David Albert <albert@harvard.harvard.edu> (04/08/90)
I just received my AT&T Universal Card, a week and a day after applying for it -- what service! It has the AT&T and VISA logos, the 16-digit VISA account number, and a 10-digit calling card number which bears no relation to my telephone number. The PIN is NOT on the card; the accompanying literature states that it will be mailed to me under separate cover. The PIN will be useable both for placing calls and for receiving cash advances at ATMs. When I applied, I was told I had been preapproved for $2,000 (and this despite the fact that she seemed to have no information on me -- at least, she asked for my name, address, phone number, etc.); sure enough, my initial credit limit is $2,000. I wonder how they decide these things. Perhaps this is the minimum? The credit agreement seems to be as previously described; 25-day grace period on merchandise purchases if you always pay in full, 18.9% initial interest rate if not paid in full (adjustable to 8.9% above prime), 2% charge for cash advances (yuk!), and all calling- card charges interest-free (if paid by the due date) even if you carry a balance on your merchandise purchases. Calls (and their costs, including the 10% discount) will be itemized separately from purchases on the monthly statements. Basically it looks pretty good; I shall shortly be cutting up my previous card, which costs me $20/yr, and returning it to the issuer. I shall also remove my old AT&T calling card, which has my telephone number and the PIN both embossed on it, from my wallet. Should I cut it up and return it?
Robert Gutierrez <gutierre@nsipo.arc.nasa.gov> (04/09/90)
albert@harvard.harvard.edu (David Albert) writes in V.10, Iss 236, Msg 11 of 14 > I just received my AT&T Universal Card,.... > I shall also remove my old AT&T calling card, which has my telephone > number and the PIN both embossed on it, from my wallet. Should I cut > it up and return it? Not recommended. If you do cut it up and 'return' it (mail back to AT&T), they will probably make an assumption that you are cancelling service. They should call to confirm, but what if you're not home.... This is what we did in MCI Customer Service. Three attempts to reach the customer, then the account was history. If the card # is different, just call their customer service, explain FIRST that you have two numbers, and then cancel one of them. Robert Gutierrez NASA Science Internet Project Office, Moffett Feild, California.