@Anonymous wrote:Hi everyone, I have been reading a lot of people lately referring to their Barclay's card a being "Prime" and "Super-Prime" for some reason and I'm a bit confused. I'm wondering if I should try to PC from my Juniper card to a better product that everyone seems very happy with (i.e. Apple card). Can anyone let me know what it is about a Barclay's card that you consider "Prime"???
I'm looking for any combination of:
Good rewards
Low APR
Excellent BT offers
No FTF
Great Customer Service
High Credit Lines
These are my typical criteria when considering the word "prime"... Barclays has, at least in my experience, been none of these things... but since I already have an account open with them (just CLD'd with no explanation, won't fix it without a HP which I won't authorize).... I was hoping one of their other products may be a better fit?
Any suggestions/input?
Thanks everyone!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I can't speak for other posters but what makes Barclay's a "Prime" issuer are many of the practices that contradict what subprime banks consider customary. Some of which are:
Low v High credit limits: Barclay's have the potential to go 5 figures
Auto CLI's
Customer Service: Heard any happy recon success stories?
BT deals
Good Teaser rates
presence of mobile phone app/ user friendly web interfaces
Absence of AF's
the list goes on regarding the small niches as to why a person considered a CCC "prime" (IMO credit limit is the ultimate factor but other may disagree)
I've seen accounts where people hate Barclay's, Amex, BoA, Chase, HSBC, Cap1, etc for the same reasons listed above. But there are certainly representations regarding why people love Barclay's or any other CCC and would consider their TL "Prime"
The apple Card you are looking into has great teaser rates and offers 0% periodically, but I have not heard any posters report a large (5 figure) credit limit. I've read posts in which posters have received 10k+ on their Barclay's Travelocity, Barnes and Noble Cards, etc but they were paired with a higher interest rate. It is up to you what you want in a card and stick with that!
YMMV 
@Carlile92 wrote:
Let's be honest have you ever went to an apple store and seen the prices if you ever want to get say a laptop iPad phone and a apple tv you will need a 5 figure cl lol I want to get Mac pro not the laptop the tower which is like 2000 to start so yes they give nice cl they base your limit off what you want to buy and your credit if you have amazing credit and want a lot of stuff and tell the recon agent that they will give you cl that you need and I look at it like this if you get an apple card and build a 5000 cl with just that when you go for other better cards getting a super high cl is more likely because you already manage a decent limit well. I bought an iPad with 1000 cl and will be paying it off very quickly and when I do I will be calling in for a cli and don't see how they can deny it but am wondering what could I request
I think I need to have a few beers before attempting to comprehend this. Thanks for your thoughts, though!
And thanks to everyone else for the input.. it seems to kinda confirm my initial feelings that people are posting about their apple card being "Prime" because it's their first non-subprime card and they are excited. I agree that it doesn't seem to offer any of the things prime cards offer.. but are suited for those looking to only purchase certain things from certain companies at certain times... Not what I am looking for, by any means. To me, a company that rejects people or gives really low starting CLs, then changes their minds when pestered enough, is not "excellent customer service"... I think I may have been a little short sighted with th "excellent CS..." comment. I guess I should have mentioned things more along the lines of American call centers, understandable and educated CSRs, auto-CLI's, immediate dispute resolution, complimentary overnighting of replacement cards, etc... Hopefully that clears it up a little bit.
The PriceLine option sounds intriguing... The Williams-Sonoma, not so much. I can't imagine trying to justify owning a credit card that only benefits you if you buy really expensive kitchen stuff? Don't really see that as useful/effective except maybe a one-time deal, but even then you can buy it on a regular card and transfer to a 0% or low APR BT offer if necessary... Then again, I do see the attractiveness for the Apple or WS card for those people who are really into that sort of thing and can make it worthwhile.
Thanks again, everyone!