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#15539 by jilly
09 Oct 2006, 20:19
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
#142532 by RedVee
09 Oct 2006, 21:16
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
#142533 by jilly
09 Oct 2006, 21:26
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
#142805 by Vegascrazy
12 Oct 2006, 01:27
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.
#142811 by BelfastFlyer
12 Oct 2006, 03:43
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
#142814 by Nottingham Nick
12 Oct 2006, 08:14
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
#142824 by AndyR
12 Oct 2006, 11:14
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.
#142896 by robandgill
13 Oct 2006, 04:09
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
#142980 by Tim
14 Oct 2006, 11:56
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.
#144283 by Kraken
20 Oct 2006, 21:50
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
#144295 by Treelo
20 Oct 2006, 22:44
[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 :)
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