Speaking of credit cards ...

Personal Finances Living Below Your Means
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I just got off the phone with US Bank to cancel my credit card with them. It took more than 50 minutes, and I had to speak to 3 different people. Reminded me of the old days when someone would try to close an AOL account. This was emblematic of the horrible customer service I’ve gotten over the past year with US Bank, which is the reason I canceled. I’d had a card with them since 1994. Always paid full balance monthly via autopay. Credit score well over 800.

At some point recently, US Bank management must have decided to treat their loyal customers as chumps to be exploited. Sorta like Wells Fargo. One less chump as of today. Good riddance, US Bank.

I replaced the card with an Amazon prime Visa, from Chase: no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% back on restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1% back on other purchases. Even got a $100 signup bonus on Amazon. Took 2 minutes to get approved. When I called Chase with a question about the new card, I got a service rep on the phone almost immediately, and my question was answered promptly and accurately. Unlike US Bank.

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I just got off the phone with US Bank to cancel my credit card with them. It took more than 50 minutes, and I had to speak to 3 different people. Reminded me of the old days when someone would try to close an AOL account. This was emblematic of the horrible customer service I’ve gotten over the past year with US Bank, which is the reason I canceled. I’d had a card with them since 1994. Always paid full balance monthly via autopay. Credit score well over 800.

Why did you cancel the card you’ve had nearly 28 years rather than just stop using it? It may affect your credit score via lowering your average credit age. Did they want to start charging an annual fee?

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Why did you cancel the card you’ve had nearly 28 years rather than just stop using it?

Because (1) it has an annual fee and (2) I didn’t want to be their victim any longer.

Also, I’d only had this card for a year. It replaced one I’d had with them since 1994. I made the switch only after speaking with US Bank and getting their assurance that I’d get the hefty signup bonus if I canceled the other card and replaced it with the new one. Then they reneged on the agreement and were ugly about it. (BTW, my credit score didn’t budge when I canceled the previous card and replaced it with a different US Bank card.)

In any event, I replaced this canceled US Bank card instantly with a new Amazon one with a $30K limit. And my Amex card, which is my primary card, goes back to the 1970s. All pristine. Bottom line: I’m quite sure my credit score won’t blink.

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I made the switch only after speaking with US Bank and getting their assurance that I’d get the hefty signup bonus if . . .

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Ahhh, chasing the magical Rainbow for the “promise” of the Unicorn @ its end.

Mebbe it’ll just turn out to be that ordinary Pot o’ Gold since St Paddy’s Day is next month.

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Why did you cancel the card you’ve had nearly 28 years rather than just stop using it? It may affect your credit score via lowering your average credit age. Did they want to start charging an annual fee?

There are many reasons to cancel an old credit card. In my case, I had a card from BOA that I opened around 2000 or maybe 2010. The problem was that they kept upping my limit until it got up to $16,000. If I ever got into a jam in which I needed $16,000, I wouldn’t use a credit card, no. I would call up a broker (gots accounts with e-Trade, Ameritrade, Fidelity, etc.), open an account with a local bank and have money sent that account. I’m old fashioned, I keep at least one $100 bill in my billfold (under the trash where one has to dig to find it) in case of an emergency, worked well after Hurricane Katrina, yes.

Recently we had IDA blow through. I have two Visa cards, from different banks. Plans were to escort DW & her cats up to north of Jackson MS while I return to S.E Loosiana with a new generator and repair damage, etc. until we got our power back. Turned out that the card I used most often was hacked(?) with a number of unauthorized charges on it. Since it has a credit limit of around $4,700 on it no big problem, except that I couldn’t buy gas, generator, etc., etc. with it. I have a second card through Amazon.com with a limit of around $5,000 that I could use to get up there & back. Not as convenient but no big deal. I called the C.C. company, explained the situation, etc., etc. and they would send me a new card, which was fine except it would go through the post orifice in N’Orleans (on a good week it takes us normally 6 days to get a first class letter/package from outside LA to our mail box). Turned out that the power company jury rigged fix to get us power so we didn’t have to evacuate and I have enough cash, credit, etc., etc. to tide us over until the post office delivered my new card <Axe-u-lee, I normally keeps at least $1,000 in cash the safe (behind the gun, etc.)

In my case, I don’t worry about a credit score. If ,the gods forbid, I need a quick $20,000, I ain’t going to use a credit card, me.
:wink:

C.J.V.

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Try cancelling Sirius Satellite Radio!

Worst ever back in the day.

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I always look for the best tool for the job. For anyone looking, nerdwallet can be a good place to check.

It would probably give people here nightmares to know how many credit cards I have and what I have done with them lately but it works for me. Always happy to use OPM(other people’s money) and AMEX has made it crazy easy lately with no fee/no interest.

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It would probably give people here nightmares to know how many credit cards I have and what I have done with them lately but it works for me.

Oh, oh oh… Do tell. :slight_smile:

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