Comments on: MBNA Smart Cash Credit Card – The New Cash Back King?

By: AI

AI — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:45:12 +0000

Just converted my old MBNA SPG card to Smart Cash. The first rep said it wasn’t offered, so I had to say I wanted to cancel and I was forwarded on to a senior rep. I explained I wanted the Smart Cash and, after being put on hold for a while, I was able to change my account without any fuss.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:00:30 +0000

Just talked to MBNA and the first rep I spoke to said she couldn’t offer that card and there was no way to get it. So I said I wanted to cancel my account and was transfered to a “Senior” rep (basically a retentions rep) who promptly gave me the card to avoid losing my business. So it looks like the card is available to existing MBNA customers as long as you threaten to cancel…

By: SaverGirl

SaverGirl — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:59:37 +0000

Called MBNA the day my SPG card would not earn points and explained that I did not want their new travel rewards card, that I was looking into cash back cards. The rep actually offered the Smart Cash, when I said I haven’t seen it on the website, she said, no, it’s so popular they don’t need to advertise it, mostly people are finding out about it from blogs. Sounds like a great card, should arrive in the next 2 weeks.

By: Chinstrap

Chinstrap — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:01:39 +0000

FYI.. I just talked to MBNA Canada and as of today, they are not accepting new applications for SmartCash. This can change in the future though as they are monitoring how things go. I was going to change my SPG card to the Premier Reward card but I was given the spiel on how my SPG card will change automatically into a Elite Travel Rewards which 1) give 2% equivalent on hotels and flights and 2) 1% back on cash whenever you hit 8000 points ($8000) or more. So she convinced me that this card was better than the Premier Rewards…

By: Chinstrap

Chinstrap — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:24:42 +0000

Hi All,
I would love hear the latest on this card..

Actually, what is your preferred “setup” now with the SPG MBNA gone?

I was using my Costco Amex combined with my SPG MBNA… I guess the Costco cash back Amex is still a good one but what else should I use?

Thanks for your comments.

Strap

By: FrugalTrader

FrugalTrader — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:29:19 +0000

Nobleea, was your online application accepted? I’m reading reports of people getting the wrong card when using the code online.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:35:50 +0000

I’m not sure whether or not this is still the case, but I applied and received this card during the summer. I was a new MBNA customer.

The trick at the time was to call during regular business house on a weekday and speak to a Canadian rep. If you call and get an accent other than English or French, then hang up and call back. Eventually you’ll reach an actual Canadian.

The problem with not speaking to a foreign rep is that they have scripted responses and really have no idea about the Smart Cash card. Speaking to the Canadian rep they most certainly are aware of the card and are willing to help you out. In fact, the lady I spoke with was pleasant to speak with and did a little small talk while entering my application.

As recently as two weeks ago, this same procedure worked as someone else I know was successfully able to apply for the card. If you’re having problems, perhaps you’re just speaking to the wrong person.

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:07:40 +0000

A couple tidbits, I called up that number saying my SPG card expires soon, I want to get the ball rolling on getting the Smart Cash card as the replacement. She said no problem. I asked what’s the natural replacement to the SPG card, she said ChoicePrivileges which gives their own form of points system. She said they didn’t renew the contract with SPG because they “didn’t like the card”. I said that was my best card so now I’m “not happy with you (MBNA)”. I told her I’ll take the Smart Cash card and the AMEX SPG and then I’ll decide where to spend my $60,000 per year. She said no problem, use the SPG card until the end of the month sucking every last SPG point from it, then call and activate the Smart Cash card you received in the mail and everything will transfer over. Still pissed at this AMEX SPG crap, I was getting at least two trips a year all accommodations free and now I have to juggle $50 cheques and some SPG points on whereever will accept AMEX, blah.

By: nobleea

nobleea — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:29:56 +0000

it’s still available for online applications. the link and promo code is on the red flag deals thread on this CC.
i just applied today in fact.

By: Emeth

Emeth — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:10:14 +0000

I called MBNA about a week ago to ask if I could get my worldpoints card changed to a smartcash account. The male rep (whose English was so heavily accented I had a hard time understanding him) told me that the smartcash was no longer available. I told him that since that was the case I wanted to cancel my worldpoints card. At that point he transferred me to a female rep who spoke much better English. When I told her I wanted to cancel my card she asked me why. After I told her she said the card was still available and it would be no problem for me to get it. She asked me a couple confirmation questions then told me it would be up to 5-6 weeks to receive the card.

So now I am waiting.

By: Anis

Anis — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:11:13 +0000

One thing is for sure, it disappeared from the MBNA website.

By: FrugalTrader

FrugalTrader — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:08:02 +0000

I’m getting mixed messages, can anyone else confirm that the SC card has been discontinued?

By: CalgarySimon

CalgarySimon — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:50:31 +0000

Too bad – I just called & was told the MBNA Smart Cash is discontinued. Lucky you, whoever got it already

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:50:44 +0000

Just talked to a rep today. He said that you have to open a new account for this promo – it is no longer possible to transfer an existing account.

By: newuser

newuser — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:50:57 +0000

Thank you very much for the posts from agaver and Anis. We can tell that MBNA Smart cash credit card is such a great card that we can enjoy it so much!

By: Anis

Anis — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:39:40 +0000

I can confirm that car and home insurance count as 1%

Actually so far, I noticed that everything counts, regardless of the type of transaction, goods or services.

By: agaver

agaver — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:30:22 +0000

Hello everyone,
One more time reporting on this card and to specifically answer newuser questions. Well newuser… I’m happy to report that mbna updated their website for the better! yeap. Now, once you log in, you can also see the awards point granted for every transaction you made. so it’s easy and pretty straight forward.
You have how much you paid, the date, which place and the % of points granted and also the amount of money you have earned! It’s simple, straight forward, spectacular and evacuates all of your doubts in 2 secs without having to call and fight for your well-deserved points. So to answer newuser..
Do online payments count as 1%? – yes, I got 1% from ncix and futureshop
Does car insurance payment count as 1%? My insurance haven’t switch yet.. even though we called them up… I guess another call must follow but it should work with 1%
Does passport renew payment count as 1%? I’ll tell u once I get mine! But the Metro/bus services monthly card purchase counted as 1%
Why do some grocery stores count as 1%? I don’t know I noticed that back in november, when I called them up since I noticed provigo and iga purchases were rewarded with only 1%. They told me they would have it fix by January and indeed they did ( I got my 3rd check or 4th? already in the mail) and on the new system all my purchases from iga/provigo read “bonus” and where granted 3% so basically every $100 in iga or provigo gave me 5$ back.. wich is great! :)
Hope that evacuates anyones doubts! I really love this card.
PS: Internet service, bell phone, restaurants, pet shops, walmart, zellers, jean coutu, pharmaprix are granted 1%.

By: natureboy

natureboy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:38:03 +0000

Just got my third $50 cheque…couldn’t be happier…so far so good.

By: Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:26:12 +0000

I just successfully applied for this card for both myself and my wife. Even though I already have an MBNA card, I had to apply for this card separately. FT, the promo code you provided did not show up in the CSR’s system. She had some trouble figuring out how to get me this card at first, but she did it in the end. It was quite painless. Once I was finished I just handed the phone over to my wife and she did her application too.

By: FrugalTrader

FrugalTrader — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:53:43 +0000

I just checked the MBNA website, and it appears that they have taken down the online application. I’ve heard rumour though that transfers from existing MBNA cards are still accepted. See the blog post above for more details.