Something to look out for with the VS Amex card

[mitchja]

Received my Black VS Amex statement today and noticed that I had not earned any bonus miles for pre-ordering VS retail therapy using the card.

I had also made an in-flight purchase with the card , which did earn the bonus (x4) miles.

Spoke to MBNA who said this is correct. They say only in-flight purchases earn the bonus miles.

The odd thing is though both on-board and pre-order have the same MCC (merchant category code - 5309) although the merchant text is different?

23/09/2010 5309 VIRGIN ATLANTIC INFLIG GATWICK AIRPO
06/10/2010 5309 TOURVEST DUTY FREE GATWICK

Anyone else had this happen? Are MBNA correct?

Looking at the VS website, that's a bit vague:

Earn double miles on Retail Therapy purchases when you pay using your Virgin Atlantic Credit Card.

That's 2 miles for every £1 spent on the White Card, and 4 miles for every £1 spend on the Black Card!

i am hoping another special like last year when they doubled up to 4 for £1 on purchses in Dec/Jan. got to spend between £140k and £200k for work in the next 3-4 months -----just dreaming of all those miles

i am hoping another special like last year when they doubled up to 4 for £1 on purchses in Dec/Jan. got to spend between £140k and £200k for work in the next 3-4 months -----just dreaming of all those miles

If you don't mind me asking what is your credit limit to put through that kind of spend? Mine is only £7k! I guess you mute clear regularly or put through a credit on your account then spend?

i am hoping another special like last year when they doubled up to 4 for £1 on purchses in Dec/Jan. got to spend between £140k and £200k for work in the next 3-4 months -----just dreaming of all those miles

If you don't mind me asking what is your credit limit to put through that kind of spend? Mine is only £7k! I guess you mute clear regularly or put through a credit on your account then spend?

Hmm, this conversation sounds like a slippery slope, discussing peoples credit limits..

Slippery slope to where? ?|

I was told by MBNA preloading of your card wasn't allowed otherwise I'd be doing it. They said its against T&C and I wouldn't get points.

There isn't any obligation or pressure to disclose.

limit is £25k (they dropped it from 40 last year).

i load it up and pay it the next day-paying the bills in stages.
they told me pre paying was ok funny enough

last Xmas with the 4 for £1 offer and got a couple of UC flights

So basically you buy an item / flight on your card then when it appears on your (on-line) bill you pay it straight off?

That dosen't sound to be like pre-loading, to me thats where you pay in money to effectivly increase the credit limit then buy the item.

correct Tonty, there is nothing to stop you paying early -as in the next day.

i need the miles - we are moving to Florida in Nov and i need to come back once a month to the UK. my jan and feb flights will use my 2 upgrade vouchers, so will need some for March April May and June until the next vouchers come through in July

limit is £25k (they dropped it from 40 last year).

i load it up and pay it the next day-paying the bills in stages.
they told me pre paying was ok funny enough

last Xmas with the 4 for £1 offer and got a couple of UC flights

Thanks for the info. I will try this as they stated my account would be frozen if I made a large BACS to it. Making payments regularly online is task but worth it for the miles 8D