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Howdy MyFico'rs
Thought I would share a story of Christmas Cheer from Chase and their Slate Credit Card. Its a story of 0% intrest for 18 months and a Balance Transfer... Last month while giving thanks to the Credit Card industry, I decided to do my first Balance Transfer it was from my Cap One to my Chase Slate with 0% intrest for 18 months... A good reason do give thanks this Thanksgiving... The Balance Transfer went through and all was well as we started decorating for the Christmas Season, decorations coming out, lights going up, truly a season for joy and merriment...
Alas, the joyous holiday season was cut short by the by the Joyous Message for The Holiday Season from Chase Slate Card... Joy turned to fear as was it something I did, was it something I did'nt do???
I called the customer service line and spoke with Trevor, alas it was from Chase Slate, alas, it was real... Alas, if I dont use my card after my balance transfer last month they will shut my card down?!?!?!?!? What the?????
Be warned my fellow myFico'rs, a season of joy can turn into a season of dread as the credit card companies passive agressivly threaten you with closure for not using your card... Even if you do a balance transfer... Be warned of Christmas Yet To Be!!!!!!
I would think that a balance transfer and monthly payments would constitute activity. Call in again and see if the next rep tells the same story as Trevor. You may want to talk to a supervisor.
Obviously, you don't want to spend on a card that's carrying a balance transfer unless you also have 0% for purchases.
Chase (and others) have very delayed email and mail marketing.* It sounds like you haven't used the card in a while, so that was a courtesy email that has likely been in the pipeline for a while (prior to your balance transfer) to warn you that your account may be closed due to inactivity. Any activity counts as activity and as stated already that would include the balance transfer and the payments on it. After doing a balance transfer, if a statement closes where you didn't pay your entire statement balance (including the full amount of the remaining BT amount, any fees, and new purchases prior to the statement closing date) you lose your grace period on new purchases and they will begin to accrue interest immediately, which doesn't matter if you have a 0% purchase APR but that's unlikely on an existing card. Out of curiosity, when was the last time you used the card for anything?
* Edit: As an example, I got an email last month encouraging me to refer my friends on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card. That card was changed to a Sapphire Reserve months ago. I think you have nothing to worry about.
Even if the BT itself doesn't count as "activity" toward keeping your card open, the payments will. Maybe make an early payment to get the ball rolling?
Did just that in Nov...
Just made an eBay purchase with it this morning...
@Anonymous so you've had the card for a long while but just never used it until last month for the BT? Again, the BT counts as activity! Now that you have already made the purchase, it's a little late but you're going to pay some (likely tiny) interest on it.
@K-in-Boston wrote:@Anonymous so you've had the card for a long while but just never used it until last month for the BT? Again, the BT counts as activity! Now that you have already made the purchase, it's a little late but you're going to pay some (likely tiny) interest on it.
Got the card back in April made the Balance Transfer in October, first payment Nov then got the email. Made the small purchase today...