topic Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card" in Credit Cards

VISA Barclays "Black Card"

gen-specific — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 10:50:35 GMT

So I have a white card from barclays through the Apple Store promotions

I got an offer for their black card, the faux elite card with a $400+ annual fee

It would match nice with my white barclays in my wallet, and with my blue CSP, I like the reactions these cards garner from cashiers, but thats not enough reason to get the visa black card

I've seen comparisons of this card online with other offers, and I don't get its worth

any insight appreciated

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

alvon123 — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 13:15:35 GMT

You may want to think twice about this card. I had gotten the flyer in the mail a few weeks ago and after reading several stories on this forum about this card I decided against it. One story that came to mind was a 510.00 credit limit that was issued to someone before the 495.00 annual fee.

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

coldnmn — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 14:14:59 GMT

@alvon123 wrote:
You may want to think twice about this card. I had gotten the flyer in the mail a few weeks ago and after reading several stories on this forum about this card I decided against it. One story that came to mind was a 510.00 credit limit that was issued to someone before the 495.00 annual fee.

+1 I read the same post! Tread carefully!

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

FocusedAndDetermined — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 14:20:58 GMT

@alvon123 wrote:
You may want to think twice about this card. I had gotten the flyer in the mail a few weeks ago and after reading several stories on this forum about this card I decided against it. One story that came to mind was a 510.00 credit limit that was issued to someone before the 495.00 annual fee.

Seriously????

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

alvon123 — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 15:21:03 GMT

@FocusedAndDetermined wrote:
@alvon123 wrote:
You may want to think twice about this card. I had gotten the flyer in the mail a few weeks ago and after reading several stories on this forum about this card I decided against it. One story that came to mind was a 510.00 credit limit that was issued to someone before the 495.00 annual fee.
Seriously????

take a look at this thread posted by @Anonymous

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Barclay-Black-Metal-Card/td-p/2533865/highlight/true/page/3

look at pages 3 and 4 of that thread.

@espnjunkie

also some posts from @Creditaddict and @espnjunkie

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/VISA-BLACK-PREAPPROVAL/m-p/1327863/highlight/true#M369201

just search for Visa Black and you will see many more references to the low limits

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

FinStar — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:05:04 GMT

@gen-specific wrote:
So I have a white card from barclays through the Apple Store promotions

I got an offer for their black card, the faux elite card with a $400+ annual fee

It would match nice with my white barclays in my wallet, and with my blue CSP, I like the reactions these cards garner from cashiers, but thats not enough reason to get the visa black card

I've seen comparisons of this card online with other offers, and I don't get its worth

any insight appreciated

Sounds like you would want it for "looks/status"... not sure that the AF is worth it? Get a black sleeve for your Apple CC and switch it around when you want it in different colors.

The card has some interesting perks but it may only be a fit for some individuals. There was a recent (reconsideration) approval post on this CC.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-App-Approvals/Visa-Black-Card-Approval/td-p/2626209

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

maceto — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:23:36 GMT

We now know why their marketing say "a card for only 1% of the population" with a cc limit of 1%...

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

FinStar — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:29:23 GMT

@maceto wrote:
We now know why their marketing say "a card for only 1% of the population" with a cc limit of 1%...

LOL...good one!

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

coldnmn — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 21:34:19 GMT

@maceto wrote:
We now know why their marketing say "a card for only 1% of the population" with a cc limit of 1%...

ROFLOL!

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 00:56:08 GMT

This card is for s Uckers Don't do it!

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

FinStar — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 02:43:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
This card is for s Uckers Don't do it!

Not necessairly GaTech. While we realize this specific product may not fit your specific needs there are others who may find it useful. Not every product is a fit for everyone.

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

gen-specific — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 16:11:11 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@gen-specific wrote:
So I have a white card from barclays through the Apple Store promotions

I got an offer for their black card, the faux elite card with a $400+ annual fee

It would match nice with my white barclays in my wallet, and with my blue CSP, I like the reactions these cards garner from cashiers, but thats not enough reason to get the visa black card

I've seen comparisons of this card online with other offers, and I don't get its worth

any insight appreciated
Sounds like you would want it for "looks/status"... not sure that the AF is worth it?

yes, purely superficial reasons

The possibility of getting the fee waived and the 2 to 1 rewards points for flights seem to make it worth it.

Although CSP already gets me 2x 3x reward points on certain purchases

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

jeffrey_MBP — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 16:49:10 GMT

The card has great vegas benefits and the best travel rewards redemption, but the new lounge program is crap. I've used the concierge service twice and it wasn't too bad. I only had to wait a minute. Use this card for travel points and another card for lounge and concierge access.

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

gen-specific — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 17:14:26 GMT

@jeffrey_MBP wrote:
The card has great vegas benefits and the best travel rewards redemption, but the new lounge program is crap. I've used the concierge service twice and it wasn't too bad. I only had to wait a minute. Use this card for travel points and another card for lounge and concierge access.

Tell me more about the Vegas benefits???

Now if only I could transfer points TO the barclays black card, because I currently rack them up in other places

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

gen-specific — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 02:05:08 GMT

I was looking at the points I earned with my Chase Sapphire Preferred this statement and even with the 2x and 3x on dining with CSP I would have made more points with Visa Black Card, all my points are generally for subsidized flights

I don't see myself using Ultimate Rewards for shopping too much, and I'm sure Barclays has some kind of similar thing

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:36:25 GMT

@gen-specific wrote:
I was looking at the points I earned with my Chase Sapphire Preferred this statement and even with the 2x and 3x on dining with CSP I would have made more points with Visa Black Card, all my points are generally for subsidized flights

I don't see myself using Ultimate Rewards for shopping too much, and I'm sure Barclays has some kind of similar thing

That's comparing apples and hand grenades though. The points earned on the Black Card are very different from Chase UR points; the latter can be transferred to travel partners and redeemed for 4+ cents each in many cases. Meanwhile, Black Card points are worth 1 cent each, or 2 cents when redeemed for travel. So, when optimized properly, that basically makes the Black Card a 2% cash back travel card... with a $495 annual fee and a mediocre lounge program. The Barclay Arrival card is much better IMO if you're looking for cash back given the lower AF and better redemption ratio.

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:01:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@gen-specific wrote:
I was looking at the points I earned with my Chase Sapphire Preferred this statement and even with the 2x and 3x on dining with CSP I would have made more points with Visa Black Card, all my points are generally for subsidized flights

I don't see myself using Ultimate Rewards for shopping too much, and I'm sure Barclays has some kind of similar thing
That's comparing apples and hand grenades though. The points earned on the Black Card are very different from Chase UR points; the latter can be transferred to travel partners and redeemed for 4+ cents each in many cases. Meanwhile, Black Card points are worth 1 cent each, or 2 cents when redeemed for travel. So, when optimized properly, that basically makes the Black Card a 2% cash back travel card... with a $495 annual fee and a mediocre lounge program. The Barclay Arrival card is much better IMO if you're looking for cash back given the lower AF and better redemption ratio.

Hmmm...this card definitely doesn't sound like it's worth a $495 fee. I think I'll stick with my NFCU siggy...it's a black card with decent rewards and APR. :-)

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:47:16 GMT

That card is such a joke, not worth it in my opinion...

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

gen-specific — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 03:58:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@gen-specific wrote:
I was looking at the points I earned with my Chase Sapphire Preferred this statement and even with the 2x and 3x on dining with CSP I would have made more points with Visa Black Card, all my points are generally for subsidized flights

I don't see myself using Ultimate Rewards for shopping too much, and I'm sure Barclays has some kind of similar thing
That's comparing apples and hand grenades though. The points earned on the Black Card are very different from Chase UR points; the latter can be transferred to travel partners and redeemed for 4+ cents each in many cases. Meanwhile, Black Card points are worth 1 cent each, or 2 cents when redeemed for travel. So, when optimized properly, that basically makes the Black Card a 2% cash back travel card... with a $495 annual fee and a mediocre lounge program. The Barclay Arrival card is much better IMO if you're looking for cash back given the lower AF and better redemption ratio.

thanks for the perspective, I'm done with contemplating it

PASS!

Re: VISA Barclays "Black Card"

FinStar — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 04:17:52 GMT

@gen-specific wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@gen-specific wrote:
I was looking at the points I earned with my Chase Sapphire Preferred this statement and even with the 2x and 3x on dining with CSP I would have made more points with Visa Black Card, all my points are generally for subsidized flights

I don't see myself using Ultimate Rewards for shopping too much, and I'm sure Barclays has some kind of similar thing
That's comparing apples and hand grenades though. The points earned on the Black Card are very different from Chase UR points; the latter can be transferred to travel partners and redeemed for 4+ cents each in many cases. Meanwhile, Black Card points are worth 1 cent each, or 2 cents when redeemed for travel. So, when optimized properly, that basically makes the Black Card a 2% cash back travel card... with a $495 annual fee and a mediocre lounge program. The Barclay Arrival card is much better IMO if you're looking for cash back given the lower AF and better redemption ratio.
thanks for the perspective, I'm done with contemplating it

PASS!

Are you sure? It seems *blingy* enough for the cashiers...LOL