Just cancelled 2 MBNA credit cards

[KurtNYC]

I wasn't using them and MBNA was Boosh's single biggest corporate donor in 2000. Couldn't stand the thought of helping them profit.

The downside is they are extremely well run and stopped sending me those balance transfer checks in the mail the moment I asked them to (unlike Citibank). Anyone recommend a good credit card company?

http://www.opensecrets.org/2000elect/contrib/P00003335.htm

MBNA Corp $240,675

I see my employer high on that list too. Uh oh....

[GoneOffShore]

1. Get a credit card through your credit union

Great rates usually.

[klook]

14. I second that

Credit unions are great in many ways. Just the fact that the banking lobby's pets in Congress tried (and failed, fortunately) to severely limit the pool of potential credit union members should be enough to make you consider joining one. Find one and check it out.

[knitter4democracy]

23. I third that

Our main card is a credit union Visa--best deal and couldn't be easier to use and pay off.

[PatriotGames]

2. Good for you! Credit cards are bad anyway. nt

[Warpy]

20. I got rid of mine in 1991

They had just started charging "junk fees" for late payments and the like. There was an illegal charge on my card, and I called them to straighten it out (they'd misread the number on the ticket). The next month, the bill arrived with the illegal charge (about $50.00) with a $29.00 late charge (!). I called them again, and was assured that it would be taken care of. The next month, a bill for the $50.00 illegal charge, the last month's $29.00 late fee and another late fee of $29.00 tacked on. This went on for six months. I then cut the card into confetti and mailed it to them with a letter I'm sure curled the hair in the nose of whoever opened it. I haven't heard from them since then.

Credit cards can be a marvelous convenience if everything goes right. If someone screws up anywhere along the line (and in my case, it wasn't even theft, just a blurry number), prepare yourself for the worst.

I don't miss them.

[HuckleB]

3. Rock on.

I don't have any MBNA cards, but your point about Citibank and those bloody checks is spot on. We carry a Citibank Mastercard as a back-up for our REI (US Bank :eyes: ) Visa, and I've tried to get them to stop sending those bloody checks repeatedly. Ugh.

[TNDemo]

4. I swore to never do business with MBNA

after my experience 12 years ago. That was at a time when money was very tight, sick kids, etc. They had the most unreasonable and vicious collection people I have ever experienced. I was starting to fall behind on my credit card and tried to work with them. I would set up a payment schedule, mail the check that day as I promised I would, then they would call the next day and tell me that was not the deal and scream at me to send more. When my 10-year-old daughter would answer the phone they would yell at her. She would tell them I was nursing the baby and they would yell at her to tell me to stop. They harrassed continually, yelled, screamed, intimidated. Thankfully now we have no CC debt. We paid them and everyone else off but I swore I would never use an MBNA credit card again.

As far as other cards - they all about seem the same. I use them, just pay them off.

[Beausoleil]

5. Just got mail from them yesterday

informing me that our credit card's interest rate will go to 16.99% variable (started at 3.99 fixed, less than a year ago) and the period will also go variable (from 20 to 32 days, at their whim). Thankfully we've already cancelled that piece of crap and are just paying off a balance.
I've had no problem with Capital One.

[myrna minx]

10. I received a similar mailing yesterday.

Doncha love how they can charge whatever interest rate they choose every month? EVIL.

[lottie244]

6. I am in debt to them but will soon get another loan to pay them off.

I was paying them much more than the minimum payment every month so they just reviewed my account and lowered my credit line. Wonderful, isn't it. They are helping more than anything else to stop using credit cards and I will surely not do business with them again. By the way..I never missed a payment, never was late.

[NewJeffCT]

7. not sure about their credit cards

But, I heard Bank of America is more even-handed in their donations...

[Demonaut]

12. That I use all the time, especially after their 911 donation program

[KharmaTrain]

8. I Dumped 'Em & Told 'Em...

That was in 2002...found out who they were and found out my cards were issued through them...cut several commercial accounts as well. I got a phone call from a "Senior Account Manager" begging for the corporate business back (not the personal). I said I'd gladly do that when I see that your company wouldn't spend my company's money on political campaigns without consulting me first. At first I was told the company doesn't do that...then I cited the FEC filings I had and the guy turned into Ralph Kramden's "Chef Of The Future". I said have a nice day.

Credit cards are not a bad thing is you can afford them. I hate Ben Stein, but those late night infomercials where he shows the interest one pays on a revolving charge is good stuff.

Congrats...may, if you do need to have a credit card, may I suggest American Express...I've had years of excellent service with them.

[Renew Deal]

9. I love my Amex.

I have a Blue card and it's my favorite card. I would go with the platinum if I needed the travel features. The Blue has no annual charge. The Platinum is $400. You can apply online and get an instant approval.

[Demonaut]

11. I canceled my mbna card in 2001, get calls all the time trying to

reinstate it, if I get close to bankruptcy I might get it again

[NJCher]

13. threw their offer in the trash

I received an offer from them via my mortgage holder. It was actually a quite attractive offer--credit card where they transfer a certain percentage of your purchases toward your mortgage. I was going to send it in when I saw it was MBNA. Circular file.


Cher

[fudge stripe cookays]

16. Make sure to shred them first, honey.

Never NEVER NEVER NEVER just throw those offers in the trash.

Always shred them. Evil people can get into your garbage, find the offers, and get false credit cards with your name and get them sent to a new address.

By the time you realize your creidt has been ruined, they've done major damage!

[AndyTiedye]

15. I Still Have some MBNA Cards and Never Use Them

I use their balance transfer checks to start my woodstove,
since I've been to busy too play their game these days.

I'm probably still costing them a little money.

I used to cost them even more by using their 0% offers
and carefully making every payment exactly on time
so they can't jack my interest rate. Of course, I paid
it back just before the promotional rate ended, so they
didn't make a dime.
That's what I got their cards for in the first place,
and it's about all I've ever used them for.

[ieoeja]

17. Using their card doesn't cost them.

The retailer still has to pay an initial charge. So you may not be giving them money, but you are causing someone else to do so.

[AndyTiedye]

18. I Used the No-Fee Promotional Balance Transfers & Checks

[proud patriot]

19. Woo hoo !

Right On

[MadHound]

21. Hell, don't stop there friend

Cut up the rest of those damn cards. Paying money in order to spend money is just plain crazy. Set aside some money every month so that you have an emergency fund, and if you want something you can't afford, budget and be patient until you can.

Consumer credit is destroying this country, and will kill the consumer in the end. Get off this vicious cycle and go strictly on a cash and carry basis. It will be tough at first, but in the end it will be worth it.

[latebloomer]

22. "Working Assets"

which is a card that donates 5% of charges to progressive causes, is an MBNA card. I use it, but I never run a balance.

[watercolors]

24. Got 2 in the mail also

I cut them in half and sent them back with note take me of your list, third time I have done this. WE dropped them 2 years ago and still they keep trying. I called them and told them we no longer wanted the cards, I was told I had no authorization to do it,my husband had to. He called, then they wanted it in writing from him. Well needless to say he had a few choice words for them. We know have cards from our credit union, and yes I have my own, as I have my own account for my business.

[redstateblues]

25. Bank Of America's CEO Came out for Kerry

Get a debit card

[dave29]

26. Stop Using Credit Cards, period

they are evil.

[redstateblues]

27. That Is True

[Medium Baby Jesus]

28. If it make you feel better...

I went bankrupt a year ago (long story) and stuck them for $26,000. I felt good about it then and feel even better after reading your post :)

[Happy Eddie]

29. Wachovia

Got my first credit card from a local bank that got bought by a bigger bank that got bought...you know the deal. It's now a Wachovia card. They're pretty decent to deal with, the online aspects are good, and I got them to stop sending those stupid transfer checks.

I'll try to make sure that there are no MBNA cards around here. Thanks for the heads-up on that.