V-Flyer

At the weekend I tried to use my Virgin MC as, yet again, I couldn't use Amex. It was a large purchase over £1K but the card was not accepted. I rang to ask why and was told my account has been closed as it has been 90 days since I opened the Amex black one.

I thought that irrespective of this, I could use the MC until the end of the year, but maybe I got this wrong.

Could someone tell me for certain if MBNA are correct in this instance.

Jilly

Hi Jilly

I do recall the period being 90 days still active after the issue of the new AMEX. The "end of year" was when miles earning would cease on the old mastercard if you did nothing.


Regards
Pat

Thanks Pat, that does ring a bell. Just couldn't remember the rules exactly, I'd used it the day before and didn't realise that the 90 days had even passed.

Ended up using switch instead as I had no other CCs with me, but at least I know to cut the old ones up now.

Jilly

We're on holiday in USA at the moment and have had to resort to VS Mastercard in many establishments (mainly reastaurants) as AMEX wasn't accepted. No problems with the MC transaction going through, even though it has been way over 90 days since I've had the AMEX. Must admit have been surprised at the number of places here in America that don't accept American Express [n]

Cheers, James

PS: Does anyone know a means of paying with a UK credit card for petrol at the "swipe & pay" petrol pumps in USA? We've had this problem for years as the machine always asks for a ZIP code, which of course we don't have. We've always resorted to Switch (Maestro) which works fine as it asks for the normal PIN.

from what i hear it doesnt matter what you put in as a zipcode, my gf has been asked loads while in walmart and she just types in whatever comes into her head

Originally posted by Vegascrazy


PS: Does anyone know a means of paying with a UK credit card for petrol at the "swipe & pay" petrol pumps in USA? We've had this problem for years as the machine always asks for a ZIP code, which of course we don't have. We've always resorted to Switch (Maestro) which works fine as it asks for the normal PIN.

People from Canada are told to type '00000' - sometimes that works for UK cards, sometimes it doesn't.


Nick

I've always had to go in and tell them its a UK card. They keep the card, I go and fill up and then come back for the card.

Strange though as it never happens to me in Orlando, only one the west coast.

Also, spent 3 weeks just in the USA and everywhere took the AMEX no worries.

People from Canada are told to type '00000' - sometimes that works for UK cards, sometimes it doesn't.

In any stores that ask for it, I always just say I'm not US resident. Never had any problems with transactions.

robert

People from Canada are told to type '00000' - sometimes that works for UK cards, sometimes it doesn't.

Tried this earlier in the year when we were in Florida.

Worked every time with my VS MC.

I tried the 00000 zip code trick a couple of years ago in Florida with a UK [HSBC / First Direct] issued Visa card and it worked fine in the automated petrol pumps.

Am off to Orlando again in 3 weeks with the VS Amex - so will be interesting to see how many places over there accept it!

James

[i]Originally posted by Kraken
Am off to Orlando again in 3 weeks with the VS Amex - so will be interesting to see how many places over there accept it!

James

Do let us know how you get on with that James - it'll give me a clue for our Spring trip to Orlando