Santander Credit Card - scam or not?

CATS

3 weeks ago I applied for a Santander Card through my Alliance & Leicester current account as this way I wouldn't have to pay a transfer fee and will get 0% interest.

I hadn't heard anything for 2.5 weeks so I called them. I was told that I should go to an Abbey bank as they needed some more info, I did this and spoke to someone at the bank. They put the application through and I was approved for the card. However the card I was approved for was the Santander 0% but with a 3% transfer fee!!!!, So I decided to go A&L branch and asked them what was going on. I was informed that I had not been accepted for the Santander Card that I would not have had to pay a transfer fee. What I dont understand is how 2 mins before I was approved for the card that I would have to pay a fee and therefore the bank would be able to make money out of me, but not the one where I wouldnt have to pay a fee. I want to find out if anyone else has experienced this and if this is a scam?

Dabooka

What?

Take a deep breath and try explaining again in full. From who and what are you wishing to transfer?

PS. Should add that even before you reply, it'll not be a "scam"

CATS

ok so I applied for a Santander card through my alliance & leicester account as they have an offer of no transfer fee for existing customers - No reply for 2 week so I called and was told to go to an Abbey Branch and they will be able to help me.

Abbey branch put my application through and I was accepted - except I had to pay a transfer fee of 3% - clearly not what I had applied for

so went to speak to my A&L branch and was told I had been rejected - the card is the same card from the same bank but one is a special offer = no transfer fee the othe 3% fee but both from Santander - how can I be accepted for one and rejected for the other when it is the same bank

Dabooka

Sorry let me ask again.

WHAT are you wanting to transfer FROM? Another credit card, overdraft? Held with Alliance and Leicester?

You say your Abbey branch (or a Abbey branch?) processed your application for WHICH credit card? And what information did they request from you?

CATS

Sorry, let me try again. I wanted to transfer a balance from another credit card I have. a Halifax one to be precise. An Abbey branch in Balham processed my application for a Santander card (the same card I had applied online through my A&L account), They asked me for basic info such as name, address, salary etc.

CannyJock

When they sent through your credit agreement to sign (you should still have the Customer Copy) did you look at the rates on the back?


Section 6.2 on their charges should show should show you

• 0.00% on Balance Transfers (minimum £0.00);
• < few others >
• £10.00 dormancy fee;

All you should need to do is wave a copy of that at them and get the fee refunded.

EDIT: Should also be on the Summary Box page you received confirming their Charges.

CATS

But this is my problem, I wasnt approved for the card that offered 0% balance transfers fee, in order to qualify for this I had to have an account with A&L - which I have but they still rejected me

I was approved for one where I would have to pay 3% transfer fee, even though it is the same bank.

How is it possible that the same bank can approve me for one card and reject me for another. Accepting me on the one that they can get money out of me

CannyJock

CATS wrote: »

But this is my problem, I wasnt approved for the card that offered 0% balance transfers fee, in order to qualify for this I had to have an account with A&L - which I have but they still rejected me

I was approved for one where I would have to pay 3% transfer fee, even though it is the same bank.

How is it possible that the same bank can approve me for one card and reject me for another. Accepting me on the one that they can get money out of me

Different standard APR, different credit limits, who knows.

Maybe they decided you're a risk and they wanted a fee from you for the BT.

Lots of providers offer different cards and you don't always get the one you applied for but an alternative - Cap One used to be notorious for it IIRC - that's why it's important to check your T&C's to confirm which one you've been accepted for in advance of doing a BT.