V-Flyer

I'm sure it's safe to say that almost all of us have some version of Virgins Credit Card. While I've been looking round for a new CC (for the 0% transfer [:I])I've been comparing what some other airlines and hotels offer compared to Virgin.

Many offer a 3 or 4 points per pound bonus when purchasing flights with the airline (BMI platinum card for example) while Virgin only lets you earn the basic 1 or 2 points depending what card you have. But fair dues to Virgin they do offer a companion ticket...

Does anyone think they can do better?

Oh and just to point out, I'm not knocking the card, I'm quite happy with mine!

Kris

I see what you are saying, Kris.

In fairness though, bonuses for buying flights wouldn't make a massive difference to the earning potential of the card.

I too, am more than happy with my card. :D

Nick

....and dont forget that VS dont charge a CC fee when booking online which most other airlines now do.

This makes up for not earning any any extra points with a credit card as far as I'm concerned.

Regards

I think they should brand a Virgin Atlantic card rather than just virgin!

Card itself im fairly happy with!

Originally posted by Jonathan
I think they should brand a Virgin Atlantic card rather than just virgin!

Card itself im fairly happy with!

Agreed, I would prefer if it was branded as a Virgin Atlantic credit card

Although I do think the companion reward ticket borders on the useless I do however think the 2x card is fine the way it is.

Clear the balance every month and you really do end up with something that's worth much more than eighty quid a year!

Regards

John

Originally posted by mitchja
....and dont forget that VS dont charge a CC fee when booking online which most other airlines now do.

If VS really wanted to make the card special, they would re-brand it in VS colours and then introduce credit card surcharges for bookings ... with specific exemption for the VS card. [}:)][:I]

Also, I suppose they should exempt their other partners - Amex and Diners.

Nick

Still very happy with my Virgin credit card, although id love to see VS branding and double miles for spend on VS flights.

The best part for me is that the miles go straight to my FC account each month where as with other cards (like my Amex) you have to call them to make the transfer.

Thanks,
Sarah

Though when transfering from Amex I have found that it is pretty much instantaneous so no real lose there.

However,I would like to see a US VS CC with double points [:#]

Well I've just got very angry with my Virgin Credit card (admittedly it's MBNA's fault not Virgin's but I think there are some issues virgin need to address).

Firstly, before heading off to Seoul I had a bit of a splash on some new suits, then a little shopping at LHR.
Then I drew some cash from an ATM in Seoul, and paid my hotel bill with the card when I left Seoul.

Then I arrived in China and my card wasn't working in the usual places. Knowing atm's in China are a little hit or miss I thought nothing of it. But then it failed me on a BIG purchase in a store where it normally works. So I figured the magnetic strip had been damaged at the Hotel in Seoul and used my AMEX card instead (but only single miles [:(!])

I arrived home on the 18th to find a letter from MBNA's fraud department dated the 3rd April saying my card would be blocked unless I contacted them since there were some unusual transactions.
Fine sentiments I'm sure... But very inconvenient when I am the other side of the world... And it's not as if it's a part of the world I have never used the card in before.

But now it gets worse. I've just spent an hour on the phone (at least it's 0800!) trying to get the exchange rate used for the transactions in Seoul so that I can do my expenses.

For a credit card obviously aimed at people likely to travel, why the hell don't they show the exchange rate used on the statements.
I got shunted between three different departments and finally got the rate used for the ATM withdrawl, but the rate used for the Hotel bill wasn't yet available on their system.... duh! I'm supposed to do my expenses within ten days of travelling, and when the stirling amount I was ultimately charged doesn't come close to what the exchange rate was at that time, I'm going to need some documentary proof to justify the exchange loss on my expenses.

So... Four gripes against the Virgin Credit Card:
1) Don't block my card within a few days of going overseas!
2) Print both the foriegn currency amount, the exchange rate used and any other charges on my statement.
3) Don't charge me an extortionate exchange rate.
4) Post the exchage rate used on line as soon as the transaction is shown.... some system somewhere in the world must have known what rate was used, since it has been converted to Stirling.

I never had this trouble with Egg and Visa and the rate was always good. And since it looks like KLM is going to be my company's preferred option to get me to and from Seoul for the next year, what is the point of me using such an inconvenient card?!?!?!?!

Glad I got that off my chest, I think I'll cut and paste into a letter to their customer services! [:o)]

Simon,

Get that letter off to MBNA, without feedback they cant make any changes, and you make some very valid points.

Regarding the card blocking, it is a common theme with this card, i have had a note put on my account to say that i travel regualrly and not to flag it, although if i am visiting several places in one go i will call them and tell them where i am going so that my card is not stopped.

Its very good that they are on the ball security wise but can be a pain when you try and use your card and suffer the embarrasment of having it rejected. I have been there first hand in MCO when i first got my VS CC [:I].

Thanks,
Sarah

Simon,
I totally agree about the exchange rate problem! I work for a bank and their CC dept are usually on the ball with these sort of queries. Considering how big MBNA/Bank of america are, simple info like this should be at their finger tips... Personally I think MBNA were a poor choice of CC provider for virgin to choose.

Like many of you have said, I'd love the VA card to be branded (dont think much of the current design, in fact I think it's quite poor) and have bonus points for purchasing VA flights (or any virgin product for that matter).

Ah well, I think we can always dream!

THought I'd chuck in my opinion

I think the VS CC is actually a bit pants to be honest; I think most of that comes down to the fact that its adminsitered by the monkeys we know as MBNA.

I carry one of the cards, the free version just as a backup in case a merchant doesn't take AmEx, fortuantely AmEx acceptance is signigicantly better than it was when I first go my card in 2000 (hell even McD's take it.... [:I]). So I get the 1 point per £. But then when you compare it against other airline affinity cards it is not the best out there. Its unusual to see that you don't get a bonus for using your card to purchase tickets from VS.

Who remembers the real true VS Card - the AmEx Gold charge card which gave 2 MR points per pound spent, and 4 points for every £ spent with VS. Came with the other usual Gold card benefits. Yeah true it didn't come with the companion vouchers, but I've let two of these expire already. Its a well discussed point about how best to use these - the BlackCat rule applies! Personally the only good use of it is in conjunction with an S fare. Given that as a FC Au I get a companion voucher, and so does Sarah - moot point really.

I've found the service from MBNA to be poor, if I were paying the £80 fee I would be really screaming. Only last week did they send me a letter to tell me after a review of my account they were slapping up the interest rate by 9%!! Phonign them to question it, had it reduced by 5% within 30 seconds, and back down to the old rate within 5 minutes (and a manager intervention).

The BA AmEx is quite good - I really like the way that you use the companion voucher in conjunction with a mileage redemption. The qualifying rate is lower too - starts at £10k/year spend.

Look at the BMI card also issued by MBNA
2 points for Gen spend, and 4 points for BMI spend. 20,000 miles bonus too upon sign-up.

Overall it depends on what kind of person you are and your spend, for me it is my AmEx as it gives me the most points per £ spent (esp with spend with VS). The companion voucher is of no use. I agree with what was said earlier about the transfer time from AmEx to VS - it is very quick.

I hold my points within the AmEx MR system, and transfer them over when needed or there is a promo on (like the current 10% bonus on VS transfers). Also gives me flexibility to move the points into another program if there is a special on - helped get me two seats on Cocnorde a few years ago by keeping them in MR. There are a number of routes of getting seats on VS via reward, so if CO have a transfer bonus on or promo, makes sense to look at it from that angle.

Thanks,
Richard

{mcuth: edited to shorten link}

You must have been finding more than the odd place that didn't take the magical black card if you've spent 30 grand on the VS CC "as a backup"!

Regards

John

Originally posted by JAT74L
You must have been finding more than the odd place that didn't take the magical black card if you've spent 30 grand on the VS CC "as a backup"!

Regards

John

Ahh, sorry should have been clearer; I've let two companion vouchers (from Renewing Gold) lapse. I was trying to show that the vouchers are of little use to me [:I]

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by RichardMannion
THought I'd chuck in my opinion

I think the VS CC is actually a bit pants to be honest; I think most of that comes down to the fact that its adminsitered by the monkeys we know as MBNA.

Have to disagree a bit here. :D

Yes, the MBNA administration leaves A LOT to be desired, but the staff at the Virgin Members shop - in my experience - are excellent. They have sorted out a couple of Virgin related issues for me without a problem.

Touch wood, I haven't had any payment / card issues for a while, so have been spared the ineptitude of the mbna 0800 number, which I have to admit that - judging by my own experiences - is dire. [V][:(!]

I stand to be corrected, but the Virgin mastercard is the only currently issued card that offers 2 FC points for every pound spent.

For me, that represents excellent value for the £80 fee, and long may it continue. :D

Nick

Yep, I find it perfectly good value too.

Simple equation - £80 quid fee + for example 15 grand cycled through the card in the year = 30k miles + voucher.

Oh, but of course it's not BLACK...

Regards

John

Originally posted by JAT74L

Oh, but of course it's not BLACK...

- I'm not that sad you know!

Everyone is different, my spend on the card is tiny - so hence I opted for the version with no annual fee. But yes if I didn't have my AmEx with its earnign rates, I too would pay the £80 and have the version that you boys have.

Thanks,
Richard

Yep,

I am happy with it as well. Just can't find a way of using the companion voucher on the routes i want.

Iain

went for the BMI card, those 20,000 miles will come in handy for a weekend away!

Excuse the punn, but it wont be long until you see a Virgin Atlantic credit card, on the cards
I have heard information but keep your eyes open this one will compete with the BA credit card... with the usual way in which flying club is more generous... not to mention the design is sexy.

I have the virgin credit card, and mine is black! But it will be going back shortly anyway. I pay oft my full balance by the due date every month. Yet I still keep getting charged interest every month. I have tried ringing MBNA about it but they just keep saying it is a charge based on my estimated interest next month! Total Bull !

So Jeremey you are saying that MBNA estimates interest for the next statement period but includes those charges on the current statement? If so they are charging for a service that has yet to be rendered or may not even be rendered in the case of a monthly pay off.

That seems to be about the gist of what they keep telling me. I have to say I have asked them to explain why I keep getting charged interest on 3 occassions now, and each time they have left me confused. It runs something along the lines of:

MBNA "this is a combination of the interest charged for the past month plus an element of an estimate for the charge for the month we are currently in (ie what will be invoiced on the next statement). If there is a difference between this estimate and the actual it will be adjusted on your next statement."

Sailor "But I always pay my bill in full by the due date you give me. On all my other credit cards this has meant I pay no interest whatsoever. Why am is there interest on my statement at all?"

MBNA "This is a combination of the interest charged for the past month plus an element of an estimate for the charge for the month we are currently in (ie what will be invoiced on the next statement). If there is a difference between this estimate and the actual it will be adjusted on your next statement."

And so it goes on. I will be pleased to be rid of them. All I am waiting on at the moment is to see how my flying habits settle down over the next few weeks, then I will decide which airline card to go with.

BA credit card... with the usual way in which flying club is more generous...

It will be one hell of a good deal if it is more generous than the BA Amex premium plus.