Hi! I'm not a credit-card junkie. I only have a VISA. But I'm wondering if anyone has this MINI card, and what is so great about it, besides the no annual fee!
I never lease vehicles and I don't finance through dealers. Those seem to be the best aspects of the card. Are there others?

Thanks so much for any advice! (I REALLY want the card with my little Scoop on it!! She is the one impractical part of my life, and I love it!

 

I have the card, it's nice... 6 months interest free, then 10% interest after that (permanently). Not too bad for a credit card.

As for the rewards, there's more than just help towards buying another MINI. Check out this link:

MINI PLATINUM VISA CARD - MINI MOTORING REWARDS

Yeah, it equates to a 1% "bonus" on purchases, but it's better than nothing!

 

^ There's your reason.

 

That's the reason I have one. I got it during MTTS (August 06) and I haven't used it yet. But it has a pretty close picture of my MINI on it. So I carry it.

 

Thanks! I guess a pretty pic of Scoop really IS all the reason to get a card!
Appreciate the feedback

 

I was able to get $200 worth of free parts from Classic MINI with the rewards after only one year of use. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

That's cool!

 

How does your credit score need to be in order to qualify for one? I'm 21, but don't have a credit card yet. I applied for the MINI one maybe 6 months ago, but got rejected unsurprisingly. What to do to be accepted?

 

Gotta build up your credit rating, young man. Find a card that will get you started. Buy & pay off the card each month. Then try applying for a Mini card.

Make sure you PAY the %#@*&!! thing off soon or interest will eat you alive.

 

If you've never held a credit card and/or do not have a credit history, chances are you will be rejected for platinum cardm (what the mini is i believe). An easy way to build credit history is to get a few bills in your name (phone, tv, internet, electricity) and everytime you make a payment, it helps a bit. The easiest way is to get a family member to get you an additional card (from their account) - that way (and with some discipline), you can build a credit history.

Do not start applying to cards randomly - especially the free t-shirt/sandwich types who show up at college events - everytime a credit check shows up on your credit history - the less the number of checks, the better it is for you.

Edit: American Express is usually more friendly for newbie card holders (especially their student card) but as usual exercise discretion.

 

So you made purchases totaling $20,000 during that year on your card, correct? ($50 for every $5,000)

 

I would really like the card just to have my mini on the card but i have enough cards right now - Someday - That's a pretty informative link

 

Hehe, i put everything (and by everything, i mean everything) on one card and after 3 years, the number of points on the card = 46K (one point for every $). I especially love where i can expense stuff - airline tickets/hotel charges (hehe and even the mini deposit went on the card) = zoom zoom on the spending / points.

 

About how long after getting a regular credit card before I can apply for the MINI card ?

 

They say you can earn up to $5,000 off a Mini plus another $5,000 if you use Mini Financial for a total of $10,000---and we only need to spend how much for that $10,000 bonus? Um.... ONE MILLION DOLLARS? ($0.01 for every dollar spent)

At that rate I'm looking at 2050 for my new Mini.

 

Ellistotle, when I moved to the US, I had no credit history here (obviously) and no-one would give me a credit card.
I started getting rejected because I had had too many applications, which pissed me off because if any of the applications had been approved, I would have stopped applying.
I went to the bank I was having my salary direct deposited into ($1500 twice a month) and they gave me a $500 limit card. I used it and paid it off each month. 6 months later, I called them and asked for a limit increase. They bumped me up to 2 grand. Another six months and it went to 4 grand. That was in 1997 and now the same card (though it's been through about 5 different providers now) now has almost 20 grand as the limit. If you use the card smart, it doesn't take long to build to a useful limit.

I use the card for pretty much everything except Sams Club (they don't take Visa credit cards) and pay it off in full every month. I get 1% back in cash and generally get 2 or 3 $100 checks per year. That means I'm putting around $25,000 through the card every year, not paying a cent in interest, helping my credit score (over 800) and getting money back on regular living expenses.

 

Sounds fair enough. Wish me luck! I'll report back in a year, hahaha.

 

Ya, that is what I do. I put everything on the card, including work stuff, and then pay it off each month. The points rack up quick.

 

So if you get the card and finance through Mini, you get 5k off the purchase price? Is there a catch I am missing?

 

yes. you need to "earn" the $5,000. you get $50 for each $1000 you spend on the card. Soooooo, you will need to spend $100,000 on your card to get the $5k.

i think that's right, but if not, it's close.

 

That makes more sense.

I can find no reason why this would be any better than a cash back card.

 

Your average cash back card doesn't have a picture of your MINI on it.

That's it.

(That's not to say I haven't gotten one. It's my new 'Oh, we don't take Discover.' card.)

 

LOL... Maybe a camera, some scissors and some glue and I can make my current cash back card a "Mini" card...

 

I caved! Ordered my little MINI card! I figure gas and toll charges are good excuses to use it! Besides, it's so cute!

 

My card came today! I really wish I could be saying 'My car came today!' though. The dealer should be happy - now I can officially put down my deposit.