I have had a Barclaycard since I started university (I graduated 5 years ago and am now a professional) which doesn't have a particularly good rate or perks.

I've done a few interest free balance transfers on various cards but now want a card with a permanently low rate on purchases - Barclaycard Simplicity seems to be the lowest at 6.9%.

The website states that I cannot apply for that as I am already a Barclaycard customer, does anyone have any suggestions of how to get around this?

I would rather not close the account as it is my longest running credit card and I think it is good to have that on my credit record, is it likely that they would convert my card to Simplicity if I threatened to cancel it?

Occasionally when I pay off a large balance they increase my credit limit - they almost doubled it in August - is this a sign that they may offer me a better rate on my existing card to keep me as a customer?

Any insights would be appreciated!

Thanks.

Have you tried phoning Barclaycard and simply asking them to change the credit card account you have to a Simplicity one? If they won't just say you will transfer your balance elsewhere and they would potentially lose you as a customer...

Can you do that, as i am a barclaycard customer also have been for a few years now and would like to transfer to a better rate card - ie the simplicity card

Nick

anyone?

In the end I called up and was told I couldn't apply for Simplicity, and wasn't eligible for a rate change on my existing card. I asked them to cancel my card and then was transfered to another dept.

I was told as a long term high value customer (I use it a lot) I would be eligible for a sliding scale rate, the more I spend in the month the lower the rate I pay. It's not as low as Simplicity, but I was told that often the rate on Simplicity will increase after a time anyway - heard similar things about other cards on this forum.

So I think it's always worth having one long term card that you use for spending as you have more bargaining power then, rather than constantly switching and closing.