Credit cards sent out late
THOUSANDS of Capital One credit card holders could be left stranded without a card as they set off on holiday this month.
A hitch means that many people with cards that expired at the end of July have not received them yet. And they may not arrive until the middle of August.
The height of the holiday season is the worst time for this to happen. Amelia Sunderland, 37, has an e-ticket to fly to the US next week, two hotel reservations and theatre tickets all booked with her credit card.
She says: 'You have to produce your card when you check in at the airport, the hotels and the theatre. I've no other credit card. Capital One say the card will be with me within 10 working days. That could be too late.'
The new cards were ready to be sent out to customers only on Thursday last week. Despite this being only two days before the end of the month, Capital One sent them by second-class mail.
The ultra-secret American card issuer is believed to have 2.5m customers, so as many as 70,000 cardholders could be affected.
A spokesman for Capital One says the numbers affected were 'limited', but couldn't explain why therefore the cards were not sent by first-class mail or courier.
BIRMINGHAM Midshires launches a top-paying two-year bond tomorrow paying 4.72% after 20% savings tax (5.9% before tax) on a minimum £1. Monthly income is on offer at 4.6% (5.75%).
Top rate on a two-year cash mini Isa bond comes from Newcastle Building Society which has a two-year bond paying 5.85% tax-free fixed until September 27, 2006, on a minimum £1. The society accepts transfers from other Isa providers.
The bond is also available outsidethe cash mini Isa wrapper, but this reduces the after-tax rate to 4.68%, minimum £500.
A SERIES of new one-year bonds have also been released, but the rates on these are not as impressive as two-year ones.
Both Egg (minimum £1) and Yorkshire BS (minimum £1) pay 4.28% (5.35%). Best deals on one-year bonds include Birmingham Midshires from a minimum £1 at 4.49% (5.61%) and Northern Rock (minimum £500) pays 4.4% (5.5%). Of these, only Northern Rock and Yorkshire BS are available as tax-free cash mini Isas.
LEEDS & Holbeck's Direct Saver Plus postal account launched this week guarantees to pay 4% after 20% tax (5% before tax) or Bank of England base rate, whichever is higher, until September 30, 2005. From there, the rate will match or better base rate until September 30, 2007. Minimum balance is £5,000.
