Abbey Zero - Spending Abroad

devonmark

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick Question.

I am going on a family holiday soon, and have got a Zero Card from Abbey. My question is, if I use this card on holiday/Abroad will I be charged, also if I use it in a ATM Machine for cash abroad will I be charged?

Thanks In advance

Mark

KTF

If you use it for purchases there will be no loading fees applied that other credit cards may apply.

If you take money out from an ATM then this will be classed as a cash advance and the cash advance interest rate will apply. The interest starts from the day that you take the money out of the ATM.

Its a good card for purchases but I would never take money out of an ATM using a credit card (uk or overseas).

hs1972

I recently got a zero credit card after reading on the site that:

Whether it's everyday shopping or something special like a holiday, you won't pay a penny in interest on purchases made within the first 6 months. You'll also enjoy 0% for 6 months on any balances transferred within the first month - and you won't pay a balance transfer fee either.
...You want to save money when using it abroad
With no foreign exchange fees, you could save money every time you travel with the Abbey Zero card. And if you ever unexpectedly need cash from an ATM, you'll pay zero fees.

Unfortunately, zero fees wasn't the case. My statement had made a balance transfer fee charge and stated estimated interest on my next statement. Contacting Abbey was not fun either - having spent more than 30 minutes being passed through their system I was still not able to pay any money off. Very poor customer service.

HamiltonL

When did you do the balance transfer? Was it after the account had been open for 30 days? Even then I don't think there is a fee but your 0% could be shortened. Phone payments can be made through the Abbey Current Accounts team, if you have an Abbey current account and the Giro bill payment information to hand.

It sounds like you have somehow ended up with the wrong card. Does it say 'Zero' on the card? Either way there does seem to be a problem and I would advise you (if you haven't already) to contact Abbey customer services (0845 602 1582) to check that out.

You may have got the standard card (0% BT 12 months with fee, 0% purchases 3 months).

Does it say what estimated interest is for? It could only be on Cash for the Zero card as it's too soon for the current 0%ers to expire, unless you defaulted? Then again some of the cash interest would be on that statement you have now?

My question is, if I use this card on holiday/Abroad will I be charged, also if I use it in a ATM Machine for cash abroad will I be charged?

No fees on purchases. No interest as well on purchases for the moment.

No fees for cash dispense but 25.9%APR interest. Some ATM's may charge a fee, but that is out of Abbey's hands.

poppiepie

I have an abbey zero card and want to use it for cash withdrawals in the US after reading Martin's page about travel money. I understand that I wil be charged interest for making a cash withdrawal, but that this works out less than a debit card fee.

My question is - in order to avoid paying whopping interest, will I have to pay off the whole balance on my card or can I just pay off the amount I withdrew in cash in the US? I currently have about £1500 which I want to keep on there as I still have the 0% interest deal on balance transfers and purchases.

Thanks!

ldn-100

poppiepie wrote: »

My question is - in order to avoid paying whopping interest, will I have to pay off the whole balance on my card or can I just pay off the amount I withdrew in cash in the US? I currently have about £1500 which I want to keep on there as I still have the 0% interest deal on balance transfers and purchases.

You will need to return the card balance to £0. This is because if you withdraw the equivalent of £100, and then paid £100 into the account, part of the balance transfer will be paid off using this payment before any of the cash advance is paid off. The cash advance has the highest interest rate and is therefore last to be paid off.

poppiepie

Thanks ldn-100
I'm glad I found that out in advance!