The MBNA Stein Travel card is a MasterCard. The MasterCard logo is accepted in numerous places around the world and is second only to the Visa logo. There is plenty of convenience with having a MasterCard, which makes this card rather attractive on an elemental level. To really understand this card we did a review to help you find the perks and similarities between other options.
The benefits on this card for travel are directly related to the Stein Travel company. When you book travel through Stein for holidays or flights you get a five percent discount because you have this card. You must use the card in order to get the 5 percent discount. Five percent can be looked at in two ways. One it is not that great a deal when you consider it is just five percent, but do a calculation. Say you are flying for 600 Euros without the discount. Five percent of that amount is 30 Euros. If you are flying with three people at 600 Euros each that is a savings of 90 Euros. That amount can be one night in a hotel, your meals for the trip, or even a rental car. The savings do add up, even on a small amount of 5 percent. You also get to save this on every flight you book with the card. It is not like spending 5000 Euros to get two free flights that normally cost 600 Euros. By looking at it in that light 5 percent looks pretty good.
Next on this card you have the option of using the balance transfer offer. This offer is 1.9 percent APR for six months. This offer starts on the date the account is opened, not on the completion of a transfer. It is a good deal. Some cards offer zero percent for 12 months, but they may not offer the travel discounts. The point is when you compare this is pretty good when you could be paying 16.9 percent on any balance transfer. It will save you money and that’s a good thing.
The purchase rate and after the introduction is over you will pay 16.9 percent APR. This is average for the cards on the market. You might even find a better deal, but think of the restrictions on your credit report. You truly have to be the best credit history with a supporting income to get better rates in most cases. The Gold card through Stein offers a better deal. You get 14.9 percent on purchases and transfers, but it is still the 5 percent discount. The trick is it is harder to qualify for the Gold card.
You can manage your account online, talk to a customer service representative 24 hours a day and get travel bonuses. This card from the outside looking in is a fair deal. It is something that you should consider as an option. You may find better out there, but that is in your requirements and important to you.