Santander dormancy fee

alibeano

As an A&L customer I was given a Santander Zero credit card last September. I used this for a balance transfer which I'm in the process of paying off. The balance transfer and my monthly direct debit payment are the only activity on this card to date. Will I be subject to the dormancy fee if I don't use it for a purchase?

McKneff

I didnt know that there was a dormancy fee, when did that start.

molerat

The fee has always been there. Whether they implement it or not is another question. Like all their fees and charges they are at their discretion.

In answer to the op, the fee would only be charged on cards with a zero balance for more than 6 months seemingly.

eastanglian1

i aint got a clue what that means..

_Andy_

alibeano wrote: »

As an A&L customer I was given a Santander Zero credit card last September. I used this for a balance transfer which I'm in the process of paying off. The balance transfer and my monthly direct debit payment are the only activity on this card to date. Will I be subject to the dormancy fee if I don't use it for a purchase?

Have you asked them?

McKneff

eastanglian1 wrote: »

i aint got a clue what that means..

If you dont use your card, it means it is dormant.
They will charge you for this.
Easy money eh. Im in the wrong job.

alibeano

I thought if it was dormant - ie no use - for six months then the fee kicked in. the fee is £10, any idea if that's a one off?

i could pay it off right now but have the money in a savings account (why I'm not sure with interest rates being so low). i just want to take advantage of the interest free period on the card.

molerat

Dormant means not used with a zero balance for 6 months. Stoozing with payments and a balance means there is account activity.

alibeano

luvly jubbly - thanks for clarifying - cheers :-)

immoral_angeluk

I've never heard of a dormant account fee before. Anyone know how long the account has to be dormant before that kicks in? Pondering whether customers could argue it as an unfair contract term... hmmm.

CannyJock

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

I've never heard of a dormant account fee before. Anyone know how long the account has to be dormant before that kicks in? Pondering whether customers could argue it as an unfair contract term... hmmm.

It's shown on their summary under charges
http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&c=Page&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1210619550141&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_TemplateA2

Section 2.6(a) of their T&C's define it

2.6 (a) We may close your Account or cancel or suspend your right to use your Account if it has been dormant meaning there have been no transactions or a zero balance for a period of 6 months. Before we do this we will contact you to determine whether you intend to make any further Transactions on your Card. Due to the cost of servicing an account we may at our discretion charge a dormancy fee of £10 if your Account has been dormant.