Question
I find myself needing to ticket a RTW trip later this week, and I'll be paying in CAD (exchange rate plummet notwithstanding). The ticket is staggeringly expensive -- many thousands of dollars! -- so I want to use a card with a lower transaction fee than my 3% FirstUSA card.
When I applied for this FirstUSA card -- 3+ years ago! -- I was impressed that I was approved immediately, using only my web application, and then my card number was given to me in my web browser.
After browsing archives on this forum, I just applied for an MBNA card -- seemed like their exchange deals were about as good as it gets, and their 1% cash back, no-fee card was appealing too. How long will it take MBNA to approve me (I have good credit and should have no problem getting approved)? To tell me my card number so I can go ahead and make the purchase? (Assuming they grant me a high enough credit limit... but I'm hopeful...)
(I know, I know -- shame on me for leaving this all to the last minute...)
Answer
I applied for the MBNA Lufthansa Miles and Mile Card two days ago.
It was explained to me like this.
Applied on line? Officially takes up to 30 days to receive either the card or the 'thanks, but no thanks' disapproval.
Applied over the telephone. Same thing, except: if you press them for it, they'll do an on-the-spot phone approval. They transfer you to the credit dept who gives you the thumbs up/down right away. They told me I'd get my card in 7-10 days.
I didn't ask about having them 'tell me my number' because it wasn't urgent. If you've applied by phone, just call them back and give it a shot...
--Grog--
Answer
Thanks. Had I known, I would have applied by phone rather than web. Next time... (Actually, next time I'll just do a better job of planning ahead.)
Answer
I just signed up for an MBNA Platinum Plus (HORRORS, NOT mileage earning...) card over the web and it took about 14 days.
Answer
Was there any chance you could have booked with a travel agent, perhaps in Canada, that would accept a check from you? You might have ended up saving some money that way; though bank exchange rates can vary from good to absurd.
d
Answer
I applied the Fidelity card about three weeks ago. And called them yesterday, my application hasn't been processed yet. I have never seen any credit card company need this long to process an application. So I am really thinking that do I still want this card, since if they need more then three weeks to decision my application, what will happen if I need help from them later? If anyone has a MBNS card, could you please post your experience with MBNA?
[This message has been edited by tomcat (edited 05-25-2003).]