MBNA SonyCard MasterCard Overview
It has been some time since I last spoke about an MBNA credit card, that being said the credit card from MBNA I will be discussing today is none other than the MBNA SonyCard MasterCard.
As you can already guess, the Sony Card is a MasterCard aimed towards earning Sony Points. The Sony Points earned allow you to redeem them for Sony products either on the online store or in store, depending on what your preference is.The Sony Card comes equipped with a variety of benefits (a lot I think most people will not expect to find on it).
I have outlined what the MBNA SonyCard MasterCard has to offer in the table below:
| MBNA SonyCard MasterCard | |
|---|---|
| Rewards | - 1 Sony Point/ $1 spent in net retail purchases - Double the Sony Points when used to purchase Sony Merchandise from an authorized Sony dealer - 2000 Bonus Sony Points after 1st qualifying purchase |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Benefits | Platinum Benefits |
| Interest Rate | 19.99% |
As you can see, you earn 1 Sony Point for every $1 in net retail purchases and double Sony Points when you purchase Sony merchandise from an authorized Sony dealer.
The redemption rate for Sony Points are 100 Sony Points = $10.
What other benefits are included with the Sony Card?
It was surprising to me to find out that the Sony Card falls under the Platinum card category. The benefits given with this card are quite comprehensive.
Travel Benefits
| Lost Document and Ticket Replacement | Yes |
| Lost Luggage Assistance | Yes |
| Pre-trip Information | Yes |
| Legal Assistance | Yes |
| Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance | $1,000,000 |
| Unexpected Return Home | Coverage in the event of the death of an immediate relative while you are on a trip ($2,000) |
| Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver | Yes |
| Accidental Death & Dismembermen | Coverage while occupying eligible rental vehicle ($200,000) |
| Personal Effects Benefit | Coverage against loss, theft or damage to personal effects for the duration of an auto rental period ($1,000) |
Purchase Benefits
| 24-hour Customer Service | Yes |
| 1-hour Credit Line Increase Decisions | During regular business hours |
| Cash Advance | Bank, ABM, Access Cheques |
| Emergency Card Replacement | 7-10 days or by courier |
| Emergency Cash | Western Union |
| Emergency Cash Transfer | Up to $5,000 |
| Purchase Assurance | Covers most items purchased with your MBNA credit card for the first 90 days from the date of purchase ($4,500) |
| Extended Warranty Benefits | Doubles the written warranties for up to one additional year on most new purchases made with your MBNA credit card |
Is this credit card worth having?
At no annual fee, a rewards program, and good insurance coverage, the Sony Card is not a terrible card. However, I am unfamiliar with Sony Points, and decided to check out what products can be redeemed, and how many points it would cost me.
I looked at the first thing on the website’ homepage, which was an iPod/ iPhone portable speaker dock. The cost of this product is $69.99, and to purchase it using Sony Points, it would cost you 6,999 Sony Points. Now that seemed like a ridiculous amount of points. I looked at another product, the 3D Sound Bar and Subwoofer. The cost of this product is $249.99 or 24,999 Sony Points.
As you can see, the cost of the product is the cost in Sony Points just x100.
When you take into consideration that Sony Points have an expiry date of 5 years, giving you ample time to save your points up for a full product purchase.
Personally, I could not use the Sony Card because you are restricted to one brand’ product. Granted, they are great products, I like having options.
That being said, for a no fee credit card the rewards program might not be the best, but the benefits included are quite good; if you are looking to earn reward points for technology and have some good benefits while you are at it. The Sony Card might be the choice for you.
What do you think of the Sony Card?
Clay
Amy @ JobCred CV Builder
Keith Penny
Penn
Comments (3 )
The redemption rate for Sony Points are 100 Sony Points = $10.
1) 100 Sony Points = $1
2) Minimum redemption is 3,000 points. So you’ll have to spend at least $1,000 to redeem the 2,000 points ($20) you are given at sign up.
[Reply]
Sensei Reply:
March 12th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Yes, that is the main reason I do not see this credit card as a great choice, but the benefits included are not terrible.
[Reply]
I have had this card for 10 years. There have been changes over the recent years. The points expire after 5 years now which I am not a fan of considering I used my points after waiting 8 years to get them. I am thinking of switching over to their smart cash back card now as I am not liking the limited selection of their products on the sony style website and would rather have something I can benefit from all purchases
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