What now for MBNA BMI AMEX cards?
Dec 22, 2011, 3:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Programs: Diamond Club Silver, BAEC Silver,HHonors Silver, Virgin
Posts: 121
What now for MBNA BMI AMEX cards?
Any idea what will happen to the BMI Amex/Viusa cards? It's been my best way of earning to date .... The miles build up much quicker than using my BAEC Amex. Spending is my main way of earning .... don't fly that much on revenue to earn miles that way. 
Dec 22, 2011, 3:55 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,021
Business as usual until you hear otherwise.
If they are your best way of earning and you are wanting to keep earning Diamond Club miles, then keep using them.
If they are your best way of earning and you are wanting to keep earning Diamond Club miles, then keep using them.
Dec 22, 2011, 4:16 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Yup, keep calm and carry on!
Although given BA's deal with Amex, the cards will get dropped. If LH offers a route into M&M for DC members, I'd expect to be offered a M&M card as a replacement.
Remember also that MBNA is currently selling its UK business as well, so that may also change things.
Although given BA's deal with Amex, the cards will get dropped. If LH offers a route into M&M for DC members, I'd expect to be offered a M&M card as a replacement.
Remember also that MBNA is currently selling its UK business as well, so that may also change things.
Jul 31, 2012, 11:32 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GFL
Posts: 133
MBNA bmi Mastercard - when will it all end?
I did look for an answer to this, but couldn't see it, so apologies if I've missed it.
Does anyone know when this card might become defunct? I'm still spending on it and accruing bmi miles, but they've just asked for an annual fee which I'm reluctant to pay out for if the earning possibilities disappear.
Does anyone know when this card might become defunct? I'm still spending on it and accruing bmi miles, but they've just asked for an annual fee which I'm reluctant to pay out for if the earning possibilities disappear.
Jul 31, 2012, 12:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quite close to NQY
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 9,488
What now for MBNA BMI AMEX cards?
Well even if you pay it and the card vanishes, surely they would have to give you a refund of however many months you wouldnt have the card ?
I'm keeping mine in the hope that something is offered when they do eventually close the bmi cards. However I don't think anything will happen anytime soon as the card is still offered isn't it ?
cs
I'm keeping mine in the hope that something is offered when they do eventually close the bmi cards. However I don't think anything will happen anytime soon as the card is still offered isn't it ?
cs
Jul 31, 2012, 12:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: E14
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott, IHG, Sirius, Dusit, Thai, Virgin, Hyatt, BAA, AS, AA(both)
Posts: 1,240
Well even if you pay it and the card vanishes, surely they would have to give you a refund of however many months you wouldnt have the card ?
I'm keeping mine in the hope that something is offered when they do eventually close the bmi cards. However I don't think anything will happen anytime soon as the card is still offered isn't it ?
cs
I'm keeping mine in the hope that something is offered when they do eventually close the bmi cards. However I don't think anything will happen anytime soon as the card is still offered isn't it ?
cs
Jul 31, 2012, 12:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
Assuming you no longer need any status miles with bmi (where you get 4k annual on the paid).
The only advantage of the paid card now, compared to the free one, is the earning rate.
I can not see any chance of something being offered for paid holders where they get Tier Points (it would be nice though).
So, is the earning rate worth the fee?
If it is, pay it. If not, I would try to downgrade to the free one.
The only advantage of the paid card now, compared to the free one, is the earning rate.
I can not see any chance of something being offered for paid holders where they get Tier Points (it would be nice though).
So, is the earning rate worth the fee?
If it is, pay it. If not, I would try to downgrade to the free one.
Jul 31, 2012, 1:04 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Near Lichfield, UK
Programs: BMI DC Gold, BA Gold, LH SEN, Priority Club Platinum, Nectar purple
Posts: 949
I cancelled mine a few weeks ago - I'm not very keen on adding to the virtually unusable Avios that my BMI miles have become.
I called MBNA and asked if they would just transfer my card over to the M&M one to save me going through the bother of having to re-apply, but they told me I would have to cancel the BMI card and make a new application for the M&M one.
I called MBNA and asked if they would just transfer my card over to the M&M one to save me going through the bother of having to re-apply, but they told me I would have to cancel the BMI card and make a new application for the M&M one.
Jul 31, 2012, 1:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quite close to NQY
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 9,488
I cancelled mine a few weeks ago - I'm not very keen on adding to the virtually unusable Avios that my BMI miles have become.
I called MBNA and asked if they would just transfer my card over to the M&M one to save me going through the bother of having to re-apply, but they told me I would have to cancel the BMI card and make a new application for the M&M one.
I called MBNA and asked if they would just transfer my card over to the M&M one to save me going through the bother of having to re-apply, but they told me I would have to cancel the BMI card and make a new application for the M&M one.
Just curious, why are your avios unusable ?
cs
Jul 31, 2012, 2:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,529
He said virtually unusable CS, and I think I can understand the difference - depending on where you want to go and availability of seats!
Mind you I have done more redemptions with BA in the last two months than ever before, but only on domestic links - which are now surprisingly affordable.
Mind you I have done more redemptions with BA in the last two months than ever before, but only on domestic links - which are now surprisingly affordable.
Jul 31, 2012, 3:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quite close to NQY
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 9,488
He said virtually unusable CS, and I think I can understand the difference - depending on where you want to go and availability of seats!
Mind you I have done more redemptions with BA in the last two months than ever before, but only on domestic links - which are now surprisingly affordable.
Mind you I have done more redemptions with BA in the last two months than ever before, but only on domestic links - which are now surprisingly affordable.
Sorry !!
Why do you consider your Avios virtually unusable Doug_1970
Not trying to be funny, but as an avid Avios collector, BA Silver card holder and long time reader of the BA forum, im just curious
cs
Aug 1, 2012, 12:24 am
#12
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Near Lichfield, UK
Programs: BMI DC Gold, BA Gold, LH SEN, Priority Club Platinum, Nectar purple
Posts: 949
Secondly, the availability for long haul business class seats seems to be awful compared to *A and ST. I have looked for BA availability for several routes to Asia and the US and could find hardly anything. With *A or ST I hardly ever struggled to find availability, as long as I was flexibile by a couple of days and by the route. With BA I'd need to be flexible with the month rather then the day.
So, I have just under 700k Avios that I have no idea what to do with. If I could transfer them to M&M or Flying Blue at a 50% loss, then I'd do so in a heartbeat.
If I lived in London or Manchester and wanted to fly a lot to European destinations, then Avios would be great. But I don't, so for me they're close to useless.
Aug 1, 2012, 1:43 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 199
My guessing is that the bmi MBNA cards will cease operation in around April next year (based on the fact that I got issued with a very short-dated new card recently, and an assumption of there needing to be something like a one year winding-down / notice period to MBNA).
Out of interest does anyone have an issued card with an expiry date further out than 04/13?
I currently pay my rent on the Visa version so will be exploiting this way of earning Avios until the bitter end.
Out of interest does anyone have an issued card with an expiry date further out than 04/13?
I currently pay my rent on the Visa version so will be exploiting this way of earning Avios until the bitter end.
Aug 1, 2012, 1:49 am
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Near Lichfield, UK
Programs: BMI DC Gold, BA Gold, LH SEN, Priority Club Platinum, Nectar purple
Posts: 949