Yes, I'm a slave to Credit Cards!
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| Picture Courtesy: Guardian UK |
Years ago I remember having a beautiful relationship with Citibank. I loved them and the generous credit card they had given me. Often I maxed it and then happily paid it off over the next couple of months... And life went on smoothly till one day Citibank decided to turn into a pain on me. It started with online shopping when they decided my card wasn't safe enough and every few times that I used it online, they'd call me up saying the 'security had been compromised' and that I was going to be sent a new card. This went on every few months, till I decided to get their brand new E-Card - a supplementary card made especially for shopping. A card I never got around to using much online given it was SO secure that it wouldn't accept any online transaction. Finally when last month I cancelled the E-Card after I tried using it three times online and each time the 'Security was compromised' and I received 3 new cards in a span of two months.
All this while, my primary Citibank card was slowly becoming my secondary... I had been wooed by Standard Chartered Bank... Between personalized calls, priority banking status and what not I was finally convinced into getting a Standard Chartered Card made. Not just that, I was pleasantly surprised when the Credit Card arrived with a 'Platinum' etched on it. I was most excited, so what if the limit wasn't all that platinum... at least it said Platinum... and not just that, soon after I got another card a Mastercard because having a Standard Chartered Visa wasn't enough. Oh my, I was in LOVE. I got my husband to get the same card, I highly recommended it to friends and family. Everyone who said Standard Chartered SUCKED, I told them off. 'HELLO, they've always been so nice to me'.
I was so in love that when Ali decided to get an RBS Card I didn't so much as think about using it and it lay dusty in my wallet till today!! Today when I was happily swiping my SCB Cards that I love oh so much and it got declined. I was sure I wasn't even close to my limit. I had limit X on my supposed Platinum Card and limit Y on the not so Platinum Card so what was wrong... Sitting in London I made a long distance call to my credit card peeps...
'Whats going on??' I remarked helplessly
'Madam your limit is up' said the nice sounding gentleman on the other end of the line
'But I haven't spent X and Y yet' I desperately tried explaining...
'Yes Madam, individually your cards still have credit but your account credit is up'
'Huh' I was dumbfounded... 'Account Credit?? I've never heard of that'
'Madam while you enjoy X limit on Card 1 and Y on Card 2 your over all account limit is X and if you reach it we block all your cards'
'Erm... that's not possible, if my limit is X and Y why are you blocking my card at X only'
'Madam this is bank policy'
'But... but I'm calling long distance!! I'm in London I need my cards' I tried...
'Madam being our Priority Customer, perhaps you could call our Priority Line and register a complaint'
'I don't want to complain!! I want to spend money!!' I remarked with finally desperation giving way to anger
'Madam, I'm afraid I can't help you, but I can give you the Priority Line's number'
'Whats going on??' I remarked helplessly
'Madam your limit is up' said the nice sounding gentleman on the other end of the line
'But I haven't spent X and Y yet' I desperately tried explaining...
'Yes Madam, individually your cards still have credit but your account credit is up'
'Huh' I was dumbfounded... 'Account Credit?? I've never heard of that'
'Madam while you enjoy X limit on Card 1 and Y on Card 2 your over all account limit is X and if you reach it we block all your cards'
'Erm... that's not possible, if my limit is X and Y why are you blocking my card at X only'
'Madam this is bank policy'
'But... but I'm calling long distance!! I'm in London I need my cards' I tried...
'Madam being our Priority Customer, perhaps you could call our Priority Line and register a complaint'
'I don't want to complain!! I want to spend money!!' I remarked with finally desperation giving way to anger
'Madam, I'm afraid I can't help you, but I can give you the Priority Line's number'
It was then I hung up in frustration!! Just as I was closing my wallet I noticed a dusty card in a forgotten corner of my wallet - Why Hello New Best Friend RBS Card... Shall we Tango??
