Charity Cards - BTF

Shaanbles · 16 March 2006 at 4:02PM

Thread closed so its all in one place - to be continued at the following

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=1918853#post1918853

Martin

___________________________________________

I know MSE is currently plugging charity credit cards and I thought that it seemed a good idea so applied online - it looked like there was no BTF, however when I got the paperwork today it turns out there is a 2% fee, I called them and they said yes there is a fee.

I'd like to be charitable, but not by paying 2% BTF on £10,000 to HBOS!

I think these guys should make it clear that there is a fee involved

merch · 16 March 2006 at 6:16PM

Where does MSE 'plug' charity cards?
Read this article... https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1080798014,85737,

What HBOS card have you opted for? Their Cancer Research, Mencap, NSPCC and SSPCA cards all state 'up to 2% balance transfer fee' on the websites.

Have you signed and returned the T&Cs? If not, ask if they'll waive or at least cap the fee. Otherwise get a BTF free card. Check out... http://www.stoozing.com/0fees.htm

Anwen_2 · 16 March 2006 at 8:44PM

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1107192915,68336,#toptart

Did you click through the link shown? If so, looks like another update is needed! (This was in the latest Tips)

NiciD_2 · 16 March 2006 at 8:45PM

Hi,
I'm new to this site and signed up for a MacMillan Cancer Research card today so that I could transfer my existing credit card balance without paying a fee. This was done on the advice of MSE (see section entitled "The top Straightforward application cards" at the following: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1107182516,76509,
It states:

"The following cards all offer 9 months 0% on balance transfers and purchases (spending on the card), with no fee during the introductory offer: Great Ormond Street, Guide Dogs, Harley Davidson, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Mencap, NSPCC, RNID, The Scout Association."

I'll wait and see what the paperwork says when it arrives but I wont be signing anything if they are charging!

Bokken_2 · 16 March 2006 at 8:51PM

NiciD wrote:

Hi,
with no fee during the introductory offer: Great Ormond Street, Guide Dogs, Harley Davidson, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Mencap, NSPCC, RNID, The Scout Association."[/I]

I'll wait and see what the paperwork says when it arrives but I wont be signing anything if they are charging!

It will be too late then as they will have already run a credit check against your file,if you did this several times and then rejected the cards because you only found out about a fee when the paperwork arrived you could damage your credit rating and future chance of being successful in your applications.
Best just check the online summary box before applying.

AP · 16 March 2006 at 8:59PM

The summary box, under Balance Transfer Fee, it says:

Balance Transfer Fee 2% or minimum £2 (on promotional rates except introductory offer)

The 'except introductory offer' bit sounds like you won't be charged a fee when you make the balance transfer during the intoductory period, i.e. the 1st 9 months.

Maybe Martin could ask HBOS to clarify this for all of us.

NiciD_2 · 16 March 2006 at 9:00PM

Ah, thanks for the advice.

I've just gone back and looked at the t's & c's of the card and it says:

"We may charge a handling fee of 2% (at least £2) for balance transfers and cheques offered at special promotional rates other than a special promotional rate you received when your account was opened."

Does that mean that the 2% only applies if you transfer a balance at a later date but it doesnt apply to the balance transfer you do at the time of opening the card?

me confused!!!

Bokken_2 · 16 March 2006 at 9:13PM

NiciD wrote:

Ah, thanks for the advice.

Does that mean that the 2% only applies if you transfer a balance at a later date but it doesnt apply to the balance transfer you do at the time of opening the card?

me confused!!!

Computer says Message is too short.
YES.

Shaanbles · 16 March 2006 at 10:54PM

NiciD wrote:

Does that mean that the 2% only applies if you transfer a balance at a later date but it doesnt apply to the balance transfer you do at the time of opening the card?
me confused!!!

NO be warned the fee is charged even if you do the transfer at the time of opening.

I applied on the basis thinking there was no fee because of what was said on this site and from the statement "on promotional rates except introductory offer" verbage. My online application was accepted and I got the paperwork today and then phoned to check about the fee - got told there would definitely be a 2% fee.

Could someone from MSE look into this please as the site says:

"The following cards all offer 9 months 0% on balance transfers and purchases (spending on the card), with no fee during the introductory offer: Great Ormond Street, Guide Dogs, Harley Davidson, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Mencap, NSPCC, RNID, The Scout Association."

Shaanbles · 16 March 2006 at 10:57PM

merch wrote:

Where does MSE 'plug' charity cards?
Read this article... https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1080798014,85737,

What HBOS card have you opted for? Their Cancer Research, Mencap, NSPCC and SSPCA cards all state 'up to 2% balance transfer fee' on the websites.

Have you signed and returned the T&Cs? If not, ask if they'll waive or at least cap the fee. Otherwise get a BTF free card. Check out... http://www.stoozing.com/0fees.htm

Sorry perhaps plug was the wrong word to use, but the article does say they offer 0% BTF with NO fee and that is not the case. Spoke to them today and got told there is a fee regardless.

David_Woodford · 16 March 2006 at 10:59PM

Same here. Received my MENCAP card paperwork today. Disappointed to note that I would be required to pay a 2% balance transfer fee, but I'm still quids in because I'm moving debt from a 15.9% Sainsbury's card.

Charity Cards - BTF

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