Barclaycard withdraws free card benefits

BARCLAYCARD has withdrawn a range of free benefits that have attracted customers to it over the years.

From 1 January, its price promise to claim money back if an item purchased can be found cheaper within 60 days was withdrawn, along with travel accident insurance and extended warranty on electrical goods.

The cut-off date is extended to 31 January for existing cardholders to ensure the expected level of cover will run through purchases made during the busy Christmas period.

The final date for claims and registrations are:

extended warranty: items bought on or before 31 January, 2005 can be registered up to 1 April;

price promise: purchases on or before 31 January, 2005 qualify with new claims accepted to 1 April;

travel accident cover: no new claims after 31 January.

For those customers who use extended warranty and the price promise, Barclaycard is to introduce a charging package from February including these and other benefits.

However, the company, which is Europe’s larger credit card issuer with 10.8 million customers in the UK, has added alternative free features. They include fraud and identity protection, faster help to replace lost cards and emergency cash up to 1,000 a week with a refund of 2 per cent on the cash advance fee, as well as cover against lost or damaged goods ordered.

A home emergency helpline to provide an approved contractor within two hours, as well as a holiday discount scheme offering 5 per cent off are included in the new benefits.

Customers should look at their December statements for a full breakdown of the changes.