Perhaps no great surprise here - but wanting to cancel my £80 fee card and replace with a non fee paying one is one big effort.
I decided having earned sufficient miles for the next couple of years (and spotting the casino opportunities
), I'd change cards.
Phoned the number on the statement - 'sir I have to put you to customer loyalty.' OK so far. The customer loyalty girl was unhelpful, disrespectful and down right inefficient. 'Basically you can cancel the card, but cannot apply for another one for 6 months.'
'But I want to show loyalty to MBNA (not really but it comes with the deal) and Virgin.' 'No you cannot do it - no one can do it'. Frankly she couldn't be bothered. Eventually I said cancel the card - she did immediately and that was that.
I also had the phone number for applications for a new card. I phoned them 'No problem sir, but unfortunately you have to go through the full application process again on the phone' The girl was brilliant, helpful, we had a laugh when she had to read all the official stuff, saying she would wake me up when she had finished. I felt all impressed at the end. Though I suppose I still might not get a card!!!
Anyway once again there's a great disparity between who you deal with - not sure if both were Virgin or MBNA - but shouldn't matter.
So final score:
CC Loyalty staff 0 CC Application Staff 5 (unless I'm refused a card - then match abandoned!)
Trevor
Edit to move to cards forum......... Nick
I decided having earned sufficient miles for the next couple of years (and spotting the casino opportunities

Phoned the number on the statement - 'sir I have to put you to customer loyalty.' OK so far. The customer loyalty girl was unhelpful, disrespectful and down right inefficient. 'Basically you can cancel the card, but cannot apply for another one for 6 months.'
'But I want to show loyalty to MBNA (not really but it comes with the deal) and Virgin.' 'No you cannot do it - no one can do it'. Frankly she couldn't be bothered. Eventually I said cancel the card - she did immediately and that was that.
I also had the phone number for applications for a new card. I phoned them 'No problem sir, but unfortunately you have to go through the full application process again on the phone' The girl was brilliant, helpful, we had a laugh when she had to read all the official stuff, saying she would wake me up when she had finished. I felt all impressed at the end. Though I suppose I still might not get a card!!!
Anyway once again there's a great disparity between who you deal with - not sure if both were Virgin or MBNA - but shouldn't matter.
So final score:
CC Loyalty staff 0 CC Application Staff 5 (unless I'm refused a card - then match abandoned!)
Trevor
Edit to move to cards forum......... Nick