We have had a trouble free Alliance & Leicester credit card for about 15 years, invariably paying off in full each month. Our last 4 statements, (beginning Nov 09, and I suspect co-inciding with the MBNA takeover), have all arrived too late to allow (immediate) payment within the deadline. The Dec statement arrived on a Fri pm with the following Sun as the deadline! Although we live in NW Scotland, none of our other mail suffered notable delays despite the seasonal rush and bad weather. MBNA have brushed off written complaints with a standard response to each and have refused to lift the penalty payments and interest charges, hiding behind the terms of 'my agreement' (which was not offered for renewal and signed by me!) (Having hearing probelms I'm not happy phoning them) They fail to address comments that the problem appears to co-incide with their takeover of the card. This is shabby and unethical, the credit card company should have a legal obligation to ensure that statements arrive with adequate time for payment. Can anyone spell out exactly what the situation is here or is it next step the ombudsman and a new card provider

Is anyone aware of rulings (court/Fin Ombudsman etc) about 'reasonable time' with respect to making payments, especially over bank holidays/postal strikes/bad weather. Specifically, if the statement is delivered with insufficient time (say 7 days) to mail a cheque back before the deadline, can the company hide behind the usual warnings about allowing plenty of time and riders when there are strikes etc. In any event, do they have a case if the payer can prove payment by return (as in 'good faith'). My latest arrived Fri 08.01, deadline 10.01!! Previous was 01.12.09, deadline 07.12.09, despite a note with the cheque we got hit for a default. These were the first 2 A&L statements from MBNA.....obviously a systems fault. I'm complaining, but wonder if there are any rulings here and what obligation there might be to relax deadlines when statements are likely to be delayed. MBNA warn customers to 'allow enough time', that should work both ways as in Xmas/New Year when bad weather and delays are quite likely. Sorry about the box below, can't kill it The Financial Ombudsman Service For the most part, don't bother. The Ombudsman is an industry arranged service which is under-resourced, takes too long, lacks clear transparency. You have no idea what evidence the FOS has received from the bank or how your complain has really been handled. The FOS is the preferred complaints route for the banking industry. The county court is to be preferred by consumers for its speed, openness, the quality of its awards and also because it will award 8% interest on top of any damages won by you. The Ombudsman should normally be used to solving little technical difficulties or customer service problems which you have expereinced with your bank. Follow this link to read the damning revelations made by an Ombudsman whistleblower.

Does anyone have current (Jan 2010) emails for MBNA people? Most of the posted ones are out of date or bounce. Additional question, is anyone aware of rulings (court/Fin Ombudsman etc) about 'reasonable time' with respect to making payments, especially over bank holidays/postal strikes/bad weather. Specifically, if the statement is delivered with insufficient time (say 7 days) to mail a cheque back before the deadline, can the company hide behind the usual warnings about llowing plenty of time and riders when there are strikes etc. In any event, do they have a case if the payer can prove payment by return (as in 'good faith'). My latest arrived Fri 08.01, deadline 10.01!! Previous was 01.12.09, deadline 07.12.09, despit a note with the cheque we got hit for a default. These were the first 2 A&L staements from MBNA.....obviously a systems fault