EBS Members Credit card (MBNA)

Moneypit

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I received info on this in the post today, the rate looks pretty good at 10.9% APR (variable) and 58 days interest free, I have been considering changing from my AIB card which is around the 16% mark at present, I rang the helpline number to ask a few q's only to discover it's being run by MBNA, I don't know why exactly but I'm always wary of MBNA and in the past have ignored their junk mail - is this justified? are there downsides to switching to MBNA. One that I can think of is - they don't cover any money you have in credit on your card should it get stolen whereas AIB do but apart from that??
Thanks.
 
I have been using MBNA credit card for the past 4 years. Have always found them to be fine. APR is ok, i would tend to clear the card each month so it suits me fine.
 
I've been with MBNA for about 6 years(since they arrived).
I find them good.Their website is good for checking transactions/balance and previous statments.There a bit slow to move to chip and pin but that could be because my card is up for renewal in June.
Their customer service is very good and their very quick to check on dodgy suspect transaction(rang me five mins after I placed an order against a different address to my own to confirm it was ok)
 
If you are paying interest on credit card balances as a matter of course then rather than shopping for a cheaper credit card rate you might be better off looking for a cheaper source of longer term credit altogether (e.g. low cost personal loan, short term mortgage top-up, CU loan etc.). Ideally (i.e. if you clear your balance each month before interest charges kick in) the rate of interest charged on a credit card should be irrelevant.
 
I think the point is that MBNA charge a fixed fee of €12 or something around that on EVERY monthly bill that is paid late - even by a day - IN ADDITION TO the extortionate interest charged by all institutions.
 
I think Rainyday, posted this on another thread
IFSRA Best Buys - NIB card looks the best.

[broken link removed]
 
I agree with Clubman - what interest rate that applies to your/any credit card should be irrelevant - don't use your credit card for credit purposes - use for convenience - pay off full balance monthly (preferably be direct debit - so that you don't get charged with punitive late payment fees when you miss your payment date by even a day) - and if necessary fund by using own funds or at worst by overdraft/loan at approximately half the cost of credit card borrowing.
 
Moneypit said:
I received info on this in the post today, the rate looks pretty good at 10.9% APR (variable) and 58 days interest free, I have been considering changing from my AIB card which is around the 16% mark at present, I rang the helpline number to ask a few q's only to discover it's being run by MBNA, I don't know why exactly but I'm always wary of MBNA and in the past have ignored their junk mail - is this justified? are there downsides to switching to MBNA. One that I can think of is - they don't cover any money you have in credit on your card should it get stolen whereas AIB do but apart from that??
Thanks.

never had a problem (but then again never missed a payment).
 
MBNA are pretty good, 24 hour freephone to customer service and a reverse charges number when abroad, which is v handy. They do have higher late and overlimit fees then other banks here though. If you are gonna go with them I wouldn't go for the EBS card, they do other cards that have better benefits, like the Ryanair card if you use Ryanair bonus flights or charity cards - if you get one of them you can get a introductory offer, during which time you can get your balance down, then after that although the rate might be higher than 10.9% if you pay it off monthly it's of no consequence... or go for the bext of both worlds, they also have a platinum card has a 1.9% for 6 months & 13.9% on purchases and due to a change in visa/mastercard rules anyone can apply for and have a platinum card even if they don't earn a bajillion euro a year oh and you get free travel insurance... so says their website...
 
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shiny_74469 said:
and you get free travel insurance... so says their website...

Note that "travel insurance" provided by credit cards and the like is seldom a substitute for specialised travel insurance. For example, if often only covers you while in transit and not while staying in the destination. Always read the Ts&Cs carefully...
 
On a different note, just got a leaflet in the door with my sky bill :( for permanents ICE credit card. The rate is 2.9% introductory(6 mths), 9.9% thereafter(11.9% for cash advances)
S
 
I have an old EBS Visa card through AIb and the one thing I like about it is that there are no fees for late transactions, ATM withdrawals etc.
 
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