New Credit Card Details (Comenity Capital Bank)
#376
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
So I have ignored this card since it came out. I was Gold in 2014 and unfortunately did not hit 50,000 points to renew the status in 2015.
I received an email about 2 weeks ago indicating that if I sign up for the $150 card that my Gold status would renew for 2015 as long as I make a purchase on the card by April. So of course, they got me.
Hopefully I didn't get myself into a huge mess with this card based on all the trouble you guys have mentioned in this thread.
Has anyone else received a similar email from Virgin regarding the status renewal?
I received an email about 2 weeks ago indicating that if I sign up for the $150 card that my Gold status would renew for 2015 as long as I make a purchase on the card by April. So of course, they got me.
Hopefully I didn't get myself into a huge mess with this card based on all the trouble you guys have mentioned in this thread.
Has anyone else received a similar email from Virgin regarding the status renewal?
The card is well worth it. Save two change fees and it pays for itself. If you fly enough to be close to Gold it's a no-brainer; getting 3 pts per dollar on VX tickets is huge ($10k on tickets = 30k pts = $660 worth of pts). Even if you just set it up as a payment method on the VX website and then put it into a drawer and forget about it you will come out ahead if you fly VX a moderate amount.
I don't see how you could get yourself into a "huge mess" with this or any other card; there are no problems with it. Comenity is a small bank but the card works just like any other CC. You buy stuff on it and pay it off every month. The points post as soon as the statement closes.
#377
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 378
I have used credit cards for a long time and never once payed a late fee. I just pay on time.
They brought up late fees in your retention conversation? In what context? That seems strange. Were they offering you some reduction of late fees or something? If so, that has to be the worst retention offer ever.
I also find it strange that you had all these issues. I've had the card since about September, and I've used it all over the place (in stores and restaurants, buying VX tickets, online, recurring charges, at hotels) and have not had a single issue. I use the card, all my pts post as soon as the statement closes, and I pay it off. This is the best card that I have in terms of rewards on regular spending.
When they told you that they could not waive the AF you should have asked for some large number of pts, like 15k. Even 10k pts is worth more than the $150 AF on the premium card. If they refused that, you should have asked if you can get some bonus pts after some minimum spend. If they still said no, then you should have asked what they could give you.
They brought up late fees in your retention conversation? In what context? That seems strange. Were they offering you some reduction of late fees or something? If so, that has to be the worst retention offer ever.
I also find it strange that you had all these issues. I've had the card since about September, and I've used it all over the place (in stores and restaurants, buying VX tickets, online, recurring charges, at hotels) and have not had a single issue. I use the card, all my pts post as soon as the statement closes, and I pay it off. This is the best card that I have in terms of rewards on regular spending.
When they told you that they could not waive the AF you should have asked for some large number of pts, like 15k. Even 10k pts is worth more than the $150 AF on the premium card. If they refused that, you should have asked if you can get some bonus pts after some minimum spend. If they still said no, then you should have asked what they could give you.
Keep in mind, you've had this card 4 months, I've had it 13 now. I got it when it launched with the poorly made card. I never received my replacements when everyone else did. They "sent" me new ones which I never got. When I finally called they had to claim the old ones were lost and create new account numbers, I even had to answer questions about if I knew where the card was, and confirm that there were no recent charges that I did not authorize. I then got the new cards with the old account numbers, which they told me initially wasn't possible. I then had to get 4 cards (for me + 3 AUs) resent again. So I've had 12 total cards from them in 1 year.
As far as asking for points, you know how when you start a conversation you can tell what direction it's going to go? As soon as I asked, the CSR let out a large sigh, and his tone of voice changed dramatically, like I was bothering him. I'm not particularly attached to this card, so it wasn't a huge loss to me. I like my VX points, but not enough to keep dealing with this company. The value I get out of them vs DL/AA/US points isn't enough to make me jump through hoops, but YVMV (your value may vary).
#378
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 100
That is a sweet deal.
The card is well worth it. Save two change fees and it pays for itself. If you fly enough to be close to Gold it's a no-brainer; getting 3 pts per dollar on VX tickets is huge ($10k on tickets = 30k pts = $660 worth of pts). Even if you just set it up as a payment method on the VX website and then put it into a drawer and forget about it you will come out ahead if you fly VX a moderate amount.
I don't see how you could get yourself into a "huge mess" with this or any other card; there are no problems with it. Comenity is a small bank but the card works just like any other CC. You buy stuff on it and pay it off every month. The points post as soon as the statement closes.
The card is well worth it. Save two change fees and it pays for itself. If you fly enough to be close to Gold it's a no-brainer; getting 3 pts per dollar on VX tickets is huge ($10k on tickets = 30k pts = $660 worth of pts). Even if you just set it up as a payment method on the VX website and then put it into a drawer and forget about it you will come out ahead if you fly VX a moderate amount.
I don't see how you could get yourself into a "huge mess" with this or any other card; there are no problems with it. Comenity is a small bank but the card works just like any other CC. You buy stuff on it and pay it off every month. The points post as soon as the statement closes.
#379
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I don't think anyone is sure why. Probably there is something in their spending pattern that is triggering something in Comenity's algorithm that is too sensitive. I think that this can happen with any bank, but with Comenity being smaller they probably have less sophisticated systems so they may be more susceptible to it. I would't worry about it. Always carrying at least 2 cards is a good idea no matter what.
I have had one false fraud detection flag on a card in my life (it was years ago). It does happen occasionally but it should be very rare. I have also had actual fraud on cards a couple of times.
#380
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 378
For some reason a few people are having lots of problems with Comenity's fraud detection algorithm, but I think that most people are having no problems at all.
I don't think anyone is sure why. Probably there is something in their spending pattern that is triggering something in Comenity's algorithm that is too sensitive. I think that this can happen with any bank, but with Comenity being smaller they probably have less sophisticated systems so they may be more susceptible to it. I would't worry about it. Always carrying at least 2 cards is a good idea no matter what.
I have had one false fraud detection flag on a card in my life (it was years ago). It does happen occasionally but it should be very rare. I have also had actual fraud on cards a couple of times.
I don't think anyone is sure why. Probably there is something in their spending pattern that is triggering something in Comenity's algorithm that is too sensitive. I think that this can happen with any bank, but with Comenity being smaller they probably have less sophisticated systems so they may be more susceptible to it. I would't worry about it. Always carrying at least 2 cards is a good idea no matter what.
I have had one false fraud detection flag on a card in my life (it was years ago). It does happen occasionally but it should be very rare. I have also had actual fraud on cards a couple of times.
#381
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I just got an email that from now on, the "free checked bag" benefit will be made easier (you simply won't be charged, rather than being charged and then having to wait for a statement credit).
Having said that, this benefit is useless to those who fly F or MCS, or who have status, so I don't see this as a huge improvement (I'd think that most people who get the card also have status? Or will have it soon? Silver does not require much flying.)
Having said that, this benefit is useless to those who fly F or MCS, or who have status, so I don't see this as a huge improvement (I'd think that most people who get the card also have status? Or will have it soon? Silver does not require much flying.)
#382
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,506
I just got an email that from now on, the "free checked bag" benefit will be made easier (you simply won't be charged, rather than being charged and then having to wait for a statement credit).
Having said that, this benefit is useless to those who fly F or MCS, or who have status, so I don't see this as a huge improvement (I'd think that most people who get the card also have status? Or will have it soon? Silver does not require much flying.)
Having said that, this benefit is useless to those who fly F or MCS, or who have status, so I don't see this as a huge improvement (I'd think that most people who get the card also have status? Or will have it soon? Silver does not require much flying.)
#383
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
It is a huge improvement for many. I know a fair number of people that fly mostly shorthaul VX (with an occasional longhaul) on cheap fares and never end up with status. I was actually surprised to find out that one friend wasn't silver knowing her what should have been frequent-enough travel patterns.
#384
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: Alaska / Hilton / Amtrak / Avis
Posts: 26
It is a huge improvement for many. I know a fair number of people that fly mostly shorthaul VX (with an occasional longhaul) on cheap fares and never end up with status. I was actually surprised to find out that one friend wasn't silver knowing her what should have been frequent-enough travel patterns.
I've never had a real problem with the card as noted above in this thread. Plus, I think the reward travel levels is pretty good compared to other cards/programs.
#385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Oh well, I guess I was wrong then, and people really do use this feature. Good to know it's more convenient now.
Now if only they could change the "no change fee" benefit to work online instead of just over the phone they would be set (if you change your ticket online, you are charged the fee and have to wait for the statement credit; if you change over the phone the agent can waive it right there) I think that this has more to do with VX's computer systems than the credit card, though.
Now if only they could change the "no change fee" benefit to work online instead of just over the phone they would be set (if you change your ticket online, you are charged the fee and have to wait for the statement credit; if you change over the phone the agent can waive it right there) I think that this has more to do with VX's computer systems than the credit card, though.
Last edited by VegasGambler; Feb 5, 2015 at 4:18 pm
#387
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
Got a statement in the mail the other day, which is odd because I'm signed up with paperless and haven't gotten a hard copy in many months, and in the "additional information" section it informed me my account had been closed.
Called Comenity CS and they were completely baffled, said nothing was wrong and I'm in good standing. They couldn't find any record of that notification. They put a note for the fraud department and just said keep using the card. Go figure.
Called Comenity CS and they were completely baffled, said nothing was wrong and I'm in good standing. They couldn't find any record of that notification. They put a note for the fraud department and just said keep using the card. Go figure.
#388
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 378
Got a statement in the mail the other day, which is odd because I'm signed up with paperless and haven't gotten a hard copy in many months, and in the "additional information" section it informed me my account had been closed.
Called Comenity CS and they were completely baffled, said nothing was wrong and I'm in good standing. They couldn't find any record of that notification. They put a note for the fraud department and just said keep using the card. Go figure.
Called Comenity CS and they were completely baffled, said nothing was wrong and I'm in good standing. They couldn't find any record of that notification. They put a note for the fraud department and just said keep using the card. Go figure.
Just a word of warning for anyone canceling the card. Make sure you confirm they're refunding the AF so you don't have to pay it. The rep I spoke of earlier closed my account, but left the AF due. Had I not paid attention it would have caused A LOT of problems when the next statement closed unpaid.
Last edited by Frindle; Feb 6, 2015 at 7:33 pm
#389
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK/STS
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Delta PM, AA EXP, Wannabe SkyWest 1K
Posts: 644
#390
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
When you book the flight, it is charged to your card as normal. If you need to change or cancel it, you have to call Reservations (won't work via the website) and explain what you want. They'll check the system to ensure you booked the reservation with an appropriate card, make the change, and if there's a balance (ie, if your new fare is less than your old fare, or if you cancel outright), the balance will be credited to you as VX fare credit to be used on future bookings. You do not get the balance credited to your card; it can only be used on VX.
So it's not a true "refund" in the sense that you'll get the money back to do with as you wish. But if you're ever planning on traveling on VX again (and I'm sure anyone who bothers taking out a VX credit card falls into this category) it's a great perk.