First Barclaycard issue

[djshifted]

I currently have a Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard, and is my highest CL so far at $1300.  My only out of the ordinary experience with them before today was when they notified me by phone and email within a few hours of a fraudulent charge (I was actually sleeping at the time they called), asked me to verify the charge, and then canceled my card and sent me a replacement by FedEx next day air.  This was an example of awesome service.  Today, however, is a completely different story.

I was close to the limit, and want to help my overall utilization (which is too high), so I decided to pay it off and use it between checks instead of my bank card, with the rewards being a nice little bonus.  So I made a payment over the weekend which just posted.  Unfortunately they have decided to temporarily limit my available credit to a little over $500, so they're holding a little more than $800 'hostage' in case the bank doesn't pay (and the transaction has already posted, no longer pending).  They said it will be available on the 24th, so 10 days before I can access the remainder of my credit line.

This kind of makes me a little gun-shy about making large payments to the card again, and doesn't seem like that good of a practice.  It almost feels like punishment for paying off my balance.  Almost.

[woodyman100]

The same thing has happened to me with Capital One, Amex, and Barclay. It is an "out of the ordinary transaction. ". 

The first time it happened to me, it put me in a pinch, but once realized what happened I was more prepared. 

Fear not though, after you make more of these types of transactions, it happens less. It's only a fraud thing on their 

part.

[djshifted]

Thanks for the info!  Luckily this doesn't put me in a pinch, though most of the time this would have.  I made a payment a month prior for ~50% of what this payment  without an issue.  I would hope that this wouldn't happen again, though I may still start shopping around for another card once I get my ute down, and just use this for gas or something like that.  It happening even one more time when I'm not expecting it would be bad.

[tcbofade]

I am learning this one the hard way right now...simply put, you can NOT count on your available credit.  Or at least I can't.

[gdale6]

Your history or lack of with the creditor and your credit score are going to influence their decision on any large payments.

[nachoslibres]

Hopefully this is a one time thing for you.  I've made payments in excess of $10k and haven't had them hold any of it hostage (it posts same day, it clears available credit next day).

[bk510]

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@gdale6 wrote:

Your history or lack of with the creditor and your credit score are going to influence their decision on any large payments.

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How much is considered a large payment?

[gdale6]

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@bk510 wrote:

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@gdale6 wrote:

Your history or lack of with the creditor and your credit score are going to influence their decision on any large payments.

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How much is considered a large payment?

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Anything near the total limit of the card.

[d170]

Does it matter if you make a payment on your end or their website, otp, etc?