Changes to VA Amex Card

Had a letter today from Flying Club to say that from November I'll be getting a Visa card in addition to my American Express card. Only 1 mile per pound,but will still be useful for the many places that don't accept Amex.

Mike

You beat me to it !

Actually I got two letters today - one saying that something was 'coming soon' and the actual letter.

Not sure I approve of this - giving people additional cards without them asking. Though you can phone and tell them you don't want it.

I won't turn down the 1k bonus miles either !

Have only just had a new amex card too and they will reissue that in November because of this (didn't anyone think about the cost of issuing then reissuign these cards?)

The visa rate is worse than the amex - 1 point per £2 spent

And how will the forthcoming sale of MBNA affect all this?

I had four letters scanned over to me. Two saying that an exciting new way to earn points is coming soon. One to say that my white Amex will basically stay the same with 1point per GBP but I'll get a new Visa with 1point per GBP2. I also got the same letter but for black offering 2points per GBP with a Visa offering 1point per 2GBP.

[Nottingham Nick]

Although the return isn't great, this is good news IMHO.

It gives an alternative when places don't accept Amex, and it is timed very well, given the recently announced demise of the Marriott Visa card, which is our current back up.

Anything is better than nothing, I suppose 8D

Nick

Agree with Nick, despite the flood of letters through my box this morning (for two of us, three each ...)!

[Neil]

I'm quite happy about this. Okay the earning levels aren't as big, but certainly better than just putting on my debit card and not earning anything.

So, did I get this right (still waiting to get home and wade through the pile of mail!).

If you have the white AMEX, your Visa will give you 1 point per pound,
But if you have the blakc, you only get 1 point per two pounds on the Visa?

Strange?

I wonder if this is in response to some sort of move joining up Avios, airmiles, BA AMEX and Lloyds TSB in some way...

Exciting times:D

[mitchja]

Sorry nothing yet received here, but is there any mention of fees as I 'aint paying £140 a year for a VISA card!!

So, did I get this right (still waiting to get home and wade through the pile of mail!).

If you have the white AMEX, your Visa will give you 1 point per pound,
But if you have the blakc, you only get 1 point per two pounds on the Visa?

Strange?

I wonder if this is in response to some sort of move joining up Avios, airmiles, BA AMEX and Lloyds TSB in some way...

Exciting times:D

The white visa will give 1 point for every £2 spend with the amex being 1:£1

No idea about the black as it's not mentioned in the letter I got.

[mitchja]

Amex have always been able to offer better 'rewards' on cards as their merchant fees are higher than VISA or Mastercard.

I dont mind been switched to a VISA card but I'm not paying the same annual fee for one.

Amex have always been able to offer better 'rewards' on cards as their merchant fees are higher than VISA or Mastercard.

I dont mind been switched to a VISA card but I'm not paying the same annual fee for one.

James

This is the VS Amex from MBNA and not 'proper' Amex from well Amex.

People will get a VS branded Visa card in addition to the VS Amex card.

[mitchja]

Any brand of AmEx card (proper or MBNA) still goes through the AmEx merchant system which costs more to use (which is the reason why lots of retailers wont accept AmEx because it costs them more to process AmEx transactions than VISA or M/Card ones)

The higher merchant fees means the card issuer can then offer better rewards to the card holder. You always get better rewards with an AmEx branded card than a VISA or M/Card one.

I suspect this is why VS (and other airlines) originally choose AmEx over M/Card or VISA.

[Neil]

Amex have always been able to offer better 'rewards' on cards as their merchant fees are higher than VISA or Mastercard.

I dont mind been switched to a VISA card but I'm not paying the same annual fee for one.

James - the aren't switching to a Visa, they are giving you the visa in addition to the AmEx card. So you will now have two cards on te account, it just enables you to still earn miles at places that don't accept AmEx.

There is no extra fee, it's just an addition, although a new account number will be issued for both cards.

The black Visa card will earn 1 miles per £1 spent
The White Visa card will earn 1 mile per £2 spent

The AmEx keeps it's current earning rates.

[mitchja]

Thanks Neil

I wont be bothering here as I don't have any issues using my VS Amex here anyway. It's the miles been transfered to my FC account hat I seem to have constant issues with!!

I just realised that I hadn't opened my mail yet. Sure enough - I also have 2 letters and will gladly use the Visa card as there are some places which I go to that don't accept AmEx. I'll happily accept the 1000 extra miles too, Thank You very much.

Katie

Nothing here yet...

So is it just two cards, one Amex and one Visa, on the same account? With one bill to pay, and one credit limit?

Got my letter today as well.

All they've done is align all our MBNA Amex Card accounts to match what Lloyds have done with the Duo Card Account..(Amex and Mastercard on the same account). One bill, same credit limit.
This gives MBNA the benefit of getting a merchant fee from Visa and any interest off you when the goods supplier doesn't accept Amex.

Nice 1K miles gesture...ta very much.

Still await the outcome of the MBNA sale though...if there are any takers...

Cheers
Paul

[Neil]

Nothing here yet...

So is it just two cards, one Amex and one Visa, on the same account? With one bill to pay, and one credit limit?

Yes that it is. You will get two new cards in November (any supp card holder will get two new ones also) and you will get a 1000mile bonus when you spend on it also.

They have finally realised that those with Amex are most likely to have a second card (i.e Visa/MasterCard) in their pocket just in case where a retailer doesn't accept Amex.

I will certainly will use the Visa instead of my current Barclaycard MasterCard. But the Amex will still be my no.1 card.

Nothing here yet...

So is it just two cards, one Amex and one Visa, on the same account? With one bill to pay, and one credit limit?

Yes that it is. You will get two new cards in November (any supp card holder will get two new ones also) and you will get a 1000mile bonus when you spend on it also.

Thanks Neil. :X

I can see the Visa being useful, but I'm sure there are other cards that offer a better return than 1pt per £2. But if you only want VS miles, it's great

Especially useful if you wanted to earn FC miles on anything to do with the 2012 Olympics )

[Neil]

It is 1 mile per £2 on the white card, on the fee charging black card it is a 1:1 ratio, so not that bad really, and way better than nothing if earning VS miles are important to you.

[honey lamb]

It is 1 mile per £2 on the white card, on the fee charging black card it is a 1:1 ratio, so not that bad really, and way better than nothing if earning VS miles are important to you.

And it's still better than those of us who fly VS regularly and cannot obtain/use the card because we do not live in the UK :#

Not received anything here yet, but not sure I want another card....

It is 1 mile per £2 on the white card, on the fee charging black card it is a 1:1 ratio, so not that bad really, and way better than nothing if earning VS miles are important to you.

ahhhh thats better

I think this is good news.

I note though that the PE reward upgrade voucher and the companion reward flight (for what it's worth!) will depend on expenditure on just the Amex card, not the entire account.