Confirmation of fees free charity cards

Alan_N_3

I had a similar experience as thejhw, again with the harley card. I applied for the card on Tuesday (11/04) night, and received the T&C on Thursday (13/04). Strange letter telling me the "Harley Davidson Card" was no longer available BUT "we can offer you the Harley Davidson Card" . Had it not been for that I wouldn't have read the paperwork. The wording of the fee in section 5.2 is to say the least vague. "we may charge a handling fee" and it continues "other than a special promotional rate" What does that mean ???

I checked the website.. It has been changed since I applied so I called them. I was told that there would be a 2% fee capped at £50. I was told that the zero fee offer was only from sites not owned by HBOS and had not been updated. I assured them to the contrary. Bottom line I insisted the team leader checked with the press office which she has promised to do and call me back next Tuesday (18/04) after the bank holiday... I'll let you know how I make out...

Snich

I just wanted to say that I have been one of the lucky ones. I asked for an NSPCC card, got £5800 limit (which is more than I needed). After I first got the card, I rang them and none of the call centre staff knew what I was talking about, however, I decided to wait until all the paperwork had gone through, then rang them to balance transfer whilst activating the card (so freephone no!) - No problems, done straight away and NO FEE!

Hurrah for Martin!

Manchester_Lucy

Right, here's the problem behind why so many people are being refused the fee waiver, I think:

"Check it is the Platinum card you have applied for."

I went for the Gold Card, so they aren't waiving the 2%. This requirement was never mentioned when this whole subject was brought up on March 15th.

In addition, our Harley Davidson card isn't one of the options on this site - https://www.charitycard.co.uk

grumbler

Manchester_Lucy wrote:

..."Check it is the Platinum card you have applied for."

I went for the Gold Card, so they aren't waiving the 2%. This requirement was never mentioned when this whole subject was brought up on March 15th.

In addition, our Harley Davidson card isn't one of the options on this site - www.charitycard.co.uk

The link from Martin's article is Harley Davidson. I don't see a Gold card here, only Chrome and Platinum. I don't understand why Alex Barnett from HSBC insists that 'Platinum charity cards ... do not have a BT fee for the introductory period'. The Chrome Card T&C and the Summary Box have the same wording:

5.2 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.

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

Manchester_Lucy

Ah yes, no Gold. While we're being pedantic, that's Alex Barnett of HBOS, not HSBC!

Looking at it, we've got the Chrome card, and yet I asked for a Platinum! My T&Cs state that the interest rate is 12.9%, which is the rate for the Plat card as shown at the link Grumbler has posted above. I'll be emailing them this info along with Alex's comments.

THFC

Good news from me - I got the NSPCC Card and a good limit too.

Telephoned for the balance transfer and they said there would be a fee.

I questioned this, and was placed on hold.

They then apologised and put the balance transfer through with no fees etc.

Just as Martin stated originally.

Cheers

pec1960

there is still a LOT of confusion over the balance transfer fee on these charity cards.....i have spoken to various different people on the help-desk at hbos over the past week or so and they all say there is a fee?am i just unlucky?i cannt keep wasting time,money and energy!!!!
MARTIN cannnt you clarify and get the help-desk to all sing from the same hymn sheet?the press officers statement doesnt seem to have done the trick does it?
HELP!!!!!

skigolfski

I had similar experience to pec1960 but persevered. Eventually got transfered to another department (New Acc Applications) who, again after a number of wrong turns, and twice discussing with supervisor, agreed that there was no BT fee.

Bottom line : There is an introductroy period of 5 months when no BT fee will be charged. after this BT's will be charged. I have the mans name and will pursue if I am charged.

This was a much longer post with more info about there incompetence but after spending 15 minutes typing it I was dumped out of the forum, everything lost!!

skigolfski

MSE_Martin

MARTIN cannnt you clarify and get the help-desk to all sing from the same hymn sheet?the press officers statement doesnt seem to have done the trick does it?

I know this is frustrating, but i have clarified. There is no more than i can do. If you follow the right procedure as laid out above you will get the balance transfer. If you don't I will personally make sure you do. There's little more clarifying than saying "go via the right site, get the platinum card and it is fees free, ignore HBOS customer service if it tells you different".

The quote from HBOS in the first post is way way way way way way way way way more senior than the call centre. There really is no clarification needed - there is confusion at HBOS - i've done my damnest to make them address it - there is no confusion at MSE.

There's little more that can be done UNLESS you get charged a BT when not.

The one caveat is if you get an email saying "we're giving you a different card" - sadly this is a common practice for those who don't meet their credit score criteria and its not just HBOS but all cards. In that case - you simply have to say you don't want the card if it isn't suitable. There's litte more that can be done

martin

FriendofDorothy

I have just received my forms to sign for the macmillan mastercard which is what I applied for, although it doesn't say anything about being platinum and I did use the proper links from mse, trouble is I have an egg card to bt from as the 0% finishes on 1 June so will have to take whatever they offer me they have not mentioned credit limit yet, so if ti does end up being 12.9% apr is this still cheaper than eggs rate and should I then cancel my egg card as it will no longer be useful for future bt's ?
Thanks.