I've held a Thomas Cook cc for many years but they ended their relationship with MBNA and moved to an agreement with Barclays.  Suddenly I am not worthy of their new credit card despite never being in debt and staying at the same address all of my life.

I think they only want people who will pay monthly interest to them and pay more when if they book a holiday with them and have to use another credit card to pay with.

Anyone else encountering anything similar?  Would be interested to hear.

 

Well here's the other side of the coin. I had a Barclays CC for many years, always paid the balance off in the time limit and in recent years hardly used it at all and in the last six months up to a few weeks ago didn't use it at all. I had brought the limit down because I didn't want the liability of the bigger limit. I cancelled after asking them the easiest way to do it (online?) and they didn't want to lose me. When the account was closed they sent me a polite 'you are always welcome back' letter. You say you moved to an agreement but give the impression you haven't got a card. If they wouldn't give you one that could be a glitch in the system. If not I think that's downright offensive and hurtful and I would want to know why.

Yep - they sent out the forms practically all filled in for you.  Even sent letters following it up when I took a wee while to reply as I was away.  Also said that if you booked a holiday to use another card and then transfer the amount when their's was issued and they'd refund the charge which is waived if you use their card. All a load of rubbish. I got a letter saying sorry no card for you as they are a careful lender and implying that I am impoverished.   I had booked my holiday by then and paid the deposit and now will not get that benefit when I pay the rest of it despite being led up the garden path about the process.

Their customer services are atrocious.  Bland letters that suggest you must be scrabbling around looking for credit although I am very careful and am fortunate enough to be a saver at present.  As you say - downright offensive.
 

I couldn't leave it there. It's just barmy! You do have to lay things out in simple terms that CS are familiar with. Have you quoted whatever the MBNA switch said and something like I was a card holder in good standing and the switch was determined for me etc...? Please let me know how I can take this matter further... and just don't take no for an answer etc... If they have a change of heart and apologise I trust that you would accept the card, keep it a few months and then... All the best... I'm annoyed for you.

I like your style.  Perversely I was going to drop the MBNA card and keep the Thomas Cook one.  I agree what you mean about simple terms - I get the feeling they do miss the point of letters already sent.  I've managed my credit cards well for over 20 years with no problems - I can't see my myself suddenly running amok with them!

 But I feel really annoyed about booking a holiday I was entitled to benefits to.  That's a Real Hustle by Thomas Cook for sure!
 

Tell Thomas Cook but in their own language (they don't understand annoyed, upset etc) that they may use to frighten others ( pretend you're a bank on a bad day) and ask for a fair and reasonable goodwill gesture...  I was very disappointed in the lack of good faith towards a customer (not 'you' - impersonal) of twenty years good standing etc... Marshall your venomous thoughts, draft it out, fine tune it, press send, sit back and have a post er... 'send' ***. By that time you'll feel sufficiently good that you won't really care about the reply BUT keep on top of it and keep re-sending with minimum effort - put in the 'subject' First reminder... Good luck.

The follow up letter went off in the mail today.  I am away for a week after tomorrow but I will definitely post a reply when I get it.

 

Thanks for the advice so far. 

Pleased -:) 4u!

just to add insult to injury, my friend has a new credit card witht hem, they've ballsed up a balance transfer and was told it would take 10 DAYS for custoemr services to call back!!

 

 

What?! This is even incompetent by the worst standards of the financial sector. Any chance your friend misunderstood and they meant they'll put it right but it takes ten days/working days to go through the system? 

nope! she works for the bank of scotland so is very clued up! she couldn't believe it!!

Well she works for a bank so she knows how to 'talk' to them. I'd slap £25 worth of complaint in if you get my drift.

Back again.

 

Came back to a letter saying this was going to be looked at again.  Third time now.

Terrible to hear of some one else getting a lack of customer service also.
 

I'm glad and appalled they're looking at it again. Appalled because they can't even sort themselves out to give you a definitive answer letter rather than a... looking at it again letter. I await their final deliberations with baited breath. :-)

Well that was interesting today.  Went to pay the rest of my holiday (used my debit card as I'll be dashed if I am paying an extra £30 to use another credit card) and was talking to the TC staff.  Apparently the change to Barclay's has been a disaster with many not being given the new card or some getting ridiculously small credit limits.  One of the staff said her parents got their's with a £2k limit - not enough for them to book a holiday with and therefore a total waste of time. 

MBNA who issued new cards when TC left them left their limit agreements unchanged hoping to keep the custom.  Looks like a good manouvre by them.

 Also heard a relative who is a teacher got knocked back as well.  Oh dear, doesn't look like it's going well at all.