New UK credit cards issue by Virgin Money

[mitchja]

Is there an App for the iPhone for this, can't seem to find one ?

No there's not, you just have to add a shortcut to the website on your home screen.

The lack of an app and no Apple Pay are probably the only downsides I’ve come across so far with this card.

Pretty poor from virgin that they have these two glaring omissions but at least the earning rate is decent.

[Darren Wheeler]

To be fair, the MBNA app was no more than a shortcut to the mobile site.

Got a letter from MBNA today about 'Important changes to your Account'

Some variation to the T&Cs but absolutely no mention of the forthcoming end of the VS Amex with them.

Got a letter from MBNA today about 'Important changes to your Account'

Some variation to the T&Cs but absolutely no mention of the forthcoming end of the VS Amex with them.

I got the same letter yesterday. How much do you want to bet that the "communication" mentioned earlier is due to follow shortly afterwards?

At the moment, I'm leaning towards refraining from applying for the new cards until the MBNA-issued cards are closed down/de-branded to standard MBNA cards. As I'm on the white cards, I don't see any real benefits of changing just yet besides the sign-up bonus.

Got a letter from MBNA today about 'Important changes to your Account'

Some variation to the T&Cs but absolutely no mention of the forthcoming end of the VS Amex with them.

I initially got worried when I opened it, but as you say it's just some T&C amendments, presumably in part to comply with GDPR rules given they come into effect on the same day.

To be fair, the MBNA app was no more than a shortcut to the mobile site.

The MBNA iPad app I use certainly isn't just a shortcut to the mobile site. It's a very good and easy to use app.

To be fair, the MBNA app was no more than a shortcut to the mobile site.

Reply: The MBNA iPad app I use certainly isn't just a shortcut to the mobile site. It's a very good and easy to use app.

Agreed! I will be keeping until the bitter end and my MBNA fee is due this week.

The iphone app is simple and easy and is far more than a mobile site. Gutted about no Apple Pay (which as a Londoner is huge) as I use it daily on the tube / for lunch!

[mitchja]

The MBNA iOS iPhone app was pretty old-school with not having a Touch/FaceID log-on option.

ApplePay is pretty much being asked for on a daily basis now on Virgin Money's Twitter page since the launch of this card so hopefully someone will pay attention!

Is anyone having any problems setting up a direct debit with Virgin Money? I applied for the new card for my hubby and after activating and using the card I went to setup a direct debit, and got an email confirming it was being processed.

A few days later he got an email thanking him for contact and the direct debit had been cancelled as requested. So I went online again and setup and again a few days later got an email, this time asking him to call, so I did. Agent said I’ve no idea why you were asked to call, the file notes say direct debit has been changed but no follow up was required. He confirmed direct debit was setup as requested.

Got another email today thanking for contact and direct debit cancelled as requested. So on the phone I go, punch in security, request to speak to an agent, go through more security and then ask about direct debit. Yes it’s cancelled. Ok, why, because I didn’t cancel it. Don’t know is the answer, but we can set it up again. Ok. But I have to pass through more security, which is totally ridiculous because in the next stage I’m going to give the agent some more account details not him give me, but hey, all in the name of data protection right?

So we set it up and I told him it was the third time I’ve had to do this and if it happens again I’m cancelling the card. “Oh we don’t want you to do that, I’ll make a note on the file not to cancel the direct debit!”

So we’ll see, but just wondered if anyone else was having problems?

Is there any further word on when the VS Amex cards issued by MBNA will "die" given that Amex have allegedly pulled the licence to issue them from MBNA?

Like others here, I've got the new Virgin Money card, but don't want to risk keeping my Black Amex on too close to it's September expiry date if there is a risk I'll get hit with the £140 renewal fee, only for the card to be cancelled very soon afterwards with no pro-rata refund of the fee. Don't give a monkeys about the White Amex card as there is no fee on that (& I don't use it).

Any info gratefully received!

Is there any further word on when the VS Amex cards issued by MBNA will "die" given that Amex have allegedly pulled the licence to issue them from MBNA?

Like others here, I've got the new Virgin Money card, but don't want to risk keeping my Black Amex on too close to it's September expiry date if there is a risk I'll get hit with the £140 renewal fee, only for the card to be cancelled very soon afterwards with no pro-rata refund of the fee. Don't give a monkeys about the White Amex card as there is no fee on that (& I don't use it).

Any info gratefully received!

I have no info about the virgin cards but when the BMI card 'died' there was a full refund of the last fee charged - I'd strongly expect that to be the same here.

Just had my new mbna VS card valid until 2021 so there is no sign that they plan to disband it . Just closed to new applicants.

[mitchja]

My monthly spend miles + the 15K bonus where credited to my FC account this morning.

[buns]

My monthly spend miles + the 15K bonus where credited to my FC account this morning.

Likewise

buns

The demise of the MBNA issued cards is now imminent it would appear. Have had two identical letters (one for white card, one for black card) this morning from MBNA.

The letter advises that the co-brand credit card relationship between MBNA & VAA is coming to an end. No further specifics other than a further letter will follow by 15th June 2018 to advise how this affects you (i.e. when they have decided what to do). Also says you will receive correspondence from VAA by the end of June 2018 also.

Just had the same letter from MBNA for my black card.

My current statement date is 1st of the month - do you have any ideas when would be the best time to apply for the new Virgin Money card to maintain the same statement date?

Richard

[mitchja]

My current statement date is 1st of the month - do you have any ideas when would be the best time to apply for the new Virgin Money card to maintain the same statement date?

Richard

In my case it was just over 30 days between application and statement date. I applied on April 4th and and first statement date is 6th May.

You can always change your statement date if you need to. Most card providers allow you to do this.

I got the letter this morning, too :( Sad times. It's a great earning rate and I was hoping to not have to apply for the new card for a while yet! Ah well.

As long as they pro rata the fee refunds and honour and other perks eg upgrade vouchers that would have been due then I will be satisfied. Anything else will be a a serious breach of our t&cs

And to complicate things even more there is a take over bid for Virgin MOney!

BBC

As long as they pro rata the fee refunds and honour and other perks eg upgrade vouchers that would have been due then I will be satisfied. Anything else will be a a serious breach of our t&cs

The letter explicitly states that, for now, the cards and all their benefits haven’t changed.

But I would fully expect that when they write again, as promised, by June 15th it’ll be to serve the required 30 days’ notice that the cards are being withdrawn and replaced with generic MBNA versions.

I have no doubt they’ll offer a pro rata refund of any fees for those who wish to cancel, but for those who keep the new MBNA cards they won’t offer any of the VS-specific benefits or earn any miles. So if you need to hit the spending threshold to trigger the PE upgrade or companion vouchers, you’ll need to do so by the time the cards are withdrawn (at a guess, mid-July).

For reference, here are the relevant sections of the MBNA terms & conditions (my bolding). Basically they can make any changes they want as long as they give you 30 days’ notice.

12.2 We may issue you with a different type of card to the one you applied for or currently hold. We may at any time replace your card with a different type of card or a card with a different account number, different branding or with one that is part of a different card scheme. The conditions that apply to a different or replacement card will be the same or substantially the same as your existing conditions. We may do this if:
• you ask for (or are eligible for) a different type of card;
• the card branding or the way it operates has changed or is not available;
• our arrangement with the organisation whose name appears on your card has ended,
changed or is about to;
• there are changes to the card scheme.

17.4 We may also change any other condition of this agreement or introduce new conditions.

17.5 We may make these changes to other conditions for the same reasons that we may change
interest rates, fees and charges, and also for these other reasons:
• to reflect the introduction of new technologies, other innovations or changes to payment
systems or the card schemes;
• to help us introduce new or improved systems, methods of operation and new features or
services that may benefit you and to develop existing services;
• if our arrangement with the organisation whose name appears on your card changes, ends
or is about to;
• to reflect changes to the way we want to do business.

17.6 We will give you 30 days’ prior notice of any change to these conditions, including changes to or introduction of new fees or charges. However, if the change is not to your disadvantage we may make the change immediately and tell you about it within 30 days.

As long as they pro rata the fee refunds and honour and other perks eg upgrade vouchers that would have been due then I will be satisfied. Anything else will be a a serious breach of our t&cs

The letter explicitly states that, for now, the cards and all their benefits haven’t changed.

But I would fully expect that when they write again, as promised, by June 15th it’ll be to serve the required 30 days’ notice that the cards are being withdrawn and replaced with generic MBNA versions.

I have no doubt they’ll offer a pro rata refund of any fees for those who wish to cancel, but for those who keep the new MBNA cards they won’t offer any of the VS-specific benefits or earn any miles. So if you need to hit the spending threshold to trigger the PE upgrade or companion vouchers, you’ll need to do so by the time the cards are withdrawn (at a guess, mid-July).

I agree, thats why i said 'would have been due' - as in my case i have already spent over 10k on the black card so would be due 2 upgrade vouchers in September. From a selfish POV i could do with them posting around June/July so that I can make a booking for 2019.

Not thrilled about this. Always use my VS Amex as earning is way better than this new card.

It's frustrating how it's getting harder and harder to earn points and tier status through basically every single airline.

Got my letter confirming closure of MBNA as a provider and I'll be getting another letter detailing what next.

Likewise, got the letter, I am not sure if they are expecting me all of a sudden to try for status with them to make the best use of the status-related-redemptions which I really am not thrilled about, but if anything it is driving me away from them a little more. I think I will apply for the free, then think about the £160 one once I get a refund from the other MBNA card. The cynic in me says they are dragging this out to reduce the pro-rata amount they give back to us.