(Barclay Bank) Princess (cruiseline) VISA card offered some great travel/cruise incentives to apply. For months, I paid -8-10 times the monthly minimum payment - anxious to reduce the large vacation balance. Last month I was a week late due to a family emergency.
I called the card's customer, aKa "relationship"service to explain the delay was due to unforseen events. He was unimpressed. I suggested I might consider a complaint (admittedly, his attitude ticked me off) The "relationship" person got highly argumenative & seemed to be reading some sort of script as to why they were right and I was wrong.
It's understandable finance companies must discount sob stories, real or invented, BUT at least they could consider the client's payment history and loyalty before issuing a letter of reprimand in the form of higher interest rates and damaged rating - which I suspect is punative in nature since I dared challenge their represenative - where ever in the world he is.
There is NO human element in Barclay Bank, but fortunately this is not universal and it's probably wiser to shop around for banks which do factor in the client's payment history. I was INDEED late and in 4 days can retire this company's card permanently! The 2nd "relationship" rep assured me I would NOT be assessed another fee if I paid off the small remaining balance.
I have my doubts: This final payment will arrive prior to the March statement & given the tactics credit card companies use to work around the new Congressional Credit Card consumer protections, Barclay bank will apply it to the LAST month and assess me yet another late fee - it's what they do best. It would be wise to shop for another card BEFORE considering the promotions by any card associated to Barclay Bank.
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