Up until recently, I haven't dabbled in co-branded cards long enough to have one change providers. As many know, the Virgin America card is being taken away from Barclays, and being given to a new provider. My questions are these:

When transferred, what happens to existing purchases, or do we get moved at the end of a billing cycle?
Will our full CL be moved over, or will it be treated as a new app by the new provider and giving credit accordingly?
Will we get a hard pull?
Anything else that someone in my situation, that also plays this game should keep in mind?

mods: I thought about putting this in the existing VX card offer thread, but it's quite dead, and these question, while brought about because of this, should hopefully be fairly universal for future scenarios. If it should be there, feel free to move/merge.

Generally the process is not visible to the cardholder and the process is one that is seamless. The only change that you might encounter is the website in which you pay and manage your account. When TD Bank purchased the Target National Bank portfolio, I receive a notice telling me that nothing was changing, even the billing address stayed the same. I'm sure you'll receive ample notice of any adverse change.

Based on a recent experience which is still ongoing and taking a couple of months to finish:

^ New CC came first, with enough overlap to use the old card. Activation of the new card deactivated the old one.

No data here on purchases, card was put in the sock drawer for the transition. The 1st new bill reflected the last payment. There was about an extra week in the preceding period, so the transitional billing period was around 40 days instead of a more typical 29-31. This was communicated up front.

^ CL came over as is.

Haven't seen one, yet, and don't expect to. CSR could not answer this question.

The existing account on the CR was closed and listed in various ways as transferred and/or sold. This happened shortly after the first statement came in from the new organization.

The existing tradeline, being closed, will grow no older as far as AoA is concerned, but:

If they backdate, it could be a bonus if the closed card had an AoA greater than your average. There will be one relatively old closed account and a second account just as old that can get older. A reverse effect is possible if the account is 'young.'

Other

If you have any electronic statements/transaction files or other items you want to download, do it now. You may still be able to log into the old web site, but the closed card may no longer be associated with your account, or you may not even be able to log in. In either case, there goes your historical data.

If your card in use for any automatic monthly or other periodic payments, you may want to give it some attention. The same, if you have any credit cards saved on online-commerce sites (including airlines or hotels)

Please continue the discussion here, at least until the new provider has been selected:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgi...ture-dead.html