HSBC DISC.Combining Cards/ CLI the Hard Way

[Anonymous]

It seems the way to get a CLI with the HSBC branded Disc. is by actually getting approved for ANOTHER one and combining the CL.  I am not advocating going out and applying for an extra card and doing this.  I am just posting this for those of you who actually have two of them and want an increased limit.  I am not sure if HSBC normally take CLI requests on this card.  I know they told me they do not for their MC.

When I first started getting cards in Jan. I got  an HSBC Disc. Platinum/ No Rewards ($1600) through a pre-approved offer.  Then I applied for a card at Discover's website.  They of course, sent me back to HSBC who offered the Disc. Rewards for $300.00 with an annual fee of $59.00.   I requested the lines be combined.  It happened in a matter of a few days.  Unlike what some other people have posted here, I did NOT have to fill out and return any paperwork.  The hardest part was to have them credit me the $59.00 annual fee that they put on the Platinum card as a balance transfer.

A couple of nights ago, someone posted somethng about Disc. now offering cards to people needing to rebuild their credit.  I thought I  would give it a try and of course, I got offered the same HSBC Disc. Rewards card I got back in January.  I was a bit surprised because I already have an Orchard MC, the Disc. Plat and a HSBC Plat MC. 

I accepted the card and called 1-800-843-4885 and was told that there will be no problem combining the cards because they are of the same type.  I should see the 300 increased CL within 2 weeks.  They told me that last time too and it was in the system within a week. 

If you do this, be REAL clear about which card you want to keep!  The first time I did this, I had to keep telling them I wanted to keep the card with NO ANNUAL fee.  I got mixed answers about the annual fee being transferred from one card, but once I got the one rep to say I would not have to pay it, I knew I had some leverage.  It was quite a headache fighting it when it DID show up though.  It took several calls, a few choice words, and finally getting a young man on the phone who right away credited my account.

At this point, if I am charged the 59.00, I might not even dispute it.  I will be happy to just have the CLI.

Message Edited by RecoveringMyLife on 04-05-2008 03:46 PM

Message Edited by RecoveringMyLife on 04-17-2008 05:50 AM

[Anonymous]

Thanx for the info! I was gonna cancel this card but I might just try your way.

[Red1Blue]

It is not worth the hassle trying to get CLI this way. However, I got auto CLI on my HSBC Discover card after 3 months. I am waiting to see if I would get another CLI at 6 month period. Let us wait and see what happens in the next 2 months.

[Anonymous]

Well it certainly has been worth it for me.  The extr $300.00 was added to my credit line yesterday and so far I do not see the annual fee having been transferred over.  What is was your original credit line on your Discover?  What did they raise it to?

I got mine in January.  Maybe I will get an actual CLI too.  I have low utilization on this particular card, but I do not know how HSBC is in general re: CLI.  I also have their MC, which is at about 50%.  I won't be putting anything on that one for several months.