topic Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ?? in Credit Cards

Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Brian_Trying_700 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:07:57 GMT

What is a Barclays credit card. I see that a lot of folks here have them. Is Barclays like a Amex or Discover card ?

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

LS2982 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:10:51 GMT

@Brian_Trying_700 wrote:
What is a Barclays credit card. I see that a lot of folks here have them. Is Barclays like a Amex or Discover card ?

Wouldn't put them that far up there but they are close. I personally love my card, the big thing with them is being INQ/new account sensitive after you've opened your account for about 6-12 months.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

bichonmom — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:40:50 GMT

Here's a link to their site: https://www.barclaycardus.com/ This has a list of all of their CCs: http://www.aboutbarclaycardus.com/prodsresource_products.php

Barclay's is a bank that offers Visa and MC. They are a prime lender, but seem to be a little more flexible than some of the other, more conservative lenders.

They have a variety of cards, which you can see from their site. Some have rewards, some don't.

A lot of people on the forum have the Barclay's Apple card because they were really good on approvals and also on increasing the initial CL given. For example, I was approved for $1200, I think it was. I called the next day to recon the CL and they asked me a few questions and then increased my CL to $2200, which was my highest limit at the time. They also had 0% financing on Apple products, which a lot of us took advantage of.

My experience with them has been positive. However, you may read some negative threads here about them. They are VERY picky about getting new CCs after you get theirs. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 6 mos after getting a Barclay's to get any new CCs.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:19:02 GMT

@Brian_Trying_700 wrote:
What is a Barclays credit card. I see that a lot of folks here have them. Is Barclays like a Amex or Discover card ?

Barclays is an international bank. They have a lot of cobranded cards. There have MasterCard, VIsa, and AMEX network cards.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

corymcd88 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:56:20 GMT

@Brian_Trying_700 wrote:
What is a Barclays credit card. I see that a lot of folks here have them. Is Barclays like a Amex or Discover card ?

Barclays bank is a credit card that i would never get, people say that if inq or new accounts are opened the close out accounts. I dont want to have get a card in Jan and in May i need to apply for a new account and have to be scared that Barclays will close my account.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Brian_Trying_700 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:04:43 GMT

Thanks for all the great information. I just read on here 2hrs ago that they were approved for a for a $2200 credit limit when they got the card 2 months ago then a month later they applied for a Citi Bank and was appoved for $3k. Barclays sent a letter and they got a decrease for $400 which bring them to a $1800 C/L. Barclays I think is picky!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:27:25 GMT

@Brian_Trying_700 wrote:
Thanks for all the great information. I just read on here 2hrs ago that they were approved for a for a $2200 credit limit when they got the card 2 months ago then a month later they applied for a Citi Bank and was appoved for $3k. Barclays sent a letter and they got a decrease for $400 which bring them to a $1800 C/L. Barclays I think is picky!

Many have reported CL decreases if other credit is obtained within 6 months of getting a new card from Barclay.

IMO, If you are a regular customer of one of the cobranded stores, that is a good reason to get one, otherwise not.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

halos24 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:32:25 GMT

I opened up my Barclays Itunes Rewards Visa in Oct 2010 along with all my other new GE cards in a matter of 6 months... now that I think of it after opening the Barclays Itunes card I opened about 7 new cards within 6 months!!! They have been good to me starting me off with $1k and now after the card being a year old I am at $4k! They are always sending me 0% on balance transfers also. Not saying I am the exception to the rule but I also have seen them sensative to new accounts I guess I will consider myself at least for now lucky they have not touched my card. god I hope I didnt jinx myself ....

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:24:58 GMT

I have not had my account long enough to speak about Barclay being too sensitive to customers applying for more credit post-approval for one of thier cards. I am hoping I will not be affected by this sensitivity, as I did apply for and was denied a Chase card just three weeks ago. I can speak to their CLIs via a recon calll.

In January, I received a pre-selection offer ot their US Airways Dividends MIles MC. I am an US Airways Dvidend MIles customer, but I have not flown with the airline in years and have never used any of the small rewards I have earned, but I am sure having the account is the only reason I was offered the MC. I applied for the card and was approved for a $1000.00 CL, but before I even received the card, I called twice to request a CLI, and was approved, first for an extra $1000 and then for an extra $1500.

Currently, this card has the highest CL of my three major credit cards, and I am optimistic that the CL will contiinue to grow with me.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

LS2982 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:40:48 GMT

@corymcd88 wrote:
@Brian_Trying_700 wrote:
What is a Barclays credit card. I see that a lot of folks here have them. Is Barclays like a Amex or Discover card ?
Barclays bank is a credit card that i would never get, people say that if inq or new accounts are opened the close out accounts. I dont want to have get a card in Jan and in May i need to apply for a new account and have to be scared that Barclays will close my account.

With all of your other cards, there really isn't anything to app for. You have fallback cards.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Tonya-E — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:26:52 GMT

I just got approved for the rewards MC with Barclays. I haven't received the card yet but when I do I will use it to autopay utility bills. You get 2% rewards for that all the time. For my citi, chase (most of the year) and Amex this would normally fall into the 1% other category. You also get 5000 points after your first purchase no matter the amount. In the case of citi, chase, and Amex I had to spend a certain amount to get the bonus. So if you look at it that way you can use it to maximize rewards.

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

LS2982 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:48:19 GMT

@tonyaether wrote:
I just got approved for the rewards MC with Barclays. I haven't received the card yet but when I do I will use it to autopay utility bills. You get 2% rewards for that all the time. For my citi, chase (most of the year) and Amex this would normally fall into the 1% other category. You also get 5000 points after your first purchase no matter the amount. In the case of citi, chase, and Amex I had to spend a certain amount to get the bonus. So if you look at it that way you can use it to maximize rewards.

PAy all your normal high bills and rack them rewards up!!!!!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Tonya-E — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:10:46 GMT

Exactly LS. With rewards cards that is the only way to do it. Keep activity on the cards by using each card's reward benefit to the maximum potential for your particular finances. Right now I use Chase for gas but as soon as it passes in the rewards category I will switch gas to Amex. Movie theaters and grocery stores are the next categories for Chase so it will be a minimal quarter for them until gas comes back since Amex gives better rewards for groceries. Citi isn't getting much action on it as it was strictly for the BT and I try not to make additional charges while the BT is there. Once that is paid off in July I will join it into the rotation. But the great thing on Barclays is I will always get a benefit from their rewards from the utilities option. So it fit right in for me. I don't know anyone that doesn't like free money on things they would be buying anyway!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:55:24 GMT

Barclays is good in my opinion, they are a little shy on new accounts but can you blame them? What we do here with App sprees is not exactly "normal" behavior for a consumer. If they approve you based on a certain credit profile and you add a bunch of accounts right after then your entire profile has changed and it looks like your trying to gather a lot of credit in a short amount of time, generally speaking that is not good. We are usually the exception and not the norm

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:13:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Barclays is good in my opinion, they are a little shy on new accounts but can you blame them? What we do here with App sprees is not exactly "normal" behavior for a consumer. If they approve you based on a certain credit profile and you add a bunch of accounts right after then your entire profile has changed and it looks like your trying to gather a lot of credit in a short amount of time, generally speaking that is not good. We are usually the exception and not the norm

Excellent points!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

LS2982 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:49:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Barclays is good in my opinion, they are a little shy on new accounts but can you blame them? What we do here with App sprees is not exactly "normal" behavior for a consumer. If they approve you based on a certain credit profile and you add a bunch of accounts right after then your entire profile has changed and it looks like your trying to gather a lot of credit in a short amount of time, generally speaking that is not good. We are usually the exception and not the norm

Great Post!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

bbb3601 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:32:10 GMT

I love Barclays. For one, they are pretty darn solid since they have been is business since dirt was founded. Second I feel they are watching my back. Most of us are here due to not being responsible with credit in the past, and it is good to know someone may be watching over me instead of handing out thousands upon thousands in credit lines that I don't need. Now I know lots of people need large credit lines for certain reasons, but at this point in my life I don't have hat need. That being said, I have no doubt that if that time does arrive in my life (and I hold up my end of the bargain) Barclays will be there for me. I will never forget that they, a PRIME BANK, took a chance on me. Lastly their CS department makes me feel as if I am lending money to them!!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

LS2982 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:44:05 GMT

@bbb3601 wrote:
I love Barclays. For one, they are pretty darn solid since they have been is business since dirt was founded. Second I feel they are watching my back. Most of us are here due to not being responsible with credit in the past, and it is good to know someone may be watching over me instead of handing out thousands upon thousands in credit lines that I don't need. Now I know lots of people need large credit lines for certain reasons, but at this point in my life I don't have hat need. That being said, I have no doubt that if that time does arrive in my life (and I hold up my end of the bargain) Barclays will be there for me. I will never forget that they, a PRIME BANK, took a chance on me. Lastly their CS department makes me feel as if I am lending money to them!!

Lots of good Barclays posts today!! Refreshing!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

Tonya-E — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:43:29 GMT

@LS2982 wrote:
Lots of good Barclays posts today!! Refreshing!

+1 on that LS! It's a nice change from the usual!

Re: Barclays credit Good or bad ??

CreditScholar — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:14:13 GMT

I'd probably say they're quasi-prime. They're essentially a stepping-stone for people from non-prime lenders like CapOne to prime lenders like Amex and Chase. They have some at the very low end of prime, but their actions of constant softing people after opening an account doesn't describe a true prime lender.

Prime lenders typically show more faith to their cardholders or will simply deny them upon application if they have serious doubts. I know there are exceptions like Amex FRing a fresh applicant, but in general I think this holds. Barclays checks up on you frequently because of the typical client they have. A good number have screwed up their credit in the past, so they want to make doubly-sure people don't screw up again while using their cards.