A & L migration to Santander

THE-WIFE_3

macalloa i'm glad you've had an easy ride with A & L insurance, my experience was carp. The medical screening person at Fortis Travel, who used to underwrite it, told me I had an ulcer when I informed them of the medication I was taking and wanted to charge me a lot extra just for European travel even with an EHIC. It's funny 'cos the hospital couldn't find one when i had the old camera down into the tum. Staysure, as recommended by MSE'ers, didn't even want to know when I wanted to travel to the States, now that is an expensive place to be sick. Santander want me to change to the Premier 50 account and tell me about the 'free' insurance. No, ta!

ses6jwg

macalloa wrote: »

We've been with Alliance & Leicester for a long time, having joined National Girobank years ago before A&L took it over.

The free Europe wide travel insurance (with their current account) was a nice bonus. We've had cause to claim once, which was settled in double quick time with no dramas.

I've just discovered that Santander will be charging either £10 or £20 monthly for this benefit (it's not clear which fee applies) although I believe cover will be worldwide.

Not that Santander have advised us yet - I found out by chance.

In the recent (ish) past they've have managed to mess up straightforward ISA transactions and replacement of debit cards on time.

I've come to the conclusion it's time to go elsewhere.

BTW - the only problems we've had with A&L have been since Santander bought them over - draw your own conclusions.

This is the first time I have heard of this as a Staff member?

As far as I know, the Premier and Premier 50 will stay as they are, apart from the Premier will earn no in credit interest (currently 0.5%) and the Premier 50 fee will raise from £10 to £12.

I suspect you were told this in order to get you to take out a Reward Account (£10 pm)

ses6jwg

THE-WIFE wrote: »

macalloa i'm glad you've had an easy ride with A & L insurance, my experience was carp. The medical screening person at Fortis Travel, who used to underwrite it, told me I had an ulcer when I informed them of the medication I was taking and wanted to charge me a lot extra just for European travel even with an EHIC. It's funny 'cos the hospital couldn't find one when i had the old camera down into the tum. Staysure, as recommended by MSE'ers, didn't even want to know when I wanted to travel to the States, now that is an expensive place to be sick. Santander want me to change to the Premier 50 account and tell me about the 'free' insurance. No, ta!

1. The issue with the travel insurance is nothing to do with A&L. It is Fortis that set the T&Cs of the travel insurance and you would have been told at the time that it excludes pre-existing conditions.

2. The Premier 50 is no longer available. I suspect they were talking about the Reward Account.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I had to visit three Santander branches and wait around for ages to close down a former A&L current account (because it was no longer earning the high interest rate- did phone up to see if they might offer to extend the deal, but it was just an Indian call centre reading off a script). Lots of "computer says no" before they finally realised that the current account was by default linked to a zero balance savings account I had no idea I had. Still got two online A&L savings accounts, but will be moving them once a better deal arises elsewhere.

molerat

ses6jwg wrote: »

This is the first time I have heard of this as a Staff member?

As far as I know, the Premier and Premier 50 will stay as they are, apart from the Premier will earn no in credit interest (currently 0.5%) and the Premier 50 fee will raise from £10 to £12.

I suspect you were told this in order to get you to take out a Reward Account (£10 pm)

Has this been made public ? I know there is now no interest above £2500 but did not know about this.

ses6jwg

molerat wrote: »

Has this been made public ? I know there is now no interest above £2500 but did not know about this.

you will have been written you if not already very shortly

Ihateconmen_2

Does anyone know if the town has stayed the same or not with the new sort codes? The town of my internet-only account was Bootle before the takeover, but now I can't find anywhere that tells me what the town is! My personnel dept. needs the 'bank town' in order to pay my wages, but I have no idea if it's changed or not. The sort code is 09-01-34. Please help!!!

ajrose13

Santander have just blocked access to my online account for the second time in a month. The only cause seems to be that I've called them to try to make a transaction!

Getting through to anyone is a complete nightmare. Nearly an hour on the phone today. And there seems to a major problem with their "telephone banking number" - they say it's the same as the online banking PIN, but it doesn't work.

I'm moving my account - this is so dreadful.

AnonymousForObviousReason

ajrose13 wrote: »

Santander have just blocked access to my online account for the second time in a month. The only cause seems to be that I've called them to try to make a transaction!

Getting through to anyone is a complete nightmare. Nearly an hour on the phone today. And there seems to a major problem with their "telephone banking number" - they say it's the same as the online banking PIN, but it doesn't work.

I'm moving my account - this is so dreadful.

They left it over month to block my account the second time, still trying to sort out, but £30 goodwill and a not our fault letter arrived for the first time. You are not alone - I can recommend FD (so far).

RumPunch_2

Have received a reply to our letter informing Santander that we were closing our accounts (sent registered delivery) telling us they were sorry and hoped we would save with them again in the future. Also enclosed two cheques.

So, we have escaped!

Nothing but praise for first direct so far.