On 5/21/05 00:24, " wrote:

Hello,

This message is to serve two purposes: 1) to warn people about the business
practices of MBNA bank (who provides credit card services to AOPA "aircraft
owners and pilots association" customers), and 2) to find out if others have
had
as much trouble as me.

Recently, I've found the payment period on my account significantly reduced,
and
the statements mailed late, leaving me with little or no time each month to
pay
the bill. As an example, my last bill, dated "5-2-05", arrived on 5-18-05, and
was due 5-23-05. As the service center for MBNA is on the opposite coast from
me, it's nearly impossible to make the payment on time. This appears to me to
be
a deliberate attempt by MBNA to cause a missed payment, resulting in penalties
and interest.

My father, who has an identical account, has a much larger payment period. His
closing date is one day BEFORE mine, and his payment due date is five days
AFTER
mine. The difference is, the bulk of the airplane expenses go on my account,
and
my account usually has a much higher balance (i.e. more interest and penalty
to
MBNA if the payment is missed)

I spoke with MBNA customer support, and their answer was that they're
shortening
everyone's due date, and they just haven't caught up with him yet. This has
happened to me 3 months in a row (and never to him), so their "database
update"
must be very slow indeed.

I'm going to be composing a letter to AOPA, letting them know of my
difficulties, and suggesting that they switch providers, dumping MBNA for a
more
reputable company. I'm also considering canceling the card, and probably would
have already were it not for the FBO rebate program (which seems to have
plenty
of its own problems, but that's another story...)

My intent isn't to sit here and whine about the credit card company. I
certainly
believe in taking responsibility for my own finances. I just want to be able
to
specify in my letter to AOPA whether this MBNA crap is an isolated incident
that
has only happened to me, or something that many people have experienced.


I noticed the same thing. I have a reminder set on my computer to check
online for the bill posting. I then request the rebate and pay the balance
online. I don't wait for the paper bill. My paper statement was so late this
last month that I requested another one be sent before receiving the first
one.

Another rant, I think it's BS that I can't set up auto-draft to a checking
account the pay the bill in full every month - like I can with every card,
utility, etc.... The only options for auto payment is a fixed amount or the
minimum due.

- Don
The preservation of liberty depends upon the intellectual and
moral character of the people. - John Quincy Adams