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£4.50 charge on Barclays *Debit* Card for currency

andy_1666
andy_1666 Posts: 3 Newbie
in Overseas holidays & travel planning
This doesn't seem right to me. I just bought £400 worth of dollars for an upcoming trip to the USA.

I saw that Credit cards attract an extra charge (treated as a cash advance I guess), so used my Barclays Conenct VISA Debit card.

The dollars were purchased online from Travelex so I can pick them up at the airport.

I've just noticed that on my statement this transaction has a £4.50 charge from Barclays on it. :mad:

That can't be right, surely? Has anyone else had this experience? I want to see what footing I'm on before I call Barclays and have a go.
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Comments

  • Incapuppy
    Incapuppy Posts: 5,713 Forumite
    Hello and welcome to MSE.

    This is standard practice for a lot of banks, see some related info here:

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1451801&highlight=debit+card+charge+for+currency
  • andy_1666
    andy_1666 Posts: 3 Newbie
    Thanks for the fast reply. I didn't spot that debit cards could be hit by the charge. It's very naughty of them IMO, as it's just the same as me taking money out of a cashpoint really, ie it's a cash advance from my own pocket!

    Oh well, I live and learn I guess.

    Thanks for the welcome by the way :beer:

    ... as a lifetime spendthrift I'm finally tightening my belt to get to grips with my outgoings!

    A few months ago Barclays would have been hitting me for £30+ per month in charges and I didn't bat an eyelid. Now it's winding me right up they've taken this £4.50! :p
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I would be annoyed too. I get Euros from my Halifax branch with no charge to my debit card, but I dont know if they charge if i do it over the internet.
    (Knowing my luck, they would probably charge £4.50 postage)

    And welcome from me also.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • Fortyfoot
    Fortyfoot Posts: 1,961 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    The best way is NATIONWIDE

    Fortyfoot
  • stephb34
    stephb34 Posts: 2,064 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    When i sell customers foreign exchange i pre warn them about their own bank charging them for the privelege of a "cash advance" most people are very grateful and pop next door to the hole in the wall and come back with the cash. Maestro cards are generally free and a few Visa debit ie Nationwide but the rest charge i think about 2.5% which then defeats the object of shopping about for a good euro rate etc.
  • deegee999
    deegee999 Posts: 308 Forumite
    I always draw the cash out then pay for my currency, just wondering if my visa electron Halifax would be free like anniehanlon?
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    deegee999 wrote: »
    I always draw the cash out then pay for my currency, just wondering if my visa electron Halifax would be free like anniehanlon?

    I couldnt say, i usually just go to the counter and use my debit card there for my euros before i go away. Then use my Nationwide CC for purchases abroad.
    (no charge)
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • deegee999
    deegee999 Posts: 308 Forumite
    Got an easycash account for flights, think I'll ring & ask tomorrow,
  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    This is Barclays way of penalising you for not getting your currency from them.

    The BEST way to get cash in the USA with a Barclays debit card is from Bank of America cash machines.

    http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?task=homefreegroup&value=12636&target=_self&site=pfs
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
  • andy_1666
    andy_1666 Posts: 3 Newbie
    Wow, this is a very friendly forum. Thanks for all the advice.

    Very handy to know the Bank Of America are the machines to look out for in the USA.

    :T
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