The top Avios credit card grounded by BA

Former_MSE_Faye

The best way to earn Avios points on a credit card will be scrapped later this year in a huge blow to customers...

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'The top Avios credit card grounded by BA'

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magyar

Totally gutted about this! It's been my main card for some years - combining this and maximising Clubcard spend etc. we've not paid for a flight in years!

Will be getting the Amex Preferred Gold now I guess, then probably switch to the BAPP.

egpx

It's depressing news but to be honest I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has. BA Premium Amex for me now, just need to find a suitable Visa/Mastercard for the purchases from non-Amex accepting retailers. One Avios for one pound on the Diamond Club Visa was an excellent return that I fear will never be equaled.

Whilst BA Exec Club made the announcement a couple of days ago, I've heard nothing from MBNA - you would think they would be keen to offer some alternative wouldn't you?

System

I doubt they will be keen to retain points chasers (who probably pay in full each month).
They will be making a loss on each point they provide - due to the interchange drop.

I would also guess the Amex card part (of these deals) will be simply not re-issued on expiry

egpx wrote: »

Whilst BA Exec Club made the announcement a couple of days ago, I've heard nothing from MBNA - you would think they would be keen to offer some alternative wouldn't you?

gld73

Yes, I'm surprised too that MBNA hasn't announced this, it just came from BA. I've had my MBNA card for years, first for BMI then for Avios - if nothing is replacing the scheme as an incentive for keeping the card, I'll just have to look elsewhere. Already have a BA Amex, but need a visa or mastercard cc too. Happy to stay with MBNA if it offers something, but not looking promising so far?!

pvt

magyar wrote: »

we've not paid for a flight in years!

Well, except that is for the outrageous amounts you still had to pay for passenger duty, fuel surcharges, the man who waves ping-pong bats at the pilot, peanuts, and the little warm wet towel...

panyg

Does anyone know what happens with the annual fee?

I was charged £60 just 12 days ago! Do I get a refund?

Yawn

In the past two weeks I have received one letter from MBNA and one from Diamond Club. The MBNA letter promised that they would be in touch about a new scheme soon. So I have decided not to cancel the cards for the moment but stop using them on 1 October. Has anyone heard anything more?

In the meantime, I've applied for a Lloyds Avios card which offers a free upgrade voucher that I'm very keen on. (If anyone wants a referral and get 4,500 free Avios please drop me a line!)

rtidrtid

what is the best alternative card others have found to replace this MBNA?

I'm also going to keep my card for a bit longer in the hope that MBNA put up a good replacement reward scheme else i can see them losing a lot of customers.

magyar

I've gone with a straightforward cash back card....

System

Unless the airline is willing to subsidise then MBNA aren't going to replace with a remotely comparable scheme as they can now only make 0.03% on each transaction within the EU/EEA (before any costs)

To borrow the catchphrase of the Dacia advert - 'You do the maths...'

rtidrtid wrote: »

what is the best alternative card others have found to replace this MBNA?

I'm also going to keep my card for a bit longer in the hope that MBNA put up a good replacement reward scheme else i can see them losing a lot of customers.