers 15 months at 0% for new customers with a handling charge of 2.9%. Barclaycard Platinum also offers 0% interest on purchases for the first 3 months. The typical APR on Barclaycard Platinum is 16.9%.

Both credit cards have a range of associated benefits delivered by Barclaycard: from Barclaycard Freedom, the broadest rewards scheme in the UK, to revolutionary online account management with mybarclaycard, and the exclusive music world of Barclaycard Unwind.

Via EPR Network
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Rate Tarts Are In A Jam As 2 Million Balance Transfer Applications Are Rejected

The latest credit card market analysis from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that almost 2 million consumers have been rejected for balance transfer deals in the last year. This represents 57% of all credit card rejections, forcing these consumers to fork out £535 million in interest payments in the next 12 months as they are unable to switch to a new provider. In total, £3.5 billion of credit card debt is now stuck on interest bearing credit cards as consumers cannot switch to their next 0% deal.

Across all types of credit card, more than one in ten consumers, totalling 3.32 million, has had an application declined in the past twelve months. This is a clear sign that providers are still acting on the air of caution and only lending to those with a squeaky clean credit record. This is a huge problem in the credit card market, particularly for rate tarts. In 2008, consumers carried out an average of 650,000 balance transfers every month. For many people, the 0% party really is over as they have reached a dead end.

Alongside a drop in acceptance levels, the number of balance transfer deals available is also a problem for consumers. There are now 178 balance transfer credit cards, representing 74% of all credit cards compared to 204 this time last year. The biggest casualty of this has been the 10 month deals which have fallen by 83% to just 1 deal.

With just one provider, Virgin, offering a 16 month 0% balance transfer deal, consumers are pushed towards the more popular six month balance transfer deals which represent a third of the market (33%). However, with the average balance transfer fee currently at 2.9% consumers will have to pay £54.09 on the average balance of £1,846. Unless consumers are planning to pay the credit card balance during the six month offer period, this could be a costly way to move money around.

Louise Bond, personal finance expert at uSwitch, comments: “We can’t ignore the fact that the country is in economic turmoil – a situation which has been catalysed by bad consumer credit. The knock on effect for credit card customers is that those with a less than perfect credit history could find themselves being turned down for the next best 0% deal, forcing them to pay interest. This is a huge problem for switchers as these people have accumulated debt based on the fact they do not have to pay interest on it.

“The knock on effect of rejected credit applications is that it will appear on your credit report and, in the long term, have a negative impact on your score. With this in mind, it’s important to check your report before applying for products to make sure you stand a good chance of being accepted – constantly reapplying to different suppliers will make the situation worse. If you can’t get another credit card, think about using a 0% overdraft, an unsecured personal loan or, if there are no other options and debt is getting out of control, speak to your provider or seek professional advice.”

Bond’s credit card tips:

• Check your credit report before making any applications for credit.

• If you are rejected for your next credit card, do not any further applications until you have checked your credit record. Failed applications for credit will have a negative impact on your credit score.

• You must also close down any credit card accounts you are not using. The available balance on these accounts will be taken into consideration when you are applying for a new card.

• Missed credit card payments also impact your credit score, the best way to avoid this is to set up a monthly direct debit for the minimum payment.

• If you are not planning to pay the balance off in full during the 0% balance transfer period you should consider life of balance cards. This will provide one low rate of interest for the entire time the balance is on the card.

• Depending on which issuer your balance transfer card is managed by, you may not be allowed to switch your balance to another card within the same group. By using uSwitch.com’s balance transfer tool, you will only be allowed to apply for cards that are available at you.

About uSwitch:
uSwitch.com is a free, impartial online and telephone-based comparison and switching service, helping consumers compare prices on gas, electricity, water, heating cover, home telephone, broadband, digital television, mobile phones, personal finance products and car insurance.

Via EPR Network
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