@Anonymous wrote:
Hello. I've been browsing these forums for a few weeks now and found a lot of good information, so thanks for that. I just wanted to share my story about my Barclay Sallie Mae card.
I apped for the Sallie Mae card back in 2013 after seeing a popup for it when I was paying my student loan. I had just changed roles at work and became a field service tech so the 5% back on gas was enticing. I was approved for the platinum with a SL of $1,000 and 22.99% APR. Didn't care about the rate since I would be paying the card off each month in full. I used the card for every gas purchase and maxed out the 5% gas limit every month. Sometime around my 12th statement I got a $900 auto CLI that took me up to $1,900. I was getting $25 credits to my student loans left and right.
I was getting tired of driving all the time so I went back to working in an office late last year. The card had a zero balance and was sock drawered for a month. I got a great BT offer from them so I decided to request a CLI to take better advantage of the BT offer. An HP later and I have a whopping limit of $2400. That was a waste of a good HP, but whatever. I paid the account in full with my tax refund last month, let it report to the CRAs at a zero balance, and sock drawered the card again.
Yesterday I decided I had too many cards (16) and decided to go for a few APR reductions and close some accounts. The first one I called was Barclay. I told them I have been a good customer for the last two years and would like an APR reduction. "Sorry, there are no offers on your account at this time" is what I hear. I was pretty angry at that response. I have a lot better cards and I am not going to accept that. As if I was on auto pilot, I said "Go ahead and close my account then." There was no hesitation by the CSR, no pause, no "Let me transfer you to the Retention Department." Just a flat out "If we close your account today you will not be able to reopen it or use your card and will forfeit your rewards balance. Are you sure?" I said "yes" and that was it. Wow, that made it easier to accept. Good riddance.
I don't know if this is typical, but what happened to CCCs trying to retain customers? Every card I have tried since closing the Sallie Mae had no problem reducing the APR. I even got Citi to reduce the APR on my Sears MasterCard which shocked the CSR. She was sure that store cards wouldn't let an APR reduction go through.
They usually grow with them. Barclay usually likes to match your highest CL with other lenders.
