Santander debit card in Spain

ShockingPink

Hi - hope someone can help!
I was with A&L - now Santander. When my account transferred, the letter I received said I could use my debit card fee-free in Spain. However, I now can't find any mention of this on their website and it's refusing to let me send a message!

Does anyone know whether it's still free?

Many thanks.

DCFC79

I cant find nything definite, theres a post on here from a 1 post wonder who says its free for dc cards link here
but its from last year so might be out of date

Baldur

See http://products.santander.co.uk/bankaccounts/frequentlyaskedquestions.html#What%20charges%20apply%20if%20I%20use%20a%20Santander%20Cash%20Machine%20in%20Spain?

What charges apply if I use a Santander Cash Machine in Spain?
All main adult current accounts (those which are credited with at least £1,000 per month) could benefit from free cash machine withdrawals in Spain. Simply use your Santander Debit Card in a Santander branded cash machine in Spain to receive the withdrawal fee free. This means: No Cash Handling Fee AND No Foreign Exchange Fee will be charged.
We will not charge you for using a cash machine abroad but the cash machine operator may make a charge. If you’re given the option of paying in local currency or sterling, please make sure you choose the local option. If you choose sterling, it means that the retailer or bank will handle the conversion and may charge you a conversion fee or a foreign usage fee (or both).

ShockingPink

Thank you so much for that! I couldn't find that anywhere on their website.

karencall

Hi

I've just got off the phone to Santander. We have a zero current account with them and have the paperwork to say that we will not be charged for using our card abroad. However, on my statement I have been charged £1.25 x 5. They say its not them that's charging - its the bank abroad. I think its strange its all the same amount when it was different places we used it for different amounts. We also have a Sandander zero credit card which we have used for a few years abroad and never been charged this amount.

Baldur

karencall wrote: »

I think its strange its all the same amount when it was different places we used it for different amounts.

The fact that the amounts are the same and unrelated to the amount withdrawn suggests that they are standard cash withdrawal charges imposed by the ATM operator(s), not the card issuer.

karencall

Looked at our receipts now and we paid in euros, and not sterling so not sure why we have these charges on our santander current account.

Baldur

karencall wrote: »

Looked at our receipts now and we paid in euros, and not sterling so not sure why we have these charges on our santander current account.

Are you talking about purchases/point of sale transactions or cash withdrawals from Spanish ATMs?

adindas

Yes I also think so.
When your destinatians are such as to Las Vegas, Many of Asian Thailand, Indonesia, etc. You will get charged for using their cash machines for cash withdrawals.

In many EU countries there are normally no fee for using the ATMs. But few ATMs (especially non high street bank ATMs) will charge you for using them, same as if you are using ATMs for cash withdrawals in the convenience stores in the UK.

Presumably, you did not use your debit card in high street banks in the EU countires, it is highly likely that Santander is telling you the truth ...

ADINDAS

Baldur wrote: »

The fact that the amounts are the same and unrelated to the amount withdrawn suggests that they are standard cash withdrawal charges imposed by the ATM operator(s), not the card issuer.

karencall

Hi
The receipts that I have are from restaurants.
K

adindas

If you buy purchase something abroad and you pay in £ (not local currency) there is what is the so called DCC (dynamic currency conversion). It is normally in percentage but there is minimum charge.

I do not know your case. But If you were paying the service/good with your cars in £ (not in local currency) than this was probably the case. Martin's has written article about this here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

In which country you were using your card for purchasing then, is it EU ?

karencall wrote: »

Hi
The receipts that I have are from restaurants.
K