how much??!! (MBNA)

Member Name: sherry

Product:	MBNA
Date:	23/02/01 (471 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheque book

Disadvantages: high APR on using it!!!!!

While I was looking for a new credit card and checking out which were offering the best deals on balance transfers, I stumbled across the MBNA card as it was being offered through one of the equestrian magazines that I regularly use for ordering items.

The offer stated a low APR on balance transfers and competitve APR after that, along with money off all future orders with the mail order company (Robinsons Country Leisure) and special offers.

As I ordered the credit card through the Robinsons Country Leisure, it has a lovely horsey design on the front, which I feel would attract a lot of people to have one of these cards. I regularly receive through the post £10 money off vouchers to use in the catalogue as long as I order with my credit card. This at first seemed great to keep receiving these £10 vouchers, but the trouble is everytime I use them, I save £10 but then don't put the money away to pay for it at the end of the month and still just pay off the minimum amount due, hence I then don't really save £10 at all in the long run!!!!

The other attraction to this card, was the fact that I could have a cheque book and use this in instances where a credit card wouldn't be accepted, for instance if I was to have work done by a local tradesman, costing a bit more than I could afford that month, and who didn't have the means to accept credit card, I would just use one of the cheques and not have to worry. BUT the only trouble is, is that the APR is charged at a highter rate for this, its charged along the same level as though I had withdrawn cash.

The one thing that I really object to is the late payment charge, which is £18!! I forgot on a couple of instances to send my normal payment, through moving house etc, and was charged, even though I pay on time all other times. At no time until then was I aware of a late payment charge as I had not come across this before.

I have always found their custome
r services department to be very friendly and professional. You also get the option of setting up a pin number over the phone so that you can call for information on your statement, without even having to speak to anybody, which is quite useful if you just need a quick query solved, such as a credit limit check or balance oustanding.

I am currently looking again to change to another card (one with low balance transfers!!!) as I feel that I am spending a lot more with this card than any other, due to the fact that I receive the £10 vouchers and they also keep putting up my credit limit!!!

I just hope that I don't come across any problems with them when I wish to transfer the balance and close the acccount!!!! fingers crossed!!!!

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