V-Flyer

Bit concerned by a thread on the Head for Points Website about MBNA credit cards.

http://www.headforpoints.com/2016/09/06 ... card-mbna/

Seems that due to new rules regarding interchange fees the future of non-AMEX reward cards may be in doubt.
The Virgin MBNA card apparently counts as non-AMEX unlike the BA card.

This would be tragedy for us (and I suspect many others) as it's by far and away the best way to earn miles . Has anyone heard any rumours about this card?

Haven't heard this but think both Amex and VS would rush to fill the gap. Assuming BA don't have an exclusivity deal.

I think the issue is that it won't be economical for anyone to fill the gap - the EU cap on fees will make it too expensive to provide the level of rewards these cards have been doing.

After some appalling service from MBNA I've all but moved over to Amex plat any way but it would be a shame to see these type of cards die out.

the advantage of having 2 cards is for places that dont accept AMEX.
I was looking at the Lloyds Avios card & the Mastercard collects 1.25 points at every £5!
That is probably a worse deal than a tesco clubcard for me.

The draw to the cards is usually the incentive reward. ie 241 ticket on BA or E to PE upgrades with Virgin.
That is the reason I have an airline card & not another card where I can move points to miles.

The article mentions 'Free' AA cards - does this imply that the 'black' cards issued from MBNA which charge an annual fee are not going to be impacted??

Dobbin512 wrote:The article mentions 'Free' AA cards - does this imply that the 'black' cards issued from MBNA which charge an annual fee are not going to be impacted??

I read that and then also read the bit about licensing- they won't be partnering with Amex again.

I would certainly be unusual for VS not to have a card in the UK, I've always believed they've significantly enhanced loyalty.

Wasn't there some talk of the VS cards going back to Virgin Money? They where originally issued by Virgin Money when they first launched anyway. Sure I read something about this a while ago?

mitchja wrote:Wasn't there some talk of the VS cards going back to Virgin Money? They where originally issued by Virgin Money when they first launched anyway. Sure I read something about this a while ago?

I'm sure that's right. It was a few years ago.

Slightly on slightly off topic, but is there a way to find out your anniversary date that I'm missing?

My card got replaced as apparently there was a chance of fraud on it, so I can't look at the valid from date.

trusse03 wrote:Slightly on slightly off topic, but is there a way to find out your anniversary date that I'm missing?

My card got replaced as apparently there was a chance of fraud on it, so I can't look at the valid from date.

give them a call, they will tell you. similar has happened to me - and as you know, you cant look at the statements for the old card.

I flew back from GIB on EZY about a month ago and paid for the uninspiring "meal deal" with my VS AMEX card whilst onboard. The flight attendant struck up a conversation and said that he had someone from MBNA on a flight the day previous who told him that MBNA were to stop providing Virgin Atlantic credit cards.

I have recently got a White Virgin card for my non Amex spend which originally went onto a Tesco card. AS I have also decided to collect the miles for Virgin again as I have plenty of Ba Miles to fall back on. So it would be a great loss if they finished with Virgin airmiles. On the Brexit would the rules change again on the cap on fees? Linda

Even more slightly off topic, according to FC when the current VS booking system is updated to the Delta one in November CC fees will be scrapped.

-Steve

Plus the calendar search should be a bit more intuitive! But I for one will be happy to bid CC fees farewell.

On a side note about the MBNA CCs it is a shame what the interchange fee cap will do to reward cards. Hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.

I got an email today for someone on my company account based in the US for the US virgin world MasterCard, and the offers run on that are great. For example at the moment they are doing upto 90,000 miles bonus based on a spend criteria and awarding TPs for every $2.5k per month (max 2). Imagine if there was no interchange cap and VS / MBNA could make enough on the UK card to give out TPs. Would make maintaining and attaining status easier. I suppose though that has both pros/cons!