Don't you just hate it when your plans go awry?

[maryalene]

A few weeks ago, I received a cc offer for one of the new Discover Motiva cards. I read an article about them a month ago and was thinking that were a good idea - if you pay on time for six months, they credit your interest for the sixth month back to you as a cash bonus (or reward or whatever the heck they call it). We have balances on four other cc's, and I've always wanted to consolidate onto one card. Well according to Discover I was "pre-approved" for an amount that would cover all the other cards. I thought that pigs might fly before I actually received a card with that credit limit but I figured I'd give it a shot.

So when I applied for the card online, I listed all my other credit card balances - being very careful to list the highest interest rate one first and work my way down to the lowest interest rate (new card is giving me 3.9% and my current cards go from 0% (expiring shortly) to 9.9%)

So I get approved for the card and of course, it's not for the pre-approved amount. But it is enough to transfer 3 of my cards. So what did Discover do? They started at the bottom of my transfer list and worked their way up. So the 9.9% card, which is the one I really wanted to transfer, didn't move. Argh!

It's not a huge deal since I can probably transfer it to one of these other cards for a lower rate, but I had this thing worked out perfectly in my head - I suppose I should just call next time instead of trusting a computer application to get it right, lol.

[Kerri]

Could you call them and explain it? I'm sure they'd understand the point of switching to a lower-interest card is to save interest on higher-rate cards. Sheesh.

[mamabear]

I would call them and explain it. In fact, when you call, you might request a higher credit line, if they allow you to transfer the 9.9% card. They want your business.

I recently applied for one (through HSBC) and they gave me a card with entirely different terms, including an annual fee! Only because I have no income of my own - my credit score is in the mid 700s. I called and was sent to "account retention" but they wouldn't do more than cut the annual fee in half. Even though that was $19, I closed the account on principle. You could always call and close it (then reapply) if they don't give you the credit limit increase or fix the transfers.

[maryalene]

I thought about calling and saying you dummys paid off the wrong card, but I thought that it might end up being a huge pain to try to get the other payment refunded. I didn't think about asking for a credit increase. I might have to try that tomorrow. Thanks for the idea!

[BlueRoseMama]

Good luck! We are doing the same thing right now because we got sucked into another deal for a low intrest cc that was really only low interest for 6 mos! I HATE those!! We are switching soon. I know what you mean... well laid plans and all that.

Val