!!! WARNING -- AOPA credit card holders. The credit card company is trying to change the rules in mid-game. Read the statement sent to you by MBNA.

[Chuck]

Hi everyone,

I recently received a notification in the mail from MBNA. This is the
bank behind the "AOPA Visa Card" -- the one prominently advertised on
the AOPA website front page!

MBNA is proposing ten different changes to the credit card agreement
between us. Well, maybe proposing is too weak a word. They are
TELLING me that these changes go into affect the end of this month
whether I like it or not. And of course -- not a single change does
anything good for me -- just MBNA.

The changes include:
1) Change from an annual percentage rate on outstanding balances to a
variable annual percentage rate (the better to jack up your rate, my
dear).
2) Change the default APR pricing.
3) Change the default grace period (shorten it of course)
4) Change the payment due date (so you're overdue sooner and easier)
5) Foreign transaction fee
6) Transaction fees for cash advances
7) Transaction fee for cash equivalents
8) Change the late fee balance levels. I love their next sentence:
"This may cause your Late Fee to increase to the highest amount."
9) Overlimit fee increase.
10) Changes to the processing of your payment checks (Oh, thats it --
shorten the grace period, the due date, and then delay processing my
payment check so I'm late -- what SCUMBAGS).

All in all, its one big shaft job. And the biggest one of all is
repeated over and over again in this explanation of the changes:

"... if in the future your account is late or you exceed your credit
limit, we may increase the Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) on your
account, (italics) without further notice (/italics), up to a Default
Rate of 24.99%. The new rates will apply as of the first day of the
billing cycle in which your minimum payment is late or you exceed your
credit limit."

This all means that if you are one hour late or exceed your credit
limit by one penny -- they jack up the APR on your card to the highest
allowed by law, 24.99%, and backdate it to the beginning of the
billing period. You find yourself instantly owning them hundreds of
dollars in finance charges for something that might not have even been
your fault!

I hope that everyone who reads this and has an AOPA card will join me
in complaining to the AOPA about these unilateral changes. I am
telling MBNA that I do not agree to the changes and they can have
their card back in pieces if they insist with the changes. But we
also need to bring pressure on the AOPA to terminate their partnership
with any company that would AOPA members with such greed and contempt.

If you feel as stongly about this "breach of contract" as I do,
contact the AOPA at or phone them at
800-872-2672. Let them know how you feel. Maybe MBNA will back off
once AOPA gets enough flack and brings pressure on MBNA.

Thanks for reading this long rant everyone. Clear skies and happy
landings.


Chuck
N7398W

[Denny]

You don't spit in the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, and you
don't get anywhere with your protest because the notice you got is
industry wide, not just MBNA...

Cheers ... denny

[xyzzy]

Denny wrote:

> You don't spit in the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, and you
> don't get anywhere with your protest because the notice you got is
> industry wide, not just MBNA...

I have a few other credit cards, and none have terms this draconian.

Also, MBMA charged me a late fee for a payment that was 1 day late.
Sure they have a right to, but every other card I have used will waive
that fee if I call, because of good payment history and good credit
history. MBMA refused and I closed the account.

MBNA is in fact the worst of the credit card companies. They make a
higher percentage of their income on fees and penalties than the others.
Their CEO was featured in the Wall Street Journal for being a pioneer
in increasing profitability by shafting cardholders. To me the AOPA 5%
rebate was not worth dealing with those sleazebags.

[Blanche]

Of course they need to raise fees...got to pay for those TV ads!

[Matt Barrow]

"xyzzy" > wrote in message
...
> Denny wrote:
>
>
> MBNA is in fact the worst of the credit card companies. They make a
> higher percentage of their income on fees and penalties than the others.

ALL the card companies and banks are making more than half of their revenue
on fees rather than interest. At 4% rates, they need to keep their CEO's in
BizJets, ya know.


> Their CEO was featured in the Wall Street Journal for being a pioneer
> in increasing profitability by shafting cardholders.

Do you have a link or do you remember when that article ran?

[Matt Barrow]

"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
> Of course they need to raise fees...got to pay for those TV ads!
>
And losses from identity thefts, of which they hold contributory
responsibility for having slack controls (not to mention the customer data
they sold to outsides..no questions asked).

[xyzzy]

Matt Barrow wrote:
>
>> Their CEO was featured in the Wall Street Journal for being a pioneer
>>in increasing profitability by shafting cardholders.
>
>
> Do you have a link or do you remember when that article ran?

No, it was several years ago -- back when the industry starting moving
more toward screw-you fee income because the market was first getting
saturated with no-annual-fee low-rate credit cards, and the
credit-card-only banks started their rise. I remember because it made me
think twice before signing up for the AOPA card but I was seduced by the
pretty airplane picture on the card :) Plus I always pay them off so I
figured the fees would never bother me, which is why every other bank
waives the late fees on the rare occasion that a payument gets there a
day late.

[George Patterson]

Denny wrote:
> You don't spit in the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, and you
> don't get anywhere with your protest because the notice you got is
> industry wide, not just MBNA...

Well, I haven't received such a notice from either of the companies that manage
my other two cards.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

[jls]

"Denny" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> You don't spit in the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, and you
> don't get anywhere with your protest because the notice you got is
> industry wide, not just MBNA...
>
> Cheers ... denny
>

Untrue and a libel against good credit card companies. When I found out my
Lowe's card was with MGCCB (monogram credit card bank), same bunch of
aXXholes, I trashcanned it. Those people don't walk; they slither.
Google them if you want to read some horror stories. MBNA is monogram bank,
na.

Same with Bank of America: I avoid them like they are plague because of
their deceptive, predatory banking practices, which they say (by lying) are
industry-wide practices. My son was banking with them until I suggested
that if he wanted to inherit his per stirpes portion of my estate, he had
better find another bank. That's how strongly I feel about those SOB's.

[Matt Barrow]

"George Patterson" > wrote in message
news:hKree.736$5l1.475@trndny05...
> Denny wrote:
> > You don't spit in the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, and you
> > don't get anywhere with your protest because the notice you got is
> > industry wide, not just MBNA...
>
> Well, I haven't received such a notice from either of the companies that
manage
> my other two cards.
>

I carry an AMEX card and a BofA Visa & ATM card. Anything else is someone
looking to lift your wallet.

[George Patterson]

Matt Barrow wrote:
>
> I carry an AMEX card and a BofA Visa & ATM card. Anything else is someone
> looking to lift your wallet.

AMEX isn't "lifting your wallet"? I thought the yearly fees were pretty steep on
those.

I'm pretty happy with my Capital One commercial VISA. MBNA bought out my other
card provider, so I'm looking for another. I'll check out BofA.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

[J Godwin]

"Matt Barrow" > wrote in news:H9see.18$nu.754
@news.uswest.net:

>
> I carry an AMEX card and a BofA Visa & ATM card. Anything else is someone
> looking to lift your wallet.
>

What really surprised me was that AmEx was the most reasonable on interest
rates; but their grace period is the shortest of all the cards that I
carry. It is currently my card of choice (I never thought that would
happen).

When I took a month-ling trip to Australia, I needed a temporary increase
in my credit line. MBNA said no, AmEx said no problem.

I had a Discover Card at one time and, like all my other cards, paid by
Electronic Funds Transfer. They were taking as many as 5 days to credit
the payment so they could hit me with late charges. After my bank
reimbursed me for the late fees, I closed the account.

[Mark Hansen]

On 5/5/2005 11:28, J Godwin wrote:

> "Matt Barrow" > wrote in news:H9see.18$nu.754
> @news.uswest.net:
>
>>
>> I carry an AMEX card and a BofA Visa & ATM card. Anything else is someone
>> looking to lift your wallet.
>>
>
> What really surprised me was that AmEx was the most reasonable on interest
> rates; but their grace period is the shortest of all the cards that I
> carry. It is currently my card of choice (I never thought that would
> happen).
>
> When I took a month-ling trip to Australia, I needed a temporary increase
> in my credit line. MBNA said no, AmEx said no problem.
>
> I had a Discover Card at one time and, like all my other cards, paid by
> Electronic Funds Transfer. They were taking as many as 5 days to credit
> the payment so they could hit me with late charges. After my bank
> reimbursed me for the late fees, I closed the account.

I had exactly the same problem with the Discover card. I had paid by
check, and was able to show that they cashed it before their late
payment deadline (with a photocopy of the canceled check). They then
said that it was necessary for the payment to get through their system
before the deadline, and the date they cashed it was irrelevant.

Amazing.

I paid it off and closed the account.

--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Student
Sacramento, CA

[No Spam]

On 5/5/05 10:20, "xyzzy" > wrote:

> Denny wrote:
>
>> You don't spit in the wind, you don't tug on Superman's cape, and you
>> don't get anywhere with your protest because the notice you got is
>> industry wide, not just MBNA...
>
> I have a few other credit cards, and none have terms this draconian.
>
> Also, MBMA charged me a late fee for a payment that was 1 day late.
> Sure they have a right to, but every other card I have used will waive
> that fee if I call, because of good payment history and good credit
> history. MBMA refused and I closed the account.
>
> MBNA is in fact the worst of the credit card companies. They make a
> higher percentage of their income on fees and penalties than the others.
> Their CEO was featured in the Wall Street Journal for being a pioneer
> in increasing profitability by shafting cardholders. To me the AOPA 5%
> rebate was not worth dealing with those sleazebags.
>

I had an online payment made one day late, due to an online hiccup. I called
them about it and they reversed the charge.

-> Don
Only the dead have seen the end of the war. - Plato

[Matt Barrow]

"George Patterson" > wrote in message
news:Jrsee.15840$c86.14688@trndny09...
> Matt Barrow wrote:
> >
> > I carry an AMEX card and a BofA Visa & ATM card. Anything else is
someone
> > looking to lift your wallet.
>
> AMEX isn't "lifting your wallet"? I thought the yearly fees were pretty
steep on
> those.

$50 on the corporate card, $0 on the BofA Visa.

I've had very good service and attention from BofA for, oh...25 years now.

I used to have Carte Blanche (?),and they aere fabulous, but no one takes it
where I travel (ie, the boonies).

> I'm pretty happy with my Capital One commercial VISA. MBNA bought out my
other
> card provider, so I'm looking for another. I'll check out BofA.

[Matt Barrow]

"J Godwin" > wrote in message
...
> "Matt Barrow" > wrote in news:H9see.18$nu.754
> @news.uswest.net:
>
> >
> > I carry an AMEX card and a BofA Visa & ATM card. Anything else is
someone
> > looking to lift your wallet.
> >
>
> What really surprised me was that AmEx was the most reasonable on interest
> rates; but their grace period is the shortest of all the cards that I
> carry. It is currently my card of choice (I never thought that would
> happen).
>
> When I took a month-ling trip to Australia, I needed a temporary increase
> in my credit line. MBNA said no, AmEx said no problem.

I bought a car on my AMEX card...quick verification call, no problem.


> I had a Discover Card at one time and, like all my other cards, paid by
> Electronic Funds Transfer. They were taking as many as 5 days to credit
> the payment so they could hit me with late charges. After my bank
> reimbursed me for the late fees, I closed the account.

Years ago, Citibank was found to be sitting on mail so that things would be
a day late.

[Ken Reed]

I'm looking to upgrade airplanes; discussion and recommendations are
requested:

History:
Private - 1994
inactive 1994-2001
started flying again after 9/11/01
Instrument - 2003
Commercial - 2004

Roughly 450 hours total time. About 100 in Cessnas 150/152/172. About 50
hours in a Cherokee 140 (with 180 HP & CS prop), 50 hours in an Arrow
and about 250 hours in Mooney M20C. Zero multi-engine time.

Ownership Experience:
Current: 1967 Mooney M20C (sole owner)
Current: 1/4 share in C-152 (I'm working on my CFI and want something to
teach in)
Previous: 1/2 share in 1967 P28A

Narrative/Mission:
I fly commercially about 75,000 miles per year and I'm looking to
replace as much of that as is reasonable. Home is Tucson, Arizona and
the majority of my commercial flying is west coast and mountain states.
Trips over 1000 NM are done only a couple of times per year.

When I travel, I must be at my destination on time. I typically leave
(commercially) the morning prior to the date I need to be somewhere.
That means I usually get to my destination in the early afternoon the
day before I need to be there. From TUS, on United (95% of my commercial
flights), I must go through either LAX or DEN, so it is rarely just a
one leg commercial flight, unless my destination is LAX or DEN.

I will fly solo about 95% of the time. The other 5% with one other
individual. This is purely a business entity. Baggage is light, clothes
and a laptop.

With respect to weather:
If I start flying myself more, leaving early the day before I need to be
somewhere, I will have an 'out' due to weather in that I should be able
to land somewhere within a four hour or so drive of my final
destination, I figure. Barring that, I can probably land somewhere and
hop on Southwest Airlines as a last resort. My final destination is
typically larger cities anyway. Returning home, I have more leeway if
weather is an issue. 80% of the time I need to be at a destination for
one day. 15% of the time, two days and 5% of the time more than two days.

Airplane Attributes:
I'm looking for speed above all else. Second and third are fuel burn and
fuel capacity. I haven't decided which is #2 and which #3, however. Of
course reliability, maintenance, purchase price, etc. are important. As
for budget, I absolutely have to stay under $200,000. Ideally under
$150,000. $100,000 to $125,000 would be very comfortable (with the
obligatory 10%-20% reserve available). I have a few airplanes in mind of
course, but what will this illustrious group recommend ? Do you need any
other data ?
---
Ken Reed
http://www.dentalzzz.com

[Ben Jackson]

On 2005-05-07, Ken Reed > wrote:
> I'm looking for speed above all else. Second and third are fuel burn and
> fuel capacity.

Endurance (as fuel burn/capacity) can be a big factor in overall speed.
A nonstop 800nm trip at 135kt takes only about 15 minutes longer than
a 800nm trip at 160kt with a fuel stop. If the fuel stop requires any
deviation from the route or an instrument approach the 135kt nonstop
might be faster.

> I haven't decided which is #2 and which #3, however.

If you want airline-like dispatch rates it better include weather
capabilities like turbo, anti-icing, pressurization (or oxygen), etc.

--
Ben Jackson
>
http://www.ben.com/

[Ken Reed]

>>I'm looking for speed above all else. Second and third are fuel burn and
>>fuel capacity. I haven't decided which is #2 and which #3, however.

> Endurance (as fuel burn/capacity) can be a big factor in overall speed.
> A nonstop 800nm trip at 135kt takes only about 15 minutes longer than
> a 800nm trip at 160kt with a fuel stop. If the fuel stop requires any
> deviation from the route or an instrument approach the 135kt nonstop
> might be faster.

The triad of speed, fuel burn and fuel capacity all tie together. Not
having to make the fuel stop is the best added speed there is. That's
kinda why I can't make one requirement #2 and the other #3; they're both
critical.

> If you want airline-like dispatch rates it better include weather
> capabilities like turbo, anti-icing, pressurization (or oxygen), etc.

It doesn't have to be to the level of the airlines. As I wrote, landing
and driving a few hours is acceptable as is landing and finishing the
trip commercially.

What is your recommendation, based on my stated needs ?
---
Ken Reed
http://www.dentalzzz.com

[Mike Rapoport]

I assume that when you say "speed" you are talking about minimium trip time.
Obviously range is a big part of this, maybe bigger than actual TAS. Also,
are you talking about flying in virtually all weather or just most of the
time? Are your trips evenly distributed thoughout the seasons? How many
trips will involve crossing the Sierra or Rockies? At night? What is the
operating budget? It is going to cost at least $50K/yr to operate an
airplane that will make 75+% of the trips. If your trips are mostly to
SoCal from Tuscon, just buy a high performance turbocharged single and you
will be able to complete most of your trips at low cost. If a lot of trips
are to somewhere in the PNW or the Plains (aka: tornado alley) then you are
going to need deice and radar. Can you just fly to Pheonix and then fly
direct on SW or UAL?

I had a similiar situation to yours. I lived in Minden NV, flew a Turbo
Lance and I had about 85% success in being able to fly myself to
destinations mostly in CA, arriving on time and not getting stranded on the
California side of the mountains when it was time to return. To go from 85%
to 99%, the minimium airplane had to have radar, pressurization, deice and
(two) turbine engines. I had some disadvantages compared to you, such as
being an hour from the nearest commercial airport (Reno) which only had
limited flights.

Think long and hard about what you want to accomplish and what you are
willing to do and pay for it. There is no airplane that will make your
trips 99% of the time even at four times your budget but almost any airplane
will make your trips most of the time.

What are the deficiencies of your current airplane (the Mooney) for making
your trips?

Mike
MU-2


"Ken Reed" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> I'm looking to upgrade airplanes; discussion and recommendations are
> requested:
>
> History:
> Private - 1994
> inactive 1994-2001
> started flying again after 9/11/01
> Instrument - 2003
> Commercial - 2004
>
> Roughly 450 hours total time. About 100 in Cessnas 150/152/172. About 50
> hours in a Cherokee 140 (with 180 HP & CS prop), 50 hours in an Arrow and
> about 250 hours in Mooney M20C. Zero multi-engine time.
>
> Ownership Experience:
> Current: 1967 Mooney M20C (sole owner)
> Current: 1/4 share in C-152 (I'm working on my CFI and want something to
> teach in)
> Previous: 1/2 share in 1967 P28A
>
> Narrative/Mission:
> I fly commercially about 75,000 miles per year and I'm looking to replace
> as much of that as is reasonable. Home is Tucson, Arizona and the majority
> of my commercial flying is west coast and mountain states. Trips over 1000
> NM are done only a couple of times per year.
>
> When I travel, I must be at my destination on time. I typically leave
> (commercially) the morning prior to the date I need to be somewhere. That
> means I usually get to my destination in the early afternoon the day
> before I need to be there. From TUS, on United (95% of my commercial
> flights), I must go through either LAX or DEN, so it is rarely just a one
> leg commercial flight, unless my destination is LAX or DEN.
>
> I will fly solo about 95% of the time. The other 5% with one other
> individual. This is purely a business entity. Baggage is light, clothes
> and a laptop.
>
> With respect to weather:
> If I start flying myself more, leaving early the day before I need to be
> somewhere, I will have an 'out' due to weather in that I should be able to
> land somewhere within a four hour or so drive of my final destination, I
> figure. Barring that, I can probably land somewhere and hop on Southwest
> Airlines as a last resort. My final destination is typically larger cities
> anyway. Returning home, I have more leeway if weather is an issue. 80% of
> the time I need to be at a destination for one day. 15% of the time, two
> days and 5% of the time more than two days.
>
> Airplane Attributes:
> I'm looking for speed above all else. Second and third are fuel burn and
> fuel capacity. I haven't decided which is #2 and which #3, however. Of
> course reliability, maintenance, purchase price, etc. are important. As
> for budget, I absolutely have to stay under $200,000. Ideally under
> $150,000. $100,000 to $125,000 would be very comfortable (with the
> obligatory 10%-20% reserve available). I have a few airplanes in mind of
> course, but what will this illustrious group recommend ? Do you need any
> other data ?
> ---
> Ken Reed
> http://www.dentalzzz.com

[George Patterson]

Ben Jackson wrote:
>
> Endurance (as fuel burn/capacity) can be a big factor in overall speed.
> A nonstop 800nm trip at 135kt takes only about 15 minutes longer than
> a 800nm trip at 160kt with a fuel stop.

Most of us can't handle 6 hours without a pit stop to reduce hydraulic pressure.
I'll take the 160 knot plane with the smaller tanks.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

[Ken Reed]

> I assume that when you say "speed" you are talking about minimium trip time.
> Obviously range is a big part of this, maybe bigger than actual TAS.

Right, overall trip time.

> Also, are you talking about flying in virtually all weather or just
> most of the time?

Most of the time.


> Are your trips evenly distributed thoughout the seasons?

Pretty much. December is slow, November a bit slow. The other months are
about equal.


> How many trips will involve crossing the Sierra or Rockies?

Sierra, every two months, Rockies, twice a year.

> At night?

Virtually never. Unless it is a short trip, I won't fly after a full day
of work. Generally I have an entire day for travel, a one day
requirement to be somewhere and the next entire day to travel home.


> What is the operating budget? It is going to cost at least $50K/yr to
> operate an airplane that will make 75+% of the trips. If your trips are
> mostly to SoCal from Tuscon, just buy a high performance turbocharged
> single and you will be able to complete most of your trips at low cost.

Figure six trips to SoCal, another four to Las Vegas. A handful to NM,
TX, CO per year. The TC single is highest on my list right now - the
question is *which* TC single ?

> If a lot of trips are to somewhere in the PNW or the Plains (aka: tornado
> alley) then you are going to need deice and radar.

There's my challenge. I average eight trips per year to Portland, OR. I
may decide to still fly those commercially, depending on the airplane I
end up with. East coast stuff will remain commercial. I know I can't
eliminate commercial travel entirely, I just want to reduce it as much
as practical.

> Can you just fly to Pheonix and then fly direct on SW or UAL?

I can drive to PHX. From my house, TUS is about 40 minutes and PHX is
about a 90 minute drive. By the time I drive to the airport, preflight,
pull the airplane out and secure the hangar and fly to PHX, it is a wash
to drive with respect to time. I really want to avoid the whole TSA
thing as much as possible. That random "strip search" a couple of weeks
ago was the final straw.

> I had a similiar situation to yours. I lived in Minden NV, flew a Turbo
> Lance and I had about 85% success in being able to fly myself to
> destinations mostly in CA, arriving on time and not getting stranded on the
> California side of the mountains when it was time to return. To go from 85%
> to 99%, the minimium airplane had to have radar, pressurization, deice and
> (two) turbine engines.

My furthest trip would be a bit shy of 1000 NM. If I can do that
non-stop with reasonable speed, that's about 6 hours. I typically depart
at 7 am so that would get me there around 1 pm. If I have weather
issues, as long as I can get within a 4-6 hour drive, that will still be
a success.

> Think long and hard about what you want to accomplish and what you are
> willing to do and pay for it. There is no airplane that will make your
> trips 99% of the time even at four times your budget but almost any airplane
> will make your trips most of the time.
> What are the deficiencies of your current airplane (the Mooney) for making
> your trips?

Overall time, primarily. Altitude secondarily. My 'C' model Mooney may
require two fuel stops (depending on wind) and a total time for a 1000
NM trip of close to 10 hours. If I can pick up 30 kts of TAS and make it
a one fuel stop trip, that shortens my overall time to maybe seven
hours. Non-stop might be six hours. Saving 40% on time would make me
want to do it. I don't have a strong desire to spend 10 hours getting
somewhere in one day in a GA airplane. Intermediate trips would all be
non-stop versus some of them one stop in my current Mooney.
---
Ken Reed
http://www.dentalzzz.com

[Dude]

First, I have to say that price limitations are not the best budgeting tool.
Could you say how much you want to put down and how much you want to spend
per year? Also, have you figured what your yearly hours might be? You can
likely buy more plane than you can afford to operate if you use the price
cap system.

If you liked the M20C, I would say that you should look at another M20.

You can likely get a K model in your price range with deice. It would be
hard to beat for Speed, Burn, and Range ( I assume that's what you really
want when you say fuel capacity, unless you really want to avoid high fuel
prices). A turbo normalized J might be another choice.

You could possibly find a TLS/Bravo (M model) in this range, but not likely
with deice. The Bravo is faster and more comfortable, but higher fuel burn
and maintenance. An Ovation is likely out of your range, but it is faster
down low, and less to maintain than an M20M. If you can go this route, it
will pay back buy having you more rested when you get there. These planes
are really more comfortable and have less vibration than the shorter
Mooney's.

The Bo's are worth looking at as well. They are higher priced, but you can
go older. Once again, deice and turbo normalized would likely be best.