Hit by unexpected interest

fuzzball172

Just looking for some advice, but I think I know the answer already.

We use our Tesco credit card for all our shopping, as we get the points for shopping at Tesco and points for using the card. Every month we pay the full balance of the card so we never pay interest. For the last 5 years the bill is always due on the same day of the month, so we have an automatic payment set up to make sure the funds get paid on time. Last month they moved the due day forward one day, so our payment arrived late. I know we should have checked the date of the bill and or made sure the payment arrived on time, but we got hit for a £45 interest payment. Don't suppose any of you credit card gurus have any ideas on how we can fight this one? Or do I just have to put it down to experience.

Thanks

Simon_Preston

If it's a first time then give them a call and you might be able to get them to refund the interest. Always remember to be polite and apologetic though.
Never any harm in trying.

YorkshireBoy

fuzzball172 wrote: »

...I think I know the answer already.

Is it to set up a direct debit for the full amount?

For the last 5 years the bill is always due on the same day of the month...

Obviously I haven't seen all 60 of your statements during that time but frankly I'd be astonished if what you say is true. I'd expect the payment due date to move due to any one of the following:

1. Number of days in the month.
2. System glitches.
3. Changes to the T&Cs in respect of number of interest free days, ie from 56 to 50 days.
4. Etc

Last month they moved the due day forward one day, so our payment arrived late.

You're cutting it incredibly tight, and have been incredibly lucky up to now, if one day makes all the difference. What about weekends, Bank Holidays (especially Easter & Xmas), etc? Have they never got in the way over the last 60 billing cycles?

Was I right about a direct debit being the answer? No more late payments, interest, credit file damage. I am aren't I?

fuzzball172

To be honest I don't know why we havn't set up a DD...