Santander Zero cash withdrawals abroad or should I just use current account?

cheekychops86

Hi

I am going to be in SE asia for the next 6 months and I will be making a number of cash withdrawals so wanted to avoid the charges linked to my current account First Direct, so I thought I would use my Santander Zero and then make payment transfer from current account.

I know you are charged interest from the date you make a cash withdrawal abroad on Santander Zero, but if I pay off the following day will i only be charged interest for the days my card is in debit?

Can you advise what is the best thing to do?

Many thanks

heloid

The interest per day on a £100 withdrawl is less than 10p so even 2-3 days isn't a big deal.
Paying it off same day might be possible as well, can't say I watched how long it took to show on my account last time I withdrew money on a CC.
You just want to be careful that you don't accidentally go in to positive balance by paying too soon.

Any

Is there any other balance on your credit card?

robertoefc

Slightly off-topic but I've found Santander to be absolutely !!!!!!! useless to deal with. I opened a credit card account with them to take advantage of the 0% on foreign exchange/purchases and had no problems actually using the card, but I cannot believe the trouble I've had trying to pay them back.

It is absolutely absurd. I asked before I went away for them to send me the information to enable me to set up online banking so I could make a payment to them, came back off holiday to find they hadn't sent it. I asked for them to send it again and 3 weeks later, still nothing. So I've just phoned up to make a payment over the phone and cannot for the life of me understand why, in 2009, they are making it so difficult for me to make a payment. Apparently because I do not bank with them, they cannot take a debit card payment from me. It's just nonsensical.

withnell

Conversely, I had my card delivered quickly and online banking set up within a week. Direct Debit set up in time for first statement aswell!

INT1

0% on Cash handling fees but you get charged cash interest ont he Zero I believe?
Maybe put the account in credit a little bit and do it that way?

MaxTheDog_2

aldo wrote: »

0% on Cash handling fees but you get charged cash interest ont he Zero I believe?
Maybe put the account in credit a little bit and do it that way?

It's against the T&C's to put the card into credit.