Long 0% balance transfer offers help clear expensive card debt faster while restoring control over monthly cash flow.
The MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer option provides an extended promotional period on transfers, a simple online application, and cashback via Smart Rewards for everyday spending.
Clear terms, known fees, and a realistic repayment plan make this product easier to compare against other balance transfer cards.
Key Facts About MBNA
Choosing a balance transfer card works best when headline numbers appear side-by-side for quick scanning.
The details below summarize the core pricing points repeatedly referenced in MBNA materials.
Expect live rates and fees to change without notice, so always confirm the latest figures on the issuer’s site before applying. Use these figures to assess potential interest savings and fees against your planned transfer amount.
| Item | MBNA Long 0% Balance Transfer (UK) |
| Representative APR | 24.9% APR (variable) |
| Balance transfer promo | 0% for 34 months; fee applies |
| Purchase interest rate | 24.94% p.a. (variable) |
| Annual/account fee | £0 |
| Purchase interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
Note on fees: Source materials list a balance transfer fee of 3.49% in the rate line, while a separate schedule notes 5%. Treat the live application page as authoritative and budget conservatively when calculating costs.
Eligibility and Availability
Selecting the right card starts with a quick eligibility check rather than blind applications that risk hard search footprints.
- Applicants must be new MBNA customers who hold a UK bank or building society account, meet a minimum income of £14,000, and be at least 18 years old.
- A permanent UK address for three years typically appears as a residency requirement, and identity, address, and income verification will follow standard lender procedures.
Readers outside the United Kingdom should confirm regional availability and product names since MBNA terms differ between MBNA UK and MBNA Canada.
Global visitors benefit from starting on the correct regional site first, then using any available pre-check tool to gauge likely approval and credit limits before submitting a full application.
How to Apply Online
Finding and completing the online application requires only a few focused steps, and most applicants finish within several minutes when documents are ready.
Running MBNA’s Clever Check (UK) helps estimate eligibility and potential credit limits without affecting credit scores.
Having creditor details for any balances to move will speed up the transfer request. Follow the sequence below to avoid missing information during submission.
- Visit the correct regional site and open the dedicated balance transfer card page, then select Apply now.
- Run the eligibility checker where available, such as Clever Check in the UK, to preview fit and indicative limits.
- Complete the secure form using accurate personal, address, employment, and income information that matches documents.
- Add balance transfer details during the application, including card numbers and amounts for each creditor.
- Review the promotional period, transfer fee, and post-promo APR, then submit for a decision.
Requesting a Transfer After Activation
Some applicants prefer to activate the card first, then add one or more transfers after reviewing the account in the app.
Log in to MBNA online banking or the MBNA Mobile App, locate Balance transfers, enter each account number and requested amount, review the fee and estimated completion time, then confirm the request.
Transfers remain subject to available credit and any issuer restrictions on moving balances within related groups.
Information to Prepare
Have the source card number, issuer name, and transfer amount ready for each account, and keep statements handy for reference.
Plan transfer amounts so the total plus the fee stays within the new credit limit, leaving headroom for your first payment and any pending cashback transactions.
Rates, Fees, and How Charges Apply
Understanding how costs accrue prevents surprises after the promotional window ends.
- The 0% balance transfer period runs for up to 34 months on qualifying transfers, while a one-off transfer fee applies at the time of moving the balance.
- Purchases attract 24.94% p.a. (variable) unless cleared within the up to 56-day interest-free window; mixing purchases and transfers may complicate how payments allocate, so many borrowers ring-fence the card for transfers only until cleared.
- Cash advances usually incur 24.94% p.a. (variable) plus a 5% cash withdrawal fee, and they rarely make sense on a balance transfer card.
Typical non-interest fees include £12 for late payment, while the schedule provided shows £0 for returned payments, exceeding limit, duplicate statements, replacement cards, trace fees, and a 3% foreign transaction fee for EU and worldwide transactions.
Treat the live tariff as final because issuers adjust these line items periodically.
Features and Everyday Use
Cardholders can activate Smart Rewards and earn up to 15% cashback at participating retailers when following the linked offers.
Cashback programs change partners frequently, so checking the offers hub before shopping helps capture rewards efficiently.
Some marketing materials reference 0% money transfer promotions on certain variants; those are time-limited and may vary, so verify availability inside the live application journey.
Clean Repayments
Daily spending remains optional on a balance transfer strategy; many borrowers prioritize clean repayments to clear the transferred balance during the introductory window.
Setting up a monthly direct debit for at least the full planned repayment keeps the timetable on track while protecting against missed payment fees and potential loss of the promo rate.
What to Watch Before Applying
Clear decisions occur more quickly when common pitfalls are addressed upfront, saving time and preventing unnecessary costs.
- Approval and credit limit remain subject to status, and requested transfer amounts may be reduced if limits arrive lower than expected.
- The transfer fee applies on the day MBNA processes the move, so calculate the total cost including fees before committing.
- Promotional end dates matter because the remaining balance reverts to the purchase rate after the 0% period.
- Foreign transaction fees at 3% and cash withdrawal fees at 5% make the card unsuitable for overseas cash access.
- Questions on process or accessibility can be handled by MBNA customer service, including telephone applications when necessary.
Conclusion
An extended 0% balance transfer window combined with a £0 annual fee and Smart Rewards cashback makes this card a strong fit for consolidating legacy balances into one repayment plan.
Final confirmation should always occur on the live MBNA page, as promotional lengths, fees, and partner offers are subject to change over time and by region.
Disclaimer: Product data is subject to change without notice and may vary between MBNA UK and MBNA Canada. Always rely on the issuer’s live disclosures during the application flow for the latest terms, fees, and eligibility rules.