topic Re: Barclays lowered CL…. in Credit Cards

Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:29:34 GMT

I have Arrival plus card from Barclays for the last 11 years with the credit limit of $39k and this card has a AF of $89/yr....For the last 8-9 months I am not able to use it as much as I should have because of various reasons....Today, they lowered my CL from #$39k to only $5k....Has this happened to anyone? If so, is there a way to get my CL back other than traditional way like using the card often and then keep asking for CLI? Thanks

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 18:08:59 GMT

@Janneman wrote:
I have Arrival plus card from Barclays for the last 11 years with the credit limit of $39k and this card has a AF of $89/yr....For the last 8-9 months I am not able to use it as much as I should have because of various reasons....Today, they lowered my CL from #$39k to only $5k....Has this happened to anyone? If so, is there a way to get my CL back other than traditional way like using the card often and then keep asking for CLI? Thanks

Contact them and ask if they can restore the CL (or near) and explain that you haven't been able to use it for [give a specific reason] but plan to in the near future. And, if you are getting push back and don't mind if you lose it, point out that $89 fee for $5K limit isn't a worthwhile value proposition to you and you will consider closing.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

CreditMagic7 — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 18:24:41 GMT

Typical Barclays hatchet job. That is happened with them for decades.

Nothing changes with these outfits.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 20:20:47 GMT

@CreditMagic7 wrote:
Typical Barclays hatchet job. That is happened with them for decades.

Nothing changes with these outfits.

Yes, but hardly unique. Lots of banks will lower CL after an extended period of non-use. There may be good reasons to dislike Barclays, but this really isn't one of them.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Aim_High — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 03:55:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditMagic7 wrote:
Typical Barclays hatchet job. That is happened with them for decades.

Nothing changes with these outfits.
Yes, but hardly unique. Lots of banks will lower CL after an extended period of non-use. There may be good reasons to dislike Barclays, but this really isn't one of them.

Well it may not be a rational reason, but it could be a "good" one for a My FICO'er. Lol

"How DARE they take my credit limit!! That was mine!!

In all seriousness, thanks for the posting @Janneman and sorry to hear of your CLD. Hopefully they will restore it for you. These posts are always a good reminder to use-it-or-lose-it. Out of curiosity and for the data points, about how much usage did you put on that $39K limit for the past nine months to a year? My AAdvantage Aviator card doesn't get heavy usage on its high limit and I wonder how close I am to a similar fate.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:25:11 GMT

@Aim_High @Anonymous @CreditMagic7 :

Thanks for your kind input. I completely understand as to why Barclay's made such a decision. I just wish if they have not lowered the CL or I should have been more cautious in puting enough usage on the card. I am not blaming them for such an action because I knew that such a decision would come by all every credit card that I am carrying when there is no usage or very minimal ones just to keep those cards on. But what I am so surprised is- it took them that long to take this decision...many years later. I have this card for the last 11 years and got CLI only twice, and have not been using it for many years for many reasons....and if I did use it then only once in every 6-8 months and only for under $10, so I completely understand their decision.

Now moving on, I dont think its worth paying AF of $89-$95 for just a CL of $5k especially when there is not much use of this card for me and I already have 34 other cards with total available limit of over $1M. I was holding on to this card and kept paying its AF so far because of its huge CL of $39k but now its not worth at all. I am right now at abroad; otherwise I would have definitely given them a call to request to restore to its previous CL or at least half of it; otherwise I have no choice than just to cancel it up. It would certainly make me sad to let it go, but I refuse to pay AF for a card for such a lower line of credit given the fact that I do have other cards to use.

Its just a reminder that if we do not put enough spending on cards then CL could be decreased or accounts could be shutdown for any FI. Financial institutions are kept changing their rules/policies, and most importantly its all about being at the wrong time and wrong place as its seems to be in my case that new "sheriff" (underwriter, not new upcoming administration...lols) in the town......I just thought if there is a way I could get my original CL back like I was able to get with Chase when Chase lowered my CL two years back. Anyway, I would follow whatever its been suggested over here. If there is any more ideas, please do share. Thank you so much....

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

ElvisCaprice — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 08:09:54 GMT

Paying an AF for a CL in any amount??? For what? How much do you really need? Doesn't get any crazier, as I look on in the cheap seats.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:47:59 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
Paying an AF for a CL in any amount??? For what? How much do you really need? Doesn't get any crazier, as I look on in the cheap seats.

Well, it depends on an individual's choice and benefit. I chose to pay AF for such a big CL...For my own benefits/choice. I wouldn't say it as crazier though...

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 06:21:39 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditMagic7 wrote:
Typical Barclays hatchet job. That is happened with them for decades.

Nothing changes with these outfits.
Yes, but hardly unique. Lots of banks will lower CL after an extended period of non-use. There may be good reasons to dislike Barclays, but this really isn't one of them.
Well it may not be a rational reason, but it could be a "good" one for a My FICO'er. Lol
"How DARE they take my credit limit!! That was mine!!

In all seriousness, thanks for the posting @Janneman and sorry to hear of your CLD. Hopefully they will restore it for you. These posts are always a good reminder to use-it-or-lose-it. Out of curiosity and for the data points, about how much usage did you put on that $39K limit for the past nine months to a year? My AAdvantage Aviator card doesn't get heavy usage on its high limit and I wonder how close I am to a similar fate.

I am so sorry as I completely forgot to answer to your post. As for the activities on my card then I actually did not use the card enough in a year or two, maybe 2-3 times in a year...and two times my spending were only $1.50 and $1.00....and one time was only $35....Again, I completely understand their decision, so I never blamed them for taking this action....The only regret I have had -that I should have been more cautious and should have used the card enough, otherwise all creditors would take the same action sooner or later...But then there is a hard-truth that some people dont have enough bills or spending to use cards like myself...and I have many cards (of my family members that I am the one who handles, and then mine as well), as for the last year I was busy in using my family's cards all these times to earn hefty SUB for them. But you are right that its kinda use-it-or-lose it. The good news is- I am able to get it back my previous CL on this Barclay's card today just a few minutes ago.

As for your AA advantage Aviator concern then I wouldn't be worry about it right now because in my case it took them many years to take this kinda action....I mean, last time I used "enough" of this card was 6-7 yrs ago which happened to be a balance transfer offer, otherwise my usage has NEVER been more than $60 which is kinda insane for any CL kinda card, let alone to be for a CL of $39k....So, I personally dont think they would take such an action in your case at any time soon, unless they have a new policy/rule or new "sheriff" as you know that financial institutions do change their rules/policies all the time. Personally, I wouldn't worry for a card that is a year or so old with no major spending so long its getting some kinda usage now and then...But on the safe side, you may choose to do a little bit a higher amount of spending like $500 or more in every six months....Please let me know if you do have any other question related to Barclay's. -

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 06:03:33 GMT

UPDATE:

As per the suggestion provided by @Anonymous , I gave a call to Barclay's from oversees since I am at abroad right now thru 3-ways call made by my family. Their call center is in Philippines, and a very nice girl/lady came up. I explained her everything that I have been at abroad for the last 9 months and that I was not able to use the card as much as I should have...and that I would use it from now by making it my primary card for everyday use but it would be hard given its current CL...and requested her to restore back its CL to what it had before...She was very nice person who told me that she can help me in that but informed me that she would need to process a CLI request for that, and that they would need to do a soft pull and would ask some questions like my annual income, housing situation, employment information...I did provide those info and she processed the request....and within a minute she congratulated me by saying that my previous CL of $39k is now restored back in addition to $1k more....So, now my CL is $40k...I dont know if she made such a decision by her own but I believe that she just processed it and it was the system that decided it....However, she did inform me later on that she did request for $40k given the fact that I never got any CLI for the last 7-8 years...

Thanks God that I am able to get my previous CL...Another thing is- I am also being told that from August of this year the AF on this card is $99 which I was not aware of it because its due on June of next year on my account. I wish if they could allow product change on this card, but they don't....This card is really not worth at all (for me) except taking the advantage of balance transfer if someone needs it...Its Arrival+ Mastercard...which they dont allow to new applicants for a long time but now has increased its AF....Sad...Oh well..., but as of now I am glad to get back my previous CL...Don't know when my next card would be shut off or CLD...I am sure its coming soon..especially X1 card wherein I have $42k limit and I have NEVER charged it more than $10 in last 2-3 years....but there is nothing I could do because I do not have enough expenses...and have tons of cards....So far, I am survived on 4 of my cards wherein I faced CLD....Chase, Santander bank, NFCU and this card from Barclay's...As of now, I better enjoy this good news....Thanks @Anonymous .

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

mitchblue — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 13:36:19 GMT

Recently had my Barclay card limit decreased from 10,000 to 5,019 two months ago. Why the 19 no idea, lol. I wasn't using the card at all recently so wasn't too bummed. But I started to use it for a couple utility bills that are now accepting credit cards - so I temp unfroze transunion, asked for 7,000 increase. Approved right away. Better than before. Probably could have asked for more because its still my lowest card but I'm not greedy.

Anyone know by chance if its a hard pull or soft? Thanks.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 18:17:14 GMT

@mitchblue wrote:
Recently had my Barclay card limit decreased from 10,000 to 5,019 two months ago. Why the 19 no idea, lol. I wasn't using the card at all recently so wasn't too bummed. But I started to use it for a couple utility bills that are now accepting credit cards - so I temp unfroze transunion, asked for 7,000 increase. Approved right away. Better than before. Probably could have asked for more because its still my lowest card but I'm not greedy.

Anyone know by chance if its a hard pull or soft? Thanks.

In my case, soft pull...

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

youngandcreditwrthy — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 18:47:25 GMT

@Janneman bro call them fromthe backdoor number and ask to raise it back. they usually do it. it happened to me once I think on a Barclay Arrival card... they lowered it from 12000 to 8000 and I called them and within minutes they re instated it. no hard pull, nada. Barclay's can be tricky BUT they are flexible. they don't just hand out "no sir we can't do it" in thick Indian english.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Jeffster1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 18:54:16 GMT

Barc;aye is so weird, even though CLDs can happen anywhere. It's just a shame that they've never really climbed out of the subprime mindset after buying into the US market through the Juniper portfolio.

When I lived in London, Barclays was a prime lender and very well respected. I'm sure they still are.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

youngandcreditwrthy — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 19:07:21 GMT

@Jeffster1 oh in london they still are and they have like 24 months BT offers lol

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Jeffster1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 19:10:32 GMT

@youngandcreditwrthy Wow. I had an account at Barclays in London back in the day, and thought it was great. If I had ever gone back to live there, Barclays would've been my first stop. It's just so weird how they operate here in the US with their credit card operation.

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 19:22:30 GMT

@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
@Janneman bro call them fromthe backdoor number and ask to raise it back. they usually do it. it happened to me once I think on a Barclay Arrival card... they lowered it from 12000 to 8000 and I called them and within minutes they re instated it. no hard pull, nada. Barclay's can be tricky BUT they are flexible. they don't just hand out "no sir we can't do it" in thick Indian english.

It seems that you have not read the update on my situation on this thread. I was able to get the whole my previous CL of $39k in addition to extra $1k thru a soft pull...total $40k...I have been holding the card with them for 11 years, I guess, but never used more than $50 since Covid...and I have used it once every six month for only a dollar or two...I was not blaming them to lower my credit limit....As a matter of fact, I was wondering why it took them so long to CLD and why they did not close my account given my usage/spending....unlike many credit card companies close out your account without any notice such as X1 card....

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

youngandcreditwrthy — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 19:24:59 GMT

@Janneman correct, my bad and CONGRATS :-)

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

sjt — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:44:00 GMT

I have the Arrival + card with a $7K CL. They reduced it to $3081 in September. I called and requested a CLI (short pull) to $10K and they gave me $9057...

Re: Barclays lowered CL….

Janneman — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:43:20 GMT

Exactly 6 months later of previously getting lowered my CL, Barclays AGAIN today lowered my CL from $40k+ to only $5k....which it did last time. I called them again to get increase...They told me that how much I would want and informed me that they would run a soft pull on my credit report and that I should not have any freeze in there. System would decide the outcome. They only feed the information. They asked me- how much credit limit I would like to have, my annual income, if I am employed or self-employed, my occupation (what I do) , and my housing situation like own or rent or other...and how much I pay...Then waited for a minute while system was processing and it came approved. So, I got approved back to my previous CL.

However, it seems that Barclay's now changs CL every 6 months if there is not enough activities, or this seems to be the case in my situation. I admit that there wasn't enough activities in the last 6 months as maximum I charged was $300...Maybe, I would need to show more activities from now on or perhaps this is the new way for Barclay's to check your credit even though they could check anytime without my permission. But I am sure that I do need to use this card more to avoid lowering the CL. On November 15, if it gets lowered again then it would seem that they have put something or some check on my credit card account wherein every 6 months on exact date my CL gets lowered....