Part of Lloyds Bank Group, MBNA is frequently to be found battling it out for the longest 0% balance transfer and 0% purchase offers on the market. Rates starting from 13.9% to 24.9%.
MBNA offers headline-grabbing transfer and purchase offers, and many of its cards boast competitive rates that the cards revert to when offer periods expire. So whether or not you’re a card user who jumps from offer to offer, MBNA could have an option for you.
Compare MBNA credit cards
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
MBNA cards are issued on the Mastercard or Visa networks, so they can be used at tens of millions of merchants and ATMs around the world.
I’ve experienced only good customer service from MBNA. I also like their cashback offers.”
What types of credit cards are available from MBNA?
MBNA’s range of cards comprises 5 main types:
0% balance transfer deals. Balance transfer cards allow you to move existing debt onto a new card and pay no interest on it for a set introductory period. You’ll normally be expected to pay a transfer fee – typically 2-3.5% – but in the UK’s competitive card market, you can sometimes get a card with no balance transfer fee (though the 0% period will usually be shorter). Learn more about 0% balance transfer cards.
0% money transfer deals. Want to transfer money from your credit card to your current account? MBNA offers 3 cards with a 0% money transfer deal. Once you’ve moved the funds into your bank account, you can use them to pay for a large purchase or to clear debts. Just watch out for transfer fees of 4-5%. Learn more about 0% money transfer cards.
0% purchase deals. If you’re planning to make a big purchase but want to spread the cost, MBNA offers a card that will charge 0% interest on purchases for several months. Learn more about 0% purchase cards.
Low interest deals. MBNA offers credit cards with no introductory periods, just a low rate on purchases and transfers. Learn more about low interest cards.
All-rounder deals. If you’re looking for a card to fulfil multiple requirements – perhaps you have an outstanding balance but also anticipate making purchases on your card – you might want to check out “all-rounder” credit cards. Weigh up the rates that the card will revert to after any introductory period ends, plus any fees, versus the potential savings the card will offer you. Learn more about all-rounder cards.
If you want to carry out a balance transfer, be aware you can’t transfer a balance from one MBNA credit card to another. However, although MBNA is now owned by Lloyds Banking Group, you can still transfer balances from any existing Lloyds Banking Group brand (Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland).”
Additional benefits of banking with MBNA
MBNA offers several benefits to its credit card holders. Here are some of the highlights:
Security and protection. MBNA does its best to protect your finances and ensure you’re not a victim of fraud. As well as monitoring your account 24/7 for fraudulent behaviour, it also offers a range of features to protect you online. This includes a fraud guarantee that promises to refund any money you lose due to fraudulent transactions (as long as you’ve kept your details safe).
Global acceptance. With all of MBNA’s cards provided through Mastercard or Visa you can rest assured your card will be accepted throughout the UK and in many, many places across the world. Mastercard is the world’s fastest payment processing network and operates in more than 210 countries, while Visa is accepted in over 38 million locations.
Mobile App. MBNA has created a snazzy app, so you can get straight to all of your credit card stuff, without any faff, while you’re on the move.
Easy payments to your card. MBNA offers a range of options which should make keeping up with your monthly payments that bit easier – including online debit card payments, regular Direct Debit payments and (when you’re against the clock) Faster Payments.
Clever Check is MBNA’s “soft search” facility. It lets you check whether or not you’d get approved for a card before you hit “Apply” and without affecting your credit score.
It will also give you a better idea of the specific rate and credit limit you’d be offered and whether or not you’d receive the advertised offer.
When you come to apply for an MBNA credit card in full, it will involve a “hard search” of your credit file, which has a small (and usually short-lived) negative impact on your credit score. For that reason, you shouldn’t just submit applications left, right and centre. Use a soft search facility first and only apply for a card when you’re confident your application will be approved.
What is APR?
The APR is a figure designed to provide an annual summary of the cost of borrowing, taking into account both interest and any mandatory charges to be paid (for example an annual/monthly account fee).
However, because many card issuers tailor the APR offered to each applicant, you’ll frequently see them promoting their representative APR. This is the APR they’ll give to at least 51% of successful applicants. The remaining 49% will be offered a different, usually higher, rate.
How long does it take to get an MBNA credit card?
The eligibility-checker takes about 5 minutes, and will give you an instant indication as to whether or not it’s worth applying for a card. If you’re happy to proceed, the actual application takes perhaps a further 5 to 10 minutes. Your new card will then arrive within one week, and you’ll then need to call MBNA to activate it.
Don’t forget that the first time you use your card, you’ll have to enter your PIN – from then on you can make contactless payments to your heart’s content.
Pretty high APR but the app is great and feels very secure. It was easy to apply and make a balance transfer.”
How do MBNA’s cards hold up against the rest of the market?
The quickest way to apply for an MBNA card is online. You’ll need to use MBNA’s eligibility checker first, which requires filling in a short online form, providing personal details such as your name and address, as well as your annual income and bank account details. If you’re transferring a balance, you’ll also need to provide the details of these cards.
Eligibility requirements
To have your application for a credit card considered you must:
Be a UK resident.
Be aged 18 or over.
Have had a permanent UK address for 3 years or more.
Have a regular income.
Not currently be bankrupt or have an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or County Court Judgment.
Not be unemployed or a student.
Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee you’ll be offered a credit card with MBNA. MBNA will also run credit and affordability checks.
Why might you not be approved?
Typically you won’t be approved for a credit card if you’ve got a history of bad debt or MBNA decides your income/expenditure is not suitable for a particular credit card. If you’ve got an outstanding CCJ or are on an IVA it is also likely you will not be approved. Equally, if you do not have a credit record at all, you may be turned down. It is advisable to go to Experian, or another credit rating agency, and to ask for a credit report.
MBNA customer reviews
In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 91% of MBNA credit card customers said that they would recommend MBNA to a friend, Several customers commented on how helpful the customer service was, as well as how the app was easy to navigate. One customer said: “I’ve experienced only good customer service from MBNA. I also like their cashback offers.”
Contact MBNA’s customer support
Telephone support
For credit card queries call 03456 062 062. Lines are open 8am-6pm Mon-Sun.
Overview of MBNA Limited credit cards
Representative APR
From 13.9% to 24.9%
0% balance transfer offer
Up to 27 months
0% purchases offer
Up to 21 months
0% money transfer offer
Up to 12 months
Cashback with brand
Up to 0.25%
Cashback elsewhere
Up to 0.25%
Cash advance
From 13.94%
Introductory bonus offer
No introductory bonus offers available
Bottom line
MBNA offers a wide range of competitive credit cards to suit a variety of needs. However, you will usually need a good credit score to qualify. As always, it pays to check how these credit cards compare to what else is on the market before making your decision.
Frequently asked questions
The eligibility check is there to help you see if you’re likely to get accepted for any of MBNA’s credit cards. This won’t affect your credit rating. MBNA will only go on to complete a full search if you decide to submit a full credit card application.
Yes, there are three ways you can manage your account: through the mobile app, online and over the phone.
Contactless is a fast, easy and secure way to pay for goods and services of up to £100 without entering a PIN. To make a payment, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the terminal and place your contactless card over the contactless reader.
Yes you can view and download your statement online. You can also opt out of receiving paper statements.
Your credit card is likely to have different rates of interest for different services, such as purchases, balance transfers and cash withdrawals. You’ll find details of your specific interest rates, plus any fees, in your terms and conditions.
Interest is calculated as a percentage of the amount you borrow. So broadly-speaking, the longer it takes you to pay off your balance, the more interest you will have to pay.
You will need to provide the following details during your application.
Your address history for at least 3 years.
Contact details, including an email address.
Employment and salary information.
UK bank account details.
Finder credit card ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been reviewed by Rachel Wait, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.
Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio
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Enjoy lengthy introductory 0% deals on both purchases and balance transfers with this “matched” card.
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