Abbey charging to use bank cards abroad!

JShaw82

Nestled in my bank statement this month is a disclaimer to tell me the following:

International Debit Card Transaction Fees

If you have used your debit card overseas this month the transaction will appear on your statement.

The transaction amount includes an International Usage fee of 2.75% of the transaction value.

In addition if the transaction was at point of sale an Overseas Transaction Fee of £1.25 per transaction is included.

Phoning them for more information was of little use, though I did find out that this applies to all charges however small, so even if you paid 1 euro for something you would be charged, all customers will be charged and all countries including Ireland. Outrageous! Looks like there is no option but changing to a more sensible bank - you'd have thought in today's global market that a bank who have recently been bought by a Spanish company would realise what a terrible offering this is to their customers!

KTF

This is not 'news'. Almost all banks (with the exception of nationwide) will charge you to use your debit card abroad.

See here for more information: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

PBA

Yup, every bank charges a similar fee (except Nationwide, as KTF points out). Most hide it in their small print, Abbey print it in bold on the front of the statement so they're the ones you're flaming!

C_Ronaldo

OP

yes this isnt news, its pretty much standard, ive got a maestro cad and i get charged, get a nationwide flexaccount card then you dont get charged

thumshie

While it's not 'news' or something specific to this account - Abbeys Debit card DOESN'T show on martins cards from hell:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money#hell
nor is the fee listed here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/overseas-card-charges

and - imho - it should.

Not having abbey I can't say how recent this change is, but pointing out something Martin himself doesn't mention is worthy of a :beer:

EDIT: looking at the second link above, that was updated 1st July, so is a recent change. Another thing to note is that abbey use to charge 2.25% in europe 2.75% every where else. Current Ts'&C's online just state 2.75% so yet another change...

jammin_2

I bought Ryanair flights from Ireland to UK, cost me 2c (two Euro cents). Paid with my Abbey Visa Electron card (Sterling). Just checked my account online and it shows 2p has been debited for the transaction - fine, but also £1.25 "OVERSEAS TRANSACTION FEE".

Just a minute, but did it really cost Abbey £1.25 to process a 2c sale? Somehow, I don't think so.

Can I write to them and state it's unfair and I want my £1.25 back?

97trophy

JShaw82 wrote: »

Looks like there is no option but changing to a more sensible bank - !

join the ever growing club of ex-Abbey customers.

dzug1

jammin wrote: »

I bought Ryanair flights from Ireland to UK, cost me 2c (two Euro cents). Paid with my Abbey Visa Electron card (Sterling). Just checked my account online and it shows 2p has been debited for the transaction - fine, but also £1.25 "OVERSEAS TRANSACTION FEE".

Just a minute, but did it really cost Abbey £1.25 to process a 2c sale? Somehow, I don't think so.

Can I write to them and state it's unfair and I want my £1.25 back?

You can write to them but you won't get it back.

agsnu

jammin wrote: »

I bought Ryanair flights from Ireland to UK, cost me 2c (two Euro cents). Paid with my Abbey Visa Electron card (Sterling). Just checked my account online and it shows 2p has been debited for the transaction - fine, but also £1.25 "OVERSEAS TRANSACTION FEE".

Just a minute, but did it really cost Abbey £1.25 to process a 2c sale? Somehow, I don't think so.

I doubt anybody would dispute that, but it's irrelevant. If Abbey offered everything to you at what it cost them, how would they make any money? If they didn't make any money, what would be the point in them bothering?

simon_templar_2

Exactly, the OP has never heard of cost price and sales price.

scott_lithgows

jammin wrote: »

I bought Ryanair flights from Ireland to UK, cost me 2c (two Euro cents). Paid with my Abbey Visa Electron card (Sterling). Just checked my account online and it shows 2p has been debited for the transaction - fine, but also £1.25 "OVERSEAS TRANSACTION FEE".

Just a minute, but did it really cost Abbey £1.25 to process a 2c sale? Somehow, I don't think so.

Can I write to them and state it's unfair and I want my £1.25 back?

No,but if you dont like it,move your finances somewhere else.