Consumer complaint received 2025-02-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I signed up for a 15 month 0 % APR balance transfer offer. No where in the paperwork, I received did it state plainly that if I used the balance transfer offer I could no longer use the card as that would automatically drop the offer and apply the variable APR. 

When I started to receive interest charges I was confused. I called PNC In XX/XX/XXXX to ask about why I was being assessed an interest fee as I was paying off my purchases each month and making payments towards my balance transfer fee. The rep only stated I needed to pay off my entire balance. I asked specifically how much I needed to pay on my next statement to avoid the interest charges and they stated the total fee for the new purchases I made. 

I did this and still was assessed a finance charge. I called PNC again on XX/XX/XXXX and the representative stated they were unable to explain the issues with my card and would escalate it to a manager. When I once again asked about the balance transfer they stated we don't recommend folks use the card when they have a balance transfer. I spoke to the manager on XX/XX/XXXX she made me aware of the clause that stated if you use the card with a balance transfer then you loose the 0 % APR promotional offer. She stated there was nothing they can do. I asked for this in writing and she stated it would have been in the paperwork I signed. I did this online so I had no paperwork. 

I also mailed a letter on XX/XX/XXXX as I found a clause on my statement that said all errors on statements needed to be submitted in writing within 60days. Something neither rep I spoke to informed me of. I have yet to receive a response as it's only been a few days. 

I was able to find the clause on their website but the question it is under does not make it easy to find. Also as you read thru the different questions it gives conflicting information. The following is the language I found on this website : https : //www.onlinebanking.pnc.com/alservlet/PNCOnlineBankingServletLogin A : There are key factors that need to be considered before accepting a balance transfer offer : Fee ( s ) : Consider the amount of the fee to transfer the balance. 
Interest rate : Compare the current interest rate or APR on your existing balance to the interest rate or APR on the account to which you are considering transferring that balance. 
Consider how long you expect it to take to pay off your existing balance if you don't transfer it to another account. 
There is no grace period for balance transfers. If you transfer a balance and also make purchases, you will lose your grace period ( see question below for more information on grace periods ) for new purchases if you do not pay your entire balance ( including any balance transfer balance ) in full each month. 

Q : Can I avoid paying interest on new purchases ( " grace period '' ) if I transfer a balance? 
A : If you transfer a balance and also make new purchases, you may be assessed interest on new purchases. That is because when you transfer a balance, you typically carry that balance from month to month. As provided in your credit card agreement, you may lose your grace period on new purchases if you carry a balance from month to month. 

Q : How are my payments applied? 
A : For consumer credit cards : Application of your payment is at our discretion and generally that means we will apply your payments to balances with lower APRs before balances with higher APRs. However, any amounts you pay in excess of your minimum payment due will be allocated to balances with higher APRs before balances with lower APRs. 

I opened the account in XXXX of XXXX and used the card for a full month before the balance transfer request was made. It feels disingenuous for them to fulfill this balance transfer knowing I would not get to use the promo as the card had already been used. 

In total I was charged {$330.00} in balance transfer fees in addition to the following interest fees XXXX XXXX {$16.00}, XXXX XXXX {$38.00}, and XXXX XXXX {$50.00}.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation