question about A&L credit card

fanheater

Hi,

I hope the board doesn't mind me trying to filch some of their wisdom. I have a question about my A&L premier rewards credit card.

I have a DD to pay it off in full every month. The next DD is due to be paid on 5 january, when I'll be out of the country. I want to pay the due balance manually online, beforehand, so I don't have to worry about enough cash being in my current account for the direct debit.

My current account is normally empty. It'll have a fair amount in that I'll put in for spending money on holiday, so I don't want more cash sitting there than necessary, and I don't want to have to end up spending part of what is needed to pay the CC and not being able to top it up immediately online.

Bearing in mind, if I pay the amount due it won't clear the whole balance, because I have been using the card since the statement date (the 15th december), my question is,

if I pay the total amount due, now, will I get a direct debit of the minimum amount anyway, come the fifth january? so will paying manually have the effect of 'cancelling' my direct debit, just for this month?

thanks.

YorkshireBoy

In my experience, the MBNA direct debit collection is 'set in stone' once the statement has been produced, ie anything you pay in the interim will not affect the DD collection amount.

fanheater

thanks for the prompt reply, YB. surely there must be some flexibility -- I could pay the whole thing off now, and get overcharged (leaving the card in credit?), if what you say is true.

however, this is basically what I feared. presumably you would suggest just making sure there's enough money there then, and there's nothing I can do?

YorkshireBoy

You have a 'get-out'. If you take a look at your "important: confirmation of direct debit instruction" letter (do you still have it?), it will say you need to contact them at least 5-7 (working?) days before the payment due date if you don't want them to claim the direct debit.

However, and because I'm not sure if they'll postpone this month's collection or simply cancel your direct debit altogether, I wouldn't recommend it.

IMHO, you'll be better leaving the DD value in your current account and 'allowing' for it in your holiday spend budget.

fanheater

Thanks yorkshireboy, I'll 'allow' for it. if I can arrange it in time I'll try to use a different current account for my budget