EK MBNA credit cards
Oct 10, 2013, 1:41 pm
#126
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
If you have a family member in the UK with a skywards account and a good credit history, then they can apply and make you an additional card holder. Only worth the effort if you spend money in Sterling though since you will be hit with the transaction fees if you spend in Euros.But not a bad idea if you travel to the UK often.
Moreover the primary cardholder will be getting the miles for your spend as well but they can upgrade you using the miles in their account.
AFAIK there are no credit checks on the additional card holder (I.e You) but obviously it has to be someone who trusts you as they
Have to pay for your spend as well.
Moreover the primary cardholder will be getting the miles for your spend as well but they can upgrade you using the miles in their account.
AFAIK there are no credit checks on the additional card holder (I.e You) but obviously it has to be someone who trusts you as theyHave to pay for your spend as well.
Oct 10, 2013, 5:11 pm
#127
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
That's a key point you make ukdoctor re transaction fees. All non-sterling purchases are hit with a 3% loading (2.99% to be specific ...) by MBNA and so the card is not the ideal payment mechanism when travelling outside UK. Plus, it's not unknown for some merchants to also add their own fee when accepting CC's - not least if it's an Amex (assuming of course they actually accept Amex at all 
Hence the provision by MBNA of a Visa card as 'back-up').
The Amex card generates more Skywards miles - 2 miles for every £1 spent - but once you get involved with transaction fees the benefit is diluted vs. the cost of buying any necessary miles separately under the 25k calendar year limit.
And so whilst I had originally intended to use the Emirates/MBNA card for various trips over the next few months in order to rack up miles, I will most probably rely more on my newly-acquired Halifax Clarity card, which has zero loading, whether for purchases OR cash withdrawals.
Hence the provision by MBNA of a Visa card as 'back-up').The Amex card generates more Skywards miles - 2 miles for every £1 spent - but once you get involved with transaction fees the benefit is diluted vs. the cost of buying any necessary miles separately under the 25k calendar year limit.
And so whilst I had originally intended to use the Emirates/MBNA card for various trips over the next few months in order to rack up miles, I will most probably rely more on my newly-acquired Halifax Clarity card, which has zero loading, whether for purchases OR cash withdrawals.
Oct 10, 2013, 8:10 pm
#128
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
That's a key point you make ukdoctor re transaction fees. All non-sterling purchases are hit with a 3% loading (2.99% to be specific ...) by MBNA and so the card is not the ideal payment mechanism when travelling outside UK. Plus, it's not unknown for some merchants to also add their own fee when accepting CC's - not least if it's an Amex (assuming of course they actually accept Amex at all Hence the provision by MBNA of a Visa card as 'back-up').
The Amex card generates more Skywards miles - 2 miles for every £1 spent - but once you get involved with transaction fees the benefit is diluted vs. the cost of buying any necessary miles separately under the 25k calendar year limit.
And so whilst I had originally intended to use the Emirates/MBNA card for various trips over the next few months in order to rack up miles, I will most probably rely more on my newly-acquired Halifax Clarity card, which has zero loading, whether for purchases OR cash withdrawals.
Hence the provision by MBNA of a Visa card as 'back-up').The Amex card generates more Skywards miles - 2 miles for every £1 spent - but once you get involved with transaction fees the benefit is diluted vs. the cost of buying any necessary miles separately under the 25k calendar year limit.
And so whilst I had originally intended to use the Emirates/MBNA card for various trips over the next few months in order to rack up miles, I will most probably rely more on my newly-acquired Halifax Clarity card, which has zero loading, whether for purchases OR cash withdrawals.
The great thing about Amex is the occasional cash back promo's that they have. Sadly they ate mostly London based, but you get credit back into your Account if you do a certain minimum spend with a select group of shops.
I had been to London for a week for work and got around £25 credit back by just eating out/few essential purchases etc (most if the transactions were for £15-£20)
Oct 11, 2013, 6:50 am
#129
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
The Amex card generates more Skywards miles - 2 miles for every £1 spent - but once you get involved with transaction fees the benefit is diluted vs. the cost of buying any necessary miles separately under the 25k calendar year limit.
And so whilst I had originally intended to use the Emirates/MBNA card for various trips over the next few months in order to rack up miles, I will most probably rely more on my newly-acquired Halifax Clarity card, which has zero loading, whether for purchases OR cash withdrawals.
And so whilst I had originally intended to use the Emirates/MBNA card for various trips over the next few months in order to rack up miles, I will most probably rely more on my newly-acquired Halifax Clarity card, which has zero loading, whether for purchases OR cash withdrawals.
The card I would add to my collection is the Metro Bank debit card to avoid any fees whatsoever on the Clarity Card.
Oct 11, 2013, 10:17 pm
#130
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
Why would you think that? People often have several credit cards from diffferent providers.
Similar mix of cards as myself and I agree with not using the EK cards overseas.
The card I would add to my collection is the Metro Bank debit card to avoid any fees whatsoever on the Clarity Card.
Similar mix of cards as myself and I agree with not using the EK cards overseas.
The card I would add to my collection is the Metro Bank debit card to avoid any fees whatsoever on the Clarity Card.
Oct 12, 2013, 3:35 pm
#131
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 267
Why would you think that? People often have several credit cards from diffferent providers.
Similar mix of cards as myself and I agree with not using the EK cards overseas.
The card I would add to my collection is the Metro Bank debit card to avoid any fees whatsoever on the Clarity Card.
Similar mix of cards as myself and I agree with not using the EK cards overseas.
The card I would add to my collection is the Metro Bank debit card to avoid any fees whatsoever on the Clarity Card.
Oct 12, 2013, 4:49 pm
#132
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 123
When I applied for mine I already had an Mbna platinum and gold card - both with ridiculously high credit limits that I would never use, they accepted my application immediately but the credit limit was then reduced on one of the cards - as it turned out I really didn't need that many cards so I just cancelled the ones I wouldn't be using - but had I kept them all I would have had 4 of their cards - so its really not an issue apparently - so long as you have sufficient finances in the first place.
Oct 13, 2013, 4:30 am
#133
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LHR/DXB
Programs: Golden Circle, Skywards
Posts: 120
Oct 18, 2013, 8:34 am
#134
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
How long after statemnt closing date do the miles and bonus miles post to your account?
Its been over a week and still not posted, seems MBNA or EK are rather slow at this.
Also in regards to the £150 Fare discount, how long after statement do you receive this code?
Its been over a week and still not posted, seems MBNA or EK are rather slow at this.
Also in regards to the £150 Fare discount, how long after statement do you receive this code?
Oct 18, 2013, 5:50 pm
#135
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
Are you sure that you gave the right skywards number. My statement closes on the 27th and the miles are in my account by the 1st or the 2nd of the next month.