Missed MBNA payment - disaster!

DJBenson

From memory, MBNA are pretty fair when it comes to payment issues - if you phone up and be open and honest with them, they will more than likely reinstate the balance transfer deal and remove any default charges (providing you make the payment for the missed month).

In the 14 or so years I've used credit cards, I've had a few mishaps, and all of them (MBNA, Barclaycard and Aqua) have given me the benefit of the doubt and fixed my problem for me.

As above though, this is purely at their discretion so don't go in expecting them to just roll over...

YorkshireBoy

DJBenson wrote: »

From memory, MBNA are pretty fair when it comes to payment issues

They've tightened up somewhat in recent years. For example, where the T&Cs used to say they may withdraw a promotional rate if you breach the T&Cs, they now say they will remove a promotional rate. They haven't done that if they didn't mean it!

Anecdotally (on here at least), they're far more lenient within the first 3 months of taking out the card. After that you're looking at a 'revised' promotional rate, ie 9.9% instead of 0%.

chattychappy

redpete wrote: »

And why shouldn't they (or we)? It would have avoided this problem, which is reported in these forums relatively frequently, and the risks are relatively small.

Unfortunately just as many problems are reported from people who have had problems with them - usually believing they are set up when they're not or confusion about the interaction of manual payments. Also, if you are inclined to forget to pay a bill you are perhaps just as inclined to forget to have the money available when the DD is taken. If you do, then its double charges. Finally if you are paying interest (not the case here) you should be paying as soon as you have the funds, not leaving money in your account waiting for the DD to be taken.

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

They've tightened up somewhat in recent years. For example, where the T&Cs used to say they may withdraw a promotional rate if you breach the T&Cs, they now say they will remove a promotional rate. They haven't done that if they didn't mean it!

Yes, I've noticed this. But I can see why. "will" means "may" in practice. You can generally waive a right you have under a contract*. So MBNA wouldn't have to remove the promotional rate - afterall if they failed to, who would sue them? But when they do remove it, it's difficult to complain as the T+Cs are clear. But with "may" it suggests a discretion or application according to some further rules which aren't stated. Once there is discretion, you are expected to apply it fairly. So if MBNA decide to remove the rate it's easier to have a ballyhoo with the FOS that discretion wasn't applied properly or the circumstances in which it would be removed aren't clear. I think the original was poorly drafted.

(* if you make a habit of it, it might be difficult to go back on it later.)

StuC75

Using 'Will' just removes any doubt, as some may argue that with 'may' then would need to advise you of this. I had this happen once (delayed payment clearing because of bank holidays around due date); when I phoned up and was polite and recognised my error, they were happy to reinstate deal & setup DD with never a problem since..

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

They've tightened up somewhat in recent years. For example, where the T&Cs used to say they may withdraw a promotional rate if you breach the T&Cs, they now say they will remove a promotional rate. They haven't done that if they didn't mean it!

Anecdotally (on here at least), they're far more lenient within the first 3 months of taking out the card. After that you're looking at a 'revised' promotional rate, ie 9.9% instead of 0%.