Jan 15, 2014, 9:20 am
Last edit by: Steve Oh
What we know so far, that we are happy to share, and won't get the hump when other people ask us or other people get the hump cos we know something they don't.
3V / Pay.com cards are no more
That is all.
3V / Pay.com cards are no more
That is all.
Manufactured Spend UK
Apr 10, 2014, 5:25 pm
#1291
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
Yes, there are workarounds, but that does not change the fact that air miles in the UK are less valuable than they were a few years ago and that the pence per mile breakeven point for MS is much lower as a result.
The whole point of collecting air miles is to be able to travel the world more often and in greater comfort than you could otherwise afford.
LHR-DUB-JFK-LAS? What's that? 20 hours? Half of it spent queuing or sitting around lounges? Not exactly traveling the world in comfort.
The whole point of collecting air miles is to be able to travel the world more often and in greater comfort than you could otherwise afford.
LHR-DUB-JFK-LAS? What's that? 20 hours? Half of it spent queuing or sitting around lounges? Not exactly traveling the world in comfort.
For those outside of London, they'll need a connection into LHR anyhow, or a possibly long /expensive train journey. Dial in the fact that that you land in the US without having to go thru immigration, and that mitigates things somewhat.
And for anyone in Northern Ireland, its the quickest way to Vegas.
But the above is off topic for this forum, suffice to say that for many, miles still have a significant pence value. It's "best use" scenarios that have changed.
Apr 11, 2014, 1:31 am
#1292
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 136
True. Shameful from a Fintona boy
Back on topic though, the worth of air miles varies from person to person. The cost of MS also varies from person to person. I think people are being over pessimistic about the options in the UK. I know people are dissapointed that the 3V to NSAI route has been blocked but I think I'm actually better off now. I was never able to find any 3V cards before.
Apr 11, 2014, 2:07 am
#1293
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,330
Apr 11, 2014, 2:26 am
#1295
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Heathrow
Programs: A variety of Platinums, Golds, Silvers and other fancy metals.
Posts: 1,985
I have to admit I'm glad that the 3V NSI route was shut down too - my monthly 3V spend is now easily doable in a week, still visiting the same stores.
I'm currently considering using my Amex MRs for a new iPad, which I would not have even considered before!
I'm currently considering using my Amex MRs for a new iPad, which I would not have even considered before!
Apr 11, 2014, 2:38 am
#1296
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: London, Copenhagen
Programs: SK*G, BA Gold, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 969
Apr 11, 2014, 4:03 am
#1298
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Heathrow
Programs: A variety of Platinums, Golds, Silvers and other fancy metals.
Posts: 1,985
The fact that you spend £10k per month on your card and pay it off in full on time, every time, will only be positive.
Apr 11, 2014, 4:13 am
#1299
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 136
The best thing to do is sign up with one of the agencies to check your score. I found I had an old virgin MBNA account which had not been closed down properly. I also found that switching broadband provider had a big negative effect. It took them four attempts to get my package correct and each time they corrected it it triggered another credit check.
TopCashBack has various free trials for Eqifax, Experian etc.
Apr 11, 2014, 4:16 am
#1300
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Heathrow
Programs: A variety of Platinums, Golds, Silvers and other fancy metals.
Posts: 1,985
Apr 11, 2014, 4:33 am
#1301
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Silver BAEC, Diamond Hilton Honors, Gold SPG
Posts: 88
Manufactured Spend UK
Interesting, I've got the data from experian before and seem to remember that it did have how much you were spending per month on your card as well as any outstanding balances etc. Didn't know quite how companies would then interpret this.
Presumably if you are doing manufactured spend to a high level you must have a high credit limit which is frowned upon?
Presumably if you are doing manufactured spend to a high level you must have a high credit limit which is frowned upon?
Apr 11, 2014, 4:48 am
#1302
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 136
Interesting, I've got the data from experian before and seem to remember that it did have how much you were spending per month on your card as well as any outstanding balances etc. Didn't know quite how companies would then interpret this.
Presumably if you are doing manufactured spend to a high level you must have a high credit limit which is frowned upon?
Presumably if you are doing manufactured spend to a high level you must have a high credit limit which is frowned upon?
If you get refused credit once it can have a knock on effect for months. It is worth cleaning things up before applying for a new card.
Apr 11, 2014, 6:01 am
#1303
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Heathrow
Programs: A variety of Platinums, Golds, Silvers and other fancy metals.
Posts: 1,985
If I had a an Amex card with a limit of £10,000 but my income was £250,000 a year, is it really going to be a concern to MBNA to give me another card with a £10,000 limit, bearing in mind that the most I can spend is £20,000, which isn't even a tenth of my income?
It states on your credit file how much of your available credit you are using.
Apr 11, 2014, 6:02 am
#1304
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Heathrow
Programs: A variety of Platinums, Golds, Silvers and other fancy metals.
Posts: 1,985
Apr 11, 2014, 6:31 am
#1305
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
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