Beware catches of MBNA Emirates credit card

Proud_Northerner

Word of warning to ensure no one else gets caught out with the MBNA Emirates credit card. I applied & got a card for the benefit of interest free period of a year on flight purchases direct with Emirates. I then stupidly used it as an ongoing credit card, paid off the balance of all additional payments .... But was charged interest because I didn't pay off the full balance including the flight that is on interest free. Have gone round in circles trying to understand the rationale but just not going to use anymore. To be fair MBNA have offered to refund the interest payments incurred so far but does seem that the card is effectively best used as an interest free loan on emirates flights. Be very careful how you use this card!

grumbler

Proud_Northerner wrote: »

Word of warning to ensure no one else gets caught out with the MBNA Emirates credit card. I applied & got a card for the benefit of interest free period of a year on flight purchases direct with Emirates. I then stupidly used it as an ongoing credit card, paid off the balance of all additional payments .... But was charged interest because I didn't pay off the full balance including the flight that is on interest free.

I don't think that it's really the case for the flight.

Have gone round in circles trying to understand the rationale but just not going to use anymore. To be fair MBNA have offered to refund the interest payments incurred so far but does seem that the card is effectively best used as an interest free loan on emirates flights. Be very careful how you use this card!

What you say is common for all cards with, say, 0% on BTs. Make a purchase and you'll pay interest on it from day 1 unless you pay the balance in full. Hardly a 'catch'.

midnight_express

It's not a catch, it's standard practice.

System

I've got essentially the same MBNA setup with another airline.

I actually think it's a reasonably good setup with only 0% forex loading missing for a 'travel card'. If it had this, I would probably dump my Clarity card.

They also seem to offer ongoing low cost balance transfer deals and good spending points for their Amex card.

Sounds like you've misunderstood the setup and they've refunded you to keep you happy.

Paul_1977

You paid interest on a credit card, that is a big catch.