I obtained an MBNA "New Hall" card in August 1999, because it would mean my college got a small percentage of everything I spent on it. When they were running the credit check on me they claimed they couldn't find me on the electoral register - in fact they couldn't find my college, even though there are 400+ students put on the electoral roll there each year. They also did a very hard-sell on the payment protection which I gave into. After a few months I realised I didn't really need it, and cancelled it. They didn't make that easy, I had to be put through to a different department who quizzed me about giving it up and tried more hard-sell.
The initial credit limit they gave me was very stingy - £500. My montly spend was rarely that much but sometimes I would need to buy a lot of things between getting the bill and the payment deadline. I would go over the limit by say, £100 because of this timing problem. The card wouldn't be stopped, but I would get an automated snotty letter telling me to pay the amount immediately, which would arrive about the time I was about to pay off the previous month in full anyway (I always paid off in full).
This happened two or three times during the time I had the card. The last time it happened I got fed up and decided to cancel the card. As with the payment protection, they tried a bit of hard-sell to keep me, but I'd had enough. I'm sorry my college won't be getting the benefit, but I'd rather just give them some money than put up with MBNA.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Would need more info on APR, interest free periods etc for a higher rating. Surprised they tried to sell you the payment protection though, as usually it is only people who are working full-time that are eligible. I am assuming you were a student at the time and therefore this would not apply.
Sue
mascarasnake 29.12.2000 21:20
I agree MBNA are pushy and I got a lot of requests to take out loans, which were dearer than the credit card interest rate that I had negotiated (down to 7.9 percent!). At present I use People's Bank card at 2.9 percent transfer rate. When that is finished in April I may go for Halifax or any of the others that are around at the time.
Dec 24th, 2000
very helpful by (53%):
helpful by (33%):
somewhat helpful by (13%):
